November Catch-Up

Where did November go!? This month just sped by for our family. In fact, I really only took pictures three different times during the month and most of those are for my preschool post which should be up this week. All of the pictures below are from Rebekah's and my annual tour of the National Gingerbread Competition at the Grove Park Inn. Just the two of us went this year. The only times that worked for Rebekah were late in the evening.  We went on a Sunday after 7 pm and it was a perfect time. The little hot chocolate shop was still open, and we were able to tour the entire hotel without any crowds. It was perfect. All of the the gingerbread creations have to be 100% edible. 

The rest of the month was consumed with working, getting everyone where they needed to be, trying to balance a peaceful, tidy home with home-cooked meals and getting ready for December, which is going to be extremely busy, fun and festive,  I will have tons to post next month.

Our favorite one was this display. The mother bear has chased Santa up a tree,
 while the baby bears go through Santa's bag of goodies. 

The fairy's braided hair and the natural candy rocks and mushrooms
were a show stopper on this gingerbread display.

 

This one won the architectural award.

The Asheville skyline from the Grove Park Inn

The beginning of the month found Rosie (our almost 5 year old cat) having dental surgery. She has genetically weak teeth.  She did really well and they managed to save all of her teeth and fix her gums.  She has been a bit sweeter since she feels more comfortable. 

Thanksgiving was a lovely and peaceful day. We had seven sides, two pies and a roasted chicken. No one around here adores turkey--so why go through the ordeal of making it? We went out to the movies Thanksgiving night to see The Glass Onion. It was excellent. 

Blessings, Dawn

What a Wonderful October!

It was a very busy month, but we had a delightful October. Rebekah didn't have a single day off without some kind of out-of-the-home commitment (work, dance or school). We were a bit worried about squeezing in all of the celebrating that we generally do in October, but it all worked out. Rebekah had a lovely birthday. She chose a tart for her birthday "cake". We went out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed the fall leaves. Rebekah also enjoyed a charcuterie board.

It was also my husband's birthday this month. We decorated the table and he had his traditional steak dinner with chocolate peanut butter cake. I must admit, I think his traditional birthday cake is my favorite each year. 

We squeezed in pumpkin carving during movie night. I was glad that Elijah decided to join in the fun. He has been a bit down lately...growing pains primarily. 

We (all but Elijah) went on the LaZoom haunted bus tour on Halloween night. It was fun, but a bit off color for our taste. We were glad to be out and about. There aren't tons of things to do as an adult for Halloween. We don't get trick or treaters in our neighborhood.

Rebekah wore a devil outfit to dance one day. She enjoyed getting to dress up. They also had spirit week at her work, but I never got any photos  of her very low key costumes. 

My nanny job is going great. I love it so much. My little guy is just a joy to work with. He is smart as can be and mostly easy going. He spent the entire month loving all things Halloween and fall. We had so much fun making leaf piles, jumping and kicking balls, taking long walks and generally drinking up the last of the warm weather. He loves to be read to, and we read at least a dozen books a day. I made him a ghost bowling set for Halloween day. He really preferred stacking them rather than knocking them down.  I also made him purple rice this month. He loves this activity so much, but we are struggling to keep the rice in the bucket. He understands the concept, but he loves to throw it and watch me sweep it up. I think it is time for a mini broom and dust pan for him. 

My blog going forward- I do intend to keep blogging, but I think it will remain a once a month catch-up post and I will be adding a preschool post each month. My little guy and I are getting ready to start some very gentle preschool curriculum. I will be drawing from Montessori, Charlotte Mason and the Before Five in a Row curricula. I am delighted I have found a way to continue teaching. This job really fell in my lap, and I am so grateful. 

Blessings, Dawn