Saturday, December 31, 2011

Playroom Make-Over

Although the Santa delivered art table allowed Caiden to have his own space to "work," little sister is tall enough to reach the markers and papers and continued to bother Caiden! Two options...move the art table to Caiden's bedroom or build another level in the playroom! We don't do anything the easy way around here so we went with option two!
The Kindergarten classrooms in our school have these lofts (that I think are mostly used for reading) and I had explained it to Jon several weeks back. Once we seriously considered building one while Sean was in town, I took the boys up to the school and they literally ran with the plans. Several hours later we had a frame!

Let the Building Begin!

The Finished Product!
They each have their own space to play and Caiden is in Heaven with his own area where Sister can't bother him! I have to admit, it is pretty neat! For $150 bucks, it was well worth the added square feet of storage we acquired!

Friday, December 30, 2011

The Crafty Side of Me!

Pinterest has become one of my new best friends and I found so many fun things to make! I took up lots of projects over the Christmas Break and had so much fun! We even had a craft day...thanks Jamey and Towery for playing along and keeping me inspired!

A Magazine Christmas Tree!

T-Shirt Scarf!

Felt Wreath!

Hair/Scarf Clips-to Sell for the 3Day Koman Fundraising!

Elfie


Each year after Thanksgiving, Caiden and Ashlyn's elf (named Elfie) comes to visit and "check-in" on the kids. He flies back with his magical powers every night to report to Santa and returns in the morning where we find him in a different spot around the house. This year, Elfie got a little more creative with his locations and overnight mischievous activities! Caidenabsolutely LOVES looking for Elfie each morning and saying goodbye to Elfie this year was difficult. But, maybe if we're lucky, Elfie will visit during the year!

Caiden was SO excited about Elfie showing up upon our return from Leander...of course his first task was to make a picture!

Monday, December 26, 2011

CHRISTMAS!

We were sad this year because we had to miss our Christmas celebration with Jon's family. Connor had crup and we felt it was better to keep our kids away from him. So, Jon went down to visit for a few days while the kids and I stayed home. I HATED missing Connor and Ashlyn's first Christmas together but sometimes life just doesn't work out the way you want it to. Jon was able to make it to the family Christmas party Sat. morning before driving back for the Christmas Eve Service...

Caiden our Shephard in the Christmas Eve Service!

Getting Ready! Reindeer Food, Cookies & Milk, and The Night Before Christmas!

Presents and Santa's Drop-off!

And then there was the 5 hour celebration!
It all started with Caiden being barricaded in his room by Elfie (see Elfie post!) Bebe and Poppy made it over just in time for Caiden to break out and see what Santa brought him. He LOVED his art table and everything else that had to do with opening presents that morning! Ashlyn was clueless but had fun with everyone over at the house and even managed to get in her morning nap while the presents were being passed out (yes, it took that long!) The 24 hours PJ wardrobe, constant snacking, spoiling from TT & Seand, and noise of giggling kiddos made it a day of pure happiness!


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Teacher of the Year

Holy smokes...something I never imagined would happen, happened. On Tuesday, our assistant principal asked if I could be a representative for Tibbals and accept a grant Mrs. Sarles had received. It was during lunch on Friday. My first thought, Teacher of the Year. I know thatdoesn't make any sense, but if you know how this process works atour campus, you'd understand why I thought that. So I stood there panicking, yet trying to look like I was dumb and actually believing I was accepting a grant at this luncheon. I mentioned to Jamey a few minuteslater my theory and she kinda blew me off! I just had a gut feeling. So the following 3 days consisted of me noticing hick-ups in the lie including the pick-up/mailing of the grant materials and the ironic curriculum luncheon at the same time. (Side note...my dear friend Christina Towery texted me Thursday night asking if any of us were going to a Curriculum meeting on Friday. I was quick to pick up the phone and spoil the surprise for her but I WAS so excited that my theory was proving to be correct and that a good friend of mine would be receiving this special honor with me-Sorry Towery!)
Friday rolls around and I change out of my PJ's (PJ day-and we had just bought $35 jammies!) and into my real work clothes.
I dreaded walking down the hallways because I knew people would be questioning me in my attire. I just wanted out! But, I also knew as soon as I got out and into the next building, it would be with lots of camera flashes and people yelling at me (thanks for the heads up Barner!) I also knew that when Amy got TOY, it was at the Woodbridge Clubhouse...interesting that was the direction Melinda was driving me to the "grant luncheon!"
Jon and my parents were there to see the action go down and of course partake in the flashes of the camera that happen when the doors open! And, Towery was there representing her campus as I had assumed! Yippee!!!
I had to stand in front of the room while Melinda stated why I was nominated and then I had to take the mic. I hate talking in front of adults. So, I have no idea what Melinda said because I was planning what I was going to say. I do remember telling the audience that I had thought about calling in a sub so when they pulled the list of absent teachers up that morning, a panic attack would have come over them (I didn't do it...didn't need to waste the day, but it would have been priceless!!!) I made it through the speeches and was then whisked back to Tibbals to make the walk down the hall of 500+students and staff. This was the part my stomach was in knots about...all week long. I don't do attention!
Caiden and Ashlyn were there to surprise me (and apparently had been there for several hours helping the team!)
My students were so precious with their adorable signs and abundant amount of hugs! Parent volunteers came in and helped make signs and decorate my room. It was a day I will never forget!
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