Valentine's Day Stories from a Retired Teacher

Happy Valentine's Day! I think Valentine's Day was my favorite holiday to spend with my students.  First grade was the best because the children could read their valentines by themselves for the first time. It was so much fun listening to them read their cards and laugh. When I taught kindergarten it was fun watching them read the names of their classmates.  I have been retired since 2003 and I always seem to reflect back on this day more than any other.

I am going to share two stories that come to my mind this morning. First let me say that an elementary teacher wears many hats.....mother, counselor, actress, judge, and the list could go on. I must say all the while you are doing your best to educate these children. I need to get back to my stories. The first one is about a little girl who wanted to bring me flowers and she did. I always made a big deal when a child gave me something, even if it was a picture they colored or a page torn from a magazine. I think you get the idea. That morning this child brought me some silk flowers and I went on about how pretty they were. I knew they had been outdoors for some time and had an idea where they came from. It didn't take long for this kindergartner to share where she got them and I was correct in my thinking. Did it matter? No, she just wanted to have something for her teacher.

Another time I had a little guy that never got to bring anything to school. Never had his snacks, etc. On this Valentine's Day he brought me a box of chocolate covered cherries. I love all things chocolate except chocolate covered cherries. I thanked this child and went on how wonderful it was that he thought of me. Now if it had been any other kind of chocolate I would have eaten some during the day. Later  on in the afternoon his caretaker came to school and called him to the office. He returned and got the chocolates off my desk and gave them to someone else more important. Did it matter? No, but I thought it was a good thing I had not opened them. This child did not know what was going on. All he knew is he got to give a gift to two people who made a big deal out of him. 

Thanks for letting me ramble about my memories. Have you made someone feel special today? I hope so.

  I love fresh flowers and my husband surprised me with some this morning. Fresh flowers just add something to a room.

 I made a chocolate cake this morning. Do we need it? Most definitely not, but we can enjoy some and give the rest away.

Remember I like chocolate and so does my husband!

Hoping you have a great day!

Birthday Gifts

Don't you just love pretty packages? I do. I have a friend whose birthday is today and I know she likes the colors pink and green together. That is why this gift is wrapped using those colors.



 I wanted to make her an apron. I looked for fabric with a french flair and found this one with Eiffel towers on it, My friend was a french teacher for many years and she loves anything french. Perfect fabric added to a black towel and white rick rack to enhance the waist made for a good combo.



I found the spreaders in early January and they were the real inspiration for the selection of fabric.
Isn't it fun giving gifts?

Happy Birthday! I am glad you like your gift.

Stuart Turns One

Stuart turns one today. I never realized how much a grandchild adds to your life. Stuart hasn't been feeling well so he had a small party with just family. His mom made these cute cupcakes.

Stuart found a gift before we started his "party" and he was ready to unwrap.

The cupcakes were made using double stuffed oreos and Reese's pieces. They were cute and delicious.

This is Stuart's first time to eat a cupcake. He enjoyed this first experience.

Stuart enjoyed a new book.

Stuart has truly been a blessing to our family. Wow, this year has flown by. Happy Birthday, Stuart!

 Stuart, our grandson, turns one this week and I knew he could use a hooded towel. I wanted to applique something appropriate for a little boy. I liked this little whale.

 Stuart likes bath time so he should enjoy his new towel, especially after he rides in his new red wagon from Pawpaw and Nana.

 I have a friend that loves to bake and I wanted to try her strawberry bread recipe. It made 12 mini loaves and 1 large loaf.

I am sharing some of the bread and my husband and I are enjoying the other. It is delicious!

Placemats

 My oldest daughter, Katie, bought this cute fabric last summer. She brought it home Christmas and we couldn't decide what to make with it. It was a yard of each piece.

 I remembered seeing some placemats on someone's blog or either Pinterest and thought why not try that.

 You need one yard to make four napkins. The placemats call for a yard of fabric for the top and one yard for the lining. A total of three yards.....one yard of each fabric.

 The napkins looked good on the turquoise and khaki placemats. The options are limitless. She will be able to use different color plates as well.

I would like to see how pink or red plates look. Katie, I hope you enjoy your new placemats and napkins.