Many of you know that Russ has been on an away rotation in Memphis during the month of November. Huge thanks to our friends, Rachael and Jimbo, for housing my homeless hubby! So, while Russ has been away, I've made myself busy with Christmas preparations: ordered Christmas cards, LOTS of shopping, decorating our living room, etc. Last time Russ came to visit, he got the decorations out of the attic for me. I put most of them up this past week...well, all but one thing.

Russ has never been able to help me decorate our Christmas tree in all of our 3 Christmases together. Usually, when it's time to decorate, he has had a final or some other thing he had to study for. So, he was either at the library or in his office studying while I decorated the tree. But, this year, I was determined to decorate TOGETHER!! Russ came in this weekend for the State game. Friday night, we watched an ABC Family (my Christmas channel of choice! 25 Days of Christmas has begun!) Christmas movie and decorated the tree! It was so much fun! On account of "Our First Trim-the-Tree Night" we took some pictures as proof that it actually did happen...if only just this once! Ha!

It has to be just right!

Great placement, Russ!

And no tree is complete without a pickle hidden deep inside!

I was loving every second of it!

Mrs. Johnson's Thankful Third Graders

My third graders have been working on a Thanksgiving writing assignment this week. Check out our website to read some samples. I will be adding more throughout the week.

Tis the Season!

**Update: Please take time to enjoy the Christmas music I've added!! Happy Soon-to-be Holidays!!

That's right! It's almost time to start pulling out the dusty Christmas decorations! I can't wait!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! I couldn't resist putting my new Christmas header up! I tried to hold out until Thanksgiving week, but I just can't! I'm in full swing Christmas mode!

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Thursday's Third Grade Thoughts

It's been a while since I've updated you on funny things my students have said. However, I had a couple this week that reminded me how fun my job really CAN be. Notice I said "CAN." Ha! Anyone in the education field will understand the statement.

Wednesday morning, we were standing in line for the restroom in the hallway. Sherrina, one of my most outgoing and TALKATIVE students, waves her hand at me...basically in my face. She is just dying to tell me something. You may remember Sherrina from an earlier post. Her mom is the one who told her she would not be at school for a while because she was going to boot camp. There never was a plan to send her to boot camp! Click here to see that story! I digress...so I finally call on Sherrina to pacify her excitement. She was smiling and holding back laughter the whole time. "Mrs. Joh'son, my mama compared me to a simile this mo'ning! She said my hair looked like a willow tree!" Of course, the first thing I thought was, "It sure does!" But, I just smiled, with a slight giggle I couldn't hold back, and said, "Good job! I'm so glad your remembered what a simile is!" So, I decided to take her picture so that you can see the "willow tree" hairdo.

Sherrina's willow tree - Notice the "drooping" motion of the ponytails.

My next funny comes from Alric. Today we were working on Thanksgiving writing projects. We created bubble maps for the things we were thankful for. Then, I had the students come up with a reason WHY they were thankful for that thing. This was written out beside the bubbles. But, the students could not write "because." They had to make a completely different sentence explaining why without saying "because it is fun," for example. Then, the student wrote their two-sentence thankful sentences on feathers. We made turkeys with a paper plate and feathers. Anyway! I called on some students to share some of the things they were thankful for. When Alric's turn came around, he read what he was thankful for. "I am thankful for my mom cause she loves me no matter what." I informed Alric that he could not use the word "because." He replied, "I didn't." Curious, I asked, "What did you say?" He said, "I said 'CAUSE'!"

Oh...the mind of a child must be such a fun place to be!!!

Mistletoe Weekend

This weekend, Russ's sister and her kids came to stay with us for their annual Mistletoe Weekend. Jenny, Will, Seth, and Grace come each year on the weekend of Mistletoe Marketplace for a visit and to get in the Holiday Shopping Spirit! Friday night, we joined my mom and the rest of the Ya Ya's for dinner at Bonsai. Then, we headed home to rest for a full day of shopping. Jenny, Grace, and I shopped on Saturday while Russ and the boys played! It was so much fun, as always!

Grace and me at Mistletoe

Jenny always finds something HUGE at Mistletoe! Last year it was an adorable tent for Grace that took up her entire van. This year....wiggle racers! Not just one. TWO! And she just couldn't wait til Christmas. She went ahead and gave them to the boys. When Jenny and I went to the house to drop them off, Grace was asleep in the back seat. So, we decided to try them out down our big hill in front of our house! Yep! Lots of fun! Ha!

Jenny trying out the Wiggle Racer!

When the boys got home, they had a blast!

Seth, Will, and Grace

Grace made sure the boys knew how to SHARE!

Will and Russ supervising the "fiery and adventurous one" (according to her fortune at Bonsai!)

Seth tried a few dare-devil moves, which ended in a busted knee and a hole in his jeans, the night before!

Will trying to make it UP the hill

Grace LOVED the wiggle racer!

Jenny must have been feeling extra-giving! After buying the wiggle racers and toting them through Mistletoe Marketplace, we went to play at the Apple store. Next thing I know, she has bought Jeff a new computer!!! This was supposed to be a Christmas gift, but she just couldn't wait. It ended up being a late birthday gift. I think he's still in shock!!

To make the weekend even more exciting...Karen Kingsbury was at Barnes and Noble at a book signing. So, of course, I had my picture taken with her. She also signed a couple of books for my mom's birthday. I actually left Russ, Jenny, and the kids at Cock of the Walk so that I'd make it in time to see her!

Me and Karen Kingsbury - I know, I look awful!!

After Jenny and the kids left for Corinth, the Ya Ya's and Kristin and Lee stopped by. Russ and I went shopping with them today. We just couldn't get enough shopping! Ha! It was a great weekend!

MSU 13, Kentucky 14

No words. Just pictures.

While Pat was in San Antonio, Felicia joined us for a Corinth weekend complete with a trip to see the dawgs play!

Twinkin'!

Relaxing before the game...and eating!

The new gigantic jumbotron!

The entire game was dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The game began with releasing pink and white balloons. The players all had a pink ribbon on their helmets.

Paratroopers delivered the game ball!

Eric and Amanda stopped by after the game. Watch out, Tupelo, Eric will be there soon to practice pediatrics.

This Is It...

Did you?

Facebook is a Dangerous Thing!

Happy Halloween!!

While browsing Facebook, I came across some incriminating photos of my dear sister and baby brother! Just thought I'd share! Since Russ and I were out of town for Halloween, this is all I have to share with you!

Kristin as "Miss Piggy" - Where does she shop?

Dustin as a Sumo-Wrestler - He did manage to have a blowout during the party, I've heard! Hilarious!

I hope everyone had a Safe and Happy Halloween!!