blessings

I am so incredibly blessed. My students are so generous, their families are so generous, my family is so generous and I feel so much love all around.

46 years ago today, I was born. I'm incredibly blessed to have been born into my family and given every opportunity to thrive. Thanks Momma and Daddy for everything you've given me.

The day started early with my standard work out at Anytime. Then home to prepare for the day. To school where my 21 sweet students made beautiful wishes, cards, necklace, candy canes, coffee, hand made ornaments and so many hugs I can't even count. Then out to coffee with my dear friend Michelle and then to dinner with my beautiful family where an extremely amazing parent bought our dinner.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the love, not feeling deserving as I'm sitting here in my cozy little home watching the wood stove and feeling the radiant energy from it's logs. So blessed am I.

Anders hand wreath made in Kindergarten with Mrs. Eggiman

dining table, tree and village

tree from hunting land

advent wreath and nativity 

new tree from Momma B--There's no place like home and angel from Odin Craft Mill circa 2003

the village piece from Anders Christmas 2016

Aunt Ruby's Christmas angel wreath

Finnley in the ornament bowl

star from Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas bingo 2016 and framed Joy Hope Believe 

30 never looked so good!

My beautiful, talented, marvelous 16th birthday present, Mrs. Jenna Louise Blomgren Hauser is officially the big 30.

Thank so much to my wonderful brother Kurt and Jenna's Momma Kelly for the best gift ever--my precious first born niece. Love you to the moon and beyond!

Kye, Kurt, Jenna, Cody, Kaitie and Vance on Jenna's wedding day

4 down...

yep. Spoke too soon. Shortly after I posted that on Monday, Anders curled up on the couch (never happens) and fell asleep. He missed school on Tuesday and his first swim meet of the season. The clock is ticking for me...

another one down

Katie wasn't able to go to school today. She was down with the same fever Osten had last week. I guess it's a matter of time before Anders and I are victims.

feeling thankful

So much to be thankful for! I got an opportunity to spend time with Bud and Betty, Ibby and Mike, Brad, Anders, Katie and Osten on Thanksgiving day and again on Friday. We went home Friday night and slept in our own beds--so comfy!

Saturday we packed up and drove to St. James to spend time with Brad, Anders, Katie, Osten, Mom, Kent, Abby, Kurt, Jenna, Cody, Stella, Vance, Kaitie, Kyle, Kim, Kyle, Adam, Keyanna, Liana, Ryan, Cory, Joan, Thomas, Evan, Trenton and aunt Jeannie Blomgren. We started our fellowship at noon and made a day of it by going out for a great stroll around St. James and the boys playing a fun game of football. It's so fun to see Osten and Stella play together.

We then went to the Super 8, went swimming and crashed for the night. Sunday morning was a nice morning of visiting over breakfast and then a wonderful meal at the Hometown.

Last night we got home and then the laundry began ;).  I have so many things and people in which to give thanks. I am blessed.

I don't have a big Blomgren photo, but here are all the Olsons from this past September. 

black Friday

Ibby and I made our annual trek to the northern suburbs to go black Friday shopping. She picked me up at the hunting shack at about 3:45am. We arrived at the McDonalds in Lino Lakes at about 4:58am. The lights were off, but we opened the store at 5am. Grabbed our McMuffins and coffee and proceeded to Target. Discovered that Target opened at 6am, so we went to Kohl's.

I bought my birthday present and some clothes for the kids.

We wandered to Target at about 7am and proceeded to get a little lost by spending many hours and I knocked out nearly all my shopping.

2nd breakfast at a Einsteins bagel--we tried some yummy bagels and refueled on coffee. We then went to a Mainstream Boutique and bought a few essentials.

On to Walmart in Forest Lake where we found Target had better black Friday deals this year.

Then off to lunch in North Branch at Denny's--wow, their bourbon chicken skillet and bourbon burger were really yummy!

North Branch outlet to Bath and Body Works and then to the 2nd hand store at North Branch.

We were very disappointed to learn that our favorite thrift store, Planet Thrift has shuttered its doors...so sad.

Thanks Ibby for a great day and I'm so happy that you are my black Friday partner in crime.

wonder

On the evening of the 23rd, Katie and I had the opportunity to head to St. Croix Falls to see the outstanding movie, Wonder. I thought I was going to cry more because I'm a giant cryer, but the story had just the right amount of schmultz.

I do know that I'm going to read the book now.

happy birthday Dehlia Grace

8 years ago we got an exciting phone call. Dehlia Grace Quintana made her grand entrance. We love your spunk, your vigor and your wit. Happy birthday DGQ!

scenes from deer camp 2017

photo by Osten as I was playing solitare at the cool kitchen table

photo credited to ??? of a funky lamp at the deer shack

my main squeeze starting to process nephew Joe's nice doe

Deer camp 2017. All three deer were does. Brent got his opening weekend, Joe got his on the 22nd and Anders got his on the 24th. It will be great to have some yummy venison in the freezer.

happy happy birthday Stuie!

