Day 1–Enjoying the gorgeous weather!!

More showchoir pics

Getting into the Spirit with snow and show choir!

Tyler had his 1st showchoir performance of the year and we were amazed.  I was literally in tears.  He looked so amazing and could dance like you wouldn’t believe.  You could tell he was so happy and loved what he was doing so much.  We were so very impressed!!  Tyler, you totally rock!

School was cancelled the last day before break due to freezing rain!  You probably heard my “Hallelujah” all the way from Iowa.  The kids missed their last day of finals but no one cares.  we got done early and got to sleep and relax!!  Last night a major storm hit and dropped about 6-7 inches of new fresh snow.  Church was cancelled which was good because it took us over an hour to shovel the driveway and there was a layer of ice underneath.  Kayla's car is literally frozen!

I got to attend the scholastic warehouse sale this week.  There is nothing better than getting a paid professional day to go shopping for $1000 worth of books!  Its. heaven, people, it really is!!  I got 111 books for the middle school and told the kids as they came in, if they see any they liked, they could put a stickie on it.  Like my picture?

I had more compliments this week that I wanted to share:

From an 8th grade teacher: Never in all my years of teaching have I had so many kids reading and so excited about books.  There is something about you that makes them so extremely excited.

From a custodian who over heard a 6th grade teacher talking about us.  That teacher said, “ Just by what those girls are doing in the library, alone will raise the reading scores of this entire school.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job??

Another busy week doth pass

….and I forgot to take pictures…

Alayna did great in bball again and made another basket!

Tyler had a great Choir/Band concert.  Bob taped the numbers for you all to see.

Marisa got her VISA!!!!  Flies to Brazil tomorrow.  The time has come.

Here is why I was so busy.  Anamosa Prison Industries made new shelves for my middle school library!  They are beautiful and it was quite the project getting them all set up.  So I did take pictures of that

Before pic: Taking off the books

After shots:

Bball, Newbo, and cupcakes to die for!

Alayna started basketball and had her very 1st game this week.  She ROCKS on defense and she even made 2 baskets!  Go Alayna!!

(She is #8)

Kayla won an award at work this week!!

Cupcakes from “Take the cake”

Another trip to Newbo…(they even have Superman ice cream)

(wood fired pizza…and Bob’s weird face)

My book tree at the high school.  Not done yet.

The new Cedar Rapids library!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 45th to Bob!

(Alaynas white board in her room)

We had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving day with games and movies and most of all RELAXATION!  We all needed it badly.

I am extremely grateful that Marisa is being watched over and taken care of by loving friends on the other side of the nation!  They had her over for dinner and sent her home with a space heater because she has been freezing.  They are also having her over for Christmas and even got her gifts for under the tree.  Her Visa status is still on the 1st step.

Bob turned 45 this week.  I am proud to say that I am also in the running for Wife-of-the-year.  I didn’t forget his birthday, but I have been so extremely busy with everything that I had to do it all last minute. I blew the pie and the décor was, um, hideous.  I asked Alayna to make a happy birthday sign and this is what she made… What the heck?  All I can say is that I try…

(Boo on me)

We did go as a family to see Catching Fire which was AMAZINGLY FABULOUS AND I CANT WAIT TO SEE IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   We also went to Zoeys for lunch and a zookie!

I cut my hair.  Im so sick of it I could scream.  I really like it.  But now it takes more effort.