Christmas Shopping

Today after Meg's soccer game Doug and I went Christmas shopping.  We have been picking some items up here and there since my birthday and weren't sure what we needed and for whom.  My Mom also wanted us to get gifts for the Heinisch children from her.  Since we were going to South Bend we had time to get our lists organized and plan our shopping excursion.

Our first stop was Target and we were able to find some great stocking stuffers.  We then headed to the mall.  Doug got some fun gifts from his Dad for everyone.  I also found the perfect gift for Meg and Morgan.  The Footlocker was having a sale and we stopped there next.  Then it was off to Hollister to return Meg's pants and look there as well.  When we left the mall we realized that we were pretty much done shopping except for a few odds and ends.  We also had gifts for my Mom to give them.  Cal is always the hardest to buy for as his list is short.  I feel that we even have him covered now.

Doug and I decided to try out Evil Czech Brewery.  Doug really liked it and I did as well.  We will have to bring Meg and Cam there next time we are in South Bend. It was the perfect shopping day!

Getting Caught Up

I tried to catch up on all that has been going on this week.  Yesterday I was able to finish my grading which was a relief.  Today was the last day for 75% off all photo albums.  I finally finished our last one for 2013.  There were so many events that year with Brett' graduation, Cam's first communion, visits with Jeanette, a trip to Boston and the start of college that I had to make it into three different albums to fit all of the pictures in.  This one was the easiest as there were less activities and more holidays.

Meg and I finished watching Diary of Anne Frank today also.  It is such a sad story, but a beautiful one as well.  I finally have made peace with the fact that she dies knowing that if she did not the story would have never been told.

I also wrote our Christmas letter to add to our Christmas cards.  I thought that both looked good this year.  After Cal's game Doug, Cam and I were able to go grocery shopping.  That was much needed as well.  I would love to think that next week will not be as crazy as this one, but it seems like it always is.  At least I can say that we are never bored!

Basketball

Cam, Meg, Doug and I headed to Manchester this evening for Cal's basketball game.  We weren't sure how it would go with his foot.  On Wednesday he had a severe infection in a blood blister on the inside of his right foot.  It was nasty to look at and hurt horribly.  Dr. Mulry was able to drain it and put him on an antibiotic.  It is a lot better, and I was happy to see that he could run on it tonight.

I showed a picture of it to his golf coach at halftime.  Of course he said that as long as it is healed for golf that all will be well.  Glad Cal is on the mend and got to play tonight.  Hopefully, this will be the last foot injury for him.

Christmas Program #1

Today was Cameron's Christmas program at school and he did not disappoint.  He was as animated as he always is and did a great job on his reading.  Mom, Dad and I attended the afternoon performance and Meg and Doug went back for the evening.  This is his last elementary program at Milford and he said he was ready to be done.  He was tired of singing the same songs and practicing.  I never would have guessed that as he was dressed up, played the recorder and danced to every song they sang.  My personal favorite was when he impromptu danced like one of the Peanuts gang when the music from a Charlie Brown Christmas began.

We have a break from programs next week as Meg will have hers on the 18th.  Her band is combining with Wawasee Middle and High School for their performance.  She isn't excited about it, but I know she will also do well.  Meg plans to opt of band next year, so this will be her last Christmas program.  She would prefer to have it at Milford, but she has the Spring Arts Festival to look forward to there.

Absolutely Crazy

Today was an absolutely crazy day from start to finish.  I had an early morning meeting that was interrupted by a phone call from Cal.  He was really sick and needed help.  It took some maneuvering and help from my Mom, but by 10:15 a.m. he was at the doctor and getting the attention he needed.

Today was the beginning of sewing projects in three of my classes which is always exciting, but extremely tiring.  Everyone needs help all at once. The kids did great, however, and were patient.  That is a big improvement from last year.  As soon as my fourth block ended I had to race to the high school for a math meeting.  It was a lot of information, but I thought we accomplished some very important items.

I went from that back to Milford to check on Meg.  Cam was at chess club.  She helped me get my fourth block holiday research groups ready for tomorrow.  We headed home after that to check on Cal.  He was definitely better than this morning.  He should be able to return to school tomorrow.

I talked to Gisela at the library several times.  There were some issues with hours and the remodeling. We decided to look at those later this month.  I know she and I are both relieved that we will have a new director come January.

Doug was home at 5:45.  He has been swamped at work.  I spent three hours logging in receipts, paying bills and reconciling accounts for the Heinisch household while he made dinner and helped Meg with spelling words.  As I crossed off completed items in my new planner, Meg asked to see it.  I showed her that there was no room for anyone else to get sick.  The Heinisch children will have to schedule that in for some time next week or so!!  She laughed at me then asked if she could sleep in and have Grandma take her tomorrow because her throat hurt.

A New Heinisch Driver

Cal and Doug were at the BMV early this morning for his driver's test this in Albion.  He had been practicing parallel parking with Doug over the weekend and took some time to try a couple of more times this morning.  Most of the Wawasee students take their test in Albion as they find it to be the easiest to take and pass the test at.  Cal passed with flying colors although he felt his parking could have been better.  He and Doug were happy until they realized that they needed the last four digits of his social security number to get the license.  Some quick thinking on Doug's part got him the information he needed and they were off and running.

Cal drove to school and home from practice tonight.  As soon as he ate he was off to Grandma's for a Christmas sweater for Harry and then to the girls' basketball game at the high school.  I know that Cal is a good driver and will do fine.  This will be a new experience for us.  Two drivers and one truck.  It should be a fun ride.

Back At It

Today was a very busy day, but a good one.  There was a lot to accomplish at home, school and work.  Overall, everyone finished the night in a positive mood.  Cam finished some challenging homework, watched Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too with me and had time to defeat Mr. Sandman in Super Punch Out.  Meg cheered on Milford to a victory over Northwood and made it to soccer open gym.  Cal finished in first place in the American Legion Americanism test.  Brett was elected to a favored position in the Young Americans for Liberty.  Doug had a successful day at work and soccer and I was able to check a lot off of my to do list in my new planner.  I even made time to get Brett's white shirt ready to be mailed and help Cam with his homework.

I was not ready to go back to work or give up the fun of Thanksgiving.  Having Cyber Monday to look forward to tonight helped.  My shopping list is dwindling and I feel that we have gotten some pretty good deals so far.  I hope everyday in December goes as smoothly for the Heinisch family.