13 Things I Love about the Christmas Season

My 49th Thursday Thirteen, as far as I can tell. Thirteen things I love about the Christmas season. Thank you, Jenn, for the Header Graphic.

1. Curling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate watching White Christmas, Holiday Inn, or It's a Wonderful Life. I can use my new snowman mug and snowman soup from my Home for the Holidays swap friend Chrissy.

2. Looking at the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. It's so festive!


3. Buying presents for other people, especially trying to find something unique for someone.


4. The excitement I see in the kids' eyes when they open their presents on Christmas morning.


5. Decorating with ribbons, bows, candles, poinsettias, and garland.


6. Wrapping presents with the kids.


7. Decorating the tree.

8. Christmas breakfast, a tradition in my husband's family.

9. Singing karaoke Christmas carols last year. I hope we do that again.


10. Buying items for Angel Tree kids and Operation Christmas Child, two things that are sponsored through my church.

11. Holiday choir, band, and theater performances at school.


12. Listening to my favorite Christmas music. I will bless you with my favorite, festive song.




13. Attending Christmas Eve services at church and all the service represents.


14. I'm cheating and adding another one! Two weeks off from school! (Not for the kids... well, yes, them, too, but for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

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Wordless Wednesday

This is breathtaking. I took my students outside Thursday of last week to witness the shuttle flying piggy-back on a 757. Our school is located by Johnson Space Center (NASA - in Houston), so it's what we call a "teachable moment." What an awesome sight, to be so close to the shuttle!

For more Wordless Wednesday, click here!

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More Blog Candy

Please visit Jill's Scrappy Daze for a chance to win some major CUTE scrap goodies! She's celebrating her 40th, so you can give her a shout out for that, too.

While you're at it, visit Kath's Blog for your chance to win an awesome prize pack from Fiskars!

Santa's Round Belly

The theme for this week's Heads or Tails is ROUND. Join in the fun here!

His belly is round,
Not lean and fit,
It jiggles, it wiggles,
And not just a bit.

Round and round,
A circumference so large,
Who’d want it different,
For this man in charge?

His round belly defines him,
And round cheeks to boot,
Who is this jolly man?
He’s the man with the loot!

Bringing good little kids
Their trinkets and toys,
His legacy forever
Bringing Christmas joys.

Round belly and all,
A loveable old elf,
Thinking of others
Instead of himself.

Red suit covering belly,
Black boots on his feet.
Santa the round fellow

Is a delight and a treat.

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Home for the Holidays Swap Goodies

I received my swap package from my partner and good blogging friend Chrissy of The World Through Chrissy's Lens and Chrissy's Creative Spot. I think Chrissy and I met through Sunday Scrappin', but we've connected in many other ways, and I count her as a blessing to me.

Once again, though, my swap partner really outdid me. Just look at the goodies I received!

Adorable snowman mug and "snowman soup"

Christmas tree cookie cutter

cute Christmas penguins on a pot holder and dish towel

And scrapbooking goodies!!!!!!!!!!

Retro resin metal embellishments

Life's journey metal art

O'Scrap headers

green and red embossing powder

3 license plate sports embellishments

football and soccer stickers

6 soooo cute brad buddies

marching band rub-ons

mini medals

and a hand-made card that I've admired on her blog before

I am just floored - and tickled pink, too! I feel really guilty that the swap package I sent is not nearly as good as the one she sent me, in my opinion. I hope she doesn't feel that way! I just love all my goodies. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

And thank you to Tamy at 3 Sides of Crazy for organizing this fabulous swap.