Hello beautiful friends! We hope this little entry finds you well.
Confession: I don’t know about you guys, but we’ve had a really hard time since last Friday. If I’m perfectly honest, I had to stop watching the news because I couldn’t stop crying.
In short, our hearts are absolutely broken. We simply can not fathom the pain these parents and children are going through right now. We’re really just struggling with it all, and we’re concerned on so many levels. As parents, and as the parents of a first grader, I haven’t read this with the necessary detachment of a typical news story, and “moved on”. I’m not sure it’s possible. I’m not sure I want need to.
If you’ve been with us for a while, you probably know we don’t really share current event kind of stuff here. But like a lot of you, this hit a little too close to home for us. And this little movement warrants some recognition- a rallying of the troops for a good cause, if you will.
We actually got really excited when we heard about this:
When the children from Sandy Hook Elementary go back to school in January, it will be in a different building. The PTA is hoping to help create a sense of normalcy for those children by creating a beautiful winter wonderland.
They’re calling for snowflakes, guys.
I’m a big believer in the little things. While it may seem trite to some, I can guarantee you there are some little faces that will light up at the sight of such wonderful creations in January when they return to school sessions in a new building. And I want to do whatever I can, to help.
I guess you could say we got a little excited. And as a family, we decided to make some snowflakes.
My kids don’t fully understand. I’m glad for that. There’s something about their innocence I wish I could bubble wrap and protect forever. I think that’s what has to be so hard for the parents and the students who will return next January… this is something that has been snatched away from them… in ways that even grown adults can’t begin to comprehend.
My children know that these snowflakes are going to some kids from that school where ‘a very bad man was’. And they know that these snowflakes will help make the children happy.
Creating them for others, has made them happy.
They’re probably not the prettiest of snowflakes… but to us they’re ‘bootiful’. ;}
If you wish to send some snowflakes to Sandy Hook, here’s the information from their PTA site:
Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.
In the meantime, we will be sending these, and a few other fun versions their way. We have almost a month. Are y’all in? Here’s a few of our favorites:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
We hope you guys enjoy creating a few things over the holidays to help inspire these sweet children. To find out more about what can be done, along the lines of donations and other good things, be sure to check out their info here.
In the meantime, I also really love this. It’s a wonderful way to honor the victims.
Our prayers will continue to be with those in Newtown. Have an inspired day, everyone.
What a fantastic idea!! I hear ya loud and clear, and even reading your post got a little teary eyed. I had already made up in my mind, that we were going to do this, and then my son saw the picture of your daughter holding up a snowflake, and instantly exclaimed, “mom mom I WANT to do THAT!”. He’s 3 1/2 and clueless to the events, but when I told him it was for a school to make other kids happy, he got even more excited to participate. Just goes to show you, doesn’t matter what the age, anyone can help 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this, I think it’s a great idea! ~Bre
I know. I just can’t seem to shake it. I was at my son’s school volunteering yesterday, and will do the same today. It just hurts. So I’m glad we can do something,however small, that is happy for them. Have a very happy holidaisical break! ;} {Merry Christmas!}
Thank You! I agree, the TV and Internet has been VERY limited… I just can’t cry anymore…
Merry Christmas! Thank you for wonderful idea on the snowflakes.
I love this idea! Like you, I have been so saddened and devastated about this horrific tragedy. I also have a first grader, which made it hit home even more, and the whole thing is just so unfathomable. I have already donated to one of the victim funds, but I love this idea as well and will be adding it to our holiday break plans. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts – you’re not alone in how you’re feeling, and thanks for sharing more ways to help!
Thanks Jenny ;} Glad to know I’m not! Hope you guys have a very happy holiday season! I’m looking forward to having the littles home with me for sure.
beautiful! I cut up a whole bunch while watching tv last night. it’s the little things right? merry christmas!
It is very much the little things. I can’t wait to send these little guys on!
