I got octopussed

While I was at a meeting after school on Friday, my "friends" took a dead octopus (the kindergarten teachers had it for O week) and put it on my car tire.  Then they huddled inside a doorway and waited for me to come out.  They actually waited for more than half an hour because my meeting ran long.  I was walking out with my friend Amy and talking as we walked, so I didn't see the octopus as I approached the car.  I smelled it before I saw it, so I knew it was real right away.  My first thought was, "Where did I run over an octopus?" When that didn't seem to make sense, my second thought was, "Maybe it crawled onto my tire from the parking lot."  I know, really logical ideas.  Amy was pulling away, so I frantically flagged her down to help me figure out the mystery.  Then I looked around for an explanation.  That's when I saw my friends all crammed together recording me with their phones.  They all got a great laugh, and I got a fun story!  I think we should definitely make octopussing a thing!

New Shelves

For part of my Christmas present, I asked Zach to make me a shelf to display our family photo books.  I wanted the books out and displayed but out of Monroe's reach.  Zach made the shelf with Troy the same day they made Monroe's stage.  Once Zach brought the shelf home, I changed my mind about the wall I was putting it on, and I asked them to make me another shelf to go with the first.  I have disliked the picture frame that I had on that wall for a while now.

 Before

After

The first shelf has our 2012 yearbook, a picture with my side of the family, a picture of Monroe, and the picture Zach and Monroe made me.

The other shelf has the R my parents just got us for Christmas (you fill it with wine corks), a picture of Zach and Monroe, a picture with Zach's side of the family, and our 2011 yearbook.

I love the way the shelves turned out.  I am so glad I asked Zach to make them and that I put them on that wall.  They are much more fun to look at than the picture frame that was there before.  

New Year's Eve

For the last few years, Zach and I have not had big plans for New Year's Eve.  Last year I was reading a friend of mine's blog post about getting a hotel room, and I decided we were getting one with them this year.  Matt and Abby usually go to Kearney, but we decided to stay in Grand Island so that more friends could come over and hang out with us.  We got a pool-side room at the Holiday Inn.

Lily brought Monroe a crown and noise maker.

We ordered pizza and then got in the pool.

Zach and Monroe with Matt and Hudson

Monroe was loving the water.  She hasn't swam since August.

After over an hour, Zach was tired of swimming, but Monroe was not.  We decided to let her try swimming by herself.  We put floaties on her arms and a ring around her.  Once she decided she was safe, she was so proud of herself!  She kept saying, "I'm swimming all by myself!" 

Monroe, Jadyn, and Grace

Jadyn, Grace, Lily, and Faith

After the pool, the kids played together in our room for awhile.  They made a bed under the sink.

Megan, Shelley, Me, Abby

With our kids

(Hudson was a little outnumbered)

Happy 2014!

We made it to midnight, but Monroe did not.

The next morning, we wanted to take advantage of the pool again.  I got in with Monroe this time, and we had the pool to ourselves.

 

It was a great New Year's Eve!  I hope we do it again next year!

December Phone Dump

 My students at their Christmas program

 Returning her books to the library

 Landon, Monroe, and Ady watching the train at Mikki's

 Troy and Monroe

Monroe, Landon, and Ady showing off their snowmen

 

Friends at our Newell Christmas party

Eating with Braelyn after Braelyn's birthday party

 Our annual sibling picture at the Christmas musical

Ellie

Monroe and Zach helped me stuff bags for my students' gifts

Monroe got a Doc McStuffins kit from Mikki for Christmas

 My hottie of a husband dressed up for his school Christmas party

The stage is built

Monroe's first movie - Frozen

 Monroe sitting on Santa's lap for the first time.  It doesn't look like it from the picture, but she was very talkative and excited.

Painting the stage

Last night with Ellie

I painted our main bathroom over break

 Before (It was tan)

After (It's a grayish purple)

Mommy's Night Out

I came home from my Mommy's night to this made by Zach and Monroe.  (Monroe says I love you with all your heart instead of all my heart.) 

Best Husband Ever!