We began the month of November with a middle school solo and ensemble event for Spencer. It is a required thing for all 7th and 8th graders and it terrifies nearly all of them but gives them some really valuable experience and feedback. Of course, it hit on a very busy Thursday when we had a million other things happening, including my weekly pathway class. But we made it work by Kalen handling the stuff going on in Albion and me taking Spencer to his performance which we managed to schedule with just enough time for me to get back and drop Spencer off before heading to class in Jackson. Spencer was SO nervous but he did a phenomenal job. He was one of only two trumpet players who scored a 1 so that was a pretty big deal. They judge gave him some nice feedback that Spencer found to be really helpful (including about how to hold the trumpet, which in the couple of years he's been playing, none of his teachers have taught him such a simple thing but it makes a big difference!) Now hopefully next year won't be quite so scary for him since he'll know what to expect.
Kaya was thrilled when a letter came home from school saying that she had (FINALLY!!!) been selected as one of the 4th grade Student's of the Month. She has been hoping and hoping since last year that she would be chosen. Last year her teacher's reasoning for not nominating Kaya was that Kaya already knew how valuable she was to the school and her class and that the teacher felt that she needed to give the award to students who had maybe struggled in the beginning but who were overcoming things and becoming better so that they could have a boost to keep them performing better. I think Kaya could appreciate that reasoning but for crying out loud, even the best kids deserve some positive recognition sometimes! And it finally came this year from her 4th grade teacher who said of his choice to nominate her: "Kaya
Oswald is a leader in the classroom! She always has her work neat,
complete, and on time. She is a welcoming and compassionate person for
the new students, who have joined our class this year! I am very proud
of her, because she definitely deserves it!! ~ Mr. Coats"
All of the students of the month get to have their picture taken and hung on the main bulletin board in the entryway of the school and they had a special ceremony where they get to eat treats and have the principal award them a certificate. Kaya was so excited to be recognized and we're super proud of her and her leadership and helpful attitude at school.
For Thanksgiving this year we had our usual visit from the Bramhall's as well as Jonathan and this time my dad was here too. We had such a fun time. Jonathan mentioned that he'd missed our excursion years before when we went to the Albion College library to see their first edition copy of the Book of Mormon. We decided since Kaya was a newborn the last time we went, that it was high time to go see it again. It was really awesome to see it again and I think it had a big impact on the kids who were so young the last time we went.
While we were talking about their rare books, the librarian told us that they had a very old copy of the Holy Bible (I think he said it was from the 1400's maybe?) So he pulled that out and it was pretty amazing.
It had the old English lettering which was pretty fascinating.
And then Kalen found out that they had an old copy (1600's)of
Don Quixote, only his all time favorite work of fiction ever in the entire world! So they pulled that out and Kalen got to look through it. He's already making plans to take his students over to see it soon.
The kids had fun goofing off on campus afterward too...
And our Thanksgiving dinner was fantastic as usual--delicious food and the best company ever. I can't express how thankful I am for my sister and her family and the relationships that our kids have with each other. I just love that they have such similar fun personalities and that they are all best friends!
We had lots of fun visiting and playing games and even had a fun "red carpet" event where we got to watch the kids latest YouTube movie called "Macaroni and Cheese: Friendship Forever", a super silly (of course) but so hilarious production that they filmed when we were in New Jersey in August.
It was a great way to wrap up another fun and busy month! I wish we lived closer!
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