"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Chocolate Day


CHOCOLATE DAY

Fabulous 5th grade - do you remember when your kids were in 5th grade - I do and I don't, but I do remember they did not have something called Chocolate Day, because my grandson just had it, and if my kids had had it - I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED.

About 6 weeks ago the teacher gives out Chocolate Day packets. Now the GS has heard about chocolate day since kindergarten. It's only for 5th graders.

The packet handed out had so much paper in it I could just imagine the trees being cut down for the (stupid) project. Worth 270 points to some subject. And if they didn't get an A, B , or C they didn't participate. Six children didn't make it.

Well if you want to know anything about chocolate - ask me now while my memory is fresh.

I know all about cocoa beans, Milton Hershey, Hershey, PA, I've helped invent a new chocolate candy and made 30 of them, a new machine to make chocolate, reports upon reports, stories, and so forth.

I ask you why? You know the parents did a lot of it. We did - of course we made the GS do it with us. But we worked hours and hours on chocolate. We ate our far share too.

They did have chocolate day - ate 30 pieces of chocolate or could - and came home over dosed. They had a chocolate fountain too! They had a ball. This was the first event towards graduation from 5th grade.

My daughter and I are room mothers - since she works I do most of it. I have done it for 5 of the 6 years. One year I was copy grandma. I think a lot of the parents work these days.

However the teacher likes it and it is a way to get involved in your child's school life.

So on to the rest of the activities for the end of the year. I went to the committee for graduation exercises. My goodness the gals in the PTA are serious contenders for power. I'm just a helper. They have planned this for years and it is a tradition so they know what to do and let me tell you - it is a big deal.

In early May their graduation trip is to Chattanooga and the Aquarium. He is waiting now for this one!

The last week of school has a yearbook signing day. It's outside and we are going to cook and grill for them. They get to stay out and play in water and sign yearbooks and have lunch.

The next day is the presentation and talks. They have a slide presentation that we send in their kindergarten picture in and they will match it to his 5th grade picture. Awards. My guy has never been tarty in 6 years so he knows he'll get that - so we'll see.

Then they get to sit down and we serve them lunch dressed in black pants and white shirts. Sounds like fun.The last day of school - the last 20 minutes they will take a walk around the school - two times and say goodbye to their old teachers and siblings and say goodbye to school.

Grandma is going to cry.He says he won't, but I bet he will!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY-

"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Forrest Gump

How true is that? Right?

x_5c59c1d





57 comments:

Shelly said...

Wow- that's a huge thing! Chocolate Day doesn't sound like a lot of fun for parents, but I'll bet the kids really, really love it.

Unknown said...

wow, i want to go to that school! sounds delish. i love that your are soooo involved with your grandson. lucky him and lucky you!

dr momi said...

Sounds lke they really get the kids involved. But, I do not miss having to "do homework" ....you mean I might have to do it all over again as a grandma??? :-)

Melanie said...

Wow, a chocolate day! I think we'd better start something like that here! Sounds like fun! :)

Lynn said...

I just imagined that chocolate from the fountain dribbled down clothes. :) I wonder if they'll want chocolate again for a while?

It sounds as if they do some wonderful things.

Remington said...

I have never had any of that but Beth certainly LOVES it!

Wanda's Wings said...

Your grandson is a very lucky little guy. Chocolate day sounds like too much fun!

Skoots1moM said...

that fits in so well with the 'getting school lunches more healthy' program...doesn't it?

Knitty said...

There is a lot that I don't understand now about what takes place now in schools but I'm glad your grandson had a good time and is looking forward to the next event.

Shug said...

Our daughter used to teach second grade and they had an entire six weeks that focused on chocolate. Iat first I thought this was crazy, until I saw all the interactive learning that goes along with this study. Lots of math, and the good thing was that the kids loved it. They were very excited to learn.
Have a great day.

TexWisGirl said...

chocolate day sounds fun!

Grammy Goodwill said...

I feel sorry for the 6 who didn't get to attend. Even after teaching for 28 years, I'm still a softy on discipline. It was never my strong suit. I know they should have done the work.

Betty said...

I think chocolate day sounds like fun, and it's only one day. I think going around and saying good bye is a nice tradition, but I'm not sure a yearbook and some of the other stuff is necessary for fifth grade. What's left when they graduate from high school?

Lady Jane said...

Chocolate day sounded like fun!!! GS's field trip sounds like a blast also. A year book signing too!!! Wow what a hugh way to say goodbye to 5th grade. I had a good laugh about the power struggle... I saw that in GD's school way back when... You did say there was some learning going on right??? Hugs. LJ

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

We NEVER had Chocolate Day when I was a kid!! Is that a chocolate shoe? How cool is that? I wouldn't want to be the teacher on Chocolate Day, but I'd like to be a kid. And I've always wanted the chocolate fountain thing.

The Boston Lady said...

I well remember my children's fifth grade years and how emotional the final months were for some reason. I had to laugh about your graduation committee observation, because ours was like that - some real go-getters in there.

I cried the last day my son was in fifth grade, but not my daughter - I think I was ready to leave the school after so many years. I was room mom many of those years and did the PTA and other volunteer options. What I always liked best was just working in the classroom with the kids. They were a lot more mature than their parents sometimes. Ann

Sally Wessely said...

I have one piece of dark chocolate a day.

A chocolate day is one to celebrate!

Nancy said...

I want a chocolate day...will you come and do one for me.....I could do some serious damage......

MadSnapper said...

really cool and interesting, nothing like this when i was in school or when my kids were in school. it can't be bad if it has chocolate in it

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I feel so deprived! We sure missed out on a lot of fun things the kids get to do in school these days! Heck, even my kids didn't get to do a lot of things that are done now. Chocolate Day sounds like a great time and the upcoming gradation trip will be fun too!

Love Of Quilts said...

I wouldn't go alone with anything they couldn't do for the hole class to set out 6 of the kids is down right mean.

Anonymous said...

Mmm Chocolate!!! I want to have a chocolate day [every day]

Eva

Nancy said...

Well aren't you sweet (groan) for helping out at school. Chocolate Day? I think we had some kind of physical education thing, like races, etc... My, how times have changed. :)

Jill said...

Nope! Never had chocolate day here nor did my kids. Sure sounds like fun though. :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

We did not have a chocolate day that I know of and my children never did either. However I do remember those yearly Science Projects. I was so glad when those were over. Chocolate would have been fun!

Belle said...

I don't remember a Chocolate Day at my school either! No fair! I'm happy for your grandson.

BECKY said...

Awwww, how sweet! (in more ways than one! LOL
Great post, Sandie!

Jim said...

Hi Sandie ~~ I love chocolate with a 'crush!' For lunch today I had a BIG handful of dark chocolate covered (Nestles) raisins for dessert.

In college (in my first life and dropped out after three semesters) I worked at Miller & Paine, a prestige department store, now closed, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Normally I would work in the rug department but during the Christmas season I would go up and help out in the candy factory. They made a lot of the finer chocolates we can still get.

You asked me earlier in a comment if I was from England and what surgery did you have?

"Jim said...
My surgery was the repair of a spinal vertebrae, T-12. The disk was pushed back into near its unfrangmented shape and a cement mixture of powdered bone graft material was injected inside.

"Our younger daughter (Karen), two grandchildren, and a son-in-law live in London. Karen is there on a work visa. The others are on a family visa."
..

Sush said...

Chocolate Day sounds great! I do remember being room mother and all the work it entails..whew! It would be nice if somewhere in the celebrations the teachers remind the kids to thank their parents and grandparents for all they did for them to make their life lovely!
Hugs~

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I like that the kids have to earn it. Chocolate day! I could go for that.

Have you had the school interview yet? I've been thinking about you!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I never heard of "chocolate day"...how cool is that?!?! Don't cry Grandma..I think he will shed a tear too!...:)JP

Grandma Bonnie said...

Oh, mmm chocolate. I am looking forward to the day I will be able to do thes kind of projects with my grandchildren. I can see myself volenteering to help with the chocolate project.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Woohoo!!!Chocolate day is somethin' I can truly sink my teeth into!

What fun that is for the kiddos.

Yep, I remember all the field trips, fun days and assemblies toward the end of a school year.

I taught Middle School, May is a busy, busy time.

What a great gram you are sweetie.

God bless ya and have a terrific day!!! :o)

Unknown said...

Chocolate Day would be my fave day of the year! lol

Dolores said...

Chocolate Day sounds like fun and delicious too.

