A Week in Review

What a fabulous week we have had here at the Mousel Household!

On Sunday, Kortney brought Josie, Elias, Maddie, and Ava to a hotel for a night of swimming, pizza, games, movies, and some sleep as their Christmas present. She was kind enough to invite Isabel for swimming and pizza...Nene actually invited her for the whole night, but we decided that staying over would be a little much for all involved.

Fun in the kiddie pool!

As you can see, Isabel was a little hesitant at first to go down the big slide, but by the end told Nene that she could go down by herself...Mama and Dada said absolutely not! She is definitely an independent little girl. Love!

Isabel, Ava, Maddie, Elias, and Josie
(Ethan was on vacation in Arizona so he couldn't make the fun)

On Monday, we had the joyous privilege of welcoming a new Hoen into the family. Welcome to the world, Caleb Cyril Hoen! After a long labor and delivery, he was born at 8:38pm weighing in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 21 inches long! Caleb is not only a big little guy, but also a tough one, too...his mom is definitely pretty tough as well. ;)

Congratulations James, Suz, Maddie and Ava!

On Tuesday, the SACS Dance Team performed at Holy Family Catholic High School, which was only the second performance of the year. We are 64 girls strong and comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Click on the link to check them out: SACS Dance Team at Holy Family 2012

On Wednesday, I was able to celebrate my birthday. Believe it or not, I am 32 now; however, if you ask my Aunt Char she will tell you I am 28...seriously! I guess time continues to fly as you get older. After starting my day opening presents from Butter (a Shane Co envelop and a box of donuts), walking in to my classroom with birthday signs from my students, receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers at school from Isabel and finally getting home after dance team practice, Butter, Isabel, Mom, Dad, Kortney and I ran down to Turtle's for dinner and my free Turtle Sundae...yummy!

"Brighten My Day" flowers from Isabel and signs from my homeroom kids!

On Thursday, my parents had everyone over for my birthday, but I think most people came just to see and hold baby Caleb! Okay maybe I did too! Mom made delicious strawberry/blueberry salad, lasagna, adn f course garlic bread, and for dessert we had chocolate cake Butter had picked up and coconut cream pie my friend from work made for me. Yes, I did eat a slice of both...as usual, this pregnant lady is all about the sweets. No disappointed looks from the doctor about weight gain on my next visit!

Caleb Cyril Hoen @ 3days old with Auntie Kati

 On Friday, Butter, Isabel, and I were able to have a quiet night at home and catch up on some of the much needed sleep we had been missing the rest of the week. Butter did pick up food for dinner from Zuppa's, one of my favorite places in town.

On Saturday, Isabel and I went to watch Maddie's basketball game in Chanhassen with Nana and Papa. Isabel loved cheering and, of course, eating Skittles that Ava was sharing with her. I ran a few more errands (looking for fabric and picked out paint for Isabel's room...PINK!) then Butter ran up to Shane Co to pick up my beautiful new ring...now all I have to do decide which finger to wear it on and get it sized. Butter and I were then on to birthday dinner #3. Isabel slept over at Nana and Papa's so we had planned to do dinner and movie, but the restaurant was 15-20 minutes behind their reservations (really it turned more into 30 minutes) so we missed the movie. We did get a free appetizer, though, so I was content.

Whew...we don't have many weeks where we are not busy, but this one seemed extra crazy! it didn't help that is was the end of the quarter for me so it is just happened to be an extra busy time at work as well. After a week like this, though, there is only one word to describe life and that is BLESSED! (Okay, and maybe exhausted!)

Go SACS Dance Team!

As I posted last week, the SACS Dance Team had their first performance at Shakopee High School. Wow, what a difference a week makes! As proud as I was after that performance, on Friday the girls really knocked it out of the gym at Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, Minnesota. I literally had chills watching the girls dance.

The team is made up of 38 girls in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The dance experience of the girls coming into the season varies greatly: about 4 have significant technical dance background, about a handful have some dance background including those that have been on the team before, and the rest have little to no dance experience. For these girls to work as hard as they did and come together like they did is something I am very proud to have witnessed. I also consider myself very fortunate to be able to work with these girls day in and day out in the classroom.

For your viewing pleasure...



The team is coached by Katie Marsh, Mandy Carlson, Bridget McLoone, and Kati Mousel.

A Rite of Passage?

Rite of Passage #1
So it finally happened...I discovered my first pregnancy related stretch mark. I say found because it is on the underside of my belly. The somewhat embarrassing part of it is I discovered it at school...yes, I was in the bathroom, and yes, it was a single stall bathroom. The week has been absolutely crazy, and I think I was just trying not to head back to my classroom anytime soon, so I was checking out my super sexy belly in the mirror when I saw a darker than usual spot. Again, I tried to "lift" my belly up to have a closer look, but that still does not work. Between the mirror and my experience knowing what a stretch mark feels like I was convinced. It is a rite of passage, right?! I was going to post a picture of it because I am sure many of you are dying to see it; however, my good judgment took hold and decided against it...you are welcome.

Rite of Passage #2
Butter and I started our four week journey into the unknown...Birthing Classes. For a class focusing on the miracle of child birth, our first class was not that miraculous. Just to give you an idea of the instructor we take this journey with, she used the word poppycock within the first five minutes of class, decided to take an hour and half to tell me to breathe during labor, and when going through the roster she asked a woman named Holly if she was born on Christmas! Well, because you know, the only reason you would name your child Holly is after the holiday it is most prevalent. Butter and I have now decided to name our child Rain...you know April and all.

The only thing that kept us going were the other couples in the class. There was a very uncomfortable couple across from us. The woman wanted to be all touchy-feely and continually tried to hold her husband's hand, and he was not really into it. At one point, she put his hand on her belly and he looked at her and said, "No, I am not doing that." I really would like to write about some of the other couples, but I don't think justice will be done.

PS The rendition of Thriller (see post below) the Middle School Team performed at school on Monday received 540 votes out of approximately 720 to claim the coveted title of "SACS Idol Champions (of the World)". The aggravating pain in my lower back all week has now all been worth it.

Thriller!