Brunch

Met some friends for brunch at Moose Cafe.

Christmas Date

Best Christmas present- my parents are watching Korra so Nate and I can go to see LaLa Land.

Guess Who

Christmas Eve

Watching Charlie Brown Christmas with Grandad

Coloring with MoMo at a bar so Grandad can watch the Packer game. 

Favorite Gift

Korra's favorite gift was the one she picked out for herself at her dance class holiday store. (Even though she got a tablet and wrestling tickets from us). 

No Fantasy in Lights

For the first winter in at least 12 years, Nate and I are not going to Callaway Garden's Fantasy in Lights. Tonight we're driving around Atlanta neighborhoods, eating popcorn, listening to Christmas music, and looking at Christmas lights. It's not as fun, but it's also not as expensive. Trying to create new traditions in a new city. This one might need some fine tuning. 

Class Party

For the first time in 11 years of education, I'm having a class Christmas Party.  The kids brought in snacks, we're doing a White Elephant gift exchange, and we're watching a movie.  Here's hoping it will be way better than my usual end of term (giving finals).

Crying

I cried at work, about work, for the first time this year.  I'm overwhelmed and tired and I need a break.  Today has been stressful, instead of fun.

MicrowaveIncident Update

The parents of the microwave incident child have been at the school meeting with the principal for more than 2 hours. They are threatening litigation against the school because of corporal punishment (community service during recess). 

Dreams Do Come True

I know this is going to sound super weird if you don't know me, but I get to help pick and teach the sex ed curriculum!!!  This is a huge deal for me.  I tried for 6+ years to be allowed even have input into the sex ed curriculum in Troup County (where we had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country).  I have a real passion for the empowerment that comes from education about one's body and choices.  Looking forward to teaching sex ed next month!

Pageant

Our church had what they called a Pop-Up pageant this evening. No rehearsal, no predetermined parts, just show up and act out the nativity story. It was lovely and low stress and Korra was a cute angel. 

Stupid Phone

My cell phone suddenly stopped connecting to cell service this afternoon. After trying every suggestion on the internet, we headed to the Verizon store. Turns out this is a common issue with iPhones on Verizon. They replaced my SIM card (for free) and now it is thankfully back to working properly. 

Sewing andBaking

This morning I baked a batch of oatmeal cookies, a dozen banana chocolate chip muffins and sewed 2 skirts for Korra (with the hopes of 2-4 more in the near future). Creative and productive morning!

Hawaii Friends in Georgia

Santa Saga: Part 3

Korra is telling us in the car on the way home that she's so happy Santa is real because she'll get more than 3 presents (which is how many we do in our family). When we told her that the nice man might have been named Santa, there would not be presents from Santa at our house. She started to cry. "I want Santa to be real so I can get more presents!"

Santa Update

We met up with some friends in Newnan tonight. Korra introduced herself to a man at the growler shop. She said, "What's your name?" and this white bearded man replied, "Santa." Then he gave her a big coin with a nativity scene on one side and a Christmas tree on the other. On the way out Korra said, "Santa is real. I met him at the beer store."

Saturday Before Christmas Eve

Totally forgot that there would be a million people shopping today. I guess I just assumed everyone bought their presents on Amazon a month ago like I did. 

It's cold inside

This house is poorly insulated. Even with our conservative use of the heater, our electric bill was quite a bit higher than we are used to. Last tonight I turned the heat down even more and went to bed wearing leggings under my pajama pants and a fleece sweatshirt. There are at least  4 blankets on our bed including a down one (Korra is tucked under 5), so at least we are warm at night. Stupid drafty house. 

Santa

We have chosen not to do Santa. Korra didn't notice or bring it up until this year. Just last night she asked me for the 10th time since Thanksgiving, "Is Santa real?" I've opted for a, "families are different and do different things to celebrate Christmas. We don't do Santa, but some families do." I thought I'd handled it well, but apparently not. Today Korra loudly announced to get preschool class (during the Christmas party), "Santa is not real!" Oh my. 

Basketball Jones

Today I played in the staff vs students basketball game and earned some major cool points with an amazing goal in the first 3 minutes. Who cares it was my only goal all game?  

Winter Treat

Hot cocoa, mint Oreos and Call the Midwife. 

Small Group

Last night we met with a group of people who are all new to the church we've been visiting to form a small group. I have to admit the title (like so many churchy evangelical words) makes me cringe, but we're going to give it a shot anyway. 

The Microwave Incident

I had a parent donate a microwave to my room. It has become the name of my existence. There are weekly arguments over the order of use (despite several procedures being in place) and yesterday, a student threw another student's lunch out of it and onto the ground (resulting in several nasty parent emails this morning). I'm about ready to chuck the thing out.  

Little Shopper

Korra got to spend the points she accumulated at dance class (for beinf in time, following directions, etc) at a Holiday Store today. She went in without me or Nate and even though she was among the first to go in, she was the very last to come out. She picked out gifts for me and Nate and for all 4 of her grandparents and she is so excited to give them. 

Bacon Lover

We had breakfast for lunch today. Korra said, "I really love bacon. I love bacon more than anybody else in the whole entire world." 

Cocoa and Carols

Today was Cocoa and Carols at Korra's school. We ate cookies and drank cocoa and sang carols and talked with other parents and watched our kids run around. It was nice (even if Korra cried when we didn't win the raffle). 

Also, Korra colored the school logo tote bag and it looks awesome. 

Chilly

This house, with it's wood/tile floors and painted-shut windows, is much more drafty and cold than our old house. Thankful for my electric blanket and space heater (but not for the upcoming power bill). 

Smelly Markers

It's like magic. My most silly, distractable 6th grade students will become model students in the hopes of getting a check mark on their paper with my scented markers. 

Too Tired to Post

Normal life stuff is still happening. 

Korra had dance class. My brother came for a brief visit. My students are both wonderful and annoying.  It's very cold at school since we still spend quite a lot of time outside. I'm tired and ready for Christmas break. 2 more weeks. 

Cold and Rainy

After 2 months without a drop of rain, I've been enjoying the rainy weather we've had. Looking forward to chili and apple crisp with Lindsay and her family tonight!

Wedding

Korra and I traveled to Macon for a college friend's wedding today. Korra said, "this is so much fun!" at least a dozen times. In fact, she literally danced until she threw up. Thankfully, the vomiting took place at the end of the night and in the bathroom. We did have a wonderful time catching up with my best college friends. 

Drawing

Korra and I have spent the last hour on arthubforkids.com. The guy draws with his kids and the tutorials are fantastic. We've already drawn Pete the Cat, Rainbow Dash (my little pony), HeiHei (the rooster from Moana), and Pikachu. Korra's loved it!

Yellow Jackets

On Monday I decided to take my kids on a hike. We decided to go off the trail and just tromp through the woods. A second grade class decided to join us. Less than 3 yards into the woods, the front of the line stepped on a yellow jacket nest that was on the ground and hidden under leaves. 3 of the 2nd graders got stung and were crying/screaming and running to the nurse before the middle of the line has even made it into the woods. Certainly not anyone's favorite hike. 

Child Abuse

A couple of my 7th graders took almost 3 hours to complete their 4 question multi-step equation quiz. I finally just took it up because I'm pretty sure spending any more time on time on math on one day might be considered child abuse. 

And on that note, I am very thankful this day was not a minute longer because I was very tempted to shove several students down and sit on them. 

Teacher of the Month

This morning, I was awarded Teacher of the Month for my school!  Such an honor!