Christmas Break

I am officially on Christmas Break. Although, I think they call if Winter Break now because Christmas Break is not politically correct. Either way, I'm off for two weeks!!! Since I've been in school for the past 18 years, Christmas Break has always been part of my year. So, it's easy to take these two weeks for granted. However, I am reminded of the awesomeness of this break when I talk to my friends who are no longer on a school schedule, friends who will be working right up to Christmas Eve and then going back to work shortly after Christmas Day. It's when I talk to those friends that I am so very grateful for my schedule. I'm sure when summer break rolls around, I'll be reminded even more how well I have it made!

We had our first snow day this past week. I know some teachers get frustrated and annoyed with snow days, but I still love them! This time I almost didn't get to enjoy the snow day because I was supposed to be down town at some professional development meeting that didn't get canceled. However, after assessing the road situation, I decided it would be too dangerous to try to leave home and so I stayed home. It was great!

I had this long post planned about how I had been on the bitter bus since Stephanie, one of my best friends and a teacher in Boone, has already had 9 snow days. Her first few snow days were last week, the week I felt like would n.e.v.e.r end. I so wanted a snow day and was so jealous when she was getting them. I thought I would stay on the bitter bus for a while, but then I got a snow day and got to see how crazy things are with her from missing 9 nine days and decided I wasn't all that jealous anymore. I wouldn't mind another snow day or two, but I don't want so many that I have to start giving up spring break and other breaks in the coming months. I know how crucial those breaks are. After the holidays, breaks become far and few between. When my kids are getting antsy and needing a break, I want to still have those days and not use them now on snow days. So, as nice as the snow is and as nice as it is to have random days off, I'd be okay with the snow holding off during the week.

Quotes and Pictures from the past week:

I think this picture speaks for itself.

I was doing morning duty last week. My morning duty spot has been re-assigned to the end of the hallway instead of the stairway. Standing at the end of the hall provides me with many opportunities to over hear conversations among seventh graders. Their conversations are random and often hilarious. My favorite from this week was on Monday morning. A seventh grade boy randomly says, "Oh man! My mom made this dessert this weekend...she's for real like Betty Crocker. She took brownies and put cookie dough in them. They were amazing! We called them...(dramatic pause)...(with his hands in the air like he was making a grand announcement, in a whispered awe)...crownies!"



One of my girls, after seeing me and Stephen at the band concert this past week said in class, "What's your fiance's name? ... [Me: Stephen] ... Oh yea, he looks like a Stephen because he looks like one of those football players I be seeing on TV and stuff." I told her Stephen would be thrilled to know she thought he looked like a football player that she would see on TV.

I couldn't make this stuff up! Here's to a relaxing, restful two weeks of no school...