The Holiday Season

I don't know about everyone else but I have a real tendency to overcommit during the holidays.  Every year I plan all the things I want to do with the family and then I promise to do a million unrelated things and we never have time to enjoy the holidays.  Every new year, I promise to do better.  I think I have finally figured out that if it weren't for all the little things that I do, I wouldn't enjoy those rare down times quite as much.  I know most of you feel the same way.  Those of you who work full time jobs, while being a full time parent, chauffeur and volunteer, I don't know how you do it.  Those of you who have more than 2 children, WOW!  My hat is off to all of you.  Last night after the 2 basketball games, 2 Barnes and Noble performances, a birthday party,a greeter shift and dinner with friends, we decided to drive by and look at lights.  It was great!  We just sat in front of one home and enjoyed the light show and I thought about how lucky I was that I can do all those crazy things and still have time to be with my family at the end of the day looking at lights.  My wish for each of you this holiday season is that you have 10 minutes to just sit in front of the prettiest house and enjoy the lights.

One of the crazy things I do during the holidays is offer to host a few parties and decorate my house, like a crazy person.  For those of you who know me well, you will know I am both cheap and crafty.  If I see something I like in a store, I am more likely to go home and figure out how to make it myself than to go buy it (except for my shoes).  At the prompting of a few friends, I am posting some pics from my house and the last party in case there is someone out there who needs to steal a few ideas himself or herself.  So, welcome to my home.

Have a wonderful holiday.  May the New Year bring you nothing but peace and happiness.
Lisa

DCE Day at Barnes and Noble

When we were first approached by Barnes and Noble last year for a DCE day, I had no idea how much fun we were going to have. I knew that it was a great fund-raising opportunity but I truly had no idea how much fun it was going to be. Roya and I worked the event the whole day as greeters or wrappers. I enjoyed both positions. It was fun to see everyone come in and shop (and shop they did). We asked each grade level teacher group to decide last year if they wanted to have the kids perform Holiday songs or if they wanted to do something different. Some grades chose to perform, while others came and read or worked as shopper assistants or did crafts. The grades that performed did a fabulous job and everyone seemed to really enjoy that. So this year, we decided rather than add to our teachers already burdened holiday season, we would offer every grade the opportunity to sing and we would put parents in charge. A few grades (1, 3 and 5) will be performing numbers they have been working on in music for the Holiday program and Linda Harrell generously offered to be in charge of these groups. The other grades will be singing common Christmas carols. Bear in mind, they will be just up there having fun singing carols with little or no preparation. We just wanted to give everyone the same opportunity to perform and I have yet to see a group of kids not look cute singing Rudolph, just don't expect a Linda Harrell production from these other grades. We are just having fun. It makes for a great opportunity to get some fun video or pictures of your kiddo. I hope you will be able to join us.

Regarding the fundraising opportunity, it was HUGE and is even better this year. We did so great last year and B&N thought our parents, teachers and students were so nice that they signed us up this year for their busiest weekend of the holiday season. Quite and honor to be chosen. They have also extended our sales opportunities. This year, we can get up to 20% of sales the week before and the week after our weekend online if we use the voucher code. ANYONE can use this code around the country, so if you have family in another state who likes to buy books, pass the code onto them for them to use online and DCE will get a percentage of sales.

We are still looking for a few volunteers to wrap gifts. It is nothing fancy. B&N provides the supplies and you just wrap and people give donations to the school. Easy-peasy. If you can help please click here, VOLUNTEER LINK.

Thank you for your continued support of our school.
Lisa