MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Teuscher family (and Santa) Wish you a Merry Christmas!!

After taking our picture with Santa Ryan said to me,

"Next year can we go to a Santa that gives a Christmas coloring book instead of this educational stuff."

Me: (very confused) Didn't you get a coloring book?

Ryan: Yeah, but it's all about saving money, it has nothing to do with Christmas.

Me: I guess that's what happens when the bank sponsors Santa!

On further inspection...here are the words in the book (imagine corresponding pictures)
page 1: Money comes in two forms -bills and coins
page 2: Be smart. Learn how money works and where you can make it grow.
page 3: The people you give your money to are called tellers. When you give them your money, it is called a deposit. Your money is placed in a checking or savings account in your name and can be withdrawn at your request.
page 4: People who have checking accounts don't have to carry a lot of money. They keep it safe in their account and pay for things by check.
page 5: The money that stays in a savings accoutn earns interest and grows.
page 6: People save to take vacations.
page 7: People save to buy a new house.
page 8: Some people save for a comfortable retirement.
page 9: If you save your money, it will be like having your own money tree that grows and grows.
page10: You can save for your future education. You need a good education to get a good job.
page11: You can save to buy presents for special friends.
page12: You can save for the things you would like to have
page13: You can earn money by doing chores. You can save the money you get as gifts or you can save part of your allowance.
page14: Your plan for saving and spending money is called a budget. Be smart. Learn to budget your money wisely and always save some.

So while your kids are getting a sugar high from that candy cane Santa gave them, mine will be opening retirement accounts.

Friday Flashback

In honor of the "Friday Flashback" I thought I'd post this picture. I have no idea how old I am in this picture but for as long as I can remember, the Downey 1st Ward had a Christmas program/dinner/activity that included Santa. (This must have been a good year - notice the fancy background!) Santa would always give us these netted stockings that had mostly gross candy in them. Oh, how we craved that stocking! I remember standing in line saying over and over in my mind what I was going to ask for. Of course, when I got to Santa I would have the "Ralphie moment" and draw a blank. I let(or force) my kids to take a picture with Santa every year. It just isn't Christmas without a visit to Santa!

Hooked on Phonics ROCKS

My sister-in-law sent me this email this week. I've been under the weather and this made me laugh. I thought it was blogworthy.

My five-year old students are learning to read.
yesterday one of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said, "Look at this! It's a frickin' elephant!"

I took a deep breath, then asked..."What did you call it?"

"It's a frickin' elephant! It says so on the picture!"

And so it does...

" A f r i c a n Elephant "