Thank you for sharing this with your readers. I am going to join in to make snowflakes for the children at Sandy Hook. I am sure it will smiles to their faces.
Thank you SO much for sharing this! I teach home ec at Big Spring High School in Texas and earlier this month all of my students made snowflakes for my classroom and our hallway so they are seasoned pros at snowflake design. As soon as my kids get back from Christmas break we are going to go on another snowflake making spree so we can send a huge box to those kiddos! So glad I read your blog today!
Exactly my thoughts and sentiments. I’ve been having a difficult time putting together the right words to express how we feel/what we want to do to help. I think I just may share this along, sweet friend. MUCH love to you and yours and those in Newtown.
xoxo,
shaunna
I was just saying this morning how I hate this sick feeling in my stomach every morning that I put my kids on the bus. I feel like I have to hug and kiss them over and over. I experienced a school lock down a couple of month ago while volunteering. I was locked in, hiding in a class room with Kindergarteners. It made me cry seeing their scared faces and knowing that my 6 year old was locked in another classroom.
What a sweet idea. We make them every year anyway. My kids love cutting away. They make so many every year that I don’t even know what to do with them. I will have to share this.
Sorry for the long message.
Wow Julia. I would have had a hard time keeping it together. Bless you!!! Do you mind if I ask what happened? Hoping everything was okay. Don’t apologize for comments! We love hearing from you. Thinking of you and your sweet family. I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling with this.
A child fell and they had to call the ambulance. They didn’t want the small kids to get scared and see blood. Everything was fine. But the process and even seeing the teachers face because she knew it wasn’t a practice alarm and she didn’t know what was happening.
The kids know that the reason for hiding and getting locked in their classroom means that there could be a bad guy in the school. Non of them cried but I had to fight my tears.
I think it was overkill for having to call an ambulance and scaring me to death. Especially since the “injured child” was fine. It is good practice they said and that’s true too.
My biggest fear is how they protect the children during recess on the playground! They are so exposed.
I think these may be the most beautiful snowflakes I’ve ever seen. We have a two-year-old and a three-year-old (who just started public preschool) and it has just hit us so hard to imagine what the parents of the victims must be going through and how scared the kids who went to Sandy Hook must be. Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea. Creating a Winter Wonderland for the kids who return to school in January might help create a bit of a sense of normalcy. We need to do whatever we can to help them in their transition to a new school in January.
I know, Ashley. I know, it has broken my heart and has shaken me to the very core. If there is ANYTHING we can do that has any potential to brighten a day or spark a smile, then that is what we must do! I will send a link to this post to everyone I know. God bless the little ones. I am grabbing scissors and paper right now.
Thanks. I shared the request for snowflakes and the CT PTA website on Facebook. I hope they get a “blizzard”!
Oh, I love this idea. Me and my boys will definetly be participating. My prayers go to all those families. My youngest son is 7, and I could not imagine the pain their families are going through.
Nice job on the snowflakes 🙂 I was equally excited when I saw that PTA snowflake for Sandy message floating around . It was something doable and meaningful.
What an absolutely beautiful idea, and I think the ones made by your children will surely be among the most beautiful snowflakes. We cannot, of course, change what has happened, as much as we all wish we could turn back the clock and wipe it all away. So, instead, we should all do what we can to mitigate the damages. I think this is a lovely way to bring a smile to those little faces. I can only imagine the terror for those children returning to school, and the strength it will take for the parents to let them go. Blessings
One of my friends is gathering hearts (1873 in less than 2 days!!!) to take to the school when he heads there Jan 2. Looks like the kids and I will be making hearts and snowflakes now!
thank you for sharing this! my children and I are doing this and will have a snowflake making play date over Christmas break. so special! merry CHRISTmas!
I love it. This is awesome.
I love you. Thanks so much for doing this and sharing this.
xo,
Jen
much love to you, sweet sweet friend! ;}
Thanks so much for posting this! All the info I need in one place! I appreciate it!