Christmas Tree/Pink Tower

The Christmas Season

The Christmas season in the secular world seems to begin earlier every year.  

We first start hearing about how many shopping days are left until Christmas before children have come to our doors, dressed up for Trick-or-Treat.  The carols start playing on the radio well before we buy a turkey to roast for Thanksgiving.  

Commercial Christmas starts early and we may be ready to take down the tree and 'be done' with Christmas by January 2nd.  In fact, today, I took down the two trees I carefully erected for the season. Even as I was doing so, I was regretting the decision.  

The trees and stockings were all I 'undecorated' today.  I did not take down the garland in our doorway, outdoor lights, the reindeer center piece in our dining-room, and most importantly, I did not take down the Manger that stands on a small table in our entry way.  

You see, in my church, Advent is celebrated for the four weeks leading up to Christmas  The Christmas Season began on Christmas eve and is celebrated until after we have Epiphany Sunday, a full week after New Years.  

So, I left enough decorations up in and around my home to remind me that the Christmas Season is still with us.  We can tire of the season if all we are thinking about is the tree and what is underneath.  But when we take the time to consider the 'reason for the season' it is hard to see it come to an end.

Christmas is about hope, forgiveness, new life and the birth of Christianity.  I will not be done celebrating the season for a while.  I am glad to keep up the lights and crib so that I can enjoy the season of hope and light a little longer.

MONTESSORI

We need to give ourselves time to 'complete' the Christmas season just as we need to give the children in our classrooms the time to 'complete' their work.  Sometimes it is tempting to rush them through on activity so that we can clear the shelf and move on to another unit of study.

The Christmas season can not be rushed; children should not be rushed either.  If we interrupt the Christmas season we may miss some of the hope and forgiveness the season has to offer us.  Likewise, if we interrupt a child's exploration of the Pink Tower or Brown Stair, to move on to other materials, me may cause the child to 'miss' something that material has to offer.

Let us make sure we give children time to fully benefit from all the Montessori materials have to offer.  

5 days to go

There are only 5 days until Christmas. So far this has been a very enjoyable Advent for me. I got started early with Christmas shopping and baking so I have not had to stress over those things.

I hope that Christmas finds you enjoying this wonderful season. I hope you are able to spend time with friends and family. I hope you will take time to appreciate all the good you have in your life and not dwell on the negative. I hope you have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Take Care,
MissT

Christmas Wishes

Good Morning

We have been in a deep freeze here in Nebraska. With snow on the ground and temperatures staying very low it has been a challenge just to get around and do everyday tasks. I guess this is why I like the mid-west. Weather like this makes us so appreciative of the weather we get most of the time. Harsh temperatures and strong winds make us grateful for a calm day with the thermometer reading in the 20 degree range. I feel lucky to have the changing seasons so I can always be looking forward to change.

We are closing in on Christmas--only 9 days to go. It looks like we will be having a very White Christmas this year, I will have my children all together for Christmas Eve and morning. That is a great present in itself. I want to send all of you my wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New year--2010.

Take care,
MissT

The Holidays are Here

Good Morning

This is turning out to be an eventful winter were weather is concerned here in Nebraska. This morning it is only 1 degree and we had icy rain that turned into a snow mix over night. Driving to work should be interesting today.

I hope everyone reading this is well and looking forward to the next 2 weeks. I am ready and anxiously awaiting Christmas this year. My house is decorated, we have lights inside and outside, the presents are bought, wrapped, and under the tree. I feel fortunate to be prepared this year. It is much more enjoyable to look forward to Christmas that to STRESS about the holiday.

We had a BIG event happen over the weekend. My daughter graduated from college on Saturday. It was a great weekend. Her brothers and some freinds got to share in the festivities with us. We traveled to Colorado for the ceremony and we were grateful that the weather cooperated. We returned on Saturday pulling a U-Haul trailer full of her belongings. This is an ending and new beginning for her and we are very proud of our middle child. She has a bright future!

Try to enjoy the next 2 or 3 weeks. Relax and try to decide what is really important--do those things and let the rest go.

Take care,
MissT