Thanks from the Past
Woman in the Middle | November 25, 2015I am one of those mothers who saves artwork my children made way back in elementary school. I didn’t save absolutely everything, but how could I not save at least some of those adorable things they made, especially in kindergarten?
The girls both had the same kindergarten teacher, two years apart. The nice thing about that it that they did many of the same crafts. At Thanksgiving they both did a coloring sheet that said ”I am thankful for….” with a line after it. The teacher asked each child what they were thankful for. She carefully recorded their answers and wrote them on the sheet. She then laminated it into a placemat they could take home and share with their parents.
Eldest Daughter’s answer was short and sweet, She was thankful for her home. Two years later Youngest Daughter had much the same thought, but with a twist. “I am thankful for my house because if I didn’t have a house I would be living on the streets.” I can just imagine her teacher laughing to herself while she recorded to the last pithy word what Youngest was thankful for.
Every Thanksgiving I put those mats out and every Thanksgiving we talk about how those two statements are so our daughters. One answering the teacher with a short and sweet statement (even if she was thinking something different). The other, saying something that ought to be coming out of the mouth of a world-weary old lady.
Eldest grew out of her super sweet phase and Youngest isn’t quite as world-weary as her five-year old self would lead you to believe. But both are still just as funny as ever and those placemats make them (and their parents) laugh every year!
This is Eldest’s coloring job on her placemat.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
So cute. I am enjoying your blogs and am thankful for them this holiday!
Thank you, Rob! So sweet of you to say!
My mom didn’t save any of our art work. It would have been nice if she had.
My mom didn’t either. I think it was a generational thing. Or our moms just didn’t like to save stuff!