Kindness, Thankfulness, and a Boy's Great Big Ol' Smile - Part 2

What a day Monday was for my class - and "Charles"... How could Part 1 of the story get better? Amazingly, it does.

When I arrived back at school Tuesday morning, I checked my school email. I received a lengthy one from a parent (Mr. P.) whose daughter came home in tears and told him and his wife about what happened. How only one child attended Charles's party and the big bag of gifts he received "from" the class.

Mr. P. continued that he and his wife had already called some of the other parents in the class and had organized an impromptu SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR CHARLES at the local Bouncy Bratz (one of those indoor playground franchises) for the next day. I was stunned. I got chills. Tears welled up in my eyes. (I'm getting chills and teary even now as I type.)

He had already called Charles's mother and made plans to pick him up from school on Wednesday along with eight other children. Another parent had offered to get cupcakes. Another, drinks.

Wednesday was exciting for those children involved. Whispers and looks between them were evident, if only to me. Of course Charles was in the dark. As I would have, he thought "his day" was over. He even brought one of the toys, a Bayblade, to show his class how it worked. His words, as he stood up in front of the class, were that he wanted to show them "one of the gifts you gave me". Precious...

When school was out, I told Charles that I needed him to walk with me to another teacher's room to help me get something. The other eight students were already waiting there with Mr. P. and a birthday balloon. Charles was so worried that he was going to miss his bus, but I kept on telling him that I promised he would get home. "Charles, have I ever lied to you?" "No, Mrs. W. I know. You're my Number One Fan." (Big smile)

When we walked in the classroom, the children all gathered around him, and the little girl whose idea it was told Charles that because they all missed his party, they were going to give him one that day. Oh, if you could have only seen that boy jumping around the room! He only stopped to meet Mr. P. and stick out his hand to shake Mr. P.'s hand. (I don't know where he learned that, but I know it will take him far!)

Below are pictures from the party. You know I had to stop by! I love how he is sitting in a big chair that looks kind of like he is sitting on a throne! In addition to presents, he also got some gift cards - which he was so excited about! When my own child, J, gave him a gift card from Walmart, again, he stuck out his hand to thank him.

Charles on "the throne"...

So excited with another boy from our class

Charles and J

Charles with Mr. and Mrs. P.

Right before J and I left, Charles gave me the biggest hug. "I love you, Mrs. W. You are the best to me. I just can't believe all of this. I can't believe they did this all for me." He then planted a kiss on my cheek and put his head on my shoulder. I hugged him tight.

No, I can't take credit for the party, or the big bag of gifts earlier this week. I can't take credit for any of it. That was the work of others. I witnessed, first hand, that there are truly wonderful children and families out there. There is compassion and love for others. There is an understanding that children can make a difference in other children's lives.

And for me, there is an understanding that they, Charles and his classmates, can make a huge difference in mine.

Kindness, Thankfulness, and a Boy's Great Big Ol' Smile - Part 1

Anyone who reads my blog know that I am a big fan of the "two parter" blog post. This is one that has a dear place in my heart as it shows the kindness of children and their families and the impact we can have on others around us.

I teach at an elementary school in my town that has an affluent reputation. Many of the children come from homes where money is not an issue and celebrations can be an event. But we also have a few children where that is quite the opposite. Enter "Charles". Charles is a big ol' hulk of a boy. He is a super kid, but has also had some hard knocks. This year he has blossomed. Where he had a constant frown and a chip on his shoulder that could turn others away, he now shows a smile that warms your heart and gets along with everyone. This boy is now one of our fourth grade "peer mediators". He went from not doing any work at the beginning of the year to making the A/B Honor Roll for the very first time this past nine weeks. He is my Michael Oher from The Blind Side and I love him dearly.

About a month ago, Charles gave out invitations to his birthday party held at a local park. The party was this past Saturday: a day of rain, a few thunderstorms, AND Steeplechase (quite the event in my town). When he came to school on Monday, he told me that only one classmate came. He was disappointed, but seemed ok.

A few minutes later, I was beckoned to my classroom door by the mother of the child who attended. In her hand was the biggest gift bag full of presents for Charles with a note attached that read:

"For Charles. We are sorry we couldn't come to your party due to the rain. Here are our gifts to you for your birthday. Your Friends".

The bag was filled with a wrapped gifts, including a football, basketball, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and two other toys. The mother said she just had to do something as she knew that for Charles to even give out invitations for a party was a big step for him. She didn't want him to think that his classmates didn't care about him.

I hid the bag in another teacher's room and sent Charles on an "errand" to the office. Bringing the bag back to class, I told his classmates what the sweet mother had done. They were so touched by her thoughtfulness, so excited for Charles, and yet sad that they had either forgotten about his party or had other plans.

When Charles came back to class, he was so surprised. That beautiful smile covered his face. He threw up his hands. "I can't believe this guys! Thank you so much!" As he opened each gift, Charles was so gracious. He commented on and held up each gift for the class to see. The entire class was filled with joy and happiness for their classmate. And that cute thing even gave a little speech at the end to tell them now much this meant to him!


It was a Golden Day in my classroom. But it the story gets even better...

