This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and Smuckers.
When Ozzie started Kindergarten, he could read.
"Of course he can", his teacher said. I assume **ALL** first-time Kindergarten parents say that because she kind of rolled her eyes at me. But here's the thing... he really could read. We didn't teach him, he taught himself. Seriously... One day, he grabbed the Bible out of my hand and started to read aloud to me when he was about 4 and a half. It wasn't long, however, before his teacher found she had her hands full with a goofy kiddo, the youngest in the class (and with the total immaturity to go with it), who could fluently and comprehensively ... read... and I truly think he was one of her "favorites" because he could understand her jokes and she didn't have to labor over things with him.
One of the ways we, as a family, celebrated Ozzie's reading in Kindergarten was by sending a note in his lunch each day. Sometimes, I encouraged him "You are going to have an awesome time in art today because it's YELLOW day". Other times I just loved on him "Son, you are the greatest 5 year old I've ever known and I'm happy to be your Mom". But what Ozzie really liked was when I included jokes in his lunch (typical boy, didn't appreciate Momma's touchy-feely side).
At first, I wrote out jokes that I knew or could make up. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before I was out of ideas so I did what all good techno moms do... I googled. Do you know how many pages of Thanksgiving jokes are online?? MILLIONS! I found jokes for every holiday known to man (and some I'm pretty sure were just made up). I found jokes about whatever hobby or idea Ozzie was into at the time (basketball, trains, animals, beaches). I even found school lunch jokes.
Ozzie's class had 2 aides that were in the classroom all day. One sat at Ozzie's table to help a special needs student. She emailed me and said she loved Ozzie's lunch time because hearing the jokes (when he read them out loud), reminded her to put notes in her own childrens' lunches. She said Ozzie's lunch table really enjoyed them too. I told her I looked them up Sunday night, printed out a page and then wrote them on scrap paper before I stuck them in the lunchbox, simple as that.
Touching base with a child during the school day is so easy, so fun and so important. My boys love to know that I'm thinking of them. Nolan's heading off to Kindergarten
in less than a month and I will be sure to put jokes in HIS lunch too. Being gone 8 hours from Mom is tough on little guys; having a note makes them feel closer to me. Smuckers has a very neat website up... lots of ways to connect with kiddos. I especially like the Kidvitations. On it, you will find places to personalize a note for your child (complete with fonts and graphics) with a special activity together and some loving. How fun to open your lunch after a hard math test to find: "Dear Son, Let's go swimming when you get home. Love Mom" or "Dear daughter, Let's skip chores tonight and go feed the ducks down at the pond. Love Dad". I'm sure ours will say something like: "Hey Boys, Let's go to the home improvement store and BUILD something!"
Life's too short to miss out connecting with our children. It's the perfect time to start! Smuckers gives us ideas, recipes, and a free site to use. I'll be printing these goodies for school lunch, that's for sure!
Do you like sweepstakes? This is a great one. One of my readers will win a $200 VISA gift card. In addition, follow the link below to see the blogs of 9 other bloggers who are giving away prizes. Also, one lucky winner from the roundup page will win a $400 VISA gift card!
How do you enter? Take a look at the Smuckers link and tell me in your comment below, which activity you like to do with your children (or your nieces, nephews, kids you babysit, etc). Please be sure to list a good way for me to contact you if you win. The sweepstakes ends August 25, 2010 and is open to US residents only.
Here are the Official Rules
Look here for 9 other chances to win $200 and even a chance for $400Blogher/Smuckers Round-up PageBe sure to visit: Smuckers website
Create a Kidvitation!
Home can be a busy place with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. That’s why it’s important to set time aside to spend with your kids. Use Smuckers® Kidvitations to invite your kids to share a moment with you over a perfect PB&J. Check it out http://www.smuckers.com/promotions/kidvitations/Default.aspx
