This, That, and the Other!

We have been busy! 60 5th graders and two days before Christmas break does not equal peace and quiet! : ) Let me catch you up to speed on what we have been up to lately!

Monday night I attended an ornament exchange party at my cousin, Rachel's house.









Tilly, their spoiled dog's stocking- love it!


Rachel's homemade stocking- so cute!


Me and Rachel




Rachel and her family took Tilly to see Santa. As far as I know, Santa and Tilly made it just fine together! Tilly's want-list was a bit much, but I know Santa will consider it! : )



My sweet, sweet Rachel is a senior this year! Isn't she gorgeous??



Rachel and I with all of her cute friends! (I look so goofy in this picture because I had to set my timer and run, and by the time I got there I was laughing!)



Tuesday night at our house, we hosted the bank's branch Christmas party. I unfortuntately did not take any pictures. It was not a "spouse" party. The bank had their family bank party a few weeks ago at Uncle Gaylords, and this party was just for the branch employees. I got the house "beautified", cooked, and met some of the employees at the door as they arrived. I then left to go shopping with my mom. I am so happy knowing that David has his own life, his own circle of friends, and his own sense of accomplishment at work. We are a team, but we always give each other "me" space. David loved hosting his own party and games. He was so happy when I came home because he got to tell me all about it! He even took everyone on a tour of the new house and gave them the "play-by-play (which is something I usually do)! I love that David of mine! : )



My friend Brandy likes cats, so I painted a cute Christmas frame for her to use next year. Meow! : )


David took off work today, Wednesday, and worked in the yard in our flower beds. Our niece, Amber, came over to help. Having an acre of land to maintain is no small feat, and our solution to this problem was to make flower beds as big as hippopotamuses! They are gorgeous! The big trees really make them feel magical!











Today at school, I received an email during my 2nd class. Seeing that is was from David, I assumed he was sending me a little message to tell me the great place he had lunch at (he knows I despise eating school lunches!) Instead, I saw a message that read- "Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy the tiles. Love, David" Would you just look at all of those tiles, girls!!! Whatever am I going to do with all of those tiles??? PAINT MY HEART OUT!!! I'm now accepting orders!! (By the way, David set the timer himself in order to take that picture. I don't know what is funnier- the tiles, or the fact he set the timer to take a picture of himself and emailed it to my school!!)





In 5th grade at the Middle School, we have been working on cookbooks as presents for parents. The students have brought in their favorite recipes, and with lots of help, they have been assembled. Today I brought strips of white butcher paper from home and let them decorate it to look like wrapping paper. We wrapped them with the intention of sending them home on Friday. They turned out so cute!! I love being a teacher! (sigh....)








David and I are hosting a murder mystery dinner party on December 29th at our house! We are so excited! We have been to one before and it was sooo much fun- very intense, but loads of laughs! We have 11 people attending, counting us, and all will be coming dressed in costume to play their part. I can't wait to post pictures of that party!