Friday's Letters....To Santa!!!

Dear Santa,

I want to start out by saying that I'm sorry you won't be getting as much attention this year as you're used to getting.  I can't believe that after 12 long years, I will finally get a little credit for the Christmas I'm giving my kids.  While it breaks my heart that my oldest two kids don't believe in you anymore, I can't help but wonder if knowing that they know I'm the one buying all the gifts doesn't make Christmas that little more exciting.

The good news is, you still have one child in the house that is counting on you to really deliver for her this year.  No pun intended.  She's so excited about seeing you on Saturday and giving you a run down on the things she wants for Christmas.  She was mesmerized by the video that you sent her, and now that her birthday is over, you're all she's thinking of.

This has really been a fantastic year.  I've been so blessed by so many things that I really can't think of anything to ask you for - for myself.  I know it's kinda cliche, but I will perfectly content watching my children open up their gifts from you Christmas morning.  This year is going to be a great Christmas regardless of how much stuff is under the tree.  Everyone in my house has a lot to be thankful for, so the gifts are just an added bonus.

This week, I challenged the kids in my class to write about something they'd buy for someone else - if they could.  I was pleasantly surprised by some of the papers I read.  All of the kids in my class have such good hearts.

I've decided, being that they were so good at writing about it, I would write to you with the same request.  Instead of asking for something for myself, this week and next week I would pick someone else to ask for.

This week, I'm going to ask for something for my entire class.  Yes, I know that's technically 18 "somethings", but I'm grouping them all up and asking for the same thing for all of them - so that makes it easier.

Being a first year teacher, I was so nervous about my first class.  Would I get a class full of kids that have terrible behavior issues?  Would I get a class full of kids that hate school?  Would I get a class full of kids that hated me?  And you know what?  I didn't get any of that.  I couldn't ask for a better first year class than the class I have right now.

Each child in my classroom has such a big heart.  They work together, help each other, and do everything asked of them.  They appreciate the efforts of their hard work, and the rewards that are bestowed on them from me.  These are kids that are perfectly content with hearing a "good job" from me to boost their motivation and spirits.  Which makes it that much sweeter when I can reward them with parties and candy and extra recess time.  Stuff like that is like winning the lottery for them.

Each child in my class has a different story.  They come from different homes, different cultures, different surroundings, but when we're together?  We're one big, happy family.

That's why, I would like to request that you make a special visit to each one of them this year.  I'm not going to ask for specific items to take to them - but please send them back to me in January with wonderful stories to share about their Christmas experience.  They all deserve to have a good Christmas - and that doesn't necessarily mean getting a bunch of gifts.  Give them a Christmas experience without having to wonder if they'll get a Christmas dinner.  Make sure there's no fighting or arguing taking place anywhere near them.  Give them the gift of spending time with the ones they love.  And if you can swing a nice gift for each one of them?  Well, that would really be A-OK with me.

Just as I do with my biological children each year, I'm going to try and help you out just a little by at least giving them a little something before they head out for Christmas break.  It won't be a lot - but it will be something.  Something they can unwrap, enjoy, and tells them that I'll be thinking of them while we're gone.

These kids have done so much for others already this year.  They've put their own money in to fundraisers that's taken place, they've rallied together to provide treats for a holiday party for each other, they know how to give -that's for sure.  Now, I'd really like to see them receive some of the receiving benefits.

While I'm enjoying time with my family this Christmas, every single one of those kids in my classroom will be in my heart and mind.  I'll be thinking of them, hoping that their Christmas is just as special and wonderful as mine.  I'm counting on you to help make that happen.

Alright, I think I've made my point.  I'll let you ponder on this for a while - until next Friday, when I come back with my next letter.

Send my regards to Mrs. Claus, the elves, and give the reindeer an extra carrot from me.

Ten Things Thursday

That picture only serves as a visual reminder to me as I'm writing my ten things this morning.  Cause, you know how the other day I promised myself I wasn't going to complain and whine about stuff?  Remember?  Yeah, well, I'm finding that very difficult at this point in time.

