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Today while I was hula hooping in the big yard, Amalie said, “Not only are you my beloved teacher, but you’re my rockin’ teacher too!”
This summer Paul and I decided we both needed a bit of a break, to stay fresh for the kids and to keep our sanity in tact. Sarah so generously has granted these longed for wishes and let us sail away for a week or three while we have our wonderful Renee with us this summer.
Paul has been gone for three weeks and will return next Monday. However, I am then due to take my leave for the following three weeks. And while I am eager to spend some home time with my family, this is something that I haven’t done in over four years and I’m getting a little bit nervous.
I’m not nervous about hanging with my family (although I probably should be.) I’m feeling quaky about leaving my other kids. I have only taken one day off this year and I can barely stand to be away from them (even when I can barely stand them!)
I was laying in bed last night and all I could think about was, what field trips will I miss while I’m gone – will they go somewhere fun without me and is that legal (in a moral sense of the word legal)?
So, I’m kind of joking here but only kind-of. I’m not sure I know how to step away from this world I’ve created with these children that are so much a part of me and my daily life.
Sheesh, I know, it’s only three weeks but what if someone learns how to do a back flip or becomes the next Jeopardy champion or moves to Alabama! while I’m spending some much needed down time.
I’ll be in and out of here, as I know, I know, I have some catching up to do! I can hear you all from your houses stammering under your breath, “Why isn’t Michelle putting photos of my kid on the blog – what does she have better to do?”
This idea started long ago with the idea that Sarah would give our class “manners” lessons – she being British and we, well being US! Then we thought it would be fun to have a formal party and off we went on a journey taking us months to plan. We made a menu and began making the items during our weekly Cooking with Kathleen class and freezing them. The kids did literally EVERYTHING! Well, except for Kathleen who of course always goes above and beyond the call of duty to make everything wonderful and delish (cooking is one of our favorite classroom activities).
We even made all of the salad from what we grew ourselves in our very own organic garden. What a pleasure it was to walk outside and pull up all of our spinach and lettuce for this occasion.
Sophia typed up the menu, Anya added a picture. So many of us made the lovely tissue paper flowers. And we spend the day having manners class, making appetizers, getting the calzones stuffed, and finishing up the toppings for the salad and ice cream sundae’s (we even made the salad dressing and hot fudge). Everything was beautiful.
We decided this should be “formal.” And how we love what formal means to each individual person. Zavier picked a fancy bug out of a book and asked his mom to make him the wings to wear.
Harriette was set on a tuxedo – so sweet!
How precious was the moment that Jacob discovered that he and his dad had on matching outfits.
And Alex came adorned in his magician outfit – tada!
I nearly ate Justin up as he came in the door with his suit and peach colored tie on.
We had appetizers outside to kick off the dinner. Sarah took my camera just after I made my huge splash on the pavement, tossing my glass, saving my slightly smashed camera and falling back onto my very own child – whew, thank goodness the camera still works (Autumn was fine too!)
Then we all went inside to eat. The kids served their parents dinner and dessert.
It was all so lovely.
And me recovering with a skinned elbow and sprained foot – the only major wounds of the night -thanks Sarah!
Hot Fudge Sundae’s!
by candle light.
Then of course, after the tables were cleared, the kids were off to play.
While the boys did the dishes.
Late that night, I found the last of the kids all eating ice from this bucket.
Bedtime anyone?
Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate with us. We had such a wonderful time and made so many memories. And especially, thank you Kathleen, you are our ever wonderful and patient cooking teacher. Our class wouldn’t be the same without you. Because while Paul and I may be delicious, you are simply scrumptious. We send you peace and love right now.
The Mystery Bay Classroom auction project is almost ready for it’s unveiling.
Our project this year is photography. Each student and teacher (the teacher photos may not make it into the final piece – they are extra in case they are needed to fill in the frame) took a picture of something they either love at school or find esthetically pleasing. Then I dusted them off a bit in handy dandy Photoshop. They are going to be matted and framed as one art piece.
Bid away folks!
But first we have a sneak preview of the photos (without the frame of course – and this may or may not be the order they will be in once they are mounted).
Enjoy:
Click below to see them close up with the photographer’s name attached.
…are now on my new external hard drive. I haven’t been able to download any photos, which makes it awfully hard to post photos. I filled one external hard drive already since I’ve been taking photos everyday of your lovely children for over four years now.
And to think, I always thought I would be a Luddite.
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