I am done Christmas shopping, except for a couple stocking stuffers and everything is wrapped except for Antonio's gifts. But there isn't many to wrap, thankfully. We try to keep it to, or as closely as possible, to a 4 gift rule. Something he wants, something he needs, something he reads, and something he wears. This year we have pretty much stuck to that, although he is getting two books. Also, Santa brings him his "big" gift; the gift that costs the most and that he really wants. So technically he is getting two wants as well. Regardless, we try to keep it simple and happily he is a simple kid. Last year he gave us maybe 2 or 3 things he wanted. After opening all his gifts from us, Santa, and family out of state Christmas morning, he proclaimed something to the point of, "I got everything I wanted!" and while gesturing to everything else, "and I didn't even want any of that." Ha! That kid. Lets hope he always stays that simple.
I digress.
Thanks to being at home now, I have been able to shop online and go out to get what I need easier. Now that all that is done, I feel like I can really relax and enjoy the rest of the season. No feeling like I have to go out this weekend and fight the crowds; its great! I've even baked Christmas cookies and handed them out to the recipients. Thats great and all but now that we've eaten all the rest we have none for Santa so we are having to make a small store bought batch for Santa next weekend. This weekend we watched The Polar Express on Friday and then Elf on Saturday night which got me extra excited! Antonio was glued to the tv watching The Polar Express. It was the first time watching it this season. We only watch it in December which makes it even more special.
Antonio took his teacher her Christmas gift last Wednesday and will attempt to give his bus driver her gift this week. He tends to have substitute bus drivers often lately, and just in the mornings which is weird. Since in the afternoons it's his normal bus driver. Again, I digress. So as soon as we see his regular driver, we'll give her, her frangos. He's so excited to do so.
Speaking of gifting.
We had a buy one get one book fair at Antonio's school last week and the Friday prior, the teachers had the opportunity to take their class through it as a preview so they could make a "wish list" and tell their parents what they wanted. Well, Antonio's teacher took his class through and she saw how genuinely excited each student was. She knew that about 75% of the class either couldn't afford a new book or the parents didn't seem involved enough to then care enough to get a new book for the kids. It broke her heart to think about that since she saw how happy and excited they were about the books. So Antonio's teacher, Mrs. Gilmore, went home that night, talked to her husband and decided to purchase a new book (well two, since it was a BOGO sale) for each student that they had written on their wish lists. Over a $100 out of her own pocket! I am still thoroughly impressed. I know teachers spend a lot of their own time and money on their students/classroom throughout the year but in my opinion, this is above an beyond. She said that she could've bought gift certificates for each student to buy new books in the next book order but knew those would get thrown out, forgotten about or the parents wouldn't care enough to put forth the effort to use them. So sad for those kids. So she just bought them.
Amazing.
I've had my doubts, well "doubts" is the wrong word; more like concern's about Mrs. Gilmore. She's a little gruff and negative, on the kids; they are just 1st graders. Not always showing a positive, patient attitude in class and seems to get annoyed fairly easy. Basically she seems like the kind of teacher I would be; which is why I could never be a teacher. Ha. But I've seen once or twice now, some sweet brief moments she has had with a student before she goes back to the normal Mrs. Gilmore. ;) Now this book buying? I'm impressed. She is a great teacher, don't get me wrong, and Antonio loves school and her so I suppose that is all that matters. And maybe she's like wine, she'll get better as the year goes one. In the mean time, I'm going to keep trying to shower her with little gifts to sweeten her up. Ha!
Christmas is in 11 days, are you ready? I know we are! Antonio seems a little more excited with gifts under the tree too. He has two separate Christmas count downs which helps with the, "Is it Christmas yet" question. He knows exactly how many days are left. And whats even more exciting is that my sister in law comes to visit for a few days starting the 1st of January so the fun will continue!
Antonio watching the train go through the "gift" tunnel!
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