Goodbye 2016

Discussions around these parts are, what a shoddy year 2016 was.  It wasn't ALL like that.  But a dear friend's mother died after a long illness, and we're generally worried about what misfortune the new president will bring us.  But there were some good things too.

We went to Disneyland, our first long vacation in a few years.
Charlie started working full-time, in a community he truly enjoys.
Scarlett and I just finished reading Harry Potter, book 5. 
She is biking without training wheels, which allows us more family run-bike time.
She is loving first grade.  She reads a ton, although her handwriting needs work (according to her teacher, and also anybody who attempts to read her handwriting)
We said goodbye to Charlie's old Hyundai, and donated it to a local charity.  We didn't drive it much anyway.  So we enter 2017 as a one-car family.


But, the concerns.  To combat our worry that government programs for the needy will be shut down, immigrant families will be treated poorly, and legislation to protect the earth will be overturned in ways that we cannot return from- we are working to be kinder and more generous.  We drive around with apples and granola bars in the car and when we see someone holding a sign by the roadside, we hand them some. Scarlett loves this.  She is keeping tally of how many homeless people we have helped.  We recently handed out some bags full of helpful items (gloves, socks, granola bars, water, tooth brushes, baby wipes).  I was nervous at first, that the items wouldn't be well received.  But it's been lovely, and my daughter is learning that she can help those in need with small gestures and a smile.  Greenpeace came to my door and I gave them money, which I never would've done before the election.  So in that sense, donald trump has brought out the best in me. I am rising up.  I'm going to fight his bigotry and bullying nature with kindness and sympathy. My daughter will never grow up thinking she is better than anyone else because she's white, or that she's lesser because she's a female.  She's going to grow up realizing she is lucky to have a home and all her needs met, and that she should work to help others who are less fortunate and treat our earth with respect.  I hope that a year from now, things are not as bad as I expect them to be.  2017, pleasantly surprise me.

Scar-ism: Harry Potter-style

"A mama's kiss fills you with love! A dementor's kiss sucks out your soul."

What happens at Christmastime in Oregon

Peacock Lane!

Gingerbread house decorating!

Trees that have fallen down!

Art by Scarlett

Food fractions

This one is a lion, roaring (sideways)

Vampires

In lieu of saving every single drawing- which I'm tempted to do and in fact I have boxes of Scarlett art in the basement- I'm taking photos so they can be enjoyed later, without being in piles on my kitchen table.