Maybe you know this about me already but I love to Deck the Halls right after Thanksgiving, and I love to take it down on the 26th.
I really love Christmas but due to my work schedule, I hate the looming deadline of putting away my things, so I prefer to tackle it right away.
Day after Christmas
This year my body wouldn't allow me to do the full sweep (knee pain + basement steps) but I'm 50% done. My one goal of the break was to clean out Connor's closet and shelves, but once we put Carlee's bed together her room took priority.
I finally convinced Darren to get rid of the old computer (not turned on in 6 years) and desk.
TOO MUCH STUFF
I researched desk areas inside of living room spaces and decided it would look good if we kept the desk downstairs. In years past, we have kept some of the children's things downstairs because they always wanted to play and be around us when they were younger. Now they prefer staying in their own rooms with their own things. :(
Play Corner
This morning started with a 4:45am start to purchase organizers and sheets (little did we know there was a sheet set at the bottom of a lone Christmas bag). For the purchase of some tubs/ drawers/ organizers, we were able to do a lot of stuff.
These tubs saved us! We were able to store so many things. They are deep, fit perfectly under the bed, and they have wheels!
At our new desk area, I spent around sixteen dollars more to find a small lamp to match the larger one in our living room and I paired it with a small area rug. I also set up one of Carlee's books on top of the desk because it matched the colors from the living room, after all, Fairytales never fail to inspire.
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way that it all turned out. We have a modest space, and my philosophy is if we don't have room for it- it goes. I had to get rid of a lot of things today that were really cute or I would use if I had a bigger space. I utilize what space I have and I enjoy the challenge. Whenever I feel bad that I want another room or another closet I say to myself- you want to make memories not more stuff.
Tommorrow I plan to tackle Connor's room and the kitchen cabinets, then a little R&R before the start of the school year. The kids and I had fun Vlogging our Christmas experience but now it's time to ring in 2018 with a little more simplicity.
Day 2 of Vlogmas. Wrapping, Laundry, and a Call from Santa
Go ahead and pay the $9.00 for PNP Santa (unlimited children). These videos are lifelike and bring a little festive fun to the occasion (unless your daughter has a panic attack about being on the "bad list" like mine). Although Connor is a little past his Santa days, we do one for him for fun.
Closing Kindergarten/Middle School at Christmas
I've made it to the halfway point and let me tell you- this dog can learn new tricks. I've learned a lot from my 6-8 experience.
Thanks to some really dedicated educators (and administrators), we have had a very smooth transition (give or take a few mild incidents).
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Even though I'm at middle school now, we still had a Christmas Door Decorating Contest (whooo. hooo). You can certainly tell I came from a primary school because I was all about it.
I'm accustomed to help from Mrs. E., so I became very angry about my door quickly.
I have no idea what I was doing, why I put up a red door with red/green letters, and why it was taking soooo long.
The art teacher advised me to outline in black.... but it still looked cray cray.
Also, I could never get the snowglobe even (I cut like 3), so I just decided to make everything crooked and whimsical.
'Ain't Nobody Got Time for That Yardstick'
This inside of my 'snowglobe' was the sweetest. I photographed our school and blew up the picture (for about $15... did I mention I was competitive? I mean heck I could have bought a party for that cost.)
Next, I photographed and placed all of my students on the inside doing things like playing football, driving a car, and sitting on the roof, decorating a tree, etc.
I placed a little laminate on top for shine. It was really cute.
I'm the Santa. Sad, but true.
The kids had a lot of fun with it (even the 7th graders). One tough boy, in particular, was like 'you really think you can win with this!?! You need to add some real water or something...'
Keepin'. It. Real.
Poster lights helped the cause.
What I lack in neatness and measurement, I make up for in Pizzazz (Story of my Life).
Guess What?
WE WON Best Overall
After the break, I will have a little party for my snowglobe kids.
Speaking of kids, this year I gifted them a little stocking with galactic slime, pencils, pens, and candy.
It was a hit, but I already have a MUCH better idea for next year- EARBUDS!
Elementary school teachers are fairly easy to shop for, typically a child has 1-2 teachers in elementary. In middle school, it can be more challening to show support for the team without going broke-
I decided to gift them a teacher lunch!!
I'm really thankful for this team. It isn't easy to be an advocate for children, a mother to a learner, and an inclusion partner without ticking someome off.
My principal sent me a picture of the team enjoying the Christmas Lunch.
The teachers that I work with (pictured and unpictured) show professionalism and trust.
That is pretty darn cool.
Ps. I had to throw in these little Mary Jane socks I found and were very affordable for the girl teachers.
Are they not adorable?
Whether it be a note, a call, or a gift- show a teacher how much you appreciate them during the holidays.
Christmas Party Fun-
We had a great party.
Family Fued- Teachers Vs. Adminstration
I got to be a little part of the planning and we had some fun. It's nice to blow off some steam (and the food was great too).
I was in charge of Shaking your Jingle Bells & Oven Mitt Wrapping
This year, I was blessed enough to take Connor with me to Carlee's party. He wanted to go even though it meant makeup work over break.
Hey, you only have ONE kindergarten party in your whole life- make it a family thing!
Party and PJ Day
Carlee's teachers went above and beyond in the creativity department. They had fun with holiday learning every day for a month.
Our Sweet Friends
I'm so thankful for the few schools that still make Christmas an exciting time to be no matter what the age!
Today was the first full day of break and a very busy day for us!
Our house looked like Jumanji hit it.
We also decided to participate in a little Vlogmas.
All the details here-
I follow a lot of blogs that have turned to VLOGS. I've thought about it but I just don't think I could take the time needed to put together all the footage.
I really don't know how all these working teachers do it but I really enjoy watching them. Besides, I'm still a fan of the written story but the kids love it because they are of the "vlogger" generation.
Around our house, it's beginning to look and FEEL a lot like Christmas,
we have to hit the a. grocery store b. wrap up some presents and we will be all caught up!
Even Barbie put up a tree in her condo this year.
With Carlee's help, I purchased myself an early Christmas present.
How do you like my purple glasses?
I am digging them (although Carlee is sporting some awesome ones too).
#style
This week, we did both Children's Church and Angel Tree Dinner.
What's in a name?
We talked about all the names of Jesus and why they are so significant.
Jesus' birth has so much more significance than we give it. Each year I am challenged by this thought.
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Can we talk about this amazing little lady?
I see in my daughter a responsible young lady who is growing up before my eyes.
She has the heart to serve God and was an amazing helper to me during the Angel Tree dinner.
These two are some special gifts.
They are so excited and I hope they always keep the Christmas spirit in their hearts.
