“Dear Santa Claus,  It’s me again reminding you I’m here, and that I’m making my list easier this year…”  Such is the start of a child’s clever writing; impressive, huh?!  Letters abound these days here at Miller.  Several classes mailed lots of letters to service men and women serving overseas during the holidays.  We had a class come down to the office to officially mail a huge envelope of them together.  One class reported to me that they sent them via a parent who was traveling to Canada this week; they wanted them mailed from Canada so they “get to the North Pole faster this year!” 🙂

In a previous blog, I shared how my sister and I always wrote our letters together and wouldn’t share the contents with anyone.  Sharing special wishes is important and whether your family writes letters to Santa or not, it’s always fun to share.  So here’s the  Christmas Question today:  What is your perfect Christmas or holiday wish (or gift) and how will you share it with others this year?  Here’s hoping several interesting conversations are sparked by thoughts of special wishes throughout the holiday season!

At the Santa Stop in the first grade hallway this morning, I wandered into a large group of reindeer busy at work on various games, crafts, and activities.  One reindeer friend stopped me to share exactly what he was doing:

• Child:  So, Mrs. Van, do you know who we are today?
• Me:  I have no idea; please share!
• Child:  If you look at my new shirt, there’s a clue.
• Me: I see antlers. Could you be Santa’s reindeer?
• Child:  That’s why you’re the principal you know… 🙂

Not only were these young readers and learners sharing ideas in small groups and questioning one another, they were engaged in the process of talking strategy when playing games (which were really objective-based activities cleverly disguised as “games”).  Naturally, this inspired our Christmas Question today:  What games or other activities does your family play during the holiday break?  What are your family favorites?

As you enJOY two weeks off from organized curriculum, projects, required homework, and the like, please make time to play games together.  Discussing strategy, following game rules, and engaging in friendly competition teach valuable life lessons . . . so here’s hoping you find a new family board game in your stocking this year!

Some of us do a considerable amount of traveling during the holiday break.  This was a discussion topic in fact during my daily walk-about this morning.  The classroom leader asked about the distances each child travels to visit with family or friends; you would be amazed at some of the answers!  Her learners are graphing their results to share, which brings me to our Christmas Question today:  What is the furthest distance you or a family member has traveled to make a holiday gathering with others?

My friend, Rudolph (Camden), talked about traveling long distances during the third grade musical last week and how he needed his “sustenance to make the important annual trip with Santa.”  He actively demonstrated the best reindeer food (during a commercial break) for the live audience as well!  A learner this morning remembered watching Camden last week and made note of Santa’s long distance journey (which then started another discussion about how many miles it takes to travel the Earth) . . . .

As you make your travel plans this holiday season, here’s hoping you and your learner go the distance together with hearts smiling and JOY abounding!  🙂

Note:  Speaking of “going the distance,” congratulations to all our Rowdy Runners (and parents) for participating last night in the annual Reindeer Dash benefiting Special Olympics in MISD.  I completed my first 5K and really appreciated the support at the finish line!  Thanks to all who traveled the journey together! 🙂

I believe it was Mark Twain who noted:  “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.”  Such is the goal of a group of learners today who are making cards, decorating some holiday treats (candy cane reindeer), and wrapping up gift cards they are donating to local senior citizens.  You see, in place of purchasing each other gifts, they used the money they collected to purchase gift cards to share instead. 

While one group within this class diligently worked together on various tasks, an intense conversation took place about Christmas smells and favorite holiday smells.  Of course (you know what’s coming next), they encouraged me to blog this question to you today:  Of all the smells of the season, which one is your favorite?  Why is this smell so memorable to you?

I was pressured to share with these young learners that I vividly remember my Granny’s house smelling of cinnamon sticks, cloves, and oranges she would boil on the gas stove (I do this in our home today); peppermint sticks in my hot cocoa (made from scratch–no envelope packets back in the day); the aroma of fresh pine on the front door wreath…all these smells evoke strong memories and images of my childhood.  Whether you have special seasonal smells or not, these learners and I challenge you today to be SCENTsationally aware of the holiday smells in your world…and don’t forget to share it cheerfully with others along the way.  After all, keeping Christmas throughout the year is good, but sharing it with others is even better!  🙂

William Blake noted:  “In seed time, learn; in harvest time, teach; in winter, enJOY.”  It’s been a week full of JOY in so many ways . . . .