1.  This has been the longest week EVA!  Seriously, yesterday I really thought it was Friday... cause that's just how long this week has seemed.  Not because anything bad has happened, but because there's just so much that's already gone on...there's just no way I've fit it all in to three days.  Monday night I didn't get home until after 7pm because Peanut had band practice until 6pm.  Tuesday, I went the kids' county Christmas concert and didn't get home until after 9pm.  Yesterday was Jelly's birthday, and I went and had cupcakes with her at school.  Then, I got a text from Peanut's boyfriend's mom asking if I'd drive him home because she was at a training and wouldn't be back until late.  Finally got home around 5:15pm and spent the evening directing phone calls to Jelly, getting cake ready for her to blow out candles, and snuggling with her on the couch.  I am exhausted!

2.  The next week isn't going to be any better in terms of the busy factor.  Tonight I have tutoring, Saturday is the Christmas parade for the town I work in.  Peanut is marching in the parade, Jelly is singing in the choir, and Santa is going to be there on a big Christmas train.  It's going to be a long day.  Then, Sunday it's Jelly's birthday lunch at P-Momma's house.  Monday, band practice.  Tuesday, school Christmas concert.  Thursday, tutoring.  And then?  I should be done with the crazy long days. *Fingers crossed*

3.  Despite the crazy that's going on in my life right now, I have to say that I'm having a wonderful time at work.  I've really held on to my mantra of finishing the year with a positive attitude, and forcing it on to the kids.  We've laughed, joked around, and had a great time.  We're still working hard and learning lots... but I've taken a much more light-hearted approach to everything.  And you know what I've discovered?  The kids are learning A LOT more doing it the way I am right now.  Ssshhh, don't tell.  But apparently, kids learn more while they're having fun.  It's a secret I will protect with my life.

4.  So, I jinxed myself with getting excited about the possibility for some winter weather next week.  It's going to be cold... really cold... but that's about it.  No snow for me.  Maybe with the weather being so cold, I'll actually get some stuff crocheted - like I keep saying I'm going to.

5.  I was shocked, last night, when Jelly actually cried because I didn't buy her a pony for her birthday.  Seriously.  She even looked at me with those big, tear filled blue eyes, and said "You could have got me a fake pony, that would have been OK".  I reminded her of the recliner we got her, the trip to the zoo, the giant stuffed monkey I bought her at the zoo, the cupcakes, and the birthday cake, but it didn't do any good.  Normally I would have been a little upset that she was acting so ungrateful - but my heart still melted and made me hate myself for not getting her a pony.  Apparently the three gazillion stuffed animals she already owns just isn't enough.  Which, in her defense, doesn't include a pony.

6.  One of my kids at school made my heart melt yesterday, when I read her journal.  Rather than make them write a letter to Santa asking for stuff, I challenged them to write a journal with the beginning "If I could buy one thing for someone it would be...".  I had some really great stuff to read, but one paper really perked my interest.  One of my students wants to buy me a diamond bracelet because I'm such a great teacher.  She went on about how fun it is to be in my class, how I make them work hard but always reward them, and how funny I am.  I had to swallow a lump in my throat because of it.  My kids sure know how to shock the bejeezus out of me.

7.  Another funny kid from school story... A kid asked me what I wanted for Christmas yesterday. Another kid, without skipping a beat, matter-of-factly stated that I would be getting a fork.  I looked at him, rather puzzled and he said "You always say 'stick a fork in me, I'm done' so I figure you need a fork to stick in you".  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  It sure amazes me how quickly kids pick up on stuff I say.  That goes right along with the fact that almost every kid in my class now responds to a question with "I know, right?"  Which is something I say WAY too much. 

8.  I had a thousand things racing through my head this morning, which is why I chose to do a "Ten Things Thursday" post... but now, for the life of me, I can't think of much more to talk about.  It just goes to show that writing can really lift my spirits and make me forget all the negativity that's coursing around me.  

