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Sunday, October 15, 2017

Grandma goes to school!

I had such a fun experience last week.  Alaina's teacher does something called 'Mystery Reader'.  Parents or grandparents can sign up for this, and I had signed up for last week.  The mystery reader chooses a book their special child likes and comes to school to read it to the kindergarten class.  The kids don't know who it is until the door opens!

When you get to school, the secretary calls down to the class to tell them that the mystery reader is there.  The kids then sing a song that talks about who the reader might be, and then the reader knocks on the door.
When the door opens, all the kids are looking to see who it is, and when Alaina saw it was me she ran up and gave me a hug.

 She got to tell her class that the reader was her Grandma, and then we all went to the reading area.



The readers special kid gets to sit up front with them while the story is being read.  I read a story about Audrey, a bunny who had a spot on her and was worried that her little girl wouldn't like her if she saw it.  But the little girl loved her, spot and all.  The kids sat and listened quietly and seemed to enjoy it.



Here is the whole class.


 Alaina and I after the reading.



Alaina's bright and cheerful class!



The kids each made a thank you card for me.



 This is Alaina's sweet teacher.


Because this was done at the end of the day, I got to take her home afterward.

She had to show me her classes owl pictures.  The one she drew is on orange paper above her head.


Here she is outside her school.


She was excited to show me these painted rocks that were done by the teachers.  They have them arranged in a little stream throughout the landscaping.



Instead of going right home, we thought we should go have a treat first.  She chose a donut place.  She asked if we could get one for Ruby and take it home to her, which I thought was very sweet.


Here's Alaina and Ruby waving goodbye to me after I brought Alaina home.

I had a great time and thought this was a great idea.  It's exciting for the kids, and I think the mystery readers like it just as much!


Before I go, I have to share a Ruby story.  I know some of you really enjoy her antics!
When I dropped Alaina off, Laura told Ruby to tell me what happened that day.  When there was no answer, she said "tell Grandma how you fell".  I asked her if she was getting into trouble when she fell, and she said no, but I could tell by the look in her eyes that she had been.
Apparently she had been playing downstairs.  Laura went down to check something and arrived just in time to see Ruby in the bathroom down there.  She had her step stool on the toilet seat and was standing on it, trying to throw a ball and hit the ceiling!  Guess what?  It didn't work, and just asLaura walked in, the stool and Ruby fell down and much wailing ensued.  Thankfully she wasn't really hurt, just bumped up.  Who but Ruby would think of such a thing?  Hopefully she learned, but there are always new things that can be climbed on!

16 comments:

Arlene G said...

What a fun day for you and Alaina. And that Ruby..I could just picture that in my mind's eye. She is a daredevil for sure.

Doris said...

I read a book to my twins kindergarten class....a long time ago but one of my favorite memories! Still remember the book I read and it's one I now read to my Grands. I love books!!
Oh my, that Ruby. So glad she wasn't hurt but I bet her curiosity will get the best of her again! :/

Joyful said...

Aw, that sounds like a real fun day with your granddaughter. x

Anonymous said...

Mari, I really enjoyed this post and pictures. The Mystery Reader is such a fun idea for the children. Thankful Ruby was not badly hurt...one time I saw John stack a few things together to reach a high part of our house. I waited til he was safely down and then gave him a piece of my mind! lol lol

Linda said...

Aww...on Ruby...glad she wasn't hurt...and thank you for sharing your day with Alaina. Smiles.

Changes in the wind said...

What a great idea that teacher has. Makes a special exciting time for all.

cbattjes1 said...

Such a fun time and I can just imagine Alaina's face when she saw you!!

Terri D said...

Alaina's teacher had a brilliant idea and had turned it into something so very special! The pictures of your day there are so precious. I am one of those readers who loves Ruby stories. I can't wait to see what she decides to be someday...I can picture her working in Cirque du Soleil!! LOL

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

The mystery reader is an excellent idea and I know Alaina was excited to see you. Ruby is just not afraid of anything is she? lol

Beth Cotell said...

What a wonderful idea! So glad you got to do this with Alaina and of course, you took her for a treat afterwards! My parents still like to take Peter and Sarah for ice cream or a treat and they still love it!

Sally said...

Such an awesome thing for the kids and YOU! I know Alaina was thrilled. Love the pics!

That Ruby - she is a trip! I won't be sharing this with the littles; not going to give them ideas. They have enough of their own. :)

xoxo

Laura said...

So glad you could do Mystery Reader - it definitely made her day!!

The painted rocks were actually done by all the students, all the students from all the Hudsonville elementary schools each painted a rock and they were part of a huge Art Prize Exhibit this year called "You Be You". Now that the exhibit is done, the rocks came back to all the schools.
https://www.artprize.org/66018

I'd like to say Ruby has learned, but she's just as much a daredevil as always!!

Jenny said...

Oh dear! I thought Ruby had been cured of her climbing! That could have ended very badly, like with a trip to the ER. I'm glad it only taught her a lesson (we hope) in what is and is not possible -- or advisable! Sometimes you win; sometimes you learn.

Alaina's classroom is so beautiful. I love the idea of a mystery reader. I can just imagine the joy Alaina felt when she saw it was you. Such precious moments.

xoxo

Saleslady371 said...

A colorful classroom indeed! I like that idea of a mystery reader. Oh, how I envy you that your beautiful granddaughters live so close! I would be like you participating in things. Alaina is sweet to think of Ruby and include her like that.

Karen said...

The mystery reader idea is awesome! How fun for the kids and for the readers.

Cherdecor said...

I would love to have seen Alaina's face when the door opened and the mystery reader was you! How fun! It is my belief that students learn better while they are having fun. It works every time. Alaina's classroom is so cheerful and interesting. What a sweet teacher for Alaina to have! I loved everything about this post.