Lately: Celebrating

Last week was full of fun activities and celebrations! Our school celebrated Teacher Appreciation week, and we brought gifts to our teachers all week long. This table was HQ for all the goodies.

The upper grades were treated to an author talk last Thursday, which just happens to be my library volunteer day, so I was able to help out and listen to the talk. Author Gordon Korman has written over 80 children's books and was promoting his newest book Masterminds. We purchased it on our school librarian's recommendation. (She knows Will and his taste in books very well.)  Will finished Masterminds within 24 hours of getting it! It's now on my to-read list.

Korman was an excellent speaker and had the kids cracking up repeatedly. I was so glad I was able to attend the talk!

Also on Thursday, the kids made blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit that distributes handmade blankets to kids in hospitals. Our blankets were simple fleece ones, but the kids really enjoyed the work and helping others in need.

Henry's class also did a lunchbox exchange for Valentine's Day.

Thursday evening was the Cub Scouts' Blue and Gold banquet. 

Some final Pinewood Derby awards were passed out.

In the People's Choice category, Henry received a silver medal for Mr. Fasty.

Popcorn awards and prizes were also distributed.

Friday was Will's Valentine's lunchbox exchange followed by lunch outside in the sun.

That evening we had some early birthday and half-birthday celebrations with Gramma and Grampa.

This boy loves books.

And this one loves building.

Thanks, Gramma and Grampa!

Henry and I ventured to the farmers market on Saturday morning. Henry is almost always my farmers market sidekick, but this week was special because we got to attend a children's class on the history of chocolate. It involved taste-testing, so it was a hit. Henry came home with a raw cacao bean.

In the evening, my Valentine and I headed out to Tapas on the Trails at the Houston Arboretum.

The Arboretum offered on-site babysitting, so the boys were entertained and fed while we walked the trails, enjoying wines and small courses at five different stops. The first course, mushroom soup, was my favorite.

We started out before dusk but by the time we were eating our main course, it was getting dark and the bats were flying over the pond. The Arboretum is always lovely, but the Arboretum at night is just spectacular. After a busy week, an evening outside was exactly what we needed!