Celebrating with Kids

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If I can't be a stay-at-home mom with my own children, then I am glad to be with someone else's kids all day! Honestly, I cannot imagine a day without children in it. They have so much joy de vivre, they wear their hearts on their sleeves, and they make me smile (and often laugh.)

Add to that getting to enjoy the holiday season with them, and it's even better.

Traditionally, the last day of school before Christmas break means working a little harder to keep a lid on all that joy de vivre. But my class showed me that, even though they were excited and in high spirits, they were also thinking beyond their own selves.

Yesterday when they arrived for school, they had me shut my eyes for a couple of minutes. It seemed like an eternity - 28 kids rushing all around you, giggling and whispering? And you're in charge of their safety and making sure they aren't hanging from the ceiling? I was sooooo tempted to peek. (But I didn't.)

When I was finally allowed to open my eyes, the class was in order, the children were in their seats, and two wrapped presents were on my chalk rail. The first was the final book in their week-long series of gift books.

 HG Wells! Seven of his novels in one book! Plus an awesome cover - what a great choice. The children had all signed the inside of the cover, too.

They had also made me a class book with help from Mrs. Anthrop, Eli's mom and the 4th grade teacher with whom Lisa works.

Each child wrote a poem and drew a picture for it - a real treasure. (Look for a blog post later.)

Mid-morning, Elfina, one of Santa's elves showed up.

(It's actually Mrs. Borgonah, our computer lab specialist.) She read us A Visit from St. Nicholas  and then played a "Guess that Christmas Song" game.

At the end of the day, the entire school, staff and students, gathered for the annual holiday sing.

There are some extra faces in my group of kiddos - our buddies! They were sitting off to one side and alone, so with Mrs. Cyr's permission, we invited them to come sit with us.

Talk about the spirit of Christmas. I will never, ever forget how my students actually opened their arms to encourage Jane's class to come over - beckoning to them in a welcoming gesture, hugging their buddies when they arrived, and then getting them settled among us and ready to sing.

It was beautiful to watch - those hearts on the sleeves in full view, as they pulled their buddies from the sidelines and into the celebration with the rest of the school.

Thanks, kids, for sharing that Christmas spirit. You made the day a lot brighter, and not just for me.