bittersweet

Wow.  Been a while since I posted, huh?  Those of you who were hearing the crickets chirping, thanks for sticking with me, I appreciate it. 

Today was the last day of school.  While it's always a bit melancholy, this is the first year we don't have to worry whether or not the school will be reopening again in the fall, so that's definitely good news.

I will sincerely miss both of my girls' teachers. 

 
Rebecca's third grade teacher was new to our school, so a total wild card in terms of what to expect.  She was beyond amazing.  More than we could have hoped for. Of course, I had to make her a you're-an-incredible-teacher gift, so I went to my old standby and made another covered notebook.   This time I used Craft Apple's Small Books pattern.  I go back and forth between Linda's and Kathy's patterns, I love them both.

Rebecca's teacher is a real Hello Kitty fan, so inside the notebook is a surprise blast of Hello Kitty in turquoise.  I hope she likes it even a fraction as much as we like her. 

 
I love glueing a scrap of fabric on top of the notepad.  Adds an extra, easy finishing touch.  I just use glue stick.  Jessica's Kindergarten teacher already has one of these, because I made it for her two years ago when she was Rebecca's first grade teacher.  I wasn't sad when Rebecca left her because I knew/hoped I'd have another chance to help out in her classroom with Jessie.  Now, I'm definitely more than a little sad. 

 
With the leftover quilted fabric from the book cover (I love how Linda's pattern allows for such excess - takes away the stress of quilting something and having it shrink up too much), I made the girls some reversible cuffs and a bookmark.  Seemed a shame to waste such cute fabric, and the sizes worked out perfectly (no picture of the bookmark, though, I can't find it).

 
Finally, for the new principal, who is warm and friendly, treats me as a valuable, appreciated member of the school, and works her bu** off every single day, I made a patchwork lanyard with school-themed fabrics, and she literally jumped out of her chair when she saw it.  Funny, because when I showed my husband he was kind of "meh" about it, and Jessie said, "You know, she already *has* one of those?"  Gee, they kinda deflated me, but the principal's reaction and deep hug more than made up for that.

 
And now, the crafting stuff is over, and the proud mommy stuff begins.  Yesterday was the Academic Awards ceremony, and while I knew Rebecca would be getting an award, I wasn't aware that she would receive the three highest honors, straight A's for all trimesters.  She got a trio of fancy certificates, a glittery gold pencil, a gift certificate for Benihana, and a shiny gold trophy that's sitting proudly atop our television set.  I teared up. 

Let the summer begin.  First on the agenda, free Krispy Kreme tomorrow for National Donut Day.  Sweet!

Comments

[dottycookie]

Have a wonderful summer. While you and your girls are lucky to have such great teachers, I think they're lucky to have you too!