Bobby hurt himself at school again today. Apparently his friend Bryson fell down in the gym and Bobby fell on top of him… We’re going to have to send Bobby to school in full body armor if he keeps getting injured.
Chapel Hill has snow today! They get more snow in Chapel Hill than we do in Courtenay these days! We get rain!
Katie has been working hard today on her math homework and potential science quiz tomorrow (if teacher shows up)!
Bobby got a “Red Wall Crawler” in his Advent Calendar and has been playing with sticking it on the ceiling (see photo to the right). The kids also got Toblerone.
Katie got more essential oils in her Advent Calendar. Here’s what ChatGPT said they are used for:
Katie received a set of essential oils for Christmas, and it turns out these little bottles are surprisingly versatile. Unlike perfume, which just smells nice, essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that can be used in a bunch of different ways: to relax, to energize, to help with sleep, or even to freshen up a room.
One of the simplest uses is aromatherapy. A few drops in a diffuser (or even just on a cotton ball placed nearby) can make a bedroom feel calmer or cozier almost instantly. Scents like lavender and chamomile are great before bed, while peppermint or citrus oils can help wake you up or clear your head when you’re tired.
Essential oils can also be used as part of a self-care routine. Mixed with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba), they make a quick homemade body oil that smells amazing and helps with dry winter skin. Some people even use them for headaches (peppermint dabbed on the temples) or stress relief (deep breaths with lavender on the wrists).
There’s a creative element too. Katie can blend oils to experiment with her own scents, mix sprays for her room, or make little “roller bottles” to keep in her backpack. It’s kind of a fun intersection of science, art, and self-expression.
For something so small, essential oils open up a world of tiny rituals: a drop to start the morning, a scent to settle the evening, a moment to take a breath in between. And maybe that’s the real magic of them—small, intentional pauses that make everyday life feel just a bit better.