steppin' up to first grade: December Currently and a FREEBIE!

It's that time again! I'm linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade for the December Currently.

Here's what's going on currently in my world:

~Listening to~
Disney's animated A Christmas Carol I've got a confession for ya: I actually love watching kids movies! When I'm home alone, I usually browse by Fox Family to see if there is anything worth watching, and for the months of October and December I am one happy camper since they show 31 Halloween movies and now they are celebrating 25 days until Christmas with Christmas movies GALORE! I'm in heaven. I also love A Christmas Carol (animated version) because I know two people who actually worked on that movie! Two of my co-workers have husbands who work in the movie industry. It's cool to know the person behind all of those special effects- I think it makes the movie more interesting :)
~Loving~
Dressember
Recently I learned about this amazing movement. The challenge is to wear a dress for all 31 days in December to raise awareness and funding to help fight human trafficking and violence against women. I feel like it is something little that I can do during the holiday season to try and make a difference and be a voice for the voiceless victims.
Here's how my challenge is going so far:

< Day 1 Day 2>

< Day 3

Day 4>

If you are interested in learning more about the Dressember movement feel free to read about it HERE

And if you want to join the movement or do something incredible this December feel free to check out my page HERE

~Thinking~

All about Elf on the Shelf!

Our elf has been up to some funny things this week. I'm trying to brainstorm some fun things to surprise my kids with for the next 2 weeks.

~Wanting~

To pig out on Christmas cookies. I got invited to a holiday cookie party tonight. I'm required to bring 72 cookies to exchange at the party.

Let me just say- it's taking ALL the self control I have to not eat my cookies before bringing them to the party! AHHH! So tempting!

It's a fun tradition that started 4 years ago.

I love the idea of bringing 6 dozen cookies to the party and exchanging what I baked with everyone for a dozen of each of their cookies.

That way all of my holiday baking gets done in one night- and I don't have to mess up my kitchen! HA!

I'm looking forward to sampling all the tasty holiday treats tonight!

Oh and in case you're wondering what I decided to make:

Lemon Squares

If you are interested in making them here's the recipe:

Lemon Squares

Ingredients:

1 C butter (2 sticks)

2 C flour

1/2 C powdered sugar

4 eggs

7 TB. lemon juice

2 C white sugar

1/4 C flour

1 tsp. baking powder

Icing:

2 C powdered sugar

3 TB butter

3 TB lemon juice

Directions:

Mix the first 3 ingredients to a cornmeal consistency and pat into a 9"x13" pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min. Put the next 5 ingredients in a blender. Blend well.

Pour over warm crust and bake for 25 min.

When crust cools, glaze with Icing.

To make icing, blend powdered sugar, butter and lemon juice. Spread on cake and let cool. Cut into small squares.

Enjoy! :)

~Needing~

To seriously finish up some TPT units I've been working on for awhile now! It may not happen until Christmas break when I've got a good chunk of time and some serious caffeine in my hands! :)

~Giving~

And lastly, I'll be giving away a little FREEBIE!!

This year for Christmas our elementary students will be performing for their families. Each class was responsible to prepare and present something and I thought it would be fun to teach my students a poem.

Since I could not, for the life of me, find a Christmas poem to teach them, I decided to just go ahead and make one.

It's not a masterpiece by any means, but if you're in a pinch and need something cute for your kiddos to share- it'll do just fine.