March 2024 SOLC–Day 5
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I have never had a class celebrate as many birthdays as my class this year. It seems like there are always cupcakes, cookies, or some other sweet treat coming in the door. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m always up for sweets and a celebration, but this year that’s been complicated a bit by a student whose parents want her sugar restricted. And so, of course, the treats are rolling in!
This past Friday we had cupcakes late in the day. I was handing out random napkins from a stash in the cupboard, while the birthday boy supervised cupcake dispersal. I had decided to use up all the odds and ends. Who knows how long they’d been there!
“Rainbow stripes for you and you!” I said, putting down a few brightly striped napkins.
“Yay, we’re back to Valentine’s Day!” I said as I handed out a few red heart covered ones.
“Oh, Christmas is here again.” I put down a napkin…
What! Wait a minute! That doesn’t look right!
I snatched it back up.
“Never mind, it’s snowmen for you!” I said, quickly recovering, pulling a napkin from the bottom of the pile, and moving away. The surprised student was thankfully distracted by an incoming cupcake.
I moved over to my desk and quickly shuffled through the remaining assortment of napkins. Was there another one or two? Yup! I removed them from the stack and then continued handing out the rest of the napkins.
Before long the kids were off to Specials and I was looking more closely at the napkins I’d secreted away. I have no idea where they came from, but I’m pretty sure that these napkins were not intended for an 8 year old birthday bash:
Maybe I need to look a bit more carefully at what else is in that cupboard. Or maybe I need to quiz the room’s previous occupants. And take notes! Because clearly they were having a good time!
Nix the comfort zone 
*snort*
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I know, right!? lol
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Ha!! I love the energy in this Slice and the beautiful example of that moment when our “adult selves” get mixed up with our teacher selves!
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I deny all knowledge of this napkin and its origins! lol I am not a martini gal!
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I’m more shocked that your school still allows treats than by the napkins! 🤣 Cupcakes and treats have been gone for a long time from our school celebrations. But I do remember the joy they brought and the pride of the one celebrating the birthday!
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Everyone is happy when there’s a cupcake in the mix! PS You’ve got to remember that Maine typically isn’t on the cutting edge of things 😉 which may be part of the reason I love it here so much!
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I LOVE the way you ended here since I’m a former occupant of that room! ha!! When you are passing out the other napkins you did a great job listing the other images that set up a perfect contrast to the martini glass! The photo really captures its absurdity!
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Well, I didn’t want to publicly call you out! lol But I do have a few questions!
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HAHA…how funny! Imagine the emails you would have gotten the next day from the mom had he gone home with the napkin. 🙂 This is such a funny small moment slice!
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I was thankful I managed to avoid that scenario!
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Howling with laughter here in my classroom! I’ve done that before with the odd ball napkins and my Kindergarteners love it. But as Jess said, I was struck more by the cupcakes. Bringing in treats was banned here in my district 15+ years ago due to allergies, healthy eating habits, etc… Whenever I am near a really good bakery, I often choose a cupcake because I miss them!
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Most years I bake and bring in a treat for my birthday! I miss the days of home made treats, as kids mostly bring in store bought cupcakes. At least I can easily pass on eating those 🙂 and the kids are still thrilled.
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Your slice had me giggling! I was not expecting it to go in this direction and I’m thankful for that. I like the anticipation you built as you told your silly tale. Thanks for the laugh!
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Thanks! I love when something I write makes people laugh!
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An unexpected turn at the end. I thought we were headed for your head on a platter because you gave the no sweets kid a cupcake.
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Well, she can eat sweets, but they’ve asked that I write an e-mail letting them know when she’s had a sweet treat.
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Ha! I love this. I was so curious about what the napkin had on it, and so grateful for the picture. I probably would have missed it entirely.
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Those tell tale martini lines caught my eye! lol
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Like Jess, I was surprised that you celebrate birthdays this way still. I did laugh at the end. Good catch!
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I wonder how many schools do still allow celebrations. From the comment thread, it sounds like not too many!
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tee hee! Glad you caught that one!
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Me, too!
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That is so funny! I’ve done that too. Those napkins have a way of sneaking away and ending up in the oddest places!
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It wasn’t my napkin! lol I really have no idea where it came from.
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This made me giggle! I remember the days when I taught in NYC schools, which allowed birthday celebrations filled with sweet treats. Now, we have very strict food lists and any food items must go through the nurse. Needless to say, no treats are allowed for birthdays. But, I suppose I won’t experience any old cupboard napkin dilemmas this way either.
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I guess that’s the bright side. I’m pretty thankful we’re still able to work in the occasional snack.
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Oh, Molly, haha! That photo says it all. That is so funny, “Santa’s Real Helpers.” This post cracked me up!
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It was very funny when it happened, too. Especially since I managed to catch it!
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I’m still laughing! I began reading faster, wondering about ‘that’ napkin. Quick reflexes snatching that napkin back up. Laughing again!
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I was so surprised when I recognized that tell-tale martini shape. Yikes! lol
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