It's December

It's December and everyone is in the mad holiday rush to get decorations up, gifts wrapped, special foods made, party attire ready and the list goes on and on.  Add to that sick kiddos, sick teachers, worn-out-need-a-break-when-will-this-end feelings far and wide and you have the perfect storm for a whole lot of bahumbugs and very little fa la la which results in grumpy teachers and sad students.

So here is my list of why December is off to a good start:

1. The library is decorated (and so is my house-mostly!)and some kids actually realized that my tree was supposed to be the Abominable Snowman.
2. My collection was uploaded with 100% accuracy so I am ready to have it analyzed and get my allotment to spend on books. (I already have a super duper list of can't wait books!)
3) I received an Education Foundation Grant for a project I want to do with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders (choosing to focus on the positive instead of the WHAT HAVE I DONE?!)
4) Next week is the Winter Concert! <3 any assembly in the month of December!
5) It's HOUR OF CODE week.  I LOVE this week.  My kiddos LOVE this week.  Teachers LOVE this week (Indoor recess activities that Mrs. Bixby has already taught them to use and will keep them engaged.  That is what I call a win-win because it really makes me look good!)

And how about you? Are you feeling Grinchy?  Can I make a suggestion?  LIGHTEN UP!  Read that again.  I'll write it bigger and bolder for you to see:

LIGHTEN UP!

It will be okay if you don't make 48 types of different cookies.  The world will not end if you don't fold your napkins into Christmas tree shapes. (Have you seen this video???) It's ok to keep teaching your curriculum to minimize the craziness and it is okay to step out and, GASP, read a book to settle your kids down (even those big 5th graders who act so tough like to have a picture book read aloud to them from time to time). 

Elementary school teachers/librarians get a tremendous gift at this time of year.  We get to see little people who are excited and filled with magic and wonder.  Let's embrace that and remember it.

Ways to make your December get back on track:

1) Watch a cartoon holiday show.  My favorite, in case you need a suggestion, is "The Year Without A Santa Claus"  In fact, this is my ringtone every Christmas. Turn your cellphone off. Grab a cup of cocoa.  Stop the distractions and just enjoy the cheesy timelessness of it all!





2) Watch a classic holiday movie.  Pick your favorite.  I'll suggest my favorites (I have a tie!) - "White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original version)  Again, turn off the computer and phone!!! 

3) Read a book.  It can be your favorite children's story or adult one or one you haven't read in quite some time.  Remember reading "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry for the first time?  No.  Read it again.  How about "The Little Matchgirl" by Hans Christian Andersen? When was the last time you READ "Twas' the Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore or "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens? Want something lighter?  Try "Auntie Claus" by Elise Primavera or "Santa Kid" by James Patterson (LOVE THIS!) or "Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins" by Eric Kimmel. 

4) Eat a cookie! or some fruitcake or drink some eggnog!  You are only going to get grumpy if you try to be the food martyr.

5) Drive around and look at the Christmas lights with the music blaring in the car.  Sing along.  No one can hear you except the people who already know what you sound like.

6) Wear the stupid light up pin, jingle bell necklace, goofy sock/ties or ugly sweater to school.  The kids will only be distracted for a few minutes and their smiles will be worth it.

Feel free to share out some ways to deGrinch.  I promise to read them after I bake my cookies, wrap the presents, grade the projects, buy the holiday party White Elephant gift, make an appetizer...maybe I need to reread this post.