BABY, IT'S...UH...WARM OUTSIDE??!! + ORNAMENTS

I am going to be honest and say that I really don't know the best way to get up and going again.  Everything feels so different and my heart is still so heavy. However, after taking the weekend to reflect and grieve, I want to take a small step forward.  I am going to do this by celebrating what my own first grade students have been doing.  I know it doesn't change anything, but returning to some sort of "normalcy" is how I am able to work my way through the healing process.  So, here goes nothing . . .  

Last week my kids were wrapped up in everything Christmas.  We made our parent Christmas gifts, crafted Christmas Cards, and studied holidays around the world.  My favorite country we visited (as it is every year) was Australia. My "cold Christmas" kids flip when they think about it being warm at Christmas time.  To help us really celebrate Australia and their traditions we ate BBQ chips and made super cool Christmas "Sunnies" or sunglasses with our BIG 7th grade buddies last Friday.

This is a definite crowd pleaser every year in my room and it may be just what you are looking for as you round the bend and head on into Christmas Break (if you aren't there already).   

CLICK HERE to get more details! 

Switching gears a bit, our parent ornament gift turned out absolutely delightful this year.  The kids giggled their way through the 2-day process.  I always love to see which kids jump in and get messy and those who can't wait to wash their hands.  Oh, it's the little things I tell ya :)  

Please excuse my ugly mug . . .
I forgot to take finished product shots.  Duh, Dolling!

I got this wonderful idea from my mom's teaching besties (I heart ya Tina and Vickie).  They even came in and ran the ornament creation station for me . . . I am one lucky lady.  If you are interested in tucking this project away for next year, I have attached the directions down below.  

CLICK HERE to download the ornament directions!

A huge thanks to Tessa over at Tales from Outside the Classroom for her awesome border :)

Before I head out, I wanted to leave you with a quote my dear friend and coworker, Erin, pinned on Saturday.  I have always admired this great man and his words helped me find comfort in the world this weekend.

Originally posted on the Glamorous Housewife.