Another Christmas in Kansas

We had our third Christmas as Kansans. We just stayed close to home this year.

Hannah's preschool class made graham cracker houses and I went to help them. I supervised them in the house making and then read with them and then sat with the class while they had snack. One of my ironic realizations has been how much more popular well-liked I am as an adult parent, teacher, and researcher than I ever was as a student.

During the break we also paid a visit to our local public library. They have little hideaways for reading of which we took advantage. We walked out with an armload of Curious George books, Barbie books, and I found a biography of Alice Liddell who inspired Alice and Wonderland.

Toward the break we had a girls' day and I took Hannah and we both got pedicures. She got the princess package and they did her nails too. I was worried she would not stay still, but she did okay. I don't little girls need to do stuff like that all the time, but this was a Christmas season treat.

On January 7 it was cold and snowy outside and the Internet was down. There was nothing to do but take down the Christmas decor. Some years I don't get it all down until March, but usually it is at least Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This year, we were early.

Comments

Wrapping up the Year (and Decade)

Christmas was nice. The weather was good and I was able to run like I usually do. I served a Thanksgiving Dinner because I spent Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania with my sister. It has been a busy decade. I only have two years where something major didn't happen. On to 2020. My list of Big stuff for the last decade. 2010—Finished Master’s degree 2011—Published Master’s degree as book 2011—Daughter born 2012—Book won award 2013—Moved to KS for PhD program (January) 2014— 2015—Published second book 2016—Finished PhD program (August) 2017—Moved to Albuquerque for faculty position 2018— 2019—Submitted mid-probationary dossier

The Year-Long January

The joke is that January is the longest month of the year. I thought it went quickly. Classes started and winter cold set in. We went to the eye doctor and Hannah waited for the doctor so long, she grew a beard. Ultimately she decided on glasses that would make her look like Supergirl. I think she really pulled it off. All month I was on pins and needles about the government shutdown trying to decide if it was safe to fly to a conference. Luckily for me, the poor TSA workers and federal folks were able to get back to work. However, the planes I took (4 in all) were mostly empty and I got a row to myself. There was also a polar vortex that didn't help air travel looks appealing. I got there late at night and the room they had left was a large hotel suite. I took it. My colleague Michael Dunn and I divided our presentation up. We both did well. I also found a few good folks from Kansas. Then, I left Indy. When I wasn't worki...

Graduation and Mother's Day

It was my turn to help with activity night at church so I brought my graduation robes and so forth and let the little girls take turns all dressed up. Here of the pillow announcing Mother's Day. As it turns out, there is an actual graduation song. I went to convocation and read the names again. Then, Mother's Day actually arrived. Here is my custom drawn picture.

Quick Successions: New Mexico Edition

Search This Blog