9.  There's only ten days of school left before Christmas break.  It's all down hill from here, right?  Only, I expected to be able to fill at least the last five days of school with fun Christmassy type activities.  Yeah, that hasn't happened.  I have full plans - full of normal school stuff - until the very last day.  Most people would just throw their hands up in the air and run with it.  You think I'm going to do that?  Oh no.  That just means I'm going to have to really get creative and find a way to include some really fun stuff in to my normal learning stuff.  I can do it.  I know I can.

10.  If you haven't picked up on it... cause I know that I've kept it to myself... but the wait between December 1st and Christmas day is excruciating!  I don't know why I get so freakin' excited about Christmas.  It drives me nuts!  I'm ancy, unfocused, and just ready for it to be here.  Just 18 more days.  I can do it.  I can do it.  I CAN DO IT!

Turning the Big 5!

This is my beautiful little Jelly, who just isn't so little anymore.  Today is a very special day.  It is her 5th birthday.

Five is a monumental birthday.  For me, it's the pathway between baby and child.  For four years, I've held on to the thought that I still had a baby girl that needed me for everything.  No matter how big or small, Momma was always there to get it done.

Now?  She dresses herself, ties her own shoes, fixes her own drinks, writes her name, writes tons of stuff, counts, adds, and all kinds of other stuff that babies just don't do.  She's even got her first loose tooth that we will soon be dealing with.  

It amazes me that just five short years ago, this is how I looked just days before giving birth...

 And then, after a pretty easy labor, this is what I saw...

I held that beautiful bundle in my arms, knowing that it would be the last time I went through it.  The last time I would give birth, hold my own newborn baby in my arms.  And I cherished every moment of it.

But how quickly those moments pass.  Before I knew it, my little bundle of newborn was a stumbling one year old...

She took to walking pretty quickly, and would tear around the house like it was a Nascar Racetrack.  The second year meant new discoveries and abilities.  Gone were the days of smearing food all over her face before she ate, and the dreaded potty training days.  And by her 2nd birthday, she was on her way to be the self sufficient little darling she is today...

Her curiosity, and the expressions on her face when she discovered something were hilarious.  The two year old years were her first to experience being left with someone other than me while I went to work.  She started finding an interest in drawing and coloring.  She started discovering the magic of Christmas.  And by the time she turned 3, she was talking up a storm and hated wearing clothes...

I don't know what it was with her and clothes.  In fact, it's still something we still fight with.  The minute she steps foot in the house, she's stripping off clothes.  I guess she's just like me, in a way.  Except for the fact that she apparently hasn't realized that as I strip off my clothes - I replace them with pajamas.

Leading up to her 4th birthday, her toddler years were pretty much behind her.  Her independence came out with a vengeance.  She was determined to start learning anything and everything she could.  She could and would spend hours watching SpongeBob and Dora.  Not that she learned much from SpongeBob except that he lived in a pineapple under the sea... but it was quite common for me to walk in to the living room after an episode of Dora and be greeted by her saying "Hola!"  She developed quite the personality, and everyone that she met loved her...

This past year has been amazing.  I've got to spend so much time with her exploring and learning.  She now knows how to write her name, various words, and all of her letters.  Instead of sitting in front of the TV, she'd much rather sit with her Magna Doodle and write and draw.  She wants me to read to her.  She likes making up her own stories to pictures in books.  I truly feel that if any of my children are going to follow in my footsteps in to the world of education, it's going to be Jelly.

I told her yesterday that no matter how old she gets, she will always be my baby.  She found that rather amusing when she asked me if I'd still snuggle on the couch with her when she's 30.  I told her that despite what her brother and sister tell her, she's never too old to snuggle.  

Happy birthday, Jelly!  Momma loves you so much.  You are so smart, beautiful, and loving.  No matter how much you grow, never change that spark of curiosity you have... never let go of your independence... you are my baby girl forever and always.

P.S.  She just woke up.  Here's the first few sentences out of her mouth...

Jelly - Now that I'm 5, can I learn how to read?

