Sort of OT present for a teacher..long

[rafferty]

Well, this may be the wrong group to get a non bias opinion on with this topic, but I will give it a shot! [img]wink.gif[/img]

DD is in the 4th grade and her teacher is having a baby girl. We are throwing the teacher a shower with parents and kids from the class. DD is on the Autism spectrum, teaching her is quite different than most regular teachers are used too. This teacher has been truly remarkable in every way. There is a real connection between DD and this teacher as well. All of the parents just adore her and you can tell because so far we have over $700 in the gift certificate fund for her with another week to go in collection. Some parents are just picking out gifts from where she is registered, etc. as well. Since I know she is having several other showers and she is also in her mid 30's it is not that she will really need anything. I asked DD what she wanted to get her teacher and she said JESS! This teacher is 1/2 Irish and 1/2 Vietnamese, so Jess is a good option. She really looks more like 25 to me though. She has been over here many times and looks at DD's dolls however, I do not think she is really a doll person. I guess I am just looking at this like it would be something her daughter could have for a long time, and it would be a good way for her to remember DD because I know DD will always remember her.

When I look back at all the stuff I got for baby showers, very few items stick out, I think this would. I guess too, if her daughter never got into dolls then she could just sell it.

One other thing I am thinking about because I am just going to do the shower with just one other mom, so we won't be taking funds from the gift certificate, is trying to think of a cute centerpiece without spending too much money. I was thinking Jess could be standing on the table holding a baby....with butterflies all around. The baby's room is a butterfly theme. The teacher could open an empty box, and find out Jess is hers. DD could write a note and put it in the box for her.

So gang, am I out of my mind on this or what?!?

Shelly

[img]eek.gif[/img]

[AG Seamstress]

I think it's a super, lovely, thought!! Go for it!
That teacher will always remember the shower, the gift, the doll, and your daughter.

[Martina's*Mommy]

I'd say, go for it! An AG-doll is the most special gift and your ideas about the arrangement sound just perfect.

A friend of mine (in the US) is a speech-therapist and one of her clients gave her Kirsten. She appreciates this doll very much!

[MOM to JILLIAN]

I think it is a very thoughtful and appropriate gift. Jess is the AG girl of the year and since the baby will be born in 2006 that makes it even better. DD received Samantha for her first Bday--long before she was old enough to enjoy her, but the gift has been a special part of DD's growing up. Every time I look at Samantha I think about my aunt who gave her to Jillian. The idea about using Jess as a centerpiece with the butterflies is awesome. I think you've put a lot of thought into it and I say GO FOR IT!!

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ March 07, 2006 05:06 PM: Message edited by: MOM to JILLIAN ]</font>

[FelinaDoon]

I think that it is a very special and wonderful gift. I am sure she will treasure it always

[vew-tori]

I love all your ideas. As a teacher of 22 years I don't need gifts to remember certain special students but when I bring out one of those special gifts at Christmas, or put on that special bracelet, or feed the cat (my students gave me) it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. It sounds like this teacher is a special person and that she will appreciate such a special gift.

[Starearedkid]

I say go for it-especially because it is what your duaghter suggested that she wanted to give.

I'm a teacher, and so many times I get meaningless gifts albeit expensive, but I value the thought that goes into them, and definately the cards. I mean, one mom gave me a gift certificate to my favorite restuarant for the holidays last year. I mentioned it once.

I think its perfect!\

-Jordyn

[supernonamegirl]

I say yes too, but I would include a note introducing the doll and the concept. I'm sure that being a teacher she's familiar with the books, but possibly not the line and probably not in great detail. Jess:Girl of the year might not mean anything to her, but explaining that she's LE, similar descent, etc would. It would also show the thought you put into the gift.

[ErinGoBraugh]

What a sweet daughter you have! She's obviously put a lot of thought into this, as have you. I think Jess would be a wonderful gift. Cute little outfits and Diaper Genies and all the other things the teacher is likely to get at the shower are wonderful, but this is truly a gift from the heart. It will be symbolic of this baby girl's heritage, the year she was born, and your daughter. [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img] I say go for it! [img]smile.gif[/img]

On a side note, my mom was teaching third grade when I was born. Her class threw a shower for her, and one of the moms sewed a little Paddington Bear for my teddy bear-themed room. Well, that bear became my most cherished possession. He went everywhere with me...until one day when I was 15 months old, poor Paddington didn't make it back from our local parade. I was heartbroken, and my mom was going to ask the other mom if she could make me another one. Well...you'll never guess what happened. A few weeks later my dad had me walking around downtown in the stroller, and he found poor Paddington sitting in a shop window with a sign saying "I'm lost--can you help me find my owner?" [img]biggrin.gif[/img] 23 years later, that bear is STILL sitting on my shelf. So you never know--Jess might turn into this little girl's most treasured possession. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Starearedkid]

Awwww-that is such a sweet story Erin!

-Jordyn