the grinch really did steal christmas!

It's snowing as I write this! When it snows, I like to say we have acid snowflakes because of how bad the air is here! We have had a few snowfalls, but it never sticks. This past month has kept me extremely busy! There are so many things to do around the holidays! I've been busy getting my kids psyched up for Christmas, which has been great because I can be as cheesy as I want to and they love it! We have been busy preparing our Christmas concert for the parents. The music teacher is doing a few songs with the kids and then I am preparing a poem the kids will recite and we will also be singing Feliz Navidad- a great choice for working at an English school, right? I just happened to be singing it one day and the kids loved it, so I decided to put it into the show! Today at rally (our weekly school assembly) I was the MC and I went as my alter-ego "Ms. Christmas." I thoroughly enjoyed telling cheesy Christmas jokes (what do elves learn in school? the ELFabet!) and singing with the kids. Christine dressed as Rudolph and I had Morgan dress up like the Grinch and he literally "stole" Ms. Christmas. I escaped and tied the Grinch up in tinsel and Ms. Christine and I converted the Grinch into loving Christmas.It was really entertaining and the kids had a great time!

Besides school, I've been to the doctor a few times. I just got an MRI for my back a few days ago and I am waiting to have a spinal specialist go over the results. I have been very lucky to have some really caring parents in my classroom. One of the moms has done so much for me! She books me my appointments, drives me, translates, and then takes me out to eat! I am so thankful for her and all the care she has shown. She has even had the moms pitch in and they are paying for my MRI (or part of it, at least) as my Christmas gift!

I'm heading to Boracay, Philippines next Saturday for ten days of relaxation on the beach! It will be sad to be away from my family for the first time ever on Christmas, but I think the beautiful blue-green waters and white sand beaches will help console me!

Here are a few pictures of random things in the last month or so. I'm also gonna include some videos because my kids are just so dang cute! Some of the kids are really into it and some are off in space, which is pretty funny! Pay no attention to the horrible singing or guitar playing in the background! haha.

Sorry, it was so gross I just had to post it! I can't believe how many times I see people like this on the street! Side note-it was also extremely cold that night!!Merry Christmas! Miss Christmas, Mr. Grinch and Ms. Rudolph after Rally. See my gumdrop wall in the background? =o)So cute!Morgan, Adam and I have discovered a great new indoors pastime- badminton in the kitchen! We are still working out the quirks, i.e. volleying the shuttlecock more than one time , but we'll get there. I couldn't find any pictures of me actually hitting the shuttlecock, but I was close every time, really!

I hope everyone has a great holiday season! Don't freak out in the long lines of last minute shopping, take some time to relax and actually enjoy yourself, and appreciate the time you get to spend with your loved ones. I miss you all! I'm going to end with this...

Merry Christmas everyone! from the bottom of my heart!