This Week Is All About The Neutral Noel Suite!

Good morning everyone! Here in northeast Missouri most schools are beginning, and it’s back to work for teachers. There’s always mixed emotions when it’s time to return to school – for both students and teachers! The kids are ready to see their friends again, to grab the new backpacks and lunch bags as they head to school, probably in new outfits including the new school shoes. There’s excitement and anxiety over being in known/unknown school buildings, and the week will be about “procedures” – setting the rules and guidelines of lining up, transitioning from one class to another, classroom expectations, etc. For our granddaughter Nora who is moving to the middle school, it will be about lockers, switching books and switching classes before the next bell rings.

Teachers ALSO have those feelings of excitement and anxiety! I guarantee many teachers will be in new outfits with new shoes, have new bags for carrying their school supplies as well, and their heads are swimming with all the “procedures”, rules, and guidelines for their classroom. They have the task of preparing 15 or more kids how they will live and function in one classroom for the full year with a minimum of upset – THAT in itself is daunting! It may be the first week of school – I mean, how hard can that be?? – but this week will set the tone for the WHOLE year ahead. Oh, there will be some instructional review, but I promise this week is all about those procedures!

I met several of my demonstrator friends in St. Louis this weekend for lunch, a card swap, and a time for sharing ideas. Each of us select a bundle/suite to create with, and then we bring multiple ideas for us to photograph, copy, etc. Since I chose the Neutral Noel Suite, you will be seeing my display examples this week. I came home with a couple of new fun fold ideas, a great way to use one of our large dies for cards, and new tips to add to my classes. It was kind of like a teacher’s meeting with stamping supplies! And fyi – I had on a new outfit as well!

Final Thoughts…..

While I was typing today’s post pictures of our girls’ first day of school came thru. Perfect timing!!! They are growing up too quickly for this nana. Fiona is moving to 3rd grade, and Nora is heading to middle school with her 6th grade class.

Here is hoping all students and teachers have a great start to the new year. May this year be rewarding and safe for all, and may this week of procedures set a positive tone for the rest of the year ahead.

Have a great day everyone! Keep stamping, keep crafting and God Bless!