Happy Friday! Oh I am so happy to see this Friday! It is the last day of school before break. We have a full day of school and it’s going to be busy. I am a little nervous to see this Friday come because I still have a lot left to do before Christmas Eve. It will all get done, it always does, but I do not feel relaxed about the things I still want to do. Our busy week has quite a few favorites in it. Let’s get to them…

Favorite 1: BRACES!! Jack got his braces off on Monday after having them on since June 2022. He was so excited to get them off and looks great! I am finding myself repeating “Are you wearing your retainers” over and over again since he got them off. He’s getting into the habit of wearing them and keeping a case with him.

Favorite 2: SANTA! We had a little rain on Monday when Santa was scheduled to come through the neighborhood on the firetruck. I was a little worried, but he still came. I love this tradition! We usually hang out with the neighbors while we are waiting, but this year both boys were plowing through homework and we dashed out in the rain to wave and say Merry Christmas!

Favorite 3: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! It is no secret that I love Christmas lights. Our neighbor put up the lights across the street again and I love them!

I have been going on walks most nights for my exercise. I’ve been taking different routes around my neigborhood and visiting other neighborhoods in town. It is a lovely way to see the lights, burn a little stress, and get some exercise at the same time.

Favorite 4: JMU! It was so fun to watch the Dukes play in the Boca Raton Bowl. Jeff got his graduate degree from Western Kentucky so it was the battle of the Parsons’ alma maters. Thank goodness JMU was victorious! It was their first bowl game win ever! Woohoo!

Favorite 5: STUDENTS! On Monday, one of my kindergarten students was a substitute in my school. I taught the lovely Nicole in 2009 and now she is senior in college getting ready for student teaching. It was such a fantastic surprise to see her in school!

Favorite 6: DEER! We had quite a few deer in the corn field one morning this week. I love to see all the deer out there on chilly mornings. It is also fun to see them on the backyard camera each night as they trot back and forth through our yard. I like living this close to nature but still live in the middle of town.

Favorite 7: VESTS & CARDIGANS! I always love a cardigan but vests have been getting a bit of love this month. They are warm and add some fun color to my outfits!

Favorite 8: ENNEAGRAM! I follow quite a few enneagram accounts on Instagram. I am an enneagram 3 and I felt very seen with this graphic this week.

Favorite 9: CHRISTMAS BOOKS! I have been trying to read this week because I love the book I am reading, but I keep falling asleep as soon as I lay down. I will hopefully read two more books before 2024 is over. I am reading through my Christmas Books 2024 list as fast as I can.

Favorite 10: YOU GUYS!! Things have gotten a little too busy for me the past few weeks and I haven’t been blogging or commenting as much. I’ve missed some of my favorite linkups, too. I am still trying to read as many of my friends’ blogs as I can in quick moments. I am sorry I haven’t been commenting as much, but please know I am still reading. Thanks for sticking with me! I am hoping that I can get into a better rhythm after Christmas and hold it through the new year.

Hello Monday
Eight Great

The boys have a swim meet this weekend and we are volunteering at the session for the younger swimmers. We have two festive evenings planned too. I am looking forward to not setting an alarm for the next 12 days. I am planning to be back here on Monday and I have no idea when else I’ll be blogging for the rest of the year. Please keep checking in. Have a great weekend full of sunshine and books!