Me - Sure you can

Jelly - OK, let me go get a book

Wow!  Not what one would expect to hear from their 5 year old on their birthday... but I'm not surprised at all.

Truthful Tuesday - With a Christmas Flare

To be honest... I never thought it would be so hard to find a cute picture to use for a Christmas themed Truthful Tuesday.  I thought I'd find some kind of cute saying or something that would have something about being honest and involving Christmas... but apparently, this is the best I could come up with.

To be honest... I'm really OK with the warm weather we've been having lately, but my interest was perked last night when I heard that there is WINTER WEATHER in the forecast for the next ten days.  So interested that I stayed up until 10pm last night just to get the scoop.  As of right now, there's a minor chance for some "winter precipitation" to fall this time next week... and I even heard the word "accumulation".  Of course, because it's so far out, the weatherman was very vague - but it was enough to get my excitement level to rise.

To be honest... As much as I'm looking forward to watching my two oldest darlings perform in a Christmas concert tonight, I'm not looking forward to not getting home until about 9pm.  I have to make a trip to Wal-Mart on the way home to buy Jelly cupcakes for her class tomorrow...so by the time the concert gets over, I drive back from Missouri, and stop at Wal-Mart, it's going to be a late night for me.

To be honest...  I'm so glad to be completely done with the Christmas shopping for the kiddos.  As in done done.  Not a single thing left to get.  All I have left to do now is take the kids shopping for family - and they only have a couple of people to buy for.  I've taken care of getting everything for the kids in the family - not including my own - so the kids just have to buy the gifts for grandparents.

To be honest... I'm a little disappointed that there's so much stuff crammed in to the calendar at school for the last three days.  I was really hoping to do some fun, Christmassy type activities with my class.  Of course, because it will be so busy those last three days, I really don't have to do much in the form of planning for those days - so I guess there's a bonus to that.

To be honest... I was in a really good mood at work yesterday, and it was all because of the kiddos in my classes.  They must have gotten plenty of rest over the weekend because they came back to school ready to go... something that's pretty unheard of this close to Christmas break. 

To be honest... I can't believe the boom in crocheted hats and headbands that I'm seeing this year.  It amazes me that I see the same headbands that I crochet almost daily for sale in stores for $20+, when I can make them for the price of a ball of yarn.  The opportunity for making a few extra bucks has eluded me again, because I'm the person that's telling everyone if they bring me the yarn - I'll make the headbands for free.  I guess it goes to show how good natured I really am.  And, of course, once I do get around to actually selling them - they probably won't be in style anymore. 

To be honest... Speaking of crocheting, I'm not getting very far with the idea of making a ton of hats and headbands with the yarn I have laying around the house for kids that need them.  It's not because I'm too preoccupied with making headbands for other people - it's just because I haven't done near enough crocheting to even make a dent.  I still have twelve days of school left, though, so I think that's plenty of time to really knock out several hats and headbands.

To be honest... This is probably the first Christmas in as long as I can remember where I feel like everything in my life is perfect.  Knock on wood.  The first Christmas as a teacher.  The first Christmas I was able to not worry about how I was going to buy Christmas gifts.  The first Christmas where the amount of presents under the tree don't matter - because I have so much stuff in my life to be thankful for.  I truly feel like I've tried to over compensate in past years for a not so great year by buying a ton of gifts for the kids.  This year, things are so great, I'm not worried in the slightest about how much I did or didn't buy them.  I'm just happy that things have all worked out for the best - and that we can enjoy our time together as a healthy, happy, and financially stable family.

To be honest... I've just decided I'm not going to complain about one more thing between now and Christmas.  Whether it be coming home from work late, unfocused kids at school, my own children arguing and fighting.  Just not going to let it bother me.  I'm going to bask in Christmas spirit for the next  twenty one days, and not let anything bring me down.  This is the time of year for peace, joy, and happiness... and I'm going to be the poster child for all three.

Three Weeks To Christmas!! WOO HOO!!

The Great Advent Calendar Hunt

Advent Calendar - A calendar that counts down the days until Christmas, usually with a little treat hidden behind doors that are opened each day beginning December 1st until December 24th.

