Start the Bidding!

I recently found myself part of 'The Project Committee for The Night of Magic School Auction for Room 4.' Yes, a rather long-winded title for a Kindergarten Committee but, there you have it. It fell to a few of us Mums to come up with a project that involved creations from the kiddos that would be a biddable item in the school fundraising auction. There were meetings for brainstorming, ideas discussed, planning for work times, canvassing for donations, and then the actual making of the thing. It was fun, it was hard, I learned a lot.

As it was the first time on such a committee for all of us moms, we were sort of flying by the seat of our pants and crossing our fingers that this would all come out in the end.

We started off with the kids painting tiles with images of flowers. One of the moms took the tiles to be fired in a kiln. What happy bright tiles we ended up with! Next came a vintage door - onto which the tiles were set and grouted. Some of us pilfered our leftovers from home improvement projects for extra tiles to fill in (there's a bit of our shower tile in there!). The door was then given a fresh coat of paint and a vintage door knob for fun.

Then, the planter box was designed and beautifully made by The Engineer (well done dear!) It turned out so great, I am quite pleased for there were a few 'iffy' moments along the way.

But for the kid's tiles, the project was made with all reclaimed materials. Now it is off to the auction for Friday night!

I must thank all the moms who put in the time and hard work to help create this unique piece of art. And of course, many thanks to the very crafty Engineer who was volunteered by me without his knowledge!

I would also like to give a little mention to the wonderful businesses who donated materials - without them this would not have come together. So thank you...
The Rebuilding Center
Salvage Works
Miller Paint
Pistils Nursery

Now, I am off for a cuppa and a sigh of relief that this is one project ticked off the list. Have a lovely day!

Dumb Stuff

The other day I decided to create a homework station for Pony girl. I found a great wooden box in the basement and carefully gathered up supplies. I re-purposed jars and cans to hold the rainbow of crayons, markers, pencils and sundry necessities. I printed up worksheets, made special notebooks and generally had a really good time putting it all together.

I just kept thinking about when I was 5, and how receiving this bright happy box of stuff would have made me over-the-moon happy. Obviously my love of school/office supplies began early in life. I smiled and hummed as I placed everything in the box, glue, scissors, construction paper...

O.k. I know she's in Kindergarten and there isn't a lot of homework but, it's never too early to start good habits. Also, all her art supplies for the daily coloring and drawing sessions are in one place. And, it looks awfully pretty in all it's bright and cheerful color.

On my way to pick her up from school that day I was feeling quite excited. Driving home, I told her that because she had been doing so well in school, I was very proud of her and that I had a surprise for her at home. "What is it Mama?" she demanded to know. "You'll see," I said with a big grin on my face.

She raced in the door and looked around wildly. I had my big "TA DA!" moment and presented her with the box. She gazed at it a minute and said, "No really, where's my prize?" I assured her that this was it and talked about how awesome it was, pointing out all the features. She looked crestfallen and told me, "Mama, that's just Dumb Stuff!" The passion for supplies has apparently skipped a generation so I answered, "Actually, that is Smart Stuff!" She wasn't falling for it in the slightest. "Alright," I said, "let's make play-dough." To which, there was a much more enthusiastic response.

That night, after Pony Girl was sound asleep, I took the box over to the table. I sat down and lost myself in colors and paper. I snipped, traced, colored, glued and lettered in bliss. Oh, she'll come around, I thought...how can she resist?

Lay of the Land

Well, we've just about made it through our first full week of school and I think we are getting the hang of it. We now know where all the restrooms are, the gym, and have navigated the cafeteria with aplomb. I am starting to get the hang of packing lunches, sorting school clothes and going through all the papers that come home at the end of the day.

Pony Girl's first day was a bit overwhelming for both of us. When I picked her up, she had a faintly dazed look about her, glasses askew on her sweet face, sweater dragging behind her and dizzily making her way through the throng of milling children and anxious parents. On the ride home she proudly exclaimed, "I only cried 3 times mama, 'cause I missed you so much!" She then re-enacted her lamentations for me, all with subtle changes in desperation and posture. I asked if she made any friends and she told me yes, their names however, were not forth coming. She did inform me that she "loves monkey boy," (apparently a boy in her class who as of yesterday, remains named only "Monkey Boy").

She is not divulging too much information concerning her school time activities but, has reported that her "teacher is quite nice", that the music teacher is "very musical", and that there have been no tears since Monday afternoon.

I do believe we are getting the lay of the land and that our routines will be second nature very soon. Thanks again for all the encouraging comments, they helped a lot!

Have a wonderful weekend!

First Day of Kindergarten

Have a wonderful weekend!