Things that have made me happy lately.
Canyon’s teacher Mandi took me up my offer to volunteer in Canyon’s classroom. Yay! My first project was homework-she sent home a huge pile of laminated sheets that she needed cut up so they could be assembled into communication folders and projects for her students. Easy! The next time I came to school and actually assembled the books for her. Once I finished she asked if I minded hanging out in the classroom and playing with the kids in the play center while she and the classroom aides worked one on one with students. Yes please! It was great to spend time with Canyon’s classmates and get to see how the day is run for everyone. And it is interesting to see how Canyon behaves in a classroom setting. How fascinating to see him use his picture schedule and follow directions in class.
Then Mandi asked if I would come in again and I said, “Sure. What will I be working on?” “More cutting and velcro and would you mind working on the bulletin board?” My heart skipped a beat. “You want me to decorate the bulletin board?!” “Yes, do you mind?” “Um, I would love to! What’s my theme?” “Spring.” “On it.”
I spent the weekend looking at Pinterest for inspiration. On Sunday night I remembered the very cool paper I had in the garage. It’s the packing paper for diapers from Amazon and I store it out in the garage to use for the fire pit. But I knew in my heart it would make a pretty kick ass tree.
So on Monday I was given a large board in the hallway that had been prepped with background paper and a boarder but the rest was up to me. Armed with a scissors, a stapler and full access to the art supply closet and I was ready to begin.
I started with the basic tree and leaves. Yeah. My leaves were green and purple. Because purple is pretty and it was my tree! While I was working I found myself whistling “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. A theme was forming…Then it was time for the parent support group so I worked on the birds during the meeting. I wanted to include all the kids names from the morning and afternoon classes so I had to finish some of the pieces at home. I found myself decorating individual flowers for each child-16 all together.
The next morning I hung all the flowers and finished off the theme-”Don’t Worry About A Thing, Cause Every Little Thing Gonna Be All Right!” I wrote in the lyrics to the song. My goal is to have everyone whistling or humming it as they walk down the hall.
I love volunteering at the school. It feels good to walk confidently down the school hallway and being able to say hi to the staff by name. And I want the school to know that I am as invested in the school as they are in Canyon. I guess they got the message because the principal called me into her office last week to ask if I would be willing to serve on the local school council next year, basically the PTA. Of course I would! And I will be assisting with the school celebration for Autism Awareness Day. I am also hoping to start a Facebook page for parents and a blog for the school garden!
I finished the door in time for family night at school. It is so kind that they try to include the whole family in events but seriously, bringing the twins with turned it from “Technology Night” to “Watch John and Laurie chase three kids around” night. The kids all had fun exploring the super cool classrooms with their legos and art supplies, sensory tubs and toys. But they were a distraction to the planned agenda and were kind of making a mess. It was time to go.
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