More Christmas!

These pictures are courtesy of my sister Jennifer! She and Drew have been in town for several weeks and it has been so fun.

Isaac has an obsession with sports and fitness. Everyone enjoyed coming up with crazy excercises for Isaac to do. Here he is laughing his way through some wall sits.

 

 

He also got out the shovel and helped clear the driveway of snow on Christmas Eve.

As a Christmas present they took Isaac out for a day.  They started out with breakfast at the Waffle House.

 

 

Then they took him to a rock gym!

He is rocking his new Christmas clothes and hat.

 

 

They said he got a little nervous when he looked down and saw how far up the wall he had climbed, but overall, he did great.

 

 

Thanks Drew and Jen for a great Christmas present!

 

December business, blah blah

I've been working out a lot lately, in an effort to somewhat counteract some of the delicious holiday goodies that are tempting me at every turn. I feel myself getting a little blue, so I have been pushing myself to get out to the gym more. Working out makes me feel happier and better about myself. I have some time off of work this week and I'm going to change it up by throwing in some extra yoga and Zumba classes.

So I mentioned that I went on a few dates lately. He was a very nice guy, and actually perfect on paper. He had almost every quality that I would potentially want but there was just something about him that didn't click well with me. So I guess I don't know what I actually want. I've actually had a few good phone conversations with old college boyfriend about that. We both seem to be turning to each other (as friends) as we try to navigate dating in our 30s. It's rough out there.

I picked up this little candle at Target and it smells so yummy. It's also only like 6 bucks, so way cheaper than a Yankee Candle.

Seriously. I want to eat it.

Isaac's dad approached me about Christmas. Historically, Isaac wakes up with my family at my parent's house and then usually at some point in the early afternoon he goes with his dad for the evening. This year Isaac's dad and his grandfather asked to join us for Christmas day. I've never met Isaac's grandfather on that side. He is from Sierra Leone but he is spending the next year or so here in the states living with Isaac's dad. He is Muslim and I don't think really observes Christmas, but wants to spend the day with Isaac. Isaac really loves him though and talks about him a lot. It will be a little bit awkward to share the holiday with them, but I think it will be really nice for Isaac to have all of his family together for the holiday. (Sorry mom if you are reading this before I had a chance to tell you-- I've tried to reach you all weekend!)

As far as Christmas stuff, I feel like I'm a day late and a dollar short on Christmas this year. I'm not done my shopping yet, which is unprecedented for me. I've still got to pick up my parents' presents and get a few more things for Isaac. I didn't get my Christmas card together in time to do a photocard. I did make quite a few holiday cards though, so they are together at least. Most of them are even mailed. I have a few more addresses to get together for cards, I need to organize gifts for my coworkers, and for Isaac's teacher and daycare workers.

I picked up a copy of The Poisenwood Bible with a gift card I got for my birthdat. Hopefully once I'm done school I'll have a chance to read it before the new semester starts. I'm taking two classes in the spring unfortuneatly because of the way some things worked out. I will be taking a math methods class and a class for teaching ELL students. So at least they are interesting classes. I'm nervous about doubling the amount of time I have to spend away from home on campus as well as increasing my grad school workload. Fortunately the bulk of my IEPs and other work stuff should be over, so hopefully it will balance out in the end. We'll see.

Anyways, I'm off. Happy Sunday!

gpoy

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Weekend Wrap Up

What a great weekend!

Baking brownies.

Finally packing up all of the 4th of July/Americana decorations

Isaac's dad randomly taking him for the day/night Saturday

Finally buying him some new summer pajamas-- which he needed desperately.

Rock climbing at the Philadelphia Rock Gym with Jami

Then Zwahlen's icecream-- it had been been too long-- sooo delicious....

Great haul from the Phoenixville Goodwill:

brand new drying rack, H and M purse still with tags, Banana Republic shirts

Sitting around in Becca's backyard talking and playing with the dog

Getting mosquito bites

Coveting her rainbarrel

Riding around town in the "family mobile" (her dark green Mini-Cooper)

Getting free stuff everywhere we went that night because we were out with this guy (her hubby)

Free plate of breads and cheeses? Yes please!

20 dollars randomly comped off dinner at Tria? Yes please!

Belting out show tunes and oldies at a piano bar and starting a chorusline at Tavern on Camac.

Highlight of the night was the pianist busting out "Bad Romance" and then going straight from that to "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.

Watching Sandlot with Isaac and being so thrilled that he liked it (You're killing me Smalls)

Texting all weekend with Nicole, a good friend I don't talk to nearly enough

Michael Jackson experience Redboxed-- so fun

Interesting church discussions this week

Planning a few fun things to do with JENNIFER when she flies in this week!

A healthy dinner with lots of veggies.

Life is good. =)