Go-To Teacher’s Gift

One day a week, for the past seven weeks, I had a guaranteed nap time break. Not because Bastien was sleeping mind you, but because I sent him to Terrific Twos at the YMCA. I was skeptical about this class because #1 It was during nap time after all, and #2 It was a class, meaning it required cooperation. Those two things combined rarely ever pan out in the world of two year olds.

But, as it turned out, it was good and bad. Meaning, some days I would get reports that Bastien did great. Other days, well, could have been better. But hey, I got my two hours of peace, so that’s all that really mattered.

I have to admit, I was a little more emotionally attached to the whole experience than I expected. Bastien really surprised and delighted me by willingly being dropped off at class each time and listening to his teacher most of the time.

He learned how to stand in a line. People, do you know how HUGE that is? He even learned to sit at circle time. I cannot even wrap my head around that.

I think the class was most successful because each session started with swim time and was usually followed by playground time. Physically wearing Bastien out is key to gaining his cooperation. Lucky for me, I had practice with a dog with similar needs for four years before Bastien ever came along. I’m no rookie. And neither is Miss Amanda, apparently.

So on the last day of school, Miss Amanda presented all the parents with this class picture. I was so touched, and frankly amazed, that I felt compelled to go the extra mile with my gratitude for what she had done for Bastien in such a short time.

So after dropping him off and getting Hadley down for her nap, I whipped up this coffee cozy. It takes all of 20 minutes–from getting the fabric and batting out to putting them back again. I can attest because that’s about all the time I had before I had to go pick him back up from school. I nabbed a Tim Horton’s gift card and cup to wrap the new coffee cozy around on the drive back.
The tutorial I used is here. Try it; even the most beginner sewer is sure to love this fun little project.

It’s great to keep these kinds of ideas on hand for last minute gift ideas. You know, for those hard-to-buy-for people you barely know, but who’ve made an impact in your life. Thank you Miss Amanda, we sure will miss you. Now what the heck am I supposed to do at nap time?