I felt the need to explain this, because what I've found out over the past couple of days is that many people have no idea what an advent calendar is.

Every year, since I was a little girl, the advent calendar was an important part of my Christmas traditions.  My brothers and I would get so excited every December 1st to be able to open that first door and eat the little piece of chocolate that awaited us inside...and every day after until Christmas Eve.  That tradition stopped, for a while, after moving to the States because it was dang near impossible to find advent calendars.  Those years, minus advent calendars, just weren't the same.  Sure, we had fantastic Christmases, but the days leading up to Christmas weren't filled with the small morsel of excitement and joy that we'd grown accustomed to have while growing up.

Several years ago, shortly after Peanut and Butter were born, I started seeing advent calendars popping up here and there in various stores.  It was a Christmas jackpot.  I was able to share the stories of opening up advent calendars when I was younger, and beginning the tradition with my own children.

Every year, I have taken on the mission of hunting down a store that sells advent calendars.  A couple of times I found them in Wal-Mart, but then they stopped carrying them.  Could never find them in the grocery stores or dollar stores.  After Wal-Mart quit carrying them, I'd have to hunt them down in specialty stores or order them online.  I found a store that carried them about an hour and half drive from us, and I'd happily make that drive just to buy the calendars.  Last year, however, I finally found a store that carried them right in my neck of the woods.  Although, for the life of me, I couldn't remember which store it was this year.

On Saturday, on our trip home from the zoo, panic struck when I realized I hadn't bought the kids their advent calendars.  I started racking my brain trying to remember which store I had found them in.  First, we went to the Dollar Tree.  Nothing there.  I then stood in the parking lot calling every store in town - Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Atwoods...trying to find them.  Each store I called offered me the same response:  "What's an advent calendar?"  I'm pretty sure the guy I talked to at Atwoods thought I was prank calling him because he didn't sound amused when I tried to explain exactly what it was I was looking for.  

After several phone calls, I finally admitted defeat and decided to head home.  It was as we were driving by Aldi's that my brain finally declogged - and I realized it was Aldi's last year where I had found the advent calendars.  I made Hubby pull in and I ran in the store.

I started frantically looking around, but couldn't see them anywhere.  I flagged down an associate and asked her, suspecting she'd be another person to look at me with a look of confusion on her face.  She didn't!  She knew exactly what I was talking about - and led me to the area they were kept.  Christmas was going to stay in full tradition mode - I was going to be OK!  That was, until we got to the area they were kept... and found that they were all gone.  Dang it!

It amazes me that living in an area that seems pretty oblivious to the concept of advent calendars, they sell like hot cakes.

I walked the slow walk back out to the car to meet the disappointed faces of my three children.  It was a quiet ride back home.

Yesterday, Hubby and I had to go out and do our weekly grocery shopping.  I knew that there was another Aldi's in a nearby town, so without saying anything to the kids, I made Hubby take me there.  I went in expecting to find another empty display.  I looked and looked and looked some more - nada.  There were tons of neat Christmas candies, but no advent calendars in sight.  An associate, apparently seeing the look of desperation on my face, stopped to ask me what I was looking for.  I told her I was looking for advent calendars and with a smile on her face she said "come with me".

For a split second, and call me crazy, I felt like I was being led off to a secret workshop.  Some kind of weird Christmas movie where I had been frantically searching for a part of our Christmas traditions to finally find a Christmas helper who would magically make them appear in front of me.  And then, just as that crazy scenario played out in my head, there they were.  A small, lonely box, sitting at the front of the store nestled among empty boxes, with five advent calendars left in it.  I grabbed three and hugged them as if they were a long lost child.

I thanked the associate profusely, and the look on her face - and probably on mine - told her that she had been apart of a small Christmas miracle.  I would never have seen them if she hadn't of taken the time to ask me what I was looking for. 

