Over the river and through the woods

Okay, we are in the final countdown to Christmas vacation. There is no way for those of you who are not educators to appreciate the warm fuzzy feeling that starts at your toes upon pulling out of the parking lot at school, heading home for Christmas break. At this point of the year we are all ready for a break--the kids are sick of their teachers, the teachers are sick of the kids, and we are both sick of the routine of education. There is a routine in education, but there is very little repetition from day to day, or even class to class. As a teacher I am basically engaged in full out improv comedy from the time the first bell rings to the time I pull out of the parking lot. Oh and by the way, the kids need to learn something as well. Bah-Humbug!
So we are preparing for the Christmas merriment at the old U household. We are doing "Christmas Light" this year, avoiding such trifling things as ornaments for our tree or decorations for the house. Some may call me a bit of a Scrooge, but in truth I am more of a Bob Cratchet. I can't afford the hundreds of dollars necessary in proclaiming to the world that I am in the Christmas Spirit, not to mention the increase in electricity costs. The wife and I just put up the tree, but no ornaments, partly due to the fact that we have been very busy this December, but mostly it is due to our 18 month old. We decided that rather than spending our days telling him "no" and "don't touch!" that we would opt for "pretty" and "don't put your mouth on that light it's hot!"
All in all, despite the lack of decorations, this Christmas season has felt the most like Christmas in a long time. I think with the recession and the impending doom of America that we have been forced to focus on those things that are important--family, time off, whiskers on kittens, blue satin sashes, etc. The missus has even come up with a novel concept of Christmas for our 18 month old. She is wrapping some of his favorite toys and putting them under the tree for him to open on Christmas morning. So come that morning he'll open up his favorite tennis balls, and the empty paper towel rolls, and the vacuum cleaner attachment that he loves so much. Are we mean? No, we just know that A) he already has too many toys, and B) for him, at this age, he is all about opening presents and playing with the wrapping paper. Remember that Christmas is about finding joy, whatever that joy may be.
For me, I am off to try and chase the sun to the end of the day. Only three more days to go.

Until next time....


M