Hi friends... I've been wanting to update for the longest time but just have not had the chance with all the Christmas prep that has been going on in our home. I'm determined to get all my cards done, presents wrapped and family movies made before Christmas Eve... it's been busy but I'm progressing along well. I'm watching the Bing family memories video right now to make sure it copied on the DVD well... so far so good.
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I'm also a little bummed right now listening to the plow go down my street... it's snowing which is pretty but it is keeping me from watching the survivor finals with the girls. My friend Laura has invited us all to her place, and had her fiance mark help her clean all day and not many of us can go due to the weather. Mark offered to come get me but snow makes me nervous, especially when in a car, so I opted to stay in. So I made some baked mac and cheese and LOVED it!
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The rest of the post is a picture update of what we've been up to.
Brandon and I received a nice surprise Saturday morning, his grandparents in ontario sent us this beautiful holiday Christmas arrangement. I'd never had flowers delivered to me, so this was all so exciting... I love have real flowers in the apartment.
Friday I worked 1-7:30 and then walked a few buildings down with my buddy Jeff to go to the new Greek restaurant called Estia for a mini Roots Christmas Party with all of our old school Roots friends. We had a similar get together last year so we decided to keep the tradition going. The food was great and so was the company, we were there until almost 11pm just chatting and catching up. Jeff has been in England for the last year and a half so it was great to hear more of his stories... there were some crazy subway or tube stories. Jeff gave me a ride home which was appreciated since it was late and freezing... thanks friend! The picture is the gang from left to right it's Jeff, Me, Ben, Maria, Nicole and Melanie... we always had a blast working together.
On Friday December 11th we officially finished our last university course. We still have three months of practice teaching but we have no more assignments and group projects to do which is super exciting. We both found out this week that we both made the Dean's List... woo woo!! I was very proud of both of us for doing so well. We are excited to be finishing up school and starting practicum, if only we got paid! I went this week and visited my class, I have 2 new students, had one move, and another one moving this week. The kids didn't know I was coming so when they started walking into the classroom a few of the boys didn't notice me and then it took one little girl to say Mrs.Bing and they all swarmed me and I got over 20 hugs... there were so many kiddies around me that I was trying to hug, or pat heads to acknowledge everyone. I tell you, if you are having a bad day that would cheer anyone up. I'm excited to be back with my cute grade three class.
Our last class was parents as partners, the only class Brandon and I had together this year, this is Bran and all his secondary classmates.
This is me and my elementary friends in parents as partners- love these guys!
This is half of the elementary program, it was our last science class with our teacher Bev who has taught us for 2 years- she made us a cute memory video which she is mailing to us in the new year. She was very cute, you can see her in the beige sweater in the front row.
I was lucky to have the girls over for a little Christmas survivor night. I had treats and their presents for them. I started a few years ago giving them a Christmas ornament, they each have a specific color so it was exciting to give them their newest one. I also got to give my friend Kerry her birthday gift which I was super thrilled to do. Each year I give the girls the same gift but personalized to each of them. This year they all are getting a personalized DVD of all the memories we have made from elementary school until now. It was so much fun watching it with them and laughing at how horrible we looked back in junior high. They also surprised me with the coolest Christmas gift which is from Chapters and I have looked at it so much, it is a little library kit, it comes with the enveloped and cards that go in the back and a little date stamp, so if I lend out my books, I know who has them... so if anyone needs anything from my library I'm ready! Thanks girls!
Laura and her purple ornament
Natalie with her green ornament
Kerry with her blue ornament
This is the DVD case that I made for Kerry's movie
We've gotten a bit of snow this year before tonight... here is a picture of a snow storm from our apartment window, I love that we have trees that block our big window a bit!
On December first bran and I decorated out Christmas tree... we have a big one and a little one. I have them turned on as much as possible, I love having the light from the tree in our home.
Brandon and I as we decorated the tree don't mind my ugly hair
My guy hanging the first decoration on the tree... he is such a good sport with all my picture taking. I'm excited to spend another Christmas season with him.
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This week is going to be busy, I have a few things for Christmas to finish, I'm watching my nieces and nephews tomorrow night for Kathy and Jeff while they go to a movie and then the three big kids are sleeping over. I work Tuesday and then the holidays begin. It's going to be an exciting and fun holiday and I am so ready. If I don't post before the holidays I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!!
