Elf on the Shelf for the ESL Classroom

Mrs. Woodbury and I thought it would be fun for our ESL students to experience Elf on the Shelf. Here are a few pics of the mischief that our elf, named by the children, got into this December...

Using Candy Canes to Rappel from the Bookshelf

Climbing the Coconut Tree to Leave a Message

This note is self explanatory. (Sigh)

Mrs. Woodbury was very creative in using the classroom materials for props. 

Christmas Pencils from Frosty the Elf

We couldn't think of a better place for our elf to take a bath than on top of the water cooler.

The towels and bath mat were cut from a felt Christmas stocking. :)

 

Kindergarten Bulletin Board for December

Each December, after reading Twas The Night Before Christmas to her students, Mrs. B. puts up this bulletin board...

The Children Were Nestled All Snug In Their Beds

Typical sleepover. Some are asleep, but most are not.

The kid in the middle looks like he's wired on a Red Bull and sugar. I don't think he
will be dreaming of sugarplums. In fact, I don't think he'll be dreaming at all.

Top to Bottom: Mrs. B., Mrs. A. (our afternoon aide) and me.
Notice that I'm peeking out from under the bed and not tucked inside it. :)

Two Reasons Why I Sucked at Blogging this Month

A couple of things have happened during the month of December that have taken precedence over blogging.

#1- My son and daughter-in-law had another beautiful baby boy the week before Christmas.

Asher and Uncle Cody

#2- Don had hernia surgery three days after Christmas.

I'm going to confess. I sort of like my husband a bit drugged up. Not only did the Lortab keep Don awake (a terrific thing since he has MS and is always tired), but I found he was quite amusing.

Upon arriving home from the hospital, I situated Don in the recliner, turned the television on, then plopped down on the sofa with my laptop and permitted Don to entertain me, albeit unintentional...

8:00 p.m.-

Don- “Do you ever wonder what happened to the girl’s dad?” 

Me- “What girl’s dad?” 

Don- “The Brady girls.” 

I have NO IDEA why Don was suddenly concerned about the Brady girl's real father. All I know is he wasn't talking about Mike Brady. What really baffles me, however, is Don was watching Dateline NBC!

10:00 p.m.-

Don- "I'm not tired, AT ALL!"

Me- Could it be the three Cokes you chugged since we got home at 5:00?" 

10:05 p.m.-

Don waddles into the kitchen, picks up a Tangerine and goes on and on about why Cuties are sooo much better than Mandarin Oranges.

10:30 p.m.- 

Don- “You like bread pudding, don’tcha?” 

WTH? We have been married for 30 years. He should know that I HATE bread pudding! I'm still scratching my head about that one.

Shout Out for Cheesy Bloggers!

Thanks to my friend Lizbeth at Four Sea Stars, I discovered a blog last week called Cheesy Bloggers. Please head that way and read my post The Traumatized Tree. Who knows? You may even find yourself participating in the Cheesy Blogger Look Alike Game.

Hurry. Go!

I Freakin' Love December

'Tis true. Read my profile. Celebrating Christmas is one of my favorite things in the world.

It's going to be a terrific month!

On a side note, I think blogger should work on getting a Christmas font.

December Dupery

Students and staff at the Oregon School for the Blind put on a Christmas program every year for their families. It was always an evening performance and afterwards parents were allowed to take their children home for the holiday break (nearly all the students, including Cody, stayed in dorms during the week and went home on weekends).

Cody was really good on the piano. His music teacher, Mr. Mendro, had an incredible gift of teaching visually impaired people. Naturally, Cody was expected to play a song or two as part of the program.

Even though our family looked forward to attending each December, we had one dilemma (there usually is a hang up of some kind where Cody is concerned). Cody refused to perform if he knew we were in the audience. Don and I made this mistake only once and quickly learned that in order for everyone to enjoy watching him play, in his cute little suit and tie I might add, we had to sneak into the auditorium. We could give no hugs, kisses or words of encouragement to Cody beforehand like other parents were able to do with their children. It was only after everyone performed that we could make our presence known.

 Oh! The things we resort to for the sake of Autism :)