Santa Sammy strikes again!
pamelamyers | December 23, 2016
Sam came home from school today with the cutest gift for Mark and I. She made this candle at school. We just love it! I can’t wait to display it every year.
Party Time
pamelamyers | December 22, 2016
Today was Samantha’s holiday party at school. Originally, I didn’t expect to go but then luckily, a few days ago, one of the homeroom moms asked me if I was free and could help out. Of course! I was so happy to get to go to Sam’s party. It never is a bad idea to befriend a homeroom mom. That way, you get asked to do all the fun stuff because she likes you, but have none of the actual responsibility since, you know, you’re not the actual homeroom mom! 😉
Sam made sure she was decked in her party gear. I think she looks like the cutest elf!
At the party, the kids were busy making a craft/gift and a fancy bag to bring it home in. Here is Sam with some of her friends in the midst of craft making.
The kids also made food for the reindeer (oatmeal with lots of sprinkles and glitter) and snowman soup (hot chocolate with marshmallows, Hershey’s kisses and candy canes). I don’t know how many kids asked me if it was ok for the reindeer to eat glitter, Sam included…
Outside the classroom, we had a photo op!
Here is the craft the kids made. Sam’s came out pretty nice.
After all the activities were done, they played snowman bingo.
Sam gave Mrs. Hall her gift before the party was over. We got her a gift card for Amazon because, well…who doesn’t like Amazon? and a mug with her initial on it and some cozy socks.
As the party came to a close, we got the entire class outside for a portrait. Say Christmas! I love being able to be in Sam’s school as much as humanely possible. It is one of the major reasons I still work part-time. I don’t want to miss out on the opportunities to share in her days and to be present. Every time I come to school, no matter what the reason, Sam is so happy. She likes knowing I am there and that I really am interested in what she does all day. It will make me sad when the day comes that there are not so many chances to sneak a peek into her daily life. I will really miss it. But for now, I am grabbing every chance I get to be there, to share, and to experience life as she sees it.
Holiday Sing!
pamelamyers | December 21, 2016
Yesterday was Sam’s holiday concert at school. She has been singing and singing at home, practicing all the songs. When the big day came, we were happy to see that she was in the front row – again! She was super excited to wear her sparkly dress and her high heels for the occasion.
We all came out to see her, me, Mark, Grandmom and Pop Pop. Sam had a special guest, her cousin Trinity, since Pop Pop was babysitting that day. Sam had quite the cheering section right there up front – I always make sure to go early so we get great seats!
Sam sang every single song…
…and even did some of the hand movements, but not all of them. Later that day, I asked her why she doesn’t do them during the concert but she does them at home and she told me, “I just want to sing.” Ok. Whatever works!
They sang a bunch of old standbys like Rudolph, as well as a Hanukkah song and I think one that was sort of Kwanzaa related, but my favorite was Suzy Snowflake. It was really cute when the kids sang, All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. They all looked so adorable in their holiday finest.
When the show was over, we got a chance to get close and grab a picture or two before they had to go back to class.
Trinity and Sam stood together for this cute photo.
One last shot of Sam with her friends, Adrianna and Ella.
Congratulations, Sam on another fabulous show! You’re a star!
Santa Sammy
pamelamyers | December 16, 2016
Sam spent all week being Santa at school. A few weeks ago, we had been discussing how I had to buy something for her teacher, Mrs. Hall, when she suddenly told me that she wanted to get something not only for Mrs. Hall, but for all her Specials teachers. All of them. All 8 of them. And not only did she want to buy them gifts, but she knew exactly what she wanted to buy. Charms. A charm of something that shows what they do. Now, yes. It is creative. It is sweet. It is thoughtful. But my first thought was, where the heck am I going to find charms of all the things she wanted? Ok, the real question is, where the heck am I going to find charms of all the things she wanted that also would not cost me a fortune?
I did some Internet digging and, voila! Exactly what she wanted, all from one store. And inexpensive to boot. Here is what she chose:
For Mr. Patella, her Nutrition teacher, an apple.
For Mr. Francis, her Gym teacher, a baseball.
For Mrs. Reilly, the Librarian, a book.
For Mrs. Kobylarz, her Art teacher, a box of crayons.
For Mrs. App, her Reading Workshop teacher (who always brings her guitar), a guitar.
For Mrs. Coover, her Guidance Counselor, a heart.
For Mrs. Matteo, her Music teacher, a music note.
For Mrs. Whittaker, her Writing Workshop teacher, a pencil.
She brought them this week and presented each teacher with his or her gift. We included this note, which Samantha signed:
I have a little present
to show you that you’re the best
I hope that you will wear it
or keep it by your desk.
I chose this especially for you.
Thank you for being a great teacher!
She told me about her teacher’s reactions, and what they did with their charms. A few either sent home or emailed her a thank you note, thanking her for being so incredibly thoughtful. Sam told me, “I think all of my Specials teachers are in love with me now.” Sammy, I don’t know how they can’t be.
Report Card
pamelamyers | December 15, 2016
Sam brought home her report card today. It was just as we expected from talking with her teacher. Just wonderful (except for the handwriting part…) Way to go, Sam! We knew you were brilliant!