Well, you’re not going to believe me, but it’s true.
Really.
Hand over heart.
I found out today that I’m losing two of my boys tomorrow.
As in, they’re leaving the school. It’s not some sort of weird prediction in which we get back from lunch and it takes twenty minutes for me to realize that a student has gone missing which translates into I lost a kid. Not that that’s ever happened. Nope. I always know where all fifty-six thirty-one of my kids are.
Really.
It means two of my boys are moving schools. Both situations are a good thing so I guess I’m happy for them.
But I am starting to wonder if I am using the right deodorant.
Anywho.
I told you a week or two ago (or maybe it was a month or two ago) that I changed up my Birthday Bag.
I had a big, long talk with Kerry (my twin) before school started and she pretty much told me, in no uncertain terms:
GET RID OF THE BIRTHDAY JOURNAL!
STOP THE BIRTHDAY JOURNAL!
ENOUGH WITH THE BIRTHDAY JOURNAL!
I know. Shocking, right?
Get rid of the birthday journal? I gasped, clutching my heart.
And she said, “YES! Why are you giving parents HOMEWORK on the day of their kid’s birthday?” She said it quite forcefully, too, I might add.
And I said, “Well, the parent isn’t supposed to do it. The kid is. Or they’re supposed to do it together in a family-bonding-kind-of-way after the cake and ice-cream and presents. And there should be laughter and smiles and hugs and sweet dreams afterwards.”
And Kerry said, “NO.”
So I said, “NO?”
And she said, “There are sugar meltdowns and busy-ness and exhaustion and the birthday kid saying I don’t want to and then there’s regular homework and it’s the kid’s BIRTHDAY, for crying out loud.”
Oh.
Well.
I never really thought about it that way.
So I got rid of the birthday journal. And when I told the parents of my class at Back to School Night, there was spontaneous applause and laughter and good cheer all around, and I think I was carried around on their shoulders, if I remember correctly.
Say what you want about it’s a tradition, it’s great writing practice, it’s a family project, you are a horrible teacher, I did it anyway.
I got rid of the birthday journal. So sue me.
Instead, I bought a new birthday bag from Customized Girl. Except it’s not just for girls. It’s for anyone. And I uploaded my own design using Melonheadz Clipart. I think the bag was $16 which I think is pretty darn cheap.
See for yourself.
And then, right before I uploaded it, I had the brilliant idea of PUTTING MY NAME ON THE BAG.
Here’s what’s inside the bag this year:
I’m all about dogs this year.
I got Biscuit, three Biscuit paperbacks, and one hardcover that contains TEN Biscuit stories. I bought all of it with an Amazon gift card that last year’s class gave me.
IF the parents want to read Biscuit stories before bedtime, then fine. If the child would rather do the reading, fine. If the books are ignored, fine. Whatever. Happy Birthday To You.
As you can see, there is NO JOURNAL.
And guess what?
I don’t miss it.
The birthday kid brings the bag back and I hang it up. I don’t have to look inside for the journal and then find time in the day for the birthday kid to share their journal entry.
I am free. As free as a bird.
Or as free as a birthday kid in Mrs. Oldham’s class. Either one.
"And when I told the parents of my class at Back to School Night, there was spontaneous applause and laughter and good cheer all around, and I think I was carried around on their shoulders, if I remember correctly." HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHA
My parents must be HATING me!!! Having a daughter now, I think Kerry is correct! In all fairness, I do give them a few days with Corduroy AND "The Journal"!
I am sorry to say that I do absolutely nothing for birthdays. Not a single thing. Well, I do give hugs and smiles and say happy birthday. I think I like the idea of a birthday bag. I'll have to start pondering what I would include for next year. Maybe for grade three the book "Happy Birthday Bad Kitty" would be good.
Jan
Laughter and Consistency
I think your decision was well thought out and a good one! You're too funny!!!
Ha! Love it. I'm so glad I could help your parents out in this way. Love you! 🙂
Short and sweet 🙂 Love this idea!
That bag turned out so cute! Great idea. I've never done a birthday journal. Glad you have one less thing for you and your families to worry about!
bahahahaha! The "carrying over the shoulders" is the best!
Thanks and happy weekend!
Janice
ConqueringClassroomsandChaos.com
ok… so I started the birthday journal this year…with books and an animal and a present in a bag… BUT, I found that "I" can not keep up with it… so after I had FIVE birthdays in September, I was done after the first 2…because I had TWO birthdays in August. lol AND the last person who took it home didn't even bring back the animal… it's still at her house. boo! Not doing it. I'm over birthdays. too much work! haha!
HA HA HA! Isn't it funny how it turned out to be so freeing for the parents and for you? I do things like that all the time- and then think WHY am I doing that?! The Biscuit bag is precious! I bet the journal was, too- but … that is just too funny! Most kids are lucky to get a pencil, so you are awesome to let Biscuit travel around! 🙂
Carolyn
The birthday journal is sooooo 1999. Forget it! I gotta post on my birthday traditions too. Poor teachers are still torturing themselves with the birthday journal? NO! We must save them.
My first graders get to put on the happy birthday chair cover I got from Highlights. They get a big sticker that says Happy Birthday and a pencil. They also get a jumbo pixie stick with a birthday balloon and not one parent has complained about that huge pixie stick that only gets opened at home!!! We also sing to them! I try to make them feel special. If it makes you feel better, I used to do a tooth fairy journal!