A is for Appreciation

Today is my daughter's last day in her current class. I'm not sure if it's going to be harder on her or me!  I love her teachers so much!  They have helped her with some pretty big things in her life.  As always, I see them as her "other mothers"... taking my place while I have to work.  Together we have potty trained my sweet girl, she has learned a vast vocabulary and has quite the sense of humor.  We have always been so lucky to have the best of the best in terms of teachers for her and this year was NO exception!  Thank goodness they will just be a few classrooms away so we can go visit from time to time!  I found a poem online that I think sums it up nicely!

A CHILDCARE PROVIDER

A willing partner for working moms,
she comforts, pampers, soothes and calms.
With all the love she has to share,
she's great to have when mommy can't be there.

She loves to rock a fussy child,
corrects the one that gets too wild.
She hears her share of tearful pleas,
and comforts those with skinned up knees.

With little children she plays games of peek,
for bigger ones it's hide and seek.
She is an expert at each game,
but somehow loses just the same.

She helps them learn the alphabet,
and gives them hugs when they're upset.
She gently tucks them in their beds,
with dreamland tales for sleepyheads.

She is a true and trusted friend,
who helps them learn and play pretend.
Although she's paid, it's plain to see,
she serves them with a love that's free.

~Author Unknown~

Typically I just do a little something for my daughter's 4 teachers but I ran into a friend the other day and she had a bunch of gifts. When I inquired who they were for, she explained that they were for the "behind the scenes" people...the kitchen staff, the curriculum coordinator, the bookkeeper, the music teacher, the director, the secretaries, etc. 15 total. So I found an inexpensive yet totally cute way to show our appreciation as well.

I pinned this a while back and now I'm so glad I did!  I made my own tag b/c that's how I roll but she gave great directions.

(click to enlarge)

ITEMS NEEDED:

20 oz Mountain Dew

BITE SIZE Mounds

tiny brads/sticky strip

scrapbook paper

cardstock or posterboard

I made a hanger for the Mountain Dew bottle out of poster board (You can use cardstock too). The measurements are 7 and 3/4 by 3 inches. Score it 2 inches at each end.  Fold one end down and the other up, making a pocket on one end and punching a hole in the other end as a hanger for the bottle.

I used a  1 and 1/4 inch punch for the hanger. For the pocket I adhered the edges with sticky strip and then added tiny brads at the top for reinforcement. I used a mum pin to poke the holes in the corners so I could add the brads.

I’ve made a circle printable for you.  You can punch this out with a 1 and 3/4 inch punch. 

CLICK HER FOR A PDF OF THE TAG

The flower punch is up to you.  I just used some black poster board I had lying around but you could do it out of scrapbook paper for an extra cute touch.  I used a 3 inch punch because I wanted a big flower.

Important: To place in the Mounds Bar, you need to squeeze the sides of the pocket of the holder just slightly to give it a little give for it to fit inside.  Squeeze gently:)

I think they turned out pretty cute and the staff was very sweet to my daughter when she passed them out this morning!  Giving back (even in the smallest way) feels so good!  Everyone likes to feel appreciated for their hard work so I encourage you to take a look around and find people to encourage in your life as well!