A Little Time-Out for Self-Reflection

I can see the light!!

Christmas break is right around the corner.  Halleluiah!

I’ve been thinking about all of you over the last few days.  I haven’t been around here much lately because there has been a lot going on in my own life.  Then, our lives as educators have been completely changed after Friday.   I think we have all been rocked to the core.  How can we not be?  I’ve spent some time reflecting over the last few days and have come to realize a few things.

The most important thing that I’ve realized is that I need to start living in the present.  I will make a point to listen more, take the time to support others more and just “be there” for my family and friends.  How many times do we say, “I’m so busy.”?  I know I find myself saying that so much.  I bet if I put the phrase “I’m so busy” in my search bar on this blog that several posts would pop up with those exact words. 

But why am I busy?  Am I trying to accomplish too much?  Am I putting too much on my plate? 

If nothing else, my self-reflection after this tragedy has made me realize that I need to STOP and live in the “now”.  

With that being said, I took some time this week with my students to just enjoy the season.  Often, I’m rushing around during this time of year… trying to cram in the last few bits of material before the break.  This week, I’ve decided to STOP and just enjoy the season with my students.

First, we made these stockings {Thanks, Teri}:

 

Today we spent some time working on some crafts for my students to take home. 

Aren’t they cute?

I cleared out my craft closet, y’all.  I had about 19 of those cuties.  So, 19 of my kids made those, while others made different crafts.  All in all, my kids are going home on Friday with about 4-5 different crafts.  That’s a record!  Usually, I’m lucky if I get one craft in during the week before Christmas break.  Yay!

Here’s another craft we made:

Also, thanks to Gina S., I’ve enlisted the help of Jingle.  Take a look at her:

She’s been keeping my kiddos in line.  She shows up and leaves them notes of “encouragement” to stay focused and to behave.  It’s working!  Even with big ol’ “fourthsies” :)

My gift to my kids is pretty much the same gift I’ve given for years. 

Inside I added some candy and this homework/extra credit pass {Thanks, Ashley Hughes for the cute graphics}:

Click {here} to grab your copy of the coupon if you are interested. 

I hope that you take some time to live in the “now”.  It’s not always easy.  It’s hard to be “present” at every moment in our lives.  I just know that I’m going to try a little harder.

Blessings!