50 Things I am Grateful for in 2016

The assignment was to set a timer for 15 minutes and write a list of everything I am grateful for in my life or that happened in my life this year.

1. My husband
2. My boys
3. My health
4. That my grandmother (and last surviving grandparent) is still alive
5. For my whole family
6. Our Myrtle Beach vacation and all that we did on it
7. Watching Alec tackle the most difficult courses at the adventure park
8. Getting a "new" to me car
9. Having a wonderful Christmas with the family
10. Going to the beach so much
11. Hiking Mount Monadnock (even if I did complain the whole time!)
12. For my house
13. Seeing the sunrises and sunsets that are so colorful
14. Watching the three bald eagles soaring over the lake
15. Taking family kayak trips
16. Watching Evan read a chapter book
17. Figuring out what was upsetting Evan's stomach
18. That Ian's wrist was NOT fractured this summer like we first thought.
19. Homeschooling and learning beside my boys
20. Going on the science boat trip and learning about marine animals
21. Our trip to Beavertail state park
22. For new friendships
23. To be able to throw my boys some memorable birthday parties
24. Hanging out with friends at the lake over 4th of July weekend
25. That our cat did not die like we thought he would when he was so sick
26. For the memories of Great Wolf Lodge
27. Trick or treating with most of my family this year; it was fun to go out together.
28. Going to Beardsley zoo
29. All the wonderful food we eat
30. Being able to take my boys to the movies in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week
31. For all the homeschooling families we "click" with and have fun with
32. Watching my boys form lasting friendships with kids they met in pre-k!
33. Hosting our egg drop
34. All our nature walks
35. Joining our letter boxing group
36. That Evan can ride a bike and we can go on family bike rides now
37. Nature and the beauty in the world around us
38. That it's the end of Dec. and we have yet to see any real snow
39. For the fun day we had at the mall yesterday!
40. Watching my boys take turns so nicely with our new video game system
41. Hearing my boys helping one another out
42. Watching the boys build complicated kits and Lego sets-- you can see them thinking!
43. Taking a day trip to Block Island this past summer
44. Seeing my boys settle in with books each time we visit Barnes and Noble
45. Our trip to Mystic Aquarium
46. That when our basement flooded we didn't have to spend money on any repairs!
47. That my aunt was able to visit us while we were on vacation 
48. For my new comfy slippers and boots!
49. That leggings and sweaters are all the rage right now; it's such a comfy trend.
50. That I finished this list before the timer went off
51. That my blog seems to appeal to a wide variety of readers and my work is starting to be recognized. 
52. For the zoo and museum classes my boys are lucky enough to participate in.
53. For our new internet service provider-- it has made a HUGE difference in blogging
54. For all the fun arts and crafts projects I get to do with my boys-- and that they'll willingly participate (like these)
55. For finally finding our groove in homeschooling; balancing hands on fun and field trips with good books and more traditional schooling subjects.
56. For fires in the fireplace 
57. For takeout on nights I just can't imagine cooking.