Whew.. what a week.
Between a bomb at work, [not a real bomb, don’t worry], on Monday afternoon to Turkey Day, my week was one for the books.
For starters, I was told Monday afternoon I was being moved to sixth grade Language Arts/Reading, effective early next week; cue panic attack.
I LOVE my RTI, [teaching reading skills to struggling kiddos in small groups], position. The relationships I’ve built and the growth I’ve seen from these littles has been so rewarding. It’s been a lot of work to create and prepare five different lessons each day, [I also had a 8th grade Honors Language Arts/Reading class], but I was finally starting to figure out my routine and flow. I know it’s not the end of the world, but like I told Tony, my career is a big part of my life right now. It’s a big focus of mine. I know most people can say that, ‘duh Kaylee, it’s how people make a living,‘ but we don’t have kids; my career is my main focus outside of my marriage.
So, like I said, a bomb was dropped. Saying good bye to my students on Wednesday, [a long term sub is taking over soon, hopefully], was tough.
HOWEVER, a gender reveal party for a bestie Monday night definitely helped me forget my stresses for a couple hours!
I am beyond excited for a little boy to come into this world for two people I love so much. I already call myself an Auntie 🙂
Another pit stop before Thanksgiving was Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. Tony and I ventured to the candy barn a handful of fall’s ago with two dear friends and have yet to be back, but WHY? The big, yellow barn is simply amazing; endless rows of candy, flavored soda, and baked goods.
The main reason I ventured to the barn after work on Wednesday was to pick up the most delicious caramel apple pie there ever was to bring to Thanksgiving, or so I thought.
In years past, I have always brought pie. I love to cook, but can’t say I cook well enough to be trusted with a dish to bring to Thanksgiving lunch or dinner. Pie is easy, [especially after stumbling across the most delicious caramel apple pie there ever was], so I was always praised for the yummy dessert.
This year, my mom had asked me to bring broccoli salad as a side for her Thanksgiving meal with my relatives on her side of the family. I had agreed and felt confident broccoli salad was definitely doable.
Until it wasn’t.
I showed up at my parents house at 11:30 AM, brought in my caramel, apple pie confidently, and asked my mom what she needed me to do to help. Her response, “Oh, the pie looks delicious! Where is the broccoli salad? You can put it in the garage to stay cold.”
Cue the waterworks.
Not only did I not have broccoli salad, and it hadn’t even been simply forgotten it at home. There were no ingredients bought this week, or even an inking that I had forgotten something so important as I sat on the couch and watched Home Alone 2 with Tony Wednesday night, [Home Alone 1 is so much better, but the second is a favorite around Christmas time in this house].
My mom, obviously, told me it wasn’t a big deal, told me not to get upset, and that we would have plenty of food, [I mean, we ALWAYS have enough food to feed four times the amount of people in attendance], but there were no stopping the tears once they started. I think I was so upset because it is just not me to forget. I have multiple to-do lists and always try to be a couple steps ahead. Clearly, not this time.
Moving on.
Long story short, Thanksgiving day was amazing. Tony and I are lucky to be able to spend the day with my family and with his. It always works out so well because my family eats a Thanksgiving lunch and his eats a Thanksgiving dinner. I was able to enjoy my favorite holiday with EVERYONE, [plus two Thanksgiving meals, which I’m not mad about].
Which brings us to today: my next favorite day of the year.
No, I’m not a Black Friday shopper. Some people may not even call me a shopper at all. I’m very much like my father, where I like to get in & get out, no wish-washy in between. I don’t like to stroll for hours through Marshall’s or the mall. I need to have a plan, it needs to be executed, and that’s that.
I loved today because both Tony and I were home and spent the day decorating for Christmas in our sweatpants. We twinkled and twined our Christmas tree to Sufjan Stevens Christmas Pandora, [try it – you won’t be disappointed!], and lounged on the couch the rest of the afternoon. I attempted to online shop for deals & poke around on the internet for Christmas ideas for family, but gave up pretty quickly. Today was a day for decorating and relaxing with Tony and Ace. 
I hope your Thanksgiving left your tummy’s full and your hearts happy!
I’m off to continue our Home Alone viewing streak with some bubbles.
Later, my snowflakes xo