Short and Sweet!

Happy Tuesday!  It sure feels good to be writing this to you on a Tuesday afternoon that is OUR Friday!  While we had a short week at PrairieWood, we managed to keep ourselves very busy.  We hope you have a wonderful and long holiday weekend!  Our feature blogger this week is Kaitlyn.  Here is what she has to say about her week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned about about the "Happy Feet" movie in the News2You.  I enjoyed going to the High School for my Special Olympics banquet.  I was challenged by painting ceramics.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about a job working at Ruby Tuesday's."

Until next week!

Thanksgiving Success!

Writing what we are thankful for...

Getting the pie ready.

Enjoying our lunch.

Well...all our hard work payed off!  What a successful day!  PrairieWood students were busy from the moment they walked through the door this morning until their guests left this afternoon.  They will probably be tired when they come home tonight.  We all enjoyed the food and socializing with our friends from the high school.  Above are some pictures from our day.  Enjoy your weekend!

Thanksgiving Preparations: Day 4

It's getting closer and we are very excited!  We spent time today doing the last of our food preparations.  Chelsey and Ahsia made our stuffing. 

Kendra and Kaitlyn were busy cleaning and making our center sparkle so our guests have a comfortable and clean environment to come into.

Tomorrow is the big day, and we are so excited to feast on all that we have been preparing all week.  We are also excited to spend time and socialize with our guests.  We can't wait hear everyone share what they are thankful for!

...until tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Preparations: Day 3

The Thanksgiving preparations continued today.  Brandon and Cassie started preparing our potatoes for being mashed.  They took time peeling and cutting them.  We plan to cook them and mash them tomorrow.

Sarah took her time slicing, cutting, and chopping vegetables for our relish tray.  Nice work Sarah!  It looks great!!!

AND...Kendra and Kaitlyn made our sweet potatoes.  As we write this they are baking in the oven and smell just delicious.  We can't wait to eat them! 

...until tomorrow!

Thanksgiving Preparations: Day 2

The PrairieWood Thanksgiving preparations are well underway.  Yesterday we ventured to the grocery store, with long lists in hand, to purchase the supplies we needed for our luncheon this Friday.  We needed all the ingredients to prepare: Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Pumpkin Pie, and rolls...ALL the fixings of a great Thanksgiving feast!

Kaitlyn's picking out the milk.

Today was day number 2 of our preparations, and the cooking got underway.  Several students spent time in the kitchen mixing together the pie filling.  The pies will be baked later this week.  There is some video of Brandon and Sarah preparing the pie filling.

We also mixed together our green bean casserole.  We are serving a lot of people, so two batches of the casserole had to be made.  Chelsey and Ahsia each made their own batch.

Cassie also started the preparations for the stuffing by chopping the celery and onions. 

Cassie cutting up the celery for the stuffing.

There was a lot of hard work by PrairieWood students today.  We can't wait to enjoy all our delicious food on Friday with our friends and teachers!

Preparations are underway!

We are VERY busy at the Transition Center!  Next week we will be hosting our 4th annual Thanksgiving luncheon and we have started preparing for it.  We did some grocery shopping this week to pick up some of the items we need.  We are also busy preparing holiday card packets to fill the orders that have already been placed.  If you would like a packet of our handmade holiday cards, get your order in now...they're going fast!  Our feature blogger this week is Sarah.  This is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned where to find potatoes.  I enjoyed putting glitter on our holiday cards.  I was challenged by cooking lunch all by myself.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about following a recipe."

Have a great weekend!

A good fit!

PrairieWood students spend a large portion of their day out at community worksites learning independent work skills and trying to find a job they enjoy and could see themselves doing in the future.  We take a lot of time talking to them about what they like and don't like about each job, so that for future placements we can find a perfect fit between job and student.  Our feature blogger this week, Kendra has definately found a perfect fit.  Kendra is working at Pet's Playhouse in Cedar Rapids and she just loves her job.  While there Kendra completes a variety of jobs, one being interactions or "playing" with the puppies they sometimes have at the store to give the puppies a chance to be out of their cages and get some TLC.  Having a dog of her own at home, Kendra is comfortable with the puppies and is always anxious for the days she gets to interact with them.  It is so exciting to watch Kendra not only working, but also enjoying herself each afternoon.  We have included video of Kendra completing one of her favorite jobs at work.  Enjoy!  Below the video is what Kendra had to say about her week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to go to Hy-Vee and pay for my Rice Krispies, large can of peaches, large can of pears, and large can of fruit mix.  I enjoyed playing with the puppy.  I was challenged by cleaning and filling fish jars.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about walking at the indoor rec. center."

The holidays are just around the corner...

Halloween is over, which means the holiday season has officially begun!  The students of the PrairieWood Transition Center would like to help you in spreading the holiday spirit this year.  We are kicking off our 4th annual Holiday Card sale.  For just $5.00 you can purchase a pack of 6 handmade cards and 6 envelopes made just for you by PrairieWood students.  Check out our design for this year below and contact us if you are interested in placing an order.  Happy Holidays!

Outside design - inside is blank, leaving room for your personal messages.