It’s officially Winter Break!

Started it off with a bang by celebrating these two kids.

Becky organized a Holiday themed Murder Mystery party on Friday night. As we walked in, we picked up our character cards and read through our character description and our objectives for the night.

I was Snappy the Elf. [Although I was dressed more like one of the reindeers].

Santa (Navi) started the evening off with a speech and we went around and did a brief intro of what role we would be playing.

Everyone mingled with one another and dug around to figure out clues to solve the crime.

Some of us were more interested in the Cosmopolitans.

Others were interested in the meatballs.

Still, others were more interested in taking photos in the “Photo Booth.”

    
I was all of the above.

At the end of the night and a few Cosmos later, the murderer was revealed. Jangle killed Jingle. And I lost the costume contest to Navi and Juan – the matching Santas. Even though I tried to rally everyone to vote for me.

Despite the bear onesie coming in 2nd place, it was a wonderful night filled with giggles and silliness and friendship and Cosmopolitans. And cupcakes.

Happy birthday to Juanski and Navi!

And happy winter break to all my teacher friends.

2 weeks of no alarms.

You deserve it.

Questions of the Day:

• Have you been to a murder mystery party? Did people get into it or did they break character?

• Do you get a Winter Break?

 

 

Friday! Friday! Friday! Friday before Winter Break! Friday!

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

Not that I’m complaining. I’m MORE than ready for Winter Break.

I was ready 5 months ago when we started school. 😉

Anyway, fun facts from the week!

1) This week has been quite the festive one since kiddos are STEP testing and we have Spirit Days. Fancy day was probably my fav. LOOK AT THEM.

2) Career Day was a big hit too. Among adults. This is our AP. He wants to be a basketball player. Duh.

3) My mind is in 85 different places – ALL the time. Yesterday, I spent 10 minutes looking for my water cup. And then I found it right here.

4) Anuja gave me the best ornament ever. It’s like she knows my insides.

5) We Facetimed Emily during Women’s Circle so she could do a check-in and listen to ours! Usually, phones are put away during Women’s Circle. But Emily is the exception. <3

6)  Yesterday we had an event at Christmas in the Park with our kiddos and families. It was SO much fun to see all the little ones running around everywhere. They had to go on a “scavenger hunt” to find teachers and get their signatures. Once they got 8, they could go pick out a book to keep. Basically I felt like a celebrity all night long – having to stop every couple feet to sign my autograph.

7) Bay Area Bruins – I’m hosting my very first Dinner for 12 Strangers! I’ve usually always GONE to a dinner, rather than hosted because either 1) I’m lazy or 2) I missed the sign-up time, but I did NEITHER of those things this year. So click this link and sign up for my dinner! 🙂 12 folks have already reached out but I think I’m accepting between 15-17 in case people drop out last minute! YAY BRUINS!!!!

Now, to continue that Bruin pride, I’m off to enjoy my last day with the kiddos – today is COLLEGE DAY. So I’ll be reppin’ my blue and gold all day long.

Happy Friday!

Questions of the Day:

• What would you wear for career day?
  
• What was your college mascot? College colors?
  
• Favorite ornament? 

Even though we were up until 2AM playing games, we were still up fairly early. I gotta tell you – waking up to this little boy giggling is the B-E-S-T way to wake up.

We made a quick Starbucks run and, by the time we got back, brunch was already made and placed so beautifully on the table.

After brunch, we taught Veer about the goddess cards.

He wasn’t too interested in reading the description. He was more interested in spreading out the cards and then picking one for each person.

I’m always amazed at how much his reading skills have developed since the last time I saw him though. Blows me away.

After we all packed up to head out, we had a little Selfie Stick fun.

And then said our goodbyes where Veer pointed at each of us and made us promise to come back soon. It hurts my insides the most when I have to say goodbye to him – even though I’m only an hour away.

It was raining for most of the evening so I just stayed bundled up near the fireplace, got a lot of work done, and made some chocolate chip PB cookies. That never flattened. So they’re more like balls than cookies.

Cookie experts – why did my cookies not flatten?

And now it’s Monday! With 5 days to go until Winter break.