Happy Birthday Big Guy

Only one year away from double digits. Happy Birthday Action J******! I love you so much!

Posing with his new golf bag. Quite excited about that one!

The Best Birthday Present Ever

Have you ever had the best birthday present ever?  Before I go into mine, I want to thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes I received in comments, tweets, and posts on my Facebook page.  It really does make for a great golden birthday!

Most of you know that I have been at our home at Edisto for the past week.  I told my boys that all I wanted from them was for them to:  get along, not tattle, and not whine.  In addition to doing that (they really did!), Sumter and Jackson asked if they could ride their bikes to the Piggly Wiggly.  Those sneaky boys returned with these for me!

The inside of the card reads, "Just open your arms for a BIG hug!" 

But the best birthday present was my sister and her family arriving for a long weekend with us.  AS and I don't get to spend much time together.  The demands of family (my two boys and her two girls) and the fact that we don't live in the same town anymore certainly affect both the quality and quantity.  So I was ecstatic when I saw their car turn in the driveway.  I knew we were going to have a wonderful time together relaxing and laughing on the beach, just the two of us (oh, and our two husbands and four children...).

Of course we have had ebbs and flows in our relationship as sisters.  Haven't we all?  At some times we have been closer than at others.  But I do believe that the older we get the closer we have become... and that in and of itself makes growing older totally worth it!

Thanks AS, for being the best birthday present ever this year!

Would You Care to Shag... um, I Mean Dance?

Last night we celebrated my father's 70th birthday.  My mother, sister and I sent out almost 100 invitations for a soiree with jambalaya, beer and shagging.  It was a wonderful affair, with 150 of his dearest and closest friends celebrating a man they love.  The supper was eaten, the Amber Bach consumed, and the shagging commenced. 

"What?  The 'shagging commenced?' " you non-southerners may say.  (And you Brits may be a little more appalled.)  Yes, shagging.  I do know what some of you may associate with the term, but if you live south of the Mason-Dixon line, your parents do it right in front of you, and encourage you to do so too!

Shagging is the state dance of South Carolina... yes, our legislature obviously didn't have much on their plates the year it was passed.  Think a variation of the 40's jitterbug, old Motown (affectionately called "Beach Music"), and a couple in bare feet on the beach.  Shagging is so ingrained in our society down here that at my debutante balls, in addition to the Grand March and the waltz, we danced to The Drifters, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and the other old Motown bands.

I, like all other young southerners, was expected to learn how to shag.  My parents are fabulous dancers, and my mother taught me by having me hold onto a door handle as "my partner" when I was around twelve or thirteen.  She also had me hold a pencil between my fingers and a cup of water filled to the rim in one hand because she knew that at some point I would probably have a "drink" and cigarette while I was dancing and she didn't want me to spill either.  (Yes, this is Mimi from previous posts!)  Needless to say, my sister and I are pros, and nary a drop has ever been spilled by either of us!

So now it is my turn to teach my children.  Sumter just started dancing with me just this past month.  And I must say he is pretty good.  So glad he is a willing partner!  Last night, he wanted to try some of the moves he saw the adults dancing.  I wish we had some pictures of us...

But I do have these little gems.  

This is Jackson and his best friend/cousin MS.  

Aren't they precious?

Please excuse the pollen "dots"!

Can you say "Dancing with the Stars"?

Tuesday's Kitchen Inspirations

Ok, so I already gushed over Sumter in my last post, 

but eleven years ago today... 

on a Tuesday morning in fact, a little miracle arrived.  

It's hard to believe that this little six pound bundle

on Tuesday morning, April 13, 1999

is this sleeping bundle

on Tuesday morning, April 13, 2010.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

You are an inspiration and

I love you...

Tuesday's Kitchen Inspirations

Every morning, this handsome guy rolls into the kitchen to grab his coffee.  That's why today, my husband is my Tuesday Kitchen Inspiration.  Yesterday was his birthday.  I won't tell you how old he is (except that he is two years older than me, and my birthday is in a few months...)!  And I also won't lie and tell you it was a wonderful day... we got into a little tiff for part of the day.  Yes, it was his fault.  But by around 4:00, everything was more than fine.  (This picture is on our way to dinner... which was divine, by the way!)

But why am I even bringing this up?  Because of how the above incident was rectified.  How he, my wonderful husband, fixed it.  He apologized.  He said, "I'm sorry.  I love you.  I hate that I made my bride upset."  I don't know many men who do that - first.  Who admit when they are wrong.  Who don't try to justify everything.  Who see that it sometimes is their fault.  Who are man enough to listen and take it all.

But I do know one man... and I do love you!

On another, completely different note, our store has been chosen to be Shopaholic in Alabama's "Shopaholic Giveaway Days" first giveaway!  She always has the inside scoop on good sales, great new shops around the country, and amazing finds.  And... I love reading about her wonderful DH!  What a cute couple they are!  Sweet Shopaholic has written quite a description of Tea Garden and all we have to offer.  Thank you, dahlin'! 

Oh... what are we giving away?  Go to her blog and see!  (Hint:  If you are pink and GREEN, you'll Lilly LOVE it!)