1st day of 6th grade and a sweet treat for teacher

I can't believe I am a mom of a middle schooler now!  Wasn't it just last week I was in the hospital holding my new baby?  Wow!  Time does fly and it seems to go faster the older I get.  

Today has been the day he has dreaded all summer long.  The new school and getting out of his comfort zone has not been easy for him.  He doesn't do change well at all so this has been big.  I know he will be fine but seeing him be so nervous has made me a wreck!  Of course I have to be the grown up and tell him it's going to be great and to make him believe that.  Meanwhile, I need someone to tell me it's going to be great !

I look forward to seeing him grow this year and to get to try lots of new things and expand his horizons but at the same time I want to keep him home with me forever and know that he is safe and innocent.  Part of being a good parent is letting go and I know that but it's been hard this year.  I try to remember to enjoy every moment with him because it's going so fast but these times are always a good reminder to stop and enjoy life with him.

 My 6th Grader!   

 Each year we have a tradition of drawing a heart on his hand.  It started back in kindergarten and he has requested it each year.  Even this year he asked me to do it which was a surprise.  When I first did it I told him it was for him to look at when he got nervous and he'd remember me.  It worked like a charm and every year he has said "Don't forget my heart".  Makes me melt that he still wants it on his hand.

 He's growing up so fast!

 Ready to head to middle school!

 Little Man!

 • • • 

 Back to School!

 • • •

I was worried he wouldn't want to take teacher treats to school this year since he's getting older so imagine my surprise when he asked me what I was sending in for the teachers on the first day of school.  I would have been busy planning something more elaborate but since it was last minute we ran to the store and grabbed some candy and I made a couple cute tags for the boxes and tied them on with twine.  It ended up being the perfect thing--small enough he can put it in his backpack for all the teachers and not too elaborate that he'd be embarrassed to hand the treat out.

I recently read that middle school and high school teachers are the most forgotten teachers so try not to forget about them! 

 "It's going to be a BUNCHA fun with you as my teacher!"

 "I am BURSTING with excitement to have you as my teacher!"

 I tied the tags to a box of Buncha Crunch and a box of Starburst.  

 Simple and Sweet!

 I love easy and quick ideas like this!  Usually these end up being a bigger hit than when I spend hours making some sort of baked good or craft! 

. . . You are one sweet teacher and nerds treat . . .

Sadly, today was the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week.  I look forward to this week every year because I love coming up with fun treats.  This one was a simple one but my son said they were a big hit so that made his day.

I bought these plastic party cups from Walmart for a dollar each and then grabbed a big bag of M&Ms to stuff inside the cup and then created a simple hang tag saying "You are one SWEET Teacher" and of course we had to do them for the principals too.  Easy peasy!

 I love finding a good bargain and these party cups are great.  I have a set of four that I keep at our house and we use them all the time.  Can't be them for $1.00!

 Made a simple little tag telling the teachers and principals how "Sweet" they are and done!

 Don't forget the principal!

 Each tag was a bit different in color but all said the same thing.

 For our teachers I did an extra treat today since I couldn't resist this Nerds Lip Balm.  It was just too perfect to make a tag to say "Thanks for helping me become a real NERD this year".

 Love the bright colors!

 I can't remember the last time I had Nerds but I bet these lip balms smell just like them!

. . . Teacher you are a real Hoot and Brownie Points for Teacher . . .

We have two great teachers this year and I love getting to send little treats for them any time of year but really enjoy Teacher Appreciation Week.  The other thing I love about Teacher Appreciation is that my son gets really into it and helps with ideas and he played a big part in this idea.  

I have a collection of owls and was decorating the mantle with them the other day and my mom saw it and said something about how "Hooting" cute it was.  Well, that started a whole conversation with my son and I about what we could do for the teachers using owls as a gift.  So we went out and bought these two little owls that he chose and we came up with this fun phrase for our teacher gifts.

 Having you for a teacher has been a real HOOT!

 These little guys came from Christmas Tree Shop which is a great place for all kinds of goodies!

 I printed a treat bag topper that says "Having you for my teacher has been a real HOOT"

 I packaged the owls in a clear cellophane bag and stapled the treat topper to the cello bag and we were all set for another fun gift.

 "Whooo" doesn't love owls?

• • •

For the second part of our treat I repeated an idea I had done awhile back...Brownie Points for teachers.  I picked up a box of Cosmic Brownies from Little Debbie and gave each teacher a couple brownies and then added a simple little treat tag with some baker's twine.

You are the best Teacher!  I hope this earns me some BROWNIE points!

 A perfect little something sweet!

And of course you can't forget the Principals!! 

What are you doing for your teachers this week?

. . . Teacher, you fit me like a Glove . . .

So, this is a completely unconventional teacher appreciation gift but it was perfect for our 5th grade teachers.  My son said that the two teachers he has wear gloves quite often for different projects they do with the kids or to clean so when I saw these adorable gloves I picked up a couple pairs for teacher gifts.  My thought was that I would be sending them in a gift basket but then teacher appreciation snuck up on me and I figured I could use them as a cute treat for one of the days of the week.  I added a treat topper than says "Your teaching style FITS me like a glove" and my son thought it was great so I hope the teachers do too!

I also sent in a package of cards for each teacher and principals with a tag that says "You are a Real Star" because their mascot is a star and the school colors are yellow and blue.  

This is just one day out of the week and I have a few other fun ideas planned.

 Cute rubber gloves with a little flower ruffle and then a fun tag and another day of teacher appreciation is complete!

 "Your teaching style FITS me like a glove!"

 Love our teachers!

 You are a real "Star" note cards for our fabulous teachers and principals!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

. . . Golden School Year Printable . . .

 Every year I look forward to spoiling our teachers with cute treats and that includes sending something on the first day of school.  This year I went through my list of ideas and decided to create a cute tag for a "Golden" school year and attach the tag to a package of Golden Oreo Cookies.  Couldn't be cuter or easier and lucky you I've shared the tags as a printable!  I hope your teacher loves getting this sweet treat.

 Hoping you have a GOLDEN school year!

 Print your tags from the link at the bottom of this post.  
Cut them down to size then punch a hole in the corner and tie them to a package of Golden Oreos.  If you wanted to layer your tag like I show here just cut another layer a bit larger than your tag and then use washi tape around each corner to "seal" it.  Easy Peasy!

 Tie a couple strands of baker's twine or ribbon around the package of cookies then attach your cute tag and you are ready to give your gift!

A Sweet Treat for you teacher!

 

Golden School Year 3x3 Download 

. . . A "Berry" Sweet Teacher Gift . . .

In our family we make homemade strawberry shortcakes the minute strawberries start being readily available.  They are an old fashioned biscuit type cake and they are so yummy!  

This year I ordered some berry baskets and made a big batch of the shortcakes and filled each basket with 2 cakes and some berries and then wrapped them up in cello bags and tied a cute tag on the outside.  Easy gift to give and something each teacher and principal can enjoy for a snack.

. . . berry sweet . . .

 Each berry basket is filled with strawberries and 2 shortcakes and wrapped in a cello bag and tied with baker's twine and a cute tag.  Easy Peasy!

. . . yummy . . .

. . . berry goodness . . .