Thanksgiving already??

I love how I created a blog after graduation, and I've completely failed to update it regularly. I guess I've just resorted to leaving my blogs for special occasions. I love changing my blog background and music for the holidays....makes me so happy! It's a way for me to be crafty online....so much cleaner and less messy!

I'm sitting on my kitchen table listening to Taylor Swift's "Last Christmas" and catching up with All My Children (the soap opera I've watched since I could walk basically...thanks Mom!) Back to the Chrstimas music... Yup, I began the Christmas music super early as usual and I have no shame whatsoever :) Last week I was lucky to find out the KOST was already playing Christmas music. The glorious moment occurred in the car, driving to the mall with Mom. I turned on the radio....and SUPRISE! Needless to say...I was super duper excited. Earlier that day, I was listening to KOST and they were still play soft-rock. Apparently, I missed the transition...and according to KOST, it was pretty epic. Michael Buble crashed the broadcast room and started the Christmas party. I was beyond excited to drive to work the next morning with my KOST friends.

This is the first year I've had a whole week off for Thanksgiving! My school, along with pretty much all schools in the area, had a week off ...thanks to furlough. OH YEA! I forgot to mention this....I have a job at the elementary school I interned at last year - Meadow Park Elementary! I am an aide to the Education Specialist. I love my job because I get to go around to different classrooms every day, and I get to know so many students! In addition to being an aide in the classroom, I also do lunch duty and 2nd grade P.E. I love walking on campus, and a student passes by, smiles, and says "Hi, Ms. Toyos!" I think they really love me! Starting in January, I will be working, and taking classes at CSUF to obtain my Special Ed Credential. AND and I will be studying like no other for the CSET....it's this crazy 3-part test that will test my knowledge in all areas of L.A, science, social studies, math, p.e, performing arts (pretty much everything a student needs to know up to 6th grade). I should be studying this week....but I am just so overwhelmed with the festiveness of the season (as usual....). This will not be possible next christmas....or possible the christmas after that. I'll be so busy with work and school....I need to take advantage of my time now!

Anyways...back to the purpose of this blog :) Tis the season to be thankful! I've never written a thanksgiving entry - but I figure, why not start a tradition today! Hmm...i just had a super cheesy idea.....years from now when I have thanksgiving at my house, I will give everyone in my a piece of paper and they will write down all the things they are thankful for. And then after they're done, they can hang their paper (hopefully on the mantel above a fireplace! haha i'm a dreamer), so everyone can walk around and read all the papers! Random cute story from work....one of the 2nd graders I work with was writing all the things he was thankful for around a cornucopia...and he asked me how to spell broccoli. How cute! However, a part of me made me wonder if he was just trying to impress me... LOL He doesn't have to do that....in fact, all the children amaze me...even when I have to take away their silly bandz.

Diana's "I Am Thankful For....." 2010 *this will be like word vomit....just what comes to my head first*

• Mommy - you amaze me with your strength...especially after this summer's emergency. I still can't believe all the crazy things that happened from May to August...it's like a dream. I love you!
• Daddy - Thanks for eating Cinnamon Glaze bagels with me :) Oh yea....and letting me call you a Grinch Hahaha! Ur totally not a Grinch...that's why it's so funny to call you one! I love you!
• David - Big brother! Thanks for not getting mad at me when I can't come to your shows anymore...I'm such a granny!! Thanks for bringing the musical skills and knowledge to the family...you definitely win in that department! I love you!
• My grandparents <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFq4Cv9NfUCiNQVEZJd0zvEUsjk-abw7OLmzc5LM_WngKdqu8Q6mYx5IUMhGhcOHYyAQIQQFm5XBmnG9PKdctaGpRw7-D6yTx9-1tseI812D0RoudZcvVO4enOviFxyXqdIYkVihN1E8/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG">
• Hillary - Bestie! Thanks for always being there....even across the country! I'm thankful for our trips to N'Style....whenever you're in town! Love you girly!
• Claire - Thank you for still being silly with me whenever we're together....it always feels like the good ol days when I'm with you. I'm thankful for the silly memories of us from colorguard!
  
• Cody - Thank you for making me the luckiest girl ever! You're like my prince and I'm you're princess....that's how you make me feel every day <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbsvJJ1VE5Nknol5mx8uZFcWOkNoijXzkLzFuslPWMSTdqlzMRzy56ZoAjLa7I5BpKY80J9nOsV6IGH1Ji9hl9ONWGu75JK0d5WceE7BnC9m9TqfbDNTVQe0zg5l9pV_nSbN6BkNH8fQ/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG">
• my G-Phi sisters!
• My Muppet Family - thanks for keeping me young, and not so granny all the time!!
• Dozer and Toby.....thanks for being yourselves...you're both so silly! I only wish I could say hello, without you getting mad at me!
• my cat Emily....You give me smiles just by sleeping in a box day in and day out...now that calls for major thanks!
• My Meadow Park family...all the teachers and staff! Thanks for making me feel so welcome!
  
• my job....even though I get stressed sometimes, in the end, the children are totally worth it <3>
• My students
  
• Dr. Laura and all her wise ways - she keeps me grounded
• Coffee
• laptop
• cupcakes
• crafts
• crochet
• coloring books
• dresses
• coats
• pictures
• the holiday spirit
• my home
• East Lake Village
• the Christmas lights on all the houses
• country music
• the ability to dance
• Celine Dion
• Taylor Swift
• Lionel Richie
• KOST 103.5
• cupcakes
• Red Robin
• coffee
• Peppermint mocha
• McDonald's Iced Coffe - sugar free vanilla
• Dove Dark Chocolate
• Christmas Music
• holiday craft fairs
• having students randomly give me hugs
• hearing Ms. Toyos in class
• when I can help a crying student feel better
• my car
• knowing how to make gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches
• picture frames
• my dreams for the future
• Old Navy
• Kohls
• cuddles
• hugs
  
• Disneyland! Especially during Christmas with Cody <3
• America!
• simple things
  
• hot chocolate with whipped cream
• K-Cup coffee maker
• Michael's (the craft store)
• cookbooks
• costco trips
• pretty parties
• anything handmade
• super cute apron :)
• seeing families together
• watching children take their yearly Christmas picture
• Mom's macaroni and cheese
• pizza
• sleep

Not even done yet...but I'm tired. LOL

What are YOU thankful for?