I Believe

It has been rainy and cold here in Virginia, which has so gotten me in to the spirit of the season, and all of the wonderfulness that is right around the corner. I don't know how many times I've said it already, or how many more times I'll say it; but this is my favorite time of year... clear up until December 26!

My class got a new box of Accelerated Reader books, and in the mix was "The Night Before Christmas". The illustrations were just beautiful, and my daughter will be receiving that book this year. Anyway... as I was looking through the book while my small Math class was doing their work, I got to reminiscing and thought of all of my favorite fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas traditions. I also thought of all of the new traditions I can't wait to start (and carry on old ones) with our punkins.

After the kids were finished with their assignment and we had gone over it, I asked them to tell the class (there were only 11 kids in there because half of them leave for advanced Math) what their favorite fall and Christmas tradition was. While hearing some of the cute stuff they were saying, they got on the topic of Santa Claus (the rest of the class had returned by now, and it was snack time so the off-topic conversation was ok). It surprised me when I found out that 95% of my kids still believe in Santa Claus. They are in 4th grade!!! I think it's adorable, and it helps the magical moments of Christmas live on for a little while longer in their life. I know I can't wait for our little one(s) to understand Christmas, Santa Claus, and Jesus' birthday because the magic of the season (Santa Claus) will come back to life for me in a way. The magical time of celebrating Christ's birth will always be alive in me, but I miss the giddiness of waiting for Santa, and baking cookies for him and his reindeer, and the presents. And, next year, we are starting our own fun tradition with miss priss, and we're making reindeer food. On Christmas Eve, we will make and sprinkle the reindeer food on the lawn, and the next morning, she will have a reindeer bell left on the lawn for her. It's going to be fun finding new, unique bells for her to collect over the years!! This is just one of the many, many things I can't wait to do!!

I'm done rambling now!! :)