{ summer thoughts for teachers }

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. If I had my way, I'd give every educator a huge cash bonus, a large cocktail, and a big hug. But since that wasn't possible this year, I provided some thanks in the form of sugar and butter.

So, a very special "YOU ROCK" to ALL you beautiful teachers who do so very much. And remember ... summer is near!

{ pink} apples for the teacher

Aidan meets his teacher on Monday. We're bringing her (as well as some friend requests for few other teachers) some goodies.

Hopefully the apple of my own eye, Aidan, has a fantastic year in first grade.

{ appreciating our teachers }

250 apples for the good teachers of Hampton, NH.

{ my office }

Thought I would share what my kitchen looks like in the middle of a "cookie project."

It's tough to find a place to pour Aidan a glass of milk, but we manage. ;)

{ an apple for the teacher }

When I taught school, I loved using clip art from an artist named Amy Dott Harner. Her graphics are simple, bright, and oh-so cute.

One of my favorites was a depiction of a teacher surrounded by adorable little kiddos. I used this particular image on the front of my "Welcome Back" packet for parents and students.

Since I no longer have my own classroom, I seldom have much use for Amy Dott Harner's brilliance; however, now that my own little guy is starting kindergarten this year (sniff, sniff), I figured it would be fun to bake some sugary morsels for his new teacher using (you guessed it!), Amy's themes as inspiration.

From years of experience, I know how stressful the beginning of the year can be, and I can't imagine adding an entire room full of bright-eyed kindergartners into the mix. So here's hoping Mrs. Woodhouse, Aidan's new teacher, enjoys her apples this year -- both the edible ones and the little ones whose minds she'll be broadening!