Busy in the New Year

This week was fairly routine, but that doesn't mean we weren't busy!  We braved the elements on Tuesday for bowling and made it back to the center before the worst of the storm hit.  On Wednesday we volunteered at Grove and on Friday we worked at Eaton.  A visit to check the garden (and see Karen!) and look for eagles took place on Thursday when the weather was sunny and a bit warmer.  Here's a recap of our adventures for the second week of January, 2024!  (Still getting used to saying "2024" too!)

Tuesday, January 9

Cameron visited today and joined us for bowling.  The rain had started by the time we left, but we never had to be outside in a downpour, and we got back with our pizza from Domino's before the winds were too strong.  

Xavier was happy to be back with his friends after his vacation in New Orleans last week!

Laura was going for a spare...

She got it, and didn't hit the bumper, either!  👏

We only had to dodge light raindrops on our bowling adventure.  We were lucky!

Lunch was great!  Thank you, Nina, for the Domino's gift cards that covered today's pizza lunch.  It was sooooo good, especially on a day like this!  Your grandson Sam and all of his friends send our very best to you in Arizona!

After lunch, we learned about apricots and what a healthy fruit they are.  We also learned that they originated in China and were first brought to North America with the Virginia colonists.  January 9th is National Apricot Day!  We had samples of dried apricots, too, and most of us thought they were very tasty!  We also had a visit from a family that is interested in our program.  We had such a nice time visiting with them that we ran out of time and our lesson on static electricity will have to be made up later!

Wednesday, January 10

Today we volunteered all morning at Grove Christian Outreach Center.  There were lots of boxes of nonperishable food to open, sort, and repack in distribution bags.  The first group focused on canned foods, and the second group on boxed foods and dried beans.  We were so proud of how efficiently we worked!

Peggy and Joel, plus Otis today, were happy to see us return to helping in 2024!

                    Teamwork makes the dream work!

When we weren't volunteering at Grove, we enjoyed winter-themed computer games and literacy activities.

Cameron visited again today.  Kate and Xavier showed him one of our favorite computer games.

Annmarie played Memory online, and Sam chose to play the board game version.

After lunch, Xavier told us about his trip to New Orleans last week where he visited an aquarium and a zoo, and Sam shared news that his brother Scott had been promoted to Sergeant in the Glendale, AZ police department!  Congrats, Scott!  Later, we met Tracy's new intern, Mallory, and she and Tracy pitched in to help us make cute penguins for decorating the room.  We're looking forward to working with Mallory over the next few months!

Mallory is a student at Old Dominion University.  She has 12 pets, and several of them are reptiles!            

Lexi, Dev, Liz, and Kate with some Happy Feet moves!

Pat and Liz helping to keep the place tidy!

Thursday, January 11

We had a lot of fun today sampling and comparing different varieties of milk for National Milk Day.  We also had a lesson for Save the Eagles Day and learned from our video that they can swim by rowing with their wings!  After lunch we spent the afternoon outside because the sun was out, the wind was still, and the temperature was in the mid 50s!

Happy National Milk Day!  This year we tried two plant-based milks - oat and almond milk (chocolate) - and lactose-free 2% dairy milk.  All of them are high in calcium and enriched with other nutrients like vitamins A and D, so we agreed it was nice to have choices.

Not everyone tried every milk, but those who tasted the oatmilk gave it a thumbs up for its "nutty" flavor.  

The chocolate almond milk was a hit!  We know that plant-based "milks" are technically beverages, but with the added nutrients, they are a healthy beverage!  (Maybe not too much chocolate, though!)

We tried strawberry syrup in some of our samples, and it was "good, but very sweet."  Luckily, most of us are happy with dairy or plant-based milk...straight up with no flavorings!

Tessa doesn't usually care for our tasting exploits, but she took a sip of strawberry milk!  Devin led us all in a cheer for her "for trying something new!"

During our eagle lesson we learned a few new words, including plumage, which is what all of a bird's feathers are called.

We caught up with Krafty Karen when we stopped by the garden after lunch!

We noticed a few changes in the garden.  The mustard greens have really grown.

The ground has been covered with small gravel so drainage will be better and it will be less muddy after rain.  The succulents in the fairy garden are dormant now, but will come back when the weather warms.

We ran into Ms. Howell and her friend, Margaret.  Ms. Howell recognized Drew and Liz because she taught them in elementary school at Clara Byrd Baker.  She recognized Tessa because she worked with Tessa's mom at the school!  Ms. Howell was so happy to see her former students grown up and happy!

Looking for eagles on the Colonial Parkway, and not finding any...

                                   But Erik spotted a small nest that we think might belong to a squirrel.

We enjoyed our time outside this afternoon.  We're thankful for "warmer" days during the long winter months.

Friday, January 12

We kicked off the 2024 Eaton work year with a bang!  First, we presented Ethan with a thank you card we made because we learned that in December, Eaton Corporation awarded The Arc of Greater Williamsburg a $20,000 grant!  We are extremely proud of the work we do at Eaton, and very appreciative of the grant.  Thank you, Eaton, for the wonderful opportunity to work with you over the past almost 8 years!

After the thank you card presentation, we were busy the rest of the morning unpacking, sorting, organizing, and prepping materials.  Everyone was focused and proficient in their tasks, and we got a lot done.  It was a great work day!

Look at how busy we were!

Lisa found a broom handle to use to help get the hard to reach pieces out of the bottom of this bin!  

We ended our productive work day, and busy week, with Jaime and Cosmic Kids Yoga.  Working with her is something we enjoy having as part of our Friday routine.  It feels good to end the week feeling relaxed!

Next week we'll reunite with Christina on Tuesday and our therapy dog friends on Wednesday as we jump into 2024 with them, too.  Here's a peek at our plans:

Tuesday:  This morning we'll review the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr on American history and the purpose behind the federal holiday that honors him.  We'll also begin our new read-aloud, Zorgamazoo, which Lisa describes as "like Dr. Seuss, but a chapter book."  We'll have lunch a little early, and then head to The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg to celebrate National Hat Day (Jan. 15) with Christina, so please wear Arc shirts.  Lunch on your own.  JRES Cafeteria is available for Pizza, Beef Soft Taco, or Taco Salad.  P.S.  You may also wear hats or ball caps today...inside and outside!  (Except inside the museums!)

Wednesday:  The therapy dogs and their handlers return today!  Word on the weather app is that we may see a snowflake or two by this morning, so we will enjoy wintry themed activities with them.  We'll also check out a Mystery Doug episode to find out where bugs go in winter and follow that with brainwork about insects!  Plus, we'll make birthday cards to get in the mail for a friend of ours. 😀 Lunch on your own today.  JRES Cafeteria is offering Popcorn Chicken Bowl or Hot Dog.

Thursday:  Get ready for word games today as we celebrate Thesaurus Day!  We'll also have fun celebrating one of our favorites - Winnie the Pooh Day (bring your "stuff" if you'd like).  After lunch we will have a make up lesson for Static Electricity Day (we ran short on time last week) and begin a Winter Corn Hole (Indoor) Challenge!  We're also making Cheeseburger Pie with chips and fruit salad for lunch.

Friday:  It's a PSP Work Day so wear your Pet Supplies Plus shirts, please.  Other activities today will include a celebration for National Popcorn Day, a winter craft project, and yoga, so dress to stretch.  Lunch on your own.  JRES Cafeteria is available for Cheeseburger or Fish Sticks.

Have a great weekend,

Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang