The train’s pulling in to the station. The coaster is reaching the bottom of the hill. The golf ball is rolling across the green about to sink into the hole. Yep. The year is coming to a close. This year I wanted to leave my students with a special gift and I just couldn’t find the right thing for them. Then I was in Target one night, browsing, and saw a bag of silly straws. That’s just what they need. Who DOESN’T need a silly straw? It’s a reminder to not take yourself so seriously all the time, right? So, from there I built a tool kit, “Tools for An Awesome Life.” What was in it? A little bit of everything…
Lego: Become a part of something bigger than yourself. You’ve been a team in our classroom for four years and I hope that wherever life takes you, you’ll be a part of a team.
Silly Straw: Never take life, or yourself, too seriously.
Bouncy Ball: Bounce back from mistakes and failures. We all experience those moments. It is our reactions that show our true character.
Penny: Notice it’s not a shiny and new penny. It’s the kind of penny that reminds you that life is not about luck, but also about hard work.
Thank You Card (Blank): Look for someone in every single day to thank. The people that support you will be the most important people in your life. Kindness counts for something, always.
Tiny Umbrella: Some day, when it rains, use this umbrella to protect yourself from the rain. It won’t actually protect you at all. Sometimes dancing in the rain is just the kind of fun you need.
Sharpie: Make your mark on the world. Boldly. Unless it’s your walls at home. Don’t leave bold marks on those. It makes your parents mad. (Trust me on that one.)
CD: If you ever forget that you were a part of something awesome, put this CD in your computer and watch our video. All of this? It’s a true story that I was incredibly blessed to be a part of each week with you all.
For more ideas about making the end of the year special, read what I did last year. 
So what do you do to make the end of the year memorable? I’d love to hear your ideas!