24 years ago on the 19th, my sister in law Kelly called with the wonderful news of Stuart's birth. She left a message on my answering machine and I had that tape for years--replaying for Stuart when he was old enough to hear the message.

Stuart will be a Daddy soon and I pray that he stays safe and sound in his life's journey. Much love Stuie!

Stuie in the 1990s

Stuart and Kyeanna/new baby on the way due December 16

down for the count

Tonight I got home from school at 6pm to find our 7 year old out for the night on the couch. I had spent some extra time preparing some materials for my students to find my beautiful little boy unable to snuggle and tell me about his day.

Wishing you good rest tonight my dear OJO and speedy recovery.

On a better note, I made some mean sugar cookies tonight. I am going to sign out here and then go pour myself a cup of milk and enjoy the yummy cookie by the fireside.

remembering a wonderful man

On Sunday, I attended at service for the wonderful man, Paul Mullen. The service started at 2pm and was extremely well attended with people sitting on the floor and standing outside. O stayed with me for a short time during the service but opted to head outside to play on the playground.

Paul was an acquaintance through my work at RFPME. I will always remember him for his dedication to excellence. His son, L, was in my class and will forever be a favorite student of mine. L was a third grader my first year teaching and often stepped in and helped teach some of the first year students when he saw they were needing some assistance. I believe L is a lot like his Dad and I'm so excited to see how he grows and matures.

Paul, you left too soon, but made such a lasting impact on so many lives.

saturday performance

On Saturday night, I got to see the closing show of Beauty and the Beast. Wonderful show and so sad it's over!

Anders and his dear neighbor friend Brianna who came to see him at his performance--she was one of Anders' first friends

my student Claire, who just loved Anders' performance

Anders and his buddies hanging out at DQ after the performance

Osten and I tagging along for the experience at DQ

friday performance

D with Lefou

K with Lefou

On Friday night, I attended the second performance of Beauty and the Beast. It was wonderful and I'm so proud of our big 16 year old boy! Some of my students were there for a birthday party and got a photo with Anders

Belle's Dad (Mitch) Lumiere (Elijah) Peter (stage) Anders (Lefou)

Nate, Kimberly, Micah and Natalie Weaver-Olson attending the Friday show

Osten hamming it up with Lefou and Gaston (Aaron)

bundled up

Here is our little O man goofing around all bundled up in his Star Wars blanket with sock monkey keeping him company. I love this little man!

love audio books!

Read alouds are some of the best parts of my school day. I recently started finding really great readers on YouTube and also having the Magic Tree House books read aloud by audio book in my classroom. Gives me an opportunity to do observations and also ask children questions about what is being read to them.

LOVE Literacy!

reflection

From my reflective brother Kurt...

Reflection... Something as simple as changing a chisel plow tooth caused me to reflect tonight. I recall last year when this time came my Dad got very somber and reflective. He told me when these teeth were changed last, he had taught Ross how to do it. He said Ross was cheerful , willing and caught on real quickly. This didn't surprise me, I always knew him that way. Now this year I find myself as the generation in-between and smile in reflection. I don't wallow in sadness or self pity, I'm just thankful to remember the best.

not sleepy

So weird--my body has gotten used to getting up at 5am and is usually crashed out sleeping at 10:41pm. Not tonight. I hope I can get up at 5--the gym is calling ;)

3rd public performance

On Sunday, I got to see the River Falls High School performance of Beauty and the Beast. So well done. Great crowd and got to see the show (thanks Kim) with my Mom, aunt Loie, Kim, Pat--Julie and Libby--Brad, Katie and Osten--Bud and Betty--Emma

Thanks to Emma for getting Anders' makeup on, helping him get to the play on time and meeting grandparents.

Thanks to Momma, Loie, Pat and Kim for coming to church, lunch at Kinni Cafe, the play, dinner at Perkins and then driving back and forth hundreds of miles.

Thanks Julie and Libby for driving, taking great photos and being your lovely selves.

Thanks to Bud and Betty for driving and for a yummy treat at Perkins after the show.

The play was really great and I'm so happy for our son to be part of such a great and memorable show.

art idea

Here is an art idea that I may just be copying in the near future.

another cool photo from isthmus

This is another cool photo that I plan on making copies of for my classroom.

classroom wish list

On Friday, I went to Madison to visit a lovely Montessori school. This flag was on the wall and I just thought it was so peaceful and cool. Thanks to my school for sponsoring my trip east to see such a beautiful learning community.

be our guest

Be the Guest of the River Falls High School theater and come to our fabulous performances!

Performances: Friday, Nov. 10, Saturday, Nov. 11, Friday Nov. 17 and Saturday Nov. 18 at 7pm. 

Sunday, November 12 at 2pm. 

Tickets: $5 students, $10 adults. All tickets can be purchased at the door an hour before each performance. 

ivan's 9!

It can't be--our Godson, Ivan George is 9 years old as of November 3! Happy birthday handsome Ivan George. We all love you and wish you warm and wonderful things in your last year of single digits!

Here's Ivan with his mini-me--Ike in September