// End of the Year + DIY Teacher Appreciation Gifts


Yesterday was Toby's last day in pre-K. What?! I remember his very first day like it just happened... in his khaki shorts and his plaid shirt, toting that shark backpack like a boss. It's so crazy to think that was just 9 months ago, but now he's this little man, ya know? I'm so so glad we put him in the program because it has made a world of difference in his demeanor. From how he interacts with people to the knowledge he's gained.... he's a totally different kid. I'm sure that's just the nature of the beast, with kids growing up at what feels like a rapid rate, but I know going to school a year early has impacted him for the better. Toby had two amazing teachers this year and I've grown to adore them so much. Their kindness and consideration for him and their other students knows no bounds. We wanted to do a little something special for them to say thanks, so last night Toby and I painted these terra cotta pots to give to them before his final program today.

I seriously have tears in my eyes writing this... and part of me isn't 100% sure if it's because I'm so floored at how quickly he's growing up, or because he will officially be home 24/7 starting at 11am today haha! Kidding! (Kind of...) The balancing act of being pregnant, a work at home mom, and having a full-time 5 year old at home is about to begin! (I'm terrified!) But really, I've also just been incredibly hormonal so the occasional crying sesh on the way to school may or may not have happened... He's going to be in kindergarten in just a few months! What in the world?! Ah, anyway, enough of that. It's probably only shocking to me haha
I had seen some similar DIY teacher gifts on Pinterest at the beginning of the year, but I never really found who did it first. There's not really anything to it, as I'm sure you can tell. You just take a terra cotta pot, some paint, and then you do that! Haha I didn't photograph the steps because there's seriously no point. I just used whatever I had on hand. The top is acrylic paint and the bottom is chalkboard. Then I used Sharpies for the ruler portion (because no one in our town sells paint pens?!) and acrylic paint for the letters. I let Toby write his name on the back of the pots and I just went over it to make it a bit thicker and uniform. We chose to add in some marigolds since the school colors are black and gold. He handed them to his teachers when he went into school this morning and he looked so handsome in his little oxford shirt and cords. 

Today he has his final program at 10am and I'm counting down the minutes. He's been practicing his singing in the car lately and apparently one of the songs is a rap... and it's hilarious. They even beat box! Mike can't be there since he has such a strict school schedule, but I'll definitely be recording it on my phone so he can experience it, too.

Now I need to scramble to find Toby 2.5 months worth of activities to do so I can be productive while he's home every day! Wish me luck! xo

10 comments:

  1. This is so sweet and it's something a teacher can keep and have for a long time while it keeps growing :) love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is such a cute gift idea for teachers Ill have to pass it along to my sister for my nephew who is in preK right now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw you totally should! It was a cheap and easy gift, but I feel like it made such an impact!

      Delete
  3. THAT is so cute! I love when my students bring me flowers I can plant or in planters instead of cute flowers! It gives me a constant reminder of them! And that pot! That pot is so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was our thought, too! I hope they keep them and reuse them even if the marigolds die eventually! It was a fun little project for us to do :D

      Delete
  4. The handwriting is always what gets me! I get things from my six-year-old niece in the mail - she signs her own cards now(!!!!) - and her slightly-shaky handwriting just KILLS me. Just even to compare it to last year and see how much better she's gotten at writing it out makes me feel like, when did I blink and my niece is suddenly almost seven? I remember holding her! I remember her being born. Time is crazy.

    That is super cute. I bet his teachers loved it!

    You say 'going to school a year early'... is Pre-K not something everyone does in your area? I grew up where ERRRR'BODY went to pre-K, but have found that it seems really regional as to whether or not it's considered common/necessary for all kids to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of kids in my hometown go (where Toby goes now) but it's not really all that customary across the board. They have a pretty limited number of spots since most of it is funded "privately" here (or at least by the state vs. federal gov't, if I remember correctly) so it's almost like a lottery chance of getting in. Usually the first spots go to need-based students and then the rest are more or less lottery chances. They actually beefed up the pre-K here this year to allow for a whole extra classroom, and I'm so glad they did! You can tell a world of difference between the kids who start in Pre-K (or even Head Start at age 3) vs. kids who don't start until kindergarten. It's interesting that it's not really required, but I personally think it should be. :)

      Delete
  5. This is the sweetest idea! As a teacher, I would LOVE to receive something like this. It's so thoughtful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. such a cute idea!
    xo, cheyenne

    ReplyDelete

HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB