Celebrations 1/4/14

                                               

This is a fabulous idea from Ruth Ayres in which we write about something to celebrate each Saturday. I am looking forward to participating in this link up each week and hearing about the awesome things happening in everyone's classrooms and lives.

Celebrating this week:

1. Although she is not human, my dog is definitely a big part of our family.  I am celebrating having her back home with us after we got home from out of town.  I love the place she goes and am very thankful for the excellent care she receives while she is with them.  Here are some action shots from the doggy spa:

I love that we have a great place to take her and know she is happy and safe while we're gone.  Now, I am happy to have her cuddled up with me on the couch as I write.














2. I had a blast with Ramon's family in Spain.  His cousin threw us a surprise welcome party on the day we arrived.

Ramon and his mom enjoy one of their favorite dishes...snails!

After that, it was nonstop family time over the holidays.  It was beautiful as always in Sevilla.  The holiday lights are amazing there and it is always fun to see his family since we don't get to see them often.

3. Almost ten years ago, I bought a necklace from an artist that works with glass at the art fair in Sevilla.  I went back to this same art fair each year we were there over the holidays, but have never been able to find that artist again.  This year, she was there again along with another artist with gorgeous pieces!  I am celebrating my new beautiful necklaces!  I love these because they are so unique.

4. Ramon and I brought an iPad mini for his parents.  We went with them to set up internet in their house and showed them how to use e-mail, Skype, and FaceTime.  I am so excited that they will be able to do video conferences with both Ramon and his twin brother who lives in another part of Spain.  They were so excited when they were learning the technology.  I am so happy we brought this for them and were able to teach them the basics.  I just know that Ramon's parents will love being able to use the internet and connect with their family.

5. Our trip home was the smoothest trip I have ever had.  We had very little downtime...we didn't have to run in the airport in Madrid to connect with our flight, but we were able to board immediately when we got to the gate.  We had a smooth flight which is made better because the plane now has individual video screens and you can select your own entertainment.  It definitely makes the 9 hour flight go faster!  I enjoyed watching Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and The Great Gatsby (which I thought was very well done).  I also had some good time to read on the plane.  Then, going through customs in Chicago was quick, our bags came up fast, and the bus to Milwaukee was waiting when we got outside.  We usually have to wait about 45 minutes for the bus because we usually get outside about 5 minutes after the bus left.  It was nice to get home an hour earlier than we had anticipated.

6. I know this sounds weird, but I am also celebrating the fact that our car and house were fine when we got home.  No break-ins or any other bad things...I am always a little nervous that something will happen while we're gone.

7. Last. but not least, I am celebrating an extra day off.  School has been cancelled for Monday because of the extremely cold wind chills forecasted.  It is nice to be able to relax a little more today knowing that I have another day to plan.