Field Trip

We were lucky enough for daughter to sign us up for the school field trip Wednesday to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  Last year we chaparoned first graders with older granddaughter, and this time we accompanied our younger granddaughter with the other kindergartners and their fourth grade buddies.  The theme this year was animals in works of art, and students had already studied photos of the selections in their classrooms.  Following policy, we all shed our coats and other winter gear when the bus pulled up to the entrance.  The docent for our assigned group of sixteen was lively and totally Minnesotan.  Children were attentive and participated in her discussions with impressive questions and answers.  Buddies kept their small charges under control, held their hands when helpful, and gave a tug if anyone was tempted to detour.  So obvious was the activity level of children in each grade, younger ones skipping and jumping whenever possible, older ones confidently walking with purpose. 

As soon as we returned to school, kindergarten classes went to lunch later than usual, a mighty hungry bunch. Pawpaw and I dutifully lined up for our trays and drinks to join them.  By the time we left school, napping was priority.  So we did! Daughter is chaperoning older granddaughter Friday to same place, so we're not lucky enough to make two trips this week. 

Zeroed

At least a zero, and maybe a minus one-half!  The weather reports deemed the temperature minus one, so maybe the heavy male cardinal was holding the arrow down a bit.  Life continues as usual in cold country, thanks to snow plows doing their jobs.  School has recess outdoors as long as the windchill is above zero, and the temperature did rise enough by afternoon for children to grab sleds from the storage room and race outside.  Imagine a room of kindergartners putting on all their snow gear and then later removing it without needing help from their teacher.  By the age of five they have had plenty of practice. 

Christmas Countdown

(From December 20)

Oh my, Christmas is right around the corner. The season starts earlier every year and then is almost a surprise when the big day finally arrives. Of course, our big celebration was long ago on Thanksgiving weekend in Minnesota, but we have a few things going on around here. Right now I can either put another log on the fire or call it a night.

Christmas Apron

One of my friends gifted me with this apron because she knew how much granddaughters would love it, especially the twinkling lights.  They did!

Merry Christmas Going

(From December 31)

And going, going, gone! By the second day after Christmas, no trace of Christmas remained inside our home, but a few tokens of the winter season will stay until red and white emerges again for a Valentine theme. I favor leaving up our outdoor lights year round, but I have never won that battle. 

After our triple play celebration in November, most of December is anticlimactic.  I determinedly stay busier than necessary with community and social activities and in the kitchen.  Absent family members contribute to the pensive mood.  Happily, my sisters and their husbands came Christmas day and celebrated with us. 

Next on the calendar will be the birthdays of both granddaughters and another trip to their cold state.  So much fun doing kid things again!  Parties, school trips, movies, lessons, hairdos, cafeteria lunches, books and more books--great way for us to start the new year!