Sunday, November 17, 2024

College of the Holy Cross ~ Fall Orchestra Concert

We have been so blessed that Anna continues to play the viola in an orchestra. Her college orchestra has been a wonderful place for her to continue playing but also a warm and welcoming place where she's made good friends over her years there. 


Such a beautiful facility. I went up to Holy Cross a few years ago when it first opened. 


It was fun watching her chat with a friend before the concert began. 



Quick hugs {and some food that she wanted} then off to home late that night we went. Worth it! 
 


Here are some links to past college concerts. 

Freshman fall concert

Freshman winter concert

Freshman spring concert

Sophomore fall concert

Sophomore Lessons and Carols Christmas concert

Sophomore spring concert

Junior fall concert

Junior Lessons and Carols Christmas concert

(Spring of Junior year she was away studying abroad in China)  















Monday, November 11, 2024

College Sleepover

Her last look at a college was actually one that she toured in her Junior year of high school. But they also had one last big Open House for high school seniors on Sunday 

and since her big sister goes to that college we decided that it would be fun for them to have a college sleepover. 

Anna has a dorm room that is lovely and all to herself so it was a perfect set up. {I still haven't taken pictures of that room this semester yet -- I'd better get to it!} 

Anna and Abigail had so very much fun! It was a really full weekend for Scott and I. We had to drive Abigail up on Saturday afternoon, drive home, and leave by 7:45 AM on Sunday to be there all day for the Open House. 

But it was worth it!

I sent them up with little presents... 




They had dinner at Anna's dining hall!



And I baked snickerdoodle cookies on Saturday morning to send up for their all planned out movie night. 



And any chance we have to all be together is just the best feeling in the whole wide world! 


 

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Holiday Starting

Teaching full time ~ having a senior daughter in college  ~ having a senior daughter in high school ~ having an old house that needs a lot ~ living in Connecticut in the fall with huge trees and so many leaves...

I love it all, really I do. But it's a lot. Our calendar is full. Some weekends (thankfully not all of them) are really full. There are college visits, orchestra concerts, papers to correct, planning to do, leaves to rake and bag, lots to clean, tons to bake and cook, on an on. This 'season' Scott and I are in is not for the faint of heart. But we are doing it. And trying our best to do it with love. Some days are better than others.

So where do the holidays fit in? Well, I've learned over the years that it fits in 'here and there', 'bit by bit'. I started on Halloween night and whenever I can, I do a few things. Scott is so helpful with helping me with the garlands, the trees around the house, and decorating the outside. One thing we both love is having it all done (with the exception of our real tree) before Thanksgiving. That way we can enjoy the month of December and just do things like finish shopping, wrap, bake, and rest. 

One thing I love pulling out is our collection of Christmas books. I have so many now and I love each one of them. 

I start with sorting them into piles and wandering around the house deciding where to put each little pile. Just seeing them brings me joy... which is a good thing since I don't have time to read them for long sittings. Reading for me has also always been bit by bit. 

For each one of these 'bits' I am thankful! 





Friday, November 8, 2024

Just Like That

... and just like that with one click after years and years and so much prep, she clicked 'submit' and four college applications were submitted - her top four choices. And we are so glad for her. 



 I found the post from four years ago... when Anna clicked 'submit'! 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

My Love Language

Poor Scott! My love language is 'acts of service'. Not sometimes. Not that and something else. Just that. 'Acts of service.' 

Yup!

I pretty much love house projects. And although this is a a terrible picture of this project {I will take more when I get a chance} you can see he did a LOT to this tiny room. 

Wallpaper {swoon} 

Sconces {swoon}

All brass {swoon} 


 

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Today

Today was Halloween. I spent my day with nine year olds... 21 of them from 8:30-3:20. 

They sure were excited. I dressed up as a Baker... I got to wear my apron, a chief hat, and carry around my rolling pin. My fourth graders dressed up too. 

In my town there are no 'parties' any more once its' upper elementary which I am actually really happy about! 

I got an adorable video from Anna tonight thanking me for the gifts I left for her to open on Halloween. 



Abigail was thrilled with some new hair products I found for her. 



Scott answered the door all evening for all of the adorable trick or treaters that came to our house. 


Oh! And I took down every speck of fall decor ... tomorrow I start on our holiday decorations! I am so excited!  


Other posts you might enjoy: 

Halloween... Thankful for the memories