Getting home from shopping yesterday, I was able to deliver to my children their advent calendars... and the excitement wasn't one sided.  Jelly squealed with excitement when she saw them in the trunk.  Peanut and Butter ran around looking for pens so that they could write their names on their calendar.  Opening up not one but two windows on the calendar was an added bonus.

Yesterday really made me think about how important the Christmas traditions are in our house.  To some, it may seem a little silly, but to us?  Counting down the days until Christmas is apart of Christmas in it's self.

Now the next 22 days can go by - quickly I hope - with growing anticipation for the big day.

Getting It All Done Today

We had a wonderful trip to the zoo, yesterday.  The weather was absolutely beautiful - and all of the animals were enjoying it.  I have been to that zoo probably 20 times, and I have never seen so many of the animals at one time.  The elephants, monkeys, giraffes, leopards, and zebras were all out in full glory to welcome visitors.  I even got to experience the FIRST EVER time of hearing the lions roar.  Yep, been to the zoo that many times and never have I heard a lion roar.  Something to check off my list, now, I suppose.

The kids were so happy all day, there was hardly a single fight.  It was great to watch them talk and play and laugh together.  All in all, probably the best zoo trip ever.

Today, I've got to get caught up on some work.  My goal is to get everything planned for the rest of the year... 2012 that is.  Come on, I'm not that good.  HA!  Nope, I just have 10 more days to plan for - because the last three days of school there are way too many activities planned for me to plan any form of formal lessons.  Those will be review days.  I can spend a couple of hours getting it all finished today, and then I won't have to worry about any more planning until Christmas break.

Thankfully, because I've been really diligent at using my planning time at school to write some notes down in my planner - the job will mostly consist of me typing up my lessons ready to be turned in tomorrow.

This morning, however, I need to take advantage that Butter and Jelly are at church and do some wrapping.  Then, once they get home, we need to go and do some grocery shopping.  So, trying to get my work time in is going to be tight.  But, I know I'll get it done.

This week went by pretty fast, and I'm really happy about that.  Now, there's only 13 days of school left.  That's even more exciting.

I know today's post is kinda short.. but with so much to do and so little time, I've got to get to getting.

Enjoy your Sunday!

We're Off to the Zoo

Here we are, December 1st, and what's the weather like in my neck of the woods? Well, it just so happens to be cloudy with a high of 76 degrees for today. It looks as though the weatherman heard my plea yesterday, and delivered me some good news for today.


I wanted it to be warm today because Jelly decided that, for her birthday, she wanted to go to the zoo. It has been a long, drawn out decision. First she wanted to go skating. Then it was bowling. Next, Chuck E. Cheese got mentioned. And finally she decided that it had been a long time - so why not go to the zoo for the day?


Having a child whose birthday is in December usually limits the amount of activities we can do. Not that there's many years that the weather has been too terribly cold in December, but a lot of stuff usually shuts down during the winter around here.


Not only that, but the kid has Christmas to compete with. I really never wanted a child that had a birthday in December for that very reason. And now that I do, I refuse to allow Christmas to interfere. So, if the child wants to go to the zoo for her birthday - then to the zoo we will go.


Thankfully, I bought a year pass this year. I was able to buy it for the same price as admission for one day for a family of five. The pass gets in two adults and four children... perfect for us. And, we've actually used it a couple of times this year so it's definitely given me my money's worth.


I have been to the zoo so many times I now know the layout by heart. If the kids want to see a specific animal, I know the best route to take. I know the show times and feeding times for most of the animals. Not much has changed over the course of the past 10 years - but I still love to go.


I will have to buy the pass again next year because next spring they are opening up a whole new exhibit - that's going to be one of the biggest new exhibits they've opened in the ten years I've been going. Until then, we will make do with the same animals we've seen over and over again.


Hubby is actually going with us today. That's a rare treat. He's not really a big fan of the zoo, but a bit of persuasion from me...and the guilt trip that it's his child's birthday and he really should be spending the day with her worked like a treat. Actually, her birthday isn't until Wednesday... but well.. you know.

So, anyways, that's what we're up to today. Better get to getting.