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I'm sorry to be such a bad blogger. Life has gotten in the way of documenting life. I will be back soon!

Teacher Appreciation Week…Day 4 & 5

I didn’t take pictures of our activity on day 4 but I brought in sugar cookies and gave each of the kids a little container of frosting and a plastic knife.  They frosted their own cookies and added sprinkles.  We also told Mrs. Cravatta all the things we liked about her.  Total cost $5.00 for the cookies.

On the last day we presented her with a book of notes that I had the kids write to her earlier in the week.  I also took individual photos of the kids.

I keep things pretty simple by just adding some punched out stars and their name.

Their note was on the back.  I had them come up one at a time and read their note to Mrs. Cravatta.  Most of them gave her a big hug too which melted my heart (and hers.)

When they finished reading their note, I put them all onto this binder ring tied with ribbons.

We also were able to give her a gift card to the Nike store (one of her favorite places to shop) and a gift certificate for a one hour full body massage!  I am soooooo lucky to have generous parents who can make this kind of spoiling possible.  I am even luckier to have such a wonderful teacher that I WANT to spoil!

Total cost for the book: $3.00 for the pictures

Teacher Appreciation Week…Day 3

Today was our Hawaiian theme.

The kids each got a lei and we drank blue Hawaiian Punch with umbrella straws.  One of the lei’s had a tiny ribbon tied into it and that child got to give Mrs. Cravatta her gift.  After two days of this, they are catching on—I saw a bunch of the kids looking for something “different” about their lei!  Cute!

We gave Mrs. Cravatta a decorated sand bucket filled with flip-flops, a Fiji water bottle and a gift certificate for a pedicure.

I downloaded Hawaiian Roller Coaster and Limbo Rock onto my ipod and we danced and did the limbo—including Mrs. Cravatta, which the kids LOVED!

Total Cost: $39.50

posterboard $.50, lei’s $4.00, umbrella straws $2.oo, Hawaiian Punch: $2.00, Fiji water: $2.00, flip flops: $1.00, pedi gift certificate $28.00

I didn’t include the cost of the cups and bucket because I already had those, or the songs because we will enjoy those this summer.

Teacher Appreciation Week 2011…Day 2

I used shipping labels to make stickers for each child.  I put little dot in the center of one of the flowers and that child got to give the flower gift to Mrs. Cravatta.

I bought annuals—enough to represent each child and just made quick little sticks with their names.

I told the kids and Mrs. Cravatta that she could plant these in her garden and she will remember each of her first graders all summer as the flowers grow.  Anna said, “And when they die, you will forget all about us.”  Hysterical.  Mrs. Cravatta assured them that they were unforgettable!

Total cost: $9.50  ($9.00 for flowers and $.50 for the posterboard)

Teacher Appreciation Week 2011…Day 1

Today we did a Rock Star theme. 

I painted this posterboard and hung it outside Jack’s class.

I used an old cd case and made a paper “cd”.  I used glue dots to affix the itunes card.

Then wrapped it in a bow.

I gave all the kids a “backstage pass” and told them to wear it all day and show EVERYONE in school and tell them that Mrs. Cravatta rocks.  One of the passes had a star on the back and that child got to give her the gift.

I also brought my ipod and we danced to Dynamite by Taio Cruz which was the least offensive dance song on my playlist. 

Total cost: $10.50 ($10 for the itunes card and $.50 for the posterboard. I already had everything else.)

I really like to include the kids in teacher appreciation gifts—that way it’s fun for everyone!

Stay tuned for the rest of our week!