Quite possibly the best teach gift EVER. (Second only behind handmade cards with words spelled correctly....)

The last day of school is always bittersweet.  We’re ALL exhausted and feeling like we’ve all spent a BIT too much time together.  On the other hand, our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that there will be some faces that we may not see again.  We all buckle up at 8:00, and steel ourselves for the onslaught of emotion that comes every single year.

 

The kids fly into the room one by one and race to give the teacher a present or a wonderful handmade card they worked on all night.  I am always shocked at the thoughtfulness of parents as I realize how hard it is to find the time AND money to get the teacher a gift. 

 

This year I was thrilled by the cards made by the children, and was especially proud that they could spell AND write so well!  I loved the beautiful necklace that Jane gave me (Pier One- who knew?); the yummy dark chocolate bars that Gavin taped to his amazing card; the gift cards from Kay and Poppy to some local shops and the coupon for a mani and pedi from Emily.  I will also enjoy the homemade sugar scrub from Anna, and adore the ceramic pot her mother made that holds the scrub. 

However, I have to give amazing props to Gavin’s mother.

I walked down the hall as the children were dismissed, and she ran towards me like a salmon running upstream.

“Mrs. Smythe!  Gavin gave you the card HE made, but he forgot to give you the card that I made!”  She handed me a card, gave me a hug and turned and joined the crowd heading out the doors.

It wasn’t until after the children left and the adults were gathered in the foyer of the school that I had a chance to open the card.  She had written a beautiful note that went something like this…

Dear Mrs. Smythe, 

There are not adequate words to express our gratitude for all the loving care that you’ve given our children these past two years! We are so thankful for the positive influence you make every day and the warm and welcoming environment you create.  The very least we can do to show our ginormous love and respect for you is to treat you to a trip to the “candy store”!  Have a fabulous summer!

Love,

The Pebbles

And then I opened the tiny envelope.  Inside was a gift card for the Wine and Spirit Shoppe….for fifty dollars.  FIFTY DOLLARS!!! Do you know how much vodka that buys???

Methinks someone reads my blog…p.s.