Christmas Favorites. . .

I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I updated my blog. What can I say??? I have so many pictures and events to add that it is a little bit overwhelming. So, I am going to continue to ignore the family updates I should be doing right now and instead, share some of my favorite Christmas/winter things. So, here we go. . .

My Favorite Stocking Stuffer This Year

Is anyone else tired of all of the Dollar Store "Treasures" that are usually used as stocking stuffers??! I did not want to bring more cheap junk into my home this year! I have been looking for more meaningful items without spending mega-bucks. I found these at Deseret Book. There are a whole bunch of different series available. They are stickers that are transparent, so you can see your scriptures through them.

My Favorite View in My House

I love nativities and Santas. I love the relationship between Santa Claus and the Savior--both willingly giving to others without expecting anything in return, except for us to live right.

My Christmas tree is even covered in Santas.

My Favorite Christmas Gift from a Student

A few years ago I had a student who was a very talented artist. He sculpted this nativity scene for me out of Fimo clay. Pretty impressive, huh??!?

My Favorite Winter Activity

Since I really really HATE to be cold--winter is NOT one of my favorite seasons. However, I do try to make the most of it by participating in one of my very most favorite activities--reading. Curling up in a soft, warm blanket helps, too!!! ;)

My Favorite Christmas Gift Ever

This honor SHOULD go to my oldest daughter, since she was due on Christmas Day. However, since she decided to come 10 days late, she was too late to be a Christmas present!

Instead, I will go with this one: my sophomore year of high school, my parents TOTALLY surprised me with a new flute. I had absolutely no idea it was coming. We had finished unwrapping all of our gifts and there was still one under the tree with no tag on it. My mom said to my dad, "Wait, wasn't that one for Alicia?" They pretended to be a little confused and finally gave it to me. I had already received whatever it was I was hoping for that year, so I was not expecting anything more. Thanks Mom and Dad! :)

My Favorite Holiday Collection

I collect Advent calendars. Why? Because I always remember Christmas taking FOREVER to get here as I was growing up. Now, I have ways for my kids to make the time seem to go a little bit faster. I have 12 of them right now (calendars, not kids)--that means each child gets to be in charge of 3 calendars every day. I try to add at least one to my collection every year--AFTER Christmas, when they are on sale!

My Favorite Holiday Concert

Okay, this gets a little more difficult since we have already had 4 concerts this season because of our kids activities--Mikayla plays the flute, Jordan plays the drums, and Alexia is in the choir and was in the school musical, A Christmas Carol. Since I obviously cannot pick one of them as my favorite without starting World War III, I will have to go with Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols". I love that music!!!

My Favorite Way to Teach School
I know this is pushing it a little, but I have been feeling pretty crummy the last few days--so I'm trying to look for the good. . . (Call me Pollyanna!) I have the whole cold/flu business going on and have managed to lose my voice. Since I essentially have to whisper right now, my students have to be quiet in order to hear me. They also tend to whisper back to me. That makes feeling lousy a little easier to take.

My Favorite Way to do Recess Duty


Lest anyone has forgotten. . . I HATE WINTER! Which means recess duty isn't one of my favorite winter activities. However, our school just recently changed our recess duty rotations. I still have recess duty every Tuesday, but I no longer have to switch spots every week. I am now in the hallway ALL the time. That means I get to kick the students outside. That also means that I don't have to stand out in the nasty, cold weather. YAY!!! :)

There you have it, my list of Christmas/winter favorites. Of course, it goes without saying that my MOST FAVORITE CHRISTMAS FAVORITES are memories of family and friends that continually warm my heart.

Merry Christmas!!!