One goes to First Grade!

Lost the kids

So I didn't really lose my kids today
but they played in the backyard
for SIX HOURS!!

And they never once came in
because of a spat!

I'm telling you, it's a miracle!

Of course, they came inside looking like this:

And I ended up with the time to do this
for One's (First Grade!) class:

Names for their desks
Names on peel-and-stick envelopes for who-knows-what
First 100 Spanish frequent words
First 100 English frequent words

Let me tell you, writing with a sharpie?
Does wonders for your handwriting!
I think I might need to start doing it all of the time!
(Although I do confess my hatred for curly-q letters...)

For the maestra

Today I have been working on an apron for One's Spanish teacher in the dual-immersion program. According to One, Sra M wears one everyday. (Wouldn't you? All those sticky fingers...) I am really not liking the fabric as it is pictured, but it is still so pretty just looking at it, so you'll just have to trust me on this one. It is, of course, still in need of a pocket (as both of my others are still waiting as well), but this one gets priority and is guaranteed to get done because the last time I saw Sra M in an apron, her pockets were weighed down with all sorts of teacher-things. This pocket is a MUST.

Sra M is so amazing! She spends her days with 60 kindergartners, a good 20+ or so who have no idea what she's saying, yet she always has a smile on her face. One has the most perfect spanish accent/pronunciation because of her, and most importantly, he attributes all of his recently acquired dance moves to her. That alone just might be worth it.

Brought to you by the letter T

Today's craft was brought to you by the letter T, for teacher. More specifically, One's kindergarten english teacher. Our neighborhood school has a dual-immersion program where half of their day is taught in english and half of their day is in spanish (so he also has a Spanish teacher). By the time they complete elementary school, the kids are completely bilingual. It's fantastic. This gift is for his english teacher. She is the most wonderful, stereotypically perfect kindergarten teacher. One comes home spouting all sorts of info and quirky little phrases to remember how to write numbers or how to be quiet. That one happens to be my favorite:

zip it

lock it

put it in your pocket

How perfect for a chatty 5 yr old! One very seriously informed me that that was about taking a pretend zipper and key to perform those functions. Silly mom! When I ask him where he learns all this fabulous info, his answer is almost always this teacher, Mrs P. I saw a gorgeous scarf during the holiday season and thought it would be perfect for Mrs P. Also very easy to make and inexpensive...about $3. I bought 6 inches of four coordinating fabrics (I know, I fudged the odd-number rule) and cut them into 2 1/2" and 4 1/2" strips. My pattern was three 2 1/2 inch strips, then one 4 1/2 strip. That design could be divided into enough pieces for THREE SCARVES!!! I also bought 6 inches of burgundy fleece to line it with so it will be extra cozy. Here is the front of it:



Those colors aren't accurate. The white is actually a nice creamy yellow. And the dark fabric isn't nearly so dark. It's actually really pretty and I'm hoping Mrs P will love it and know how much we appreciate her.