Your grandson and his school are sure lucky to have you on their side..... and lucky you too.

Lois Christensen said...

I have never heard of chocolate day, but I wish I could have a chocolate day but it would NOT be good for me! You sound like the perfect grandma! I cried when both my kids were done with elementary school. It's sad but exciting. Hope your day was good! Share the chocolate recipe!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I remember a few awards assemblies and some special get togethers but nothing like this! Chocolate day would have been great if the adults could come! LOL...Should be a fun ending to Elementary school for him and you! Hugs, LInda

Ginny Hartzler said...

Gosh, what a whole lot of graduation stuff!!! I guess he will never forget it. I don't remember doing anything like this when we were kids, just a half day of a little celebration. Now I'm going to look for some chocolate.

Ann said...

This is simply not fair. Not only did I not have chocolate day when i was in school but neither did my kids. I want my chocolate day :)

Anonymous said...

Oh fun! Both my middle school and my high school had interdisiplinary projects like that...though they were discontinued right before I reached that grade. LOL

Blondee said...

Everything I thought to be true and good about my childhood was nothing more than a pack of lies and falsehoods. Somewhere out there was chocolate day, and I missed it???

Sounds delicious!

I think it's wonderful that you are so involved!!!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

it sounds like a very good day to me
love
tweedles

ruthie said...

The picture of the lavendar fields is BEAUTIFUL: and the fun chocolate tradition is even better!

Tanna said...

I would have remembered a chocolate day too!! LOL! blessings ~ tanna

Unknown said...

Chocolate day!! Wow, were do I sign up, that would be fun. It is nice that you take time and get involved in your grandson's life and support him throughout school. You should get the grandma of the year reward! You are a great person inside and out! I am so glad I met you!

Gabriella is getting better, lots of tears today but I think they were all mine.LOL Have a wonderful rest of your week :) Love your posts!

Unknown said...

oh and your Fields of Lavender are gorgeous... love it!

Jeanie said...

What a lot of special activities to end the 5th grade....it all sounds like fun. Your GS is very lucky to have you so involved.

DaCraftyLady said...

wow great school love chocolate.. what a great day for g-son...love your new heading photo...when it opens it is so purple I love it!!! Debb

Susan said...

Oh my GOSH, Sandie. That post had me salivating for, what else? Chocolate! mmm mmm mm

Loved the lavender fields, too. Wouldn't you love to got here? Bet it smells heavenly.

GS will cry along with Grandma! It will be a beautiful life memory for him.

Susan

Marie said...

Your header is so gorgeous!

We never had a chocolate day nor did my son. He did learn all about Milton Hershey in the fourth grade. He loved learning about the entrepreneur as much as eating the hershey candy bars and kisses the teacher brought into class.

Every year in Elementary school they handed out awards and Kyle always received an artist award.
For the fifth grade graduation they had a talent show and Kyle played "Smoke On The Water" on his guitar. He had never taken guitar lessons and he taught himself to play it. I wouldn't trade those moments or these memories for anything. :)
Your grandson is one lucky young man to have you all!

Chris said...

Hi Sandie, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

Kerrie said...

Hi Sandie, Stopping by for a visit because I miss you and wanted to say G'day. I've never heard of a chocolate day. As a parent I certainly know how much work you have to do to help with school projects. Well, sending mega hugs and love your way. I hope you have a happy day! God bless. Love, Kerrie

Catherine said...

Chocolate day? Wow ~ I've never heard of that. But I know if I would have had that back when I was a kid I would I have gotten an A+! ;)

Have a terrific weekend!
xo Catherine

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Yum- chocolate! Sounds a little dangerous to sugar-load all those kids at once... :)

Anonymous said...

Chocolate Day??? I never heard of such....and my GS will be 12 this July....must be a local celebration...that NEEDS to go across the states....every one needs a bit of "purpose" to endulge in a bit of chocolate

Annesphamily said...

Chocolate day sounds like fun for the kids! Parents and grandparents, not so much! My goodness time flies. Your GS is going on to middle school! WOw!

Sharon said...

Oh congrats to GS - a big day indeed!

NO! I do NOT remember a Chocolate Day. I have my own version here at home from time to time - which usually entails me just sneaking candy bars.

Sounds like there are a lot of great festivities planned. Are they going to have a Cheesecake Day? I'll plan that one with you...