Besides my family, I don't think there is anyone I feel more grateful for than my children's teachers. Over the years, we've been so fortunate to have fantastic teachers for our girls, who have helped make them better people. In turn, I've become a better mom by all that I have learned through my children's experiences at school.
Natalie's very first caretaker, Miss Bevie, was an angel to our family. As a new, working mom living many miles from our family, she took Natalie into her home everyday, providing me with lots of peace and tons of encouragement that my baby was fine, and even better she was happy and growing and even special. This is something every mom wants and needs. Without Bev my first year of motherhood in Emporia would never have been the same.
And now baby Natalie is a big first grade girl, and I often wish I could be a fly on the wall of her classroom. But I know that her teacher is there, providing her with the loving-kindness and firm structure that only an elementary school teacher could give. And for this, I cannot show my gratitude enough. Teachers (and parents) have the hardest job in the entire world...turning kids into good people.
Since Thanksgiving is the best time to say thank you, I've created teacher goodie bags.
I love owls. They are smart, they are sturdy and they whoooo right in the middle of the night. Just when you need a little reminder that you're not the only one not sleeping. We have owls in the woods behind our yard and this time of year they are quite vocal. So, I couldn't think of a better way to say thanks to the smart and strong teachers right here in our neighborhood. Here is the owl label so you can make bags, too.
I simply tied the cards to a paper lunch sack using a hole punch and ribbon. I have heard you can print directly onto the lunch sacks, but it didn't work so well on my printer. Now, onto the goodies...
Snickerdoodle cookies filled with pumpkin cream cheese. Mmmmm....
Now, if you are Martha Stewart-type mom, I think this recipe looks a-maz-ing: http://thestirringplace.blogspot.com/2011/09/snickerdoodle-and-pumpkin-cream-cheese.html. But, if you are me, the super-duper-always-busy-and-not-so-Martha mom, I have a shortcut: a dozen bakery snickerdoodle cookies + storebought pupmkin cream cheese. Trader Joe's (something else I am super grateful for this year!) has pumpkin cream cheese, but they were out. Gasp! So instead, I grabbed a jar of TJ's pumpkin butter and a tub of cream cheese to whip up my own. Voila! I stuffed my cookies, decorated my paper bags and had Natalie write notes on the back of the cards.
I delivered one today and the teacher looked genuiunly grateful right back. Why not say "thank you" to a teacher today?
Owl Goodie Bag Printable:
Written by Lauren Goldman