Mrs. Stanley and Mrs. Bass delivered gifts for over 200 angels on Thursday afternoon.  Our Miller families really go above and beyond in their service and care of others!  Thanks for sharing the greatest gift of giving to those in need!

Our third graders presented us with the amazing seasonal musical, “North Pole STAR,” under the musical direction of Amber Grant and the specials team.  Santa’s famous reindeer (Darrow, Kylie, Kaleigh, Truman, Johnathan, Deven, Whitney, and Amber) showcased their unique reindeer talents for guest judges (and a live, voting studio audience) to award the coveted “North Pole STAR” trophy (think, American Idol at the North Pole!).  An emcee, guests judges, background entertainers, and even live commercial breaks brought the action to life.  Elves (Victoria, Marli, Alex, Peyton, and several others) provided commercial breaks for important seasonal products (reindeer food, anyone?).  The singing, dancing, jokes, and acting during this demanding show were nothing short of truly extraordinary!  BRAVOS to our talented students and to all who gave of their musical genius to make this festive musical come alive!

Which brings me to the Christmas Question of the day:  What gifts do you give during the season that do not come wrapped in a box?  As you know, it’s not all about the physical gifts during the season.  The other ways we choose to give (time, talents, and service) are sometimes much more important in fact!  For example, I’m grateful for the talents of our office ladies (who are wearing Mrs. Worley’s handcrafted JOY shirts she gifted to us!).  We are indeed blessed at Miller with the gifts you and your child bring everyday to our learning community!  🙂

A young learner stopped me this morning in the hallway just after announcements:

• Child:  “Mrs. Van, I have a Christmas question for you today.”
• Me:  “Yes?”
• Child:  “Do you have a favorite ornament on your Christmas tree that is dear to you?”
• Me:  “Actually, I do, and thanks for asking! What a great question!”
• Child:  “Will you write about it today so I can read it tonight on the computer?”
• Me:  “Sure ‘nough; consider it done!”

Here goes little one:  One of my favorite words in the English language is “JOY.”  While happiness is grand, it concentrates more on a circumstance of life–we just “happen” to find ourselves happy because of a situation.  JOY is a deep, soulful emotion bringing delight and gladness–comfort and JOY to the beholder.  There is an ornament I keep close at hand all year (it actually hangs on our tree during the season) with the little word JOY inscribed on the antique snowball.  My Granny B. actually wrote the word JOY on the little ornament the day we had this conversation about the difference between happiness and JOY.  You see, this was her special way of sharing a “pearl of wisdom” with me.  She was known for doing clever little things like this . . .

You see, the students were making ornaments today in a workstation during Daily 5 rotations, so I’m anxious to see their results tomorrow.  In the meantime, here’s your question:  Is there an ornament from your past or present on your tree that is dear to you?  Here’s hoping you share a special pearl of wisdom of your own with your little one this year!

Where to start today . . . hhmmmm . . . let me just say it’s been an eventful smattering of interesting gatherings the past 24 hours here at Miller.  There was the gathering of DADS yesterday and today in the freezing cold temps to help us on early morning arrival duty; their smiles never wavered (thanks, DADS!).  There was the gathering of MISD Maintenance guys on the front lawn yesterday morning when I called about water seeping into the counselor’s office onto the Angel Tree gifts being loaded for delivery.  Then there was the gathering of MISD’s Crisis Response Team in the front office this morning for a surprise lockdown drill.  Additionally, there was the gathering of hundreds of birds on the playground making a stop during their migratory journey who changed the recess routine for some of our young friends.  Yes, I believe in gatherings.  Let’s just say some of these gathering events will provide memories forever…which leads to today’s Christmas Question:  What is your most memorable Christmas or holiday gathering?

