My Last School Winter Party Attendance Was Today

Phewwww.  I am already tearing up whenever I think of my youngest son finishing 5th grade this May where I will see him on the stage of the high school, receiving accolades for his hard work in grades, attendance and safety patrol.  Also, this month I am really tickled at still being able to pick out "toys" that are surprises for him from Amazon (unlike the other two whom I tell to pick out what they want on Amazon and put it in the cart).

But today was the last winter party and I am not verklempt.

I do not know why I am the one parent who is the one to put together stuff for a craft.  They really didn't even need it--I think they were just thrilled to have lots of treats to eat and the last hour and 20 minutes of the day spent having a party.  Sidenote: my husband traditionally asks the room mom to do a craft (such as a fleece scarf) that his 5th grade students will make and give to their Kindegarten buddies who will remember the gift long after one the students would make for themselves.

So I find out last week or so that there is no craft and last year I had the 4th grade class do rice sock snowmen which ended up costing me about $75 for supplies and I certainly didn't want to do that.  The next thing I knew I was telling the room mom that maybe I could figure out a candle craft.  (Note: the craft cannot be an ornament or anything pertaining a particular culture or religion--it is so interesting how my older boys have made ornaments in early grades and none for my 5th grader.  Not that there is anything wrong with that).

This is how you come up with a candle craft and make yourself not even worry about it in advance: Go to the Dollar Store the day before the party with no plan, to the candle aisle and see what is available for 22 of the same candle (got a green one bigger than a votive).  Wander around the aisles and buy decorative small paper plates, a styrofoam snowflake, some glitter glue and some shiny red or gold wire ribbon stuff and voila.  A little centerpiece with the candle on top of the snowflake which sits on the place, a little glitter glue on the plate, and the shiny wired wreath piece wrapped around the candle.

On the way driving back home I got a call from my grandmother who was advised by her doc to go to the hospital because the big sore on her leg from a cut is not getting better.  Today is day two and she gets very little info and may get an MRI.  I know this is why I am also distracted today.

So, so thankful that I have a job that lets me work from home so that I can take the hour to go to the Dollar Store yesterday and then today take the hour to be with my son at his winter party.  And an hour to make cookies for it.

Having lunch with him last week was much more enjoyable than today so I will make sure to do this several more times because moms at middle school lunch does not happen.  Girl fights do.  There have been slug-fest, hair-pulling fights during lunch at middle school (and high school too) and both my older boys tell me they involve only girls several times a year.

So for this year that I have one in high, one in middle and one in elem school, we are still going to see Santa this Sunday--it's tradition.  We'll be first in line as usual to get it done (I bet Santa is surprised when they turn the corner and see him, especially this year that two are taller than me).  We then walk around the mall and the oldest two find clothes they want so it is a trade off I suppose.  They are just glad that none of their friends are there on a Sunday at 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.  I'll miss that tradition one year soon but not the winter class party.

Hope everyone has a good class party, or party soon.