The countdown begins.

Have a good one!

Questions of the Day:

• What is one of the highlights from your weekend?
  
• What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week? 

Yesterday, Juanski turned the big 3-0. So we celebrated in the classiest, most adultiest way. Wine tasting, of course.

We started out at Greywolf where we:

1. toasted to Juan
2. did a full tasting
3. snacked on some Cheetos. Yes. Classy adults.

And then I bought two bottles of wine. Partially because they were delicious. And partially because it covered the tastings.

After Greywolf, we went over to Croad Vineyeards where:

1. they sold me on a bottle of the Zinfandel instead of a tasting
2. the views were fantastic
3. we had a picnic of bread, cheese, and wine.

Then, we moseyed on over to Kass Winery where we:

1. did handstands on the oak tree
2. had yucky tasting wine.
3. got kicked out early by 3 angry blondes

Our last and final place was Tobin James Cellars that had a very bar-like feel to it.

1. Unlimited tastings. NO tasting fee.
2. Delicious breadsticks/crackers that taste even more delicious after unlimited tastings.
3. Inexpensive.
4. Nice humans.

   
   

After all the tastings, we went to a burger place where we:

1. pulled goddess cards
2. followed up our wine with milkshakes
3. and burgers
4. and fries

Then we drove back to Juanski’s house, cut the cake, and said our goodbyes. We didn’t make it in time before this monkey went to bed, but he was so snuggly and cuddly when we got back. And so deep-in-sleep that I still got to give him all the kisses.

Then all the adults played Cards Against Humanity. Until 2AM. I’m so young.

Now it’s time for some yummy breakfast with the family before heading back home!

Have a good Sunday!

Questions of the Day:

• What is your favorite wine?
  
• Favorite milkshake flavor?

I swore that I would work this weekend. Because I took Monday and Tuesday off work this past week, there was quite a bit of paperwork I needed to catch up on and I pushed everything off until the weekend in hopes that a little free time would allow me to do it all.

But, of course, that didn’t end up happening. We had quite the eventful weekend over here. None of which involved working.

Friday:

Started the weekend off with a cookie exchange at work. I made brownies. Obviously. Because I’m a rebel.

I walked away with quite a bit of sugar.

After the cookie exchange, I had some co-workers over for what was supposed to be a mini work session (on a Friday. Yes I’m THAT cool).

It actually ended up being more of a cookie-tasting, wine-sipping, Bananagrams-playing session.

After they took off, we went downtown to Vanessa’s art exhibit. She was showcasing all her iPhone photos. No, Vanessa did not hang up a bunch of her selfies. A few years ago, she took off on a 7-month trip around the world and didn’t want to pack a heavy camera with her so she started capturing all her photos through her iPhone.

Through that came this compilation of BEAUTIFUL photos – all of which have some kind of memory or experience behind them. It was so fun to watch her answer questions or share a particular moment with people walking through.

Afterward, we went over to BJs to wish the birthday boy (and his tiara) our best. And get some food in our bellies. Because, turns out, cookies aren’t very filling.

Saturday:

Woke up fairly early to head to San Ramon. And, while in the car, I had some fun playing with the new Snapchat features.

I know they’ve been around for a while but I’ve only now figured out how to use them. Which means, if you’re my friend on Snapchat, I’m sorry for the next couple of days as I obsess over these.

We went to a Christmas tree lot in San Ramon to buy Chester a friend. His name is Vesuvius.

And the rest of Saturday was spent dressing Vesuvius up and playing Mexican Train Dominoes.

Sunday:

We drove out to Watsonville to watch Juan and his band perform at Aladdin Nursery. They are all so talented. It was supposed to be raining but, fortunately for us, the weather was perfect for some outdoor live music. 🙂

On the way back, we braved the Sunday crowds and popped in at Trader Joes to pick up a couple things.

Worth it. Because dinner was amazing AND there are leftovers for lunch.

Boom.

Happy Monday. May your day begin with lots of coffee.

Questions of the Day:

• What’s your favorite cookie to bake?
  
• What day is grocery shopping day for you?
  
• What fun things did you do this weekend?