A Christmas show.

Actually, they're singing a Kwanzaa song. This seemed a bit unfair as none of the audience members knew the words to sing along with the kids, but perhaps it all worked out for the best. Note that the show was timed to occur precisely during naptime so that you get a great look at the bug's healthy teeth while she yawns her head off during the first verse.

Here are the words, I think, from what I could make out:

"Umoja" means "unity"
you and me
That is what we're meant to be

"Umoja" means "unity"
you and me
work together in love and harmony
Unity




So, wishing you much umoja this snowy Christmas Day!

A haircut!

Actually, more than one, for all you smart-asses out there.

The bug got her first haircut "at a real store" last weekend.  There's a family-run business near our house where the parents of two autistic sons decided that young children need their own space to get haircuts and learn how not to be scared of scissors.  They charge about the same as Cost Cutters but have fun chairs and TV's to distract the kids, and seem to love working with children instead of wishing they were doing something fancy on an adult head.  The bug had a fabulous time, and even let them blow-dry her hair:

This, from the girl who literally slams the door every morning when I blow dry my hair because it is Too Loud and Scary, Mama, That Thing By Your Head, Shut It Off!  The hypnotic power of Spongebob is duly noted.

best dog story of the week.

I know it's cheesy. So sue me. And if you don't have tears in your eyes by the end, you've never loved and lost a dog.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/tus/487665904.html

five seconds.

I wish actual running was as much a part of the holiday season as:

running errands,

running between holiday festivities, 

running to mail packages so they arrive before Christmas,

runny noses and hacking coughs,

and running out of time and gratitude.

I always have the best intentions the day after Thanksgiving but by Dec. 17th I have to start picking and choosing among the following:

Writing and sending Christmas cards

Thinking of, and getting, thoughtful gifts for my immediate family members and friends

Getting gifts for people I feel obligated to like teachers and postal workers and...

Getting my grades back to my students by the Thursday deadline

Making Christmas cookies

Working out during daylight hours

Surviving yet another two holiday parties in one night due to our disparate office schedules

Sleeping enough to avoid getting even sicker

How to choose? It's hard to feel Christmas-y in my heart when I can't stop looking at what time it is.  Any suggestions on how to work deep breathing and actual consciousness of the reason for the season into this sprint-paced schedule?