Teacher gifts and rainbow jello

Wouldn't you know it? It's the week before summer vacation and now Bo's reading is starting to really take off. She's sounding out a lot of words and comes home every day all jacked up about the "movable alphabet." Um, they don't have the movable alphabet at the public swimming pool.

(Side note because this is interesting to me: After jumping for joy about reading, she often proudly tells J that she "did math" at school that day. One day early on, he made a big deal about learning math, I think trying to pump her up and build confidence in her. She picked up on it and I think as a way of pleasing her dad, she likes to tell him she does math ... even on days when I know she doesn't. The father-daughter relationship fascinates me. Meanwhile, I'm just glad she's figured out it's not OK to snatch things out of other kids' hands or pee on the carpet. I'm pretty sure that's what preschool was all about when I was a kid.)

Anyhoo, to say thank you to the teachers who have taught her all of these things--and much more--I sewed aprons.

These are more bistro style than billowy.  

One of the teachers at Bo's school grew up in France, so she's been interjecting the French language and culture into their school days. Inspired by that, I embroidered Frenchy roosters on the pockets of the aprons, following a pattern in Kaari Meng's beautiful book Handmade Soirees. 

Here's a closer (but blurry) look at the cockadoodledoo:

 

Here's a side shot of the apron:

 
No pattern this time. I just set down one of my Nana's old aprons to get a general size, then sewed a long tie to the top--long enough to cross over in the back and knot in front.

Since I never know who truly appreciates a handmade gift and who just sort of smiles and thinks I'm nuts when I give them one of my creations, I try to pair my presents with something non-homemade whenever possible.

In this case, it was supposed to be a bottle of wine for each teacher, but I came home tonight and found J had popped open one of the bottles I intended to give them tomorrow morning. Nice. The only other wine in the house is either cheap or has the label Menage a Trois on it.

I know what you're thinking. Hey! At least it's French. But c'mon. Menage a Trois for a preschool teacher? Looks like we'll be making a pit stop at the grocery store tomorrow morning.

COMPLETELY unrelated (I swear), check out the Fourth of July Jell-O I made for my About.com kids' parties site:

Recipe here.

Oh, great. I just said menage a trois, cockadoodledoo and Jell-O in one blog post. Now I'm going to get all sorts of crazy Google hits.  

Comments

[Jill]

As a former teacher, that is one gift I actually would really like! Good work!!

[kristine hanson]

great idea, I like giving teacher gifts that they will use! I made my daughters teacher a quilt, it is killing me to wait another week to give it to her!

[Krista]

That was the funniest blog post I have read in months. Thanks! Who knew preschool teacher gifts could be so racy.

[Megan]

Thanks, guys! The teachers seemed to like them this morning.
Kristine--a quilt!--what a lucky teacher.

[Hollie Eastman]

Lucky, lucky teachers your girls have!=) I only got around to a gift card...love the cute aprons!!
Hollie=)
funky junk

[Megan]

Thanks, Hollie! As a former teacher, I can say the gift cards are very much appreciated, too.

[tiffany]

So cute! I was also a teacher before kids and would have LOVED this! I got so tired of the lotion, candles and sugar!

[BHcolin]

The jello is so cute - but I had so much trouble with the condensed milk layer for my heart jello I made for valentines day. Wish I knew how to get the right consistency for that condensed milk.

[Amanda]

As a teacher I would love to receive this gift! What a great idea. Love it.
Came over from Sew Liberated, btw.

[klay]

Hey Megan I just saw your Jello on ohdeedoh - cool! I love Jello - seriously :)

[בניית בריכת שחיה]

I gift bottle of wine for every teacher and back to my friend's house and found bottle.

[מדביר]

Thanks for sharing this teacher gifts. I want to give amazing gift for my teacher. Thanks for sharing this one.

[Zed Power]

the rainbow jello is amazing