Polar Vortex

Camden has had e-learning days (stay at home, submit work through Google Classroom) the last two days.  The polar vortex had temperatures around -10 with wind chill over at least -30.  Kevin had to spend 12 hours in it!  Thankfully my job had us work from home on Wednesday and Kevin's day off is Thursday.    Camden has not gone outside, despite frequent requests to go out to eat.

A few weeks ago, however, she and Kevin got the 4-wheeler and sled out and had many trips around the yard.  Think she took many a tumbles.

Twin Lakes Winter Camp 2019

Camden spent Friday night and all day Saturday at Twin Lakes Camp with several other kids from our church, along with church staff - Ms. Patty and two college interns.  She raves about her time here. 

It was cold, but not the below freezing we are living with now.  They went on hikes, played some outdoor games, and had chapel and other teaching time (indoor).

I laughed when I saw these pictures on Facebook because of Camden's shoes.  She is wearing her worn-out slip on shoes (that she loves to wear everyday), despite the fact that I spend 2 days trying to find snow boots in this small town that fit her.  Don't get me started on finding snow pants, which I did end up borrowing some from a co-worker.  She said she wore them one time, but they were too hot.  I guess she didn't freeze and had a ball so I can't complain.

So thankful for this place where my daughter learns and matures.

2019 Sock Hop

The Sock Hop is usually held in December, but our DJ couldn't do it then, so we moved it to January.  This is always such a fun event.  Since it's my last year at NME, I have been transitioning all the events I run to other moms.  I did a lot of "coaching" but she took care of most of the details and it was seamless.

Camden was leaving for Winter Camp this same day, so she couldn't go to the 3rd-5th grade sock hop in the evening.  I let her stay after school for the younger kids (K-2nd) as a helper.  But she did a lot of dancing too.

The photo booth is always a hit.  I asked Camden if I could be in a set with her, but while waiting had to take care of something.  I made it back just in time to sneak in her last picture.  Then we did a set together.

She headed back later and got a set all to her self.  She is a ham!

Deer Mill Bridge Puzzle

Cold weather always means puzzle time in our house.  One of my coworkers gave me a few that they had already done and they feature area landmarks.  This one of Deer Mill Bridge was beautiful.  We all took part in putting it together (Camden just a very wee bit)...

Even the cat and dog took part.  The cat knocked pieces off and the dog tried to eat them.  Luckily, only one piece suffered damage.

Bounce Back 2 School

The PTO puts on a fun day when the kids come back from winter break.  We do it the second day back so that the teachers can get them back in the routine before getting them out of it again!  In reality, each grade comes down for 45 minutes, so it's not breaking too much of the momentum.  The teachers always rave about this day because the kids just love it and it gets some of that energy out.

I only went when Camden's class went.  Because it's a split class, they went with the 4th graders, so I got to meet a few of her friends i hadn't before.

Camden and Bella (4th grader) on the giant slide:

The two of them in the bounce house:

Wish we could do this monthly.  So good for everyone!

Half Bathroom Remodel

A cold, blustery winter weekend was the perfect time to redo our half bath.  Between the old mirror, ugly flooring, outdated vanity, poorly painted walls, and stained toilet bowl, it was time!

Beginning of deconstruction:

Mid-way:

We had an almost full can of off white paint, so gave the walls a good paint.  Then Kevin laid the new flooring.

Some of our friends had a brand new, perfect-size vanity that wasn't going to work in their house and gave it to us. 

With just a bit of money in flooring and a new toilet, the room looks amazing!  We still have to put base boards back down and do the finishing touches (mirror, towel rack, TP holder), plus add some decorations, but what a difference!

Hooray for Kevin and his efforts.

New Year's Day

On New Year's Day we headed to Papaw's for our traditional corned beef meal.  Camden and Austin spent time on his Nintendo Switch after lunch was over.  They get along so well.

New Year's Eve

Camden had her friends Sophia and Bella over to spend the night on New Year's Eve.  Earlier in the day we bought a 4-pack of Christmas cookies (90% clearance) to decorate, so the girls each got a cookie (and one for me!) to ice and eat.

At one point in the evening Camden got out her fingernail polish (one of the gifts from Gramma Pat) and had a small salon going.

Then, as it approached midnight, we got out hats, party squawkers, and pots & pans.

They watched the ball drop in Times Square and then celebrated.

Neither of the girls had heard of banging pots &; pans and really loved it...despite the blowing wind that kept taking their hats off.

These girls were loud (banged loud enough to break one of the spoons), but Kevin, sleeping because of work the next day, didn't wake up once!

Back inside, we toast with sparkling grape juice. 

Gramma Pat Christmas

Since we were sick over Christmas, we didn't get to see Gramma Pat.  Camden and I headed up over break.  We met at her house where she had hidden Camden's Christmas presents throughout her house.  After a search, Camden found all the bags and sat down to open them.

 
Each bag had a nice card and gift (or two) inside.

Some of the gifts were things Camden had been eyeing at 5 below and she was super excited to get.

She also got some items she hadn't asked for, but will definitely be used...like a sushi rolling kit!

One of her favorite gifts was a sleeping mask.  She uses it almost every night.

After gifts (she is so spoiled!), we headed out for lunch together before Gramma had to get to work.

Cincinnati: Findlay Market

Before we left town, I wanted to go to the Findlay Market to grab some lunch.  The main aisle had lots of meat counters, cheese vendors, bakeries, and a few food options.  We bought a bag of true Belgium waffles (great heated the next morning in the toaster) and sampled a couple of Greek savory pastries.  Camden, of course, wanted the giant pickle that she got the last time we visited.

Camden requested sushi, but there was not a restaurant here that offered it.  We stumbled across the Arepa Place and I suggested we grab something here.  They served arepas and empanadas.  The latter being one of my favorite things to get at a Puerto Rican storefront in Camden.  I hadn't had one in years.  And this place did not disappoint.

We got a chicken and a beef empanada, as well as a beef and a vegetarian (black bean, cheese, sweet plantains) arepa.  We also got to select a few different salsas.  

I think my favorite was the vegetarian, but I would get anything from here again!

Camden was pouting because there was no sushi and I wouldn't drive somewhere else, so she didn't get anything.  But then she reluctantly agreed to try a bite of the empanada and decided they were amazing.  We also wanted to try the Sweet Plantain Chips with guacamole, so got a to-go order of them along with a couple of empanadas for her.  While I waited for these, Kevin and Camden went to Dojo Gelato and got a few scoops to share.  This Italian treat was the perfect ending to a delicious lunch.