Just like Charlie Brown who attempts to understand the true meaning of spirit of the season by gathering with his friends, he is not always excited about holiday gatherings.  He does his personal best to “make it work.”  Call it twisted humor, but I identify with him at times.  We all enJOY hearing stories of family holiday gatherings–the good, the bad, and the ugly.  If we’re completely honest about it, we’ve most likely secretly laughed our way through a holiday movie like Christmas Vacation and thought, “Oh my, that’s us!”  While some of these holiday gatherings and events provide positive, funny stories and personal memories, we can also recall those embarrassing or uncomfortable events as well.  As a wise writer once noted:  “The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”  So as you gather together during the holidays with those you hold dear, take a moment to reflect, revisit, and share with your young learner those holiday gathering memories.  If you don’t have any, here’s hoping you start making them this year!

. . . and what about these Miller “gatherings” so far this week, you ask?  I’m pleased to report our DADS keep showing up each morning, the MISD Maintenance guys fixed our main water line (and still have all their fingers and toes–special thanks to David, Darrell, Joel, and Gerald who braved a late night and chilly temps in lots of water to get the job done!); the Angel Tree gifts are being delivered on time, the Crisis Team was satisfied, and the birds have traveled southward . . . . 🙂

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for reading . . . the weather is cold and windy, the seasonal stories are abundant, and the temptation to curl up with someone you love and share a great story is powerfully strong.  I keep books outside my office door all the time (as the picture indicates) and I’m known to climb in my office rocker and read them too!

I had the pleasure today of observing a group of second graders “sell” their recently chosen library book to another reader.  They created new book covers (without taking away from the published ones) to advertise and entice younger readers to want to pick up their seasonal book and have it read to them.  The new illustrations on the child-created book covers and the book reviews written convinced me!  If the office had not interrupted my visit with an urgent need, I would have stayed all day . . . .

Naturally, you know the Christmas Question we’re asking today:  What are your favorite pieces of seasonal literature to read to yourself and others?  We are blessed to have multiple “mystery readers” on our campus each week including high school athletes who give of their time to share the JOY of reading.  You are encouraged to call your child’s teacher soon and offer a favorite story and a few minutes of your time to model the importance of reading to your child’s class.  May we never grow too old to enJOY a great story; here’s hoping you share some in your family tonight!

Yes, this is Texas Ranger, Ian Kinsler, hugging up  our own Coach Martin this past weekend during the Adolphus Children’s Christmas Parade.  She had the pleasure of meeting him while serving and riding on the “Old McDonald” float with children currently undergoing medical treatment during the annual Dallas parade tradition.  She commented she had “no problem” hugging up on him for this picture!”  I agree!

Serving the community at large during traditional holiday events is part of how we capture the spirit of the season.  Friday evening, our Miller All-City Choristers sang during the annual All-City Christmas Concert at the MHS Auditorium; what a crowd and what a fabulous concert (Bravos to all involved)!  Saturday afternoon (in the rain), more singers and dancers from Miller Elementary shared their talents during the Southern Star Christmas event in downtown Midlothian–again, outstanding work by all!  This brings us to our question today:  How do you choose to capture the spirit of the season, and who, in your life, truly knows how to capture it the best?  As we move forward the next few couple of weeks at Miller, here’s hoping we all find clever ways to capture the spirit of this wonderful time of year!  🙂

Keeping Christmas is good, but sharing it with others is even better.  There’s a group within our Miller learning community who give and give and give throughout the year.  We are indeed blessed on our campus with an active group of PTO members and volunteers who give so much more than they receive; today was no exception as they lavished our staff with a delicious and festive fiesta to celebrate the holiday season!

Under the direction of Lori Walk, several parents spent valuable time (and many long hours) making homemade enchiladas, tamales, rice, beans, sopapillas, cupcakes, and other treats to share with staff during lunch.  Each team enJOYed food, fun, and fellowship during the celebration.  We most definitely have extraordinary chefs and bakers in our crowd too!

If you’re anything like my family, our celebrations are always created around the food–perhaps it’s a cultural thing or just something that evolved through the years in our family.  Regardless, we love to cook (the process is sometimes more fun than the final product) and we certainly enJOY eating even more!  Naturally, this brings us to our question today:  What is your favorite holiday food and what stories (or memories) does this food evoke for you?

We are so grateful for the support and partnership of our PTO and the parents who give every single time they are called upon to do so!  Generosity is a sign of a great soul and we have many great souls here at Miller Elementary!  Thanks for giving; Feliz Navidad!  🙂