January 2024

HAPPY 2024!!!!!

Here's some photos that show how the Rakoz Family spent the month of January.

We see a lot of bunnies in this neighborhood.  While heading out for a walk, I sauntered right past this one who wasn't as skittish as some of the others.  He's pretty thick due to preparation/survival for this time of year, so I've affectionately named him "Little Bunny Fat-Fat."

The high school up the street resurfaced and covered their outdoor court this past summer.  With girls basketball tryouts happening next month, Presley is starting to train and was able to steer clear of the downpour during her practice.  She prefers shooting 3s

Boys Basketball season has started, but more importantly, Cheer has started!

Finally, all the practice is paying off and I can just sit and enjoy the performances.

I really like this squad and have a bunch of favorites.

Nothing makes Coco happier than fresh towels from the laundry.  With our new washer and dryer, she had to adjust to a new end-of-cycle signal, but she makes sure to be nearby and pounce into the warm pile when it's placed on my bed.  I decided to throw her in the dryer to get the warmest experience.  Can you see her?

The middle of January brought so much snow that we (public school employee and students) got an entire week off of school due to the icy conditions.  We will making up school days forever!!!

I used the time to bake some recipes from my favorite Magnolia cookbooks.

I made charcuterie boards for the kids to use up some healthier snack options

Presley and I continued our tradition of walking up to Starbucks for hot cocoas.  Unfortunately, the last few times we have done this, they have the dining area closed with drive-thru option only or the entire facility is closed.  I decided to pre-order our cocoas before we left and they were open for service.  On this day we faced a 'drive-thru only' situation.  Presley reminded me that the last time we tried to walk through the drive thru we got yelled at.  In this case I had already paid for our order so I was walking through no matter what they wanted.  They were very kind and we got our drinks just fine.  Unfortunately, we had to drink them outside, but it wasn't too cold.  I have decided this needs to be the end of this tradition.

Our friend, Michelle, had an impromptu Bag Sale at her store, Haute Madre.  Presley loves this place so we were all over it. Sadly, this was the last visit we would make to Haute Madre as she is converting her business to online only.  I'm so glad we got to say goodbye.

Presley and I headed to the movies to watch the "Mean Girls" musical.  Apparently we had never experienced the bougie Dolby stereo theatre before: these seats were amazing!  They were leather, oversized and had adjustable options. We had such a comfortable experience.

This is what an average day looks like for me at work during 7th grade lunch.  I have tons of visitors.

Here's another amazing recipe from my Magnolia cookbooks: this brussel sprouts dish was delicious!

Presley and I were thrilled to see Maddox's sweet girlfriend, Chloe, at one of our basketball games!  She is such a doll.  This visit means that Chloe has seen more of Presley cheering at a game than Maddox

After that basketball game, Presley and I raced to the Moda Center for Presley's very 1st Blazer game.  We played against the Philadelphia 76rs and beat them by almost 30 points!  Philly was missing 2 of their best players, but we did not care.

Our seats are so awesome and we were able to enjoy the streamer shower after the win.

Here's another frequent flyer and basketball player that visits the Counseling Center.  During this break from class, he is getting a cheer lesson from me, Presley and friend/Presley's ELA teacher.

Here's a shot of Presley getting her certificate for making Honor Roll with a 4.0 for the 1st Trimester.  Way to go P!

One fun thing I started with some of the students is a throw-back to elementary school Valentine treat exchange.  If a student agrees/wants to participate, they create a heart to put up on the wall and bring Valentine treats for all the other hearts.  Although there are only 2 hearts up at this point, I expect we will have closer to 20 hearts by the time Feb 14th arrives.  Fun fact: the blue heart is Presley's crush

Okay.  This next cat picture is super disturbing.  I've heard about this, but Presley sent me a photo one day.

This is actually a stuffed/taxidermized cat

It belongs to Presley's 2nd period teacher

It was not his actual cat.

He bought this at Good Will

For $1

He's had it for 15 years

It sits on a shelf in the classroom.

He named it Fluffie

He says if you spell Fluffie with a "y", it'll visit you at your house that evening

Click to enlarge an even creepier view.

So. Disturbing.

 

Once again, there are a few family members that didn't make it on the blog this month.  Maybe they should spend more time with me....?

I wasn't able to upload videos of Presley and Dylan sledding during Snow Week. Maddox was pretty quiet, but loves to remind us all that he is an adult now (eye roll).  He is starting to get his senior year things wrapped up and he is also helping to drive Dylan to 6am baseball practice a few times a week.  For a fee, of course.

That's it for January!