I got through a bunch of chores in the morning. It included putting my decorative pot back up. Of course, then we were looking at the forecast and it is supposed to be windy soon. So Joshua decided to move the pot to the front where it might not call over.
Yesterday we put boxes under the Christmas tree to stop the cats (well, mainly Horizon) from eating the tree. Horizon has a love / throw-up relationship with all plants but apparently can't stop himself. So I decorated the boxes today. Joshua didn't love how I did one of them and so rewrapped it, but that's fine.
Finals week started today. I had one today and have one on Friday...I'm just glad they're not both on Friday because that is the worst.
My to do list for Hope is getting smaller. I know everything that I still need to get done. Today I drastically reduced the number of emails in my inbox. The last normal assignment in CSCI is almost finished being graded. I finished the final exam grading rubric. I have 3/4 of a physics lab to finish. The final exam finishes up the list and then I'll be all set!
Overall, it was a boring day. That's really the best outcome for exam week.
Joshua had his piano recital today! We brought Great grandma and that was nice.
Afterwards we went to a Christmas party. Isaac and Joshua joined in the grab this year and it was fun. Joshua opened a blanket. We don't need more blankets. Ben kindly stole the blanket from Joshua so he could get something more fun. And what does Joshua do? Steals another blanket because it was super soft. Ben and I rolled our eyes at each other.
In the end I got some mind teasers, Isaac picked up a game (that we brought), and Joshua had a blanket. Ben had the blanket at the end, but the candy that we brought ended up with some people that didn't want candy. So we switched and were both very happy.
We all went to South Bend today for Isaac's final competition. It was so nice to have a comp 'close' to home! We were able to get stuff done this morning and still be home in time for dinner.
This was yet a different format: complete isolation. He went in through a different door and wasn't allowed to even look at the wall until his four minutes started. It wasn't my favorite format. I haven't asked Isaac what he thought about it yet. Also, scoring seemed a little off during this competition. There were several routes that we all thought Isaac should have gotten the next milestone but he didn't get credit. He coach was very supportive afterwards; giving information as to why things might have been scored like they were.
He was in the zone. He completely ignored us while waiting for his turn.
Route 1: Isaac did well and got low zone. I thought he got zone but he didn't actually use the hold so it didn't count.
Route 2: I don't have any pictures. This was a rough one for a lot of climbers. His coach thought he should have had low-zone, but the judges didn't. It was a jump to a big, hard to grab onto hold. Isaac was trying a different way that worked as well as jumping, but he used the hold.
Route 3: this was a run and jump, and Isaac is still working on dynamic moves.
Route 4: oh, this was probably his best one. He learned some things, and really got pretty far. If he had two more minutes he would have probably gotten zone, but he works through things slowly. However, he did make progress with every attempt and it was a fun one to finish on. He got low zone and thought he had zone, but the judges didn't give it to him.
Luckily, while the competitions are done, team isn't! Isaac enjoys the practices more than the competitions. Some athletes will get to go to regionals in January and then a top rope season starts. Isaac doesn't love top rope, so we probably won't go to any competitions. (Also, there are only a total of three. The closest in Indy and Detroit, but those are still a drive.)
The week: classes finished. There's a ton of grading to do. There was a snow day. Ben stayed home with the kids. Isaac has a lot of work. We have a busy weekend coming up.
I made some porch pots with Jamie and Cheryl this evening. It was pretty fun. I thought it'd be interesting, but it was more fun than I expected. I decided to put it on the deck because then I get to see it more. As I was bringing through the house Horizon was very excited to eat it. Very excited.
