Charles Dickens’: A Christmas Carol
It’s December 22, and that means that Christmas is just around the corner! Given the season, it seems only fitting that I reread and review Charles Dickens’ classic tale of good will unto men, redemption, and seasonal poltergeists, A Christmas Carol. I won’t waste too much time on what the book is actually about, since […]
A Lobster Tale
The Christmas season is a time to gather around a warm fire with family and reminisce about the very best of times. In one of these glorious Christmas moments, my brother-in-law said, “Do you remember the lobster in Maine?” Everyone laughed because we all remember that day and that particular crustacean. It’s been over ten […]
Stumped!
I am stumped this year. My nephew has a huge stocking that my Mom made him and we always fill it for Christmas Eve. The problem is that, now that he is a teenager, it is getting harder. I have been racking my brain to come up with a way to fill the thing without […]
Christmas Memory
A Christmas Memory Dedicated To My Siblings, Cousins And Faithful Readers… MERRY CHRISTMAS! Twas the night before Christmas, when down on the farm, The cows had been milked and were out of the barn. The stockings were hung and everyone was thrilled, That maybe, just maybe, they soon would be filled. The families were gathered […]
Santa?
Should you teach your child to believe in Santa or not? Nickelodeon Parents Connect asked in a poll, “Do you let your kids believe in Santa Claus?” 65% answered, “Of course! It’s a magical part of childhood. What’s the harm?” 13% answered, “No. I think Christmas should be about Jesus, not Santa.” 10% answered, “Yes, […]
Tie A Rope To His Foot
My father used to amuse himself in some unique ways, most of which ended up making my mom mad in some form or fashion. The cold weather we recently experienced reminded me of a particularly frigid, icy day my dad got a glint in his eye brought on by boredom. It was a cold January […]
Stranger Than Fiction: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
In 1897, an 8-year-old girl, Virginia O’Hanlon, came home from school upset because her class mates had told her there was no Santa Claus. She asked her father if this was so and he responded “If you see it in the sun, it’s so.” He then suggested she write a letter to the editor of […]
Church Christmas Memories
Christmas is a time of memories. When I think of Christmas, I remember the many years in church and the special times with church, family and friends. There is just something about those times that stay in my memory. As a child, I have vivid memories of my church family and “hanging of the greens” […]
Book Smarts
I have important news for parents and students. Pay very close attention! Schools do not give awards for intelligence. Because this is so very important to understand I’m going to rephrase. No matter how high a child’s intelligence may be, no award is given by schools to recognize that fact. While many schools may use […]
Holiday Parties
The Holidays are just around the corner and that means many parties. While this is certainly one of the busiest times of the year that does not mean that good manners can take a back seat. If you are one of those that will be hosting a party this year, for either Christmas or New […]
Why the change in School Schedule?
It is my understanding that school will be a full day on the Friday before Christmas this year. The last day has always been a half day and I was wondering why the change this year? There has been a renewed commitment to teach bell to bell this year, which is important to allow for […]
Helping Children Avoid Holiday Stress
While the holidays are a fun for children, they are also very busy. Because of this, holiday stress and anxiety in children often accompany the holiday season. During the holidays, there are lots of activities, both at home and at school. With all the new schedule of events, however enjoyable, schedules and routines are often […]
Wonderful Christmas Memories
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” (Francis Pharcellus Church), triggers wonderful memories of Christmas. The things remembered most throughout the years about Christmas is vast. Do you remember “White Christmas”, a 1954 musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye and co-starring Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen? It begins on Christmas Eve, 1944, somewhere in Europe, […]
Stranger Than Fiction: Gene Autry’s Christmas Classic
In the summer of 1949, Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, was sitting in his office leafing through dozens of songs that had been submitted to him by aspiring songwriters. Autry was selecting songs for his upcoming Christmas album that had to be recorded within days to be make his deadline. He needed six songs but […]
“Elf On The Shelf”
Start a new holiday tradition by playing “The Elf On The Shelf” game. The elf is one of Santa’s many helpers. and shows up at the beginning of the holiday season, keeping an eye on things until Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the elf returns to the North Pole with Santa Claus until the next year. […]
James Dashner’s: The Maze Runner
With the film adaptation coming next September, I have heard many mentions of James Dashner’s The Maze Runner lately. In a similar style to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner (the first book in a series of the same name) is a sci-fi/dystopian teen-oriented novel that is immensely popular, especially in the last few months. […]
