that awkward moment...

 About a year ago I was selected as teacher of the year for my school district. Obviously I wasn't chosen as Kansas Teacher of the Year (because I would have been bragging all over the place about that), but it's been a great experience to be part of the Teacher of the Year organization. Most recently, I attended the KEEN (Kansas Exemplary Educators Network) Convention in Topeka with a co-worker and very good friend who was also Teacher of the Year for our district several years ago. As we were walking through the hotel on the first day of the conference, a man in a suit approached us and asked if we were part of the KEEN convention. We told him we were and he asked if we would step into a room for a photo. Thinking he was taking some publicity shots for the conference, We agreed and followed him into the conference room where about 5 guys in suits and a couple of ladies were waiting. They were with the Milken Educator Awards. They said they wanted to do the picture in front of the wall across the room, so we set our purses down and followed them to the photo spot and got ready to smile for our picture. Suddenly the guy tells us he wanted US to take THEIR picture. How unbelievably embarrassing! Can you imagine us standing there posing for a picture? More importantly, can you imagine what the heck they were thinking? That Milken guy really needs to work on his communication skills because he did NOT ask us if we would come in and take his picture. Milken people, you're welcome for the comic relief we brought to your week. I hope you enjoyed your laugh. And if you're on social media this week and happen to see a picture of the Milken Educators at the KEEN Convention, maybe you'll laugh too.  

mini room makeover

Over Christmas break, we took a quick trip to Kansas City to check out IKEA, Trader Joe's and The American Girl Store (for Delaney to spend her Christmas money, of course). While we were at IKEA, we made a huge impulse buy. We bought a large dresser for Delaney's room. Once we got home and we put the dresser together (and when I say "we" I actually mean Jeremy), we realized how grimy the walls were beginning to look. And we realized how cluttered her room had become, especially with all the new Christmas gifts. One thing led to another and we spent our last weekend of Christmas vacation decluttering, painting, rearranging and cleaning Delaney's bedroom. I didn't take any before pictures, but here is the finished product:

I've actually had this table for many, many years. Delaney liked to sit at it and use it for a desk. I made chalk paint (I obviously haven't boycotted Pinterest altogether) and painted it. I also found a chair in the basement that the older girls had used for their vanity several years ago. I recovered the seat cushion and I still need to give it a coat of chalk paint to brighten it up. 

The last little touch was the mirror. We had gotten that from Jeremy's grandpa when he moved. I spray painted it to match the rest of the room. 

It's a good thing I took pictures the day we finished painting. Because, like most 6 year olds, Delaney is a bit of a hoarder and her room is quite messy again. At least we know the walls are clean and she has plenty of drawer space for her clothes (even though they still manage to end up all over the floor)!

how we do valentine's day

Valentine's Day is pretty low key around here. Last year I went all out "Pinterest style". Delaney had cute Valentines with Pop Rocks and a fun saying. We made burlap labels for mason jars filled with Hershey's kisses for the teachers. You get the picture, right? This year I decided to forgo the fun and cutesy stuff and (gasp) sent store-bought Valentines with the kids. And you know what? They SURVIVED! And I wasn't humiliated! What a relief to not have to live up to the Pinterest standards that have been set. 

Nate had to create a landmark for his Valentine box. Thankfully, his para and nurse helped him with this at school. It's the historic log cabin from our little town. It turned out really cute. And I didn't have to do anything. Even better!

Now while I am secretly boycotting Pinterest, my room mom isn't. She planned a fabulous party for my third graders, complete with a cool experiment. 

So now just imagine this times six being poured down the sink in my classroom. There may possibly be some plumbing problems at my school. Oops. But it was pretty cool anyway. 

Bri went back to work on Valentine's Day so we took care of sweet Addison. And we picked up heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's. 

Pretty perfect Valentine's Day if you ask me!!!

 

one month

In just one month, Addison has gone from this

to this

It's amazing to think that an entire month has already passed since we welcomed this sweet girl into the world. Before Addison's birth, I had only witnessed the births of my own children. And obviously I was a little busy during those to fully take it all in. But having the honor of being in the delivery room when Addison was born was amazing! Allison and I were both there to share this experience with Bri and I'm grateful for it.

introducing...

Addison Alayne

Quite a lot has happened since my last blog post. I think just about anyone who might check this blog already knows about Addison, but I just can't help sharing a few recent pictures! On January 7, our oldest daughter Bri gave birth to our first grandchild (how can I be a grandma?) I've decided I want her to call me Mimi, but as my mom (Gaga) knows, sometimes those sweet little babies choose your name for you!

Addison is as sweet as can be and we are absolutely head over heals in love!! 

One of my goals for this year is to take more pictures (I didn't take a single picture for Christmas, not even on my phone...how sad is that?) and blog more often. Hopefully Addison is just the incentive I need! 

cruising

We just returned from a fabulous vacation! We took the older girls and went on a Western Caribbean cruise.

We were cruise newbies. So it was particularly great that we traveled along with our friends who are somewhat seasoned cruisers. Thanks J & D for taking care of us and showing us the ropes!

We spent one of our shore days in Cozumel. Jeremy and I went to a national park and got to snorkel and lay out on the beach. The girls went swimming with the dolphins.

   

For our second excursion we visited Mayan ruins in Progreso.

 

There was a fresh water sinkhole near the ruins. Fortunately I just had a pedicure because it was filled with little fish who wanted to feast on dead skin. Ewwww!

   

We had a short beach break after the ruins. It was a great way to cool down.

  

And not to worry…the ink is just henna.

We took lots of selfies.

We ate great food! Our waiter was wonderful and knew us all by name. So did the room steward. Very impressive. Speaking of impressive, every night after dinner, we found our beds turned down with chocolates and a cute little critter made out of folded towels.

 

We ate in the dining room each night and then hung out with friends for the rest of the evening. On our last night, Allison and Joseph were goofing around with a silly photo shoot. I caught the process on my iPhone.

 

And the finished product:

All in all, it was loads of fun! It was great traveling with friends and our adult children!