Spring Concerts, Graduations, and Picture Books

The other day I saw two robins looking for worms in my front lawn.  Spring is coming! 

Before I get ahead of myself and start thinking about all the fun travel with my grandchildren, I had better come back to earth and remember school is not over yet. This time of year brings the spring school concerts and graduations.  I had both this last week and almost didn't make them.  I had not planned ahead for the concert for my 3rd grade granddaughter and grandson.  I was exhausted and did not look forward to driving home after the concerts since it was out of town.  "I'm sorry," I shared. " I will not be able to attend." My granddaughter had her aunt, uncle, grandmother and great-grandmother, her mom and my son coming so knew she wouldn't miss me.  My grandson, new to her family, would enjoy them staying for his concert as well.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that thinking was pretty flawed.  I called up my son and told him to save me a spot.  I would probably not make it for my granddaughter due to commitments I could not break at home. I would get there just as soon as I could.  I walked in the door and my grandson, already on stage, spotted me the moment I walked in.  Usually not one for showing emotions, he got the biggest smile on his face as he looked right at me.  I waved, he waved quickly too and I knew I would never miss another concert if at all possible.  My granddaughter looked at me and said, "You missed my concert!"  I apologized several times and realized you can never have too many quests at your concert when you are in the third grade (or ever)!

Graduation.  I wasn't sure we would make it for my granddaughter's graduation.  We were expecting a pretty bad spring storm and with my son's broken ankle, we did not want to risk driving for several hours in bad weather.  We both watched the weather carefully and he let his daughter know we would try if we could.  She understood and said it didn't matter to her.  It was not going to be anything special.  Our prayers were answered and the storm moved to bypass us and it looked like our road would be clear up and back. We headed out.  My son called his daughter when we got to town so she would know we were on our way.  There were nine in her Esthetics's class and her graduation was very special.  There were sixteen graduating all together and I'm so happy I was able to attend.   We were so proud of her and her hard work and told her many times that night.  Her smile lit up the entire room and she and her friends congratulated each other, cheering as each teacher was introduced and each graduate went up on stage.  We got to meet her best friend at school and I took lots of pictures.  She's working now, getting a job before graduation.  The only downside, my youngest son and family couldn't attend due to his in-laws coming to town for a long awaited visit, all ten of them, which couldn't be changed after the school changed the graduation date.  He was as disappointed as we were although they had a wonderful time with my daughter-in-law's family.

All of us like to be recognized for our hard work no matter if we are 8 or 20 or over 60; don't miss those concerts and graduations.   Those good memories will last a lifetime for the performer and the audience. 

Found a new website today: Margo Dill's Read These Books and Use Them! I had  never thought of using a picture book with no words to help children express themselves with words.  The book she chose to review, Octopus Soup by Mercer Mayer, looks perfect for both of my third graders, as well as my second grader.  Since I'm at the home of my third graders, a trip to the library seems in order.  Not only will they be able to enjoy the book, they are able to make their own choice as to which page they want to write about, and can do their homework independently.  "Now what should I write, grandma? I can't think of anything." Those statements are frustrating for me and for them, this will make that process easier.  

Do you have a favorite picture book without words that we should try? Be sure to check out Margo's blog.  I'm going back later to review some books for my older girls.