It’s been a busy week finishing up end of the year duties as Sara’s Room Parent and witnessing Kelly’s final moments in a classroom of teachers I think I hugged to death today.  Uh-huh, I cried all over them too.  It’s my JOB.  After retiring my grand plans to sew, I put together some fun “packaging” for Sara’s teachers’ gifts: the wood trays are painted with canoe paddles, the 3 summery kitchen towels are wrapped in a red ribbon, and I love the 3 little nautical tea lights.  The pitchers are clear glass with blue edging, and I filled those with a dozen roses, imagining that later, they will contain Sangria.  Or lemonade…you know, dealer’s choice.  Everyone donated some vacation “mad money” for our thank you cards, because what do America’s teachers deserve more than hugs and tea lights?  Cold, hard cash.  I’d give these women a kidney, and that’s no joke.  Last week, 2 of Sara’s teachers contacted me and offered to show us her final tests so they could help me design her summer at-home curriculum (it’s been long discussed that we’d be doing some repetition at home this summer).  Then they gave Greg and me their free hour today to go over every last bit of information, hand us a ton of supplies, and remind us to call anytime during the summer for assistance.

Did I mention cash and a kidney?  Because after this afternoon’s meeting, I might give them a new car.  I can’t BELIEVE I can’t sew this week.  Only handmade can express this kind of gratitude.

Now bring on the summer my friends!!  Who is ready to make some JAM?!