Friday, October 16, 2015

Five For Friday: Regaining Routines

The last two weeks have been quite a whirlwind! School was canceled last week due to the flooding and road closures here in Columbia, SC. It was devastating to watch all the destruction happen around us. We were thankfully not affected by the flooding, but so many around us were. We emailed out assignments and homework to our students and then I took my boys to stay at my parents house for most of the week. So many roads were closed around us I wasn't sure if we would be able to find a way out of the city, but thankfully we did and got to spend some time with them and enjoying clean water!
We got back to Columbia on Sunday and have been getting back into the daily routines as best as we can!

{one}
Monday afternoon we had to go out to run some errands. It usually takes less than 20 minutes to get home from target, but on this trip it took almost an hour to go the round about way to get home thanks to road closures! my venti coffee wasn't enough! 


{two}
so the next morning I tried another way to get to school. We used to leave our house at 7:40, but now we have to leave at 7 because the road right before our exit is closed! so we take about a 45 minute detour to get to school now! and it is just 10 minutes in the opposite direction! In the midst of it all I try to pay attention to the reasons to be thankful... we still have a home and belongings, we only have to make this trip 2 days a week, the end is in sight... 
It is truly amazing how quickly the city came together to pick up the pieces after the flooding. Neighbors lending a hand, first responders working tirelessly, volunteers donating meals, goods, gift cards... 
With the road closures it has made it hard for us to be able to get out and help, so I am thankful for those who have given so much time and energy to help others!

{three}. 
Back at school we worked to get back into our routines for those two days, but we didn't get through all I had planned. Which was fine. The kids had to share their stories. We played a review game before we took our Literature Test. You can find it {here} in my Games Galore pack!

{four}
At home we have been having lots of fun with apples! We went apple picking while we were at my parent's house. We had been planning on it for a while so I was relieved it still worked out! We have made too big batches of apple sauce. The boys love helping. Liam is obviously good at eating too! We love to hold up the peels when we are done and see how long they are! 

{five}
I made some mini apple pies too! I followed the recipe {here}. They were fun to make and will be a fun treat over the weekend, especially to help me endure the pile of grading I still need to get done!

Hope you all had a great week! Be sure to check out Kacey's fun link up!


Friday, October 2, 2015

Currently October

Hello October!

{Listening}
Alex is so funny when he is talking and playing. Liam slept in today so it was nice to have a quiet morning!

{Loving}
I've been ready for cooler weather to come in. And we are getting ready for lots of rain, so hanging out with coffee under a blanket today is the best idea ever!

{Thinking}
We finished up our first units for Writing and Literature. Now we are moving into using our Voices in writing and beginning to think deeply about what we are reading to build comprehension. I like to try and plan out the whole unit at once so I make sure to know where I am taking them. I am excited for these to start because they are ready to really go deep with their comprehension. I am thinking about using Patricia Polacco as an author study because there is a lot we can connect to her books in both writing and literature!

{Wanting}
Now to find the time to get the planning done! I need a kid free afternoon sometime to be able to devote to planning. I work better in this kind of situation with a big chunk of time instead of trying to do it over the needs of the boys! :)

{Needing}
I keep renewing my library books online, but am so ready to take them back and get new ones out. We just can't find a time to go, and I have SO many books out right now that I am trying to plan a time when Will can come along so that he can help me with all the books and the boys. I also need to check out a bunch of Polacco books for our study. 

{BOOtiful}
Fall puts me in such a good mood. From the beautiful, bright colors of apples and pumpkins to the pretty design on my PSL starbucks cup. And all the other colors in between. And because its scarf weather. I love it. Its the little things in life that make it so beautiful!


Linking up with Farley's Currently party!

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful October! :)