Friday, March 7, 2008

A snake, a doll with no clothes, a stuffed dog, a bag of puzzle pieces...

Who remembers that memory game in elementary school, where your teacher brought out a platter with a bunch of items on it, and then removed one or two and then asked you to write down what was missing?

Let's play...shall we?

Our first picture is of the items/junk Gabe had procured for his "White Elephant Sale" at school. (His teacher pays them play money for good behavior and school work and then twice a year they can bring items/junk from home and sell it to unsuspecting/dumb second graders). After attempting to locate pieces to several baby puzzles (what 7 year old wants that?) and begging his sister to let him sell some of her BuildABear clothes (ha!)--this is the pile he came up with.



Now I know what you are thinking. I know, because I thought it last year, when Emma (who had the same teacher) prepared for her first "White Elephant Sale" at school. You are thinking: "What a great way to get rid of some lame, junky toys!"

Please view the following picture of what Gabe brought home from school:


(This is where the game starts...

1. What is missing?

2. What is new?

3. In the total count, did the household end up with more or less junk?


You know what? I'll make it easy on you. Here are the answers:

1. It doesn't matter what is missing because

2. THERE WAS SO MUCH NEW CRAP!!

3. The only reason we might have come out ahead was because he got a ton of junk food and the remnants of those (though, truly, smeared on my stairs) can be disposed of.

Do you think Gabe's teacher has a hard time keeping a straight face as he writes his first letter home about this activity?

28 comments:

Bridget said...

OK. That teacher just can not have kids herself. Otherwise she could not inflict that kind of pain on other parents. UGH. That looks like a tornado of fast food kid toys. What a nightmare. So sorry. I feel your pain.

Audry said...

Really, what is this teacher thinking?? What mom wants a bunch of junk brought home from some other kids home. Isn't the junk you have in your own home enough?

Margaret said...

That's hilarious! Budget cuts are cutting out classic student incentives like stickers. And the wellness policy is cutting out gummy bears. So, I guess this is what's left?! Too funny.

Um...in this case, what happens in Spokane, should stay in Spokane. I'm hoping you won't spread the love to us purists here in Eugene. :-) Ha Ha.

Lindsey said...

I cannot imagine that game. . . I would be donating the box of McDonalds toys that is in the basement. True treasures if you ask me. . . ha!

crystal said...

Oh, you are so dang creative. Quit it! You're giving me a writing complex.

Now that I think about it, you've given me a personality complex too.

Lauren in GA said...

I agree with you...at least some of it is edible...sorry, about it getting smeaed on your stairs, though...kind of unfortunate. I guess that dolly found her way home...what is that saying about, "if you love something set it free, and if it returns to you it is only then, truly yours?"

Jake said...

I totally did this when I taught school. (Pre-kids, of course!) It is genius for teachers because they are sooooo tired of spending their whole paychecks on supplies and bribes. And the kids LOVE it.

Christie said...

Oh, that is just plain wrong. If it were me, it'd have been in the garbage the minute he walked in the door. Or you could wrap it up and give it as a present to the teacher at the end of the year.

day in the life of a prince said...

I love it! Of course I know exactly what you are talking about!!!

Holly said...

While I like the concept, it does seem to cause a vicious cycle of junk. The kids probably LOVE it though while the parents cringe--isn't that how it usually works?

♥Shally said...

Jaxon would LU-HU-HUV this. He collects junk.

Right now he is into little gun pellets he finds in empty lots in our neighborhoods. I guess green is a coveted color. He keeps those seperate in a SAFE place.

Hazen5 said...

Our teachers do the same thing! My daughter just had an "Auction" and made sure to buy something for her brother and sister! She is so considerate but, please don't bring any more stuffed animals home.

Lindsey said...

Ok, what exactly IS the Blogging Confidential... SOOOOOOO Secretive!

Jenibelle said...

I should have scrolled down earlier, I was totally counting and making notes, I was hoping there was a prize! Bummer. I'm such a dork.

At our house that stuff would mysteriously disappear, then a couple of days later after the garbage pickup...I can honestly say "I have no idea where it's at!"

The Hansen Clan said...

I am laughing so hard... loved it and the best part is that I am 99% sure that the Lay's potato chips are from the Yosts. Stacey was telling me what her kids gathered up for the "sale" and then I saw the chips in your photo - It's a small world after all :)

Audra said...

My boys would be all over this! They too collect junk. "It's not junk, mom. It is treausre." It reminds me of Hector the Collector in Where the Sidewalk Ends.:)

Oh, and I saw your comment on Rachel's blog about how we know each other. Did you say that Ryan's dad is my dad's cousin? I am confused because I just thought Ryan is Mike's cousin! What is it?:)

Anonymous said...

It's actually a great idea for the teacher. Not so great for the Mom's. But, hey. If it makes her job easier and gets the kids excited...right?

Adrianne said...

I am imagining that teacher sitting at home, cracking up over the things he can get away with. I would too if I were paid so little to work so hard!

Anonymous said...

That is too funny! but what a fun day for the class. Great idea!

Heather said...

Do you guys geocache?

That is the greatest way that I know to get rid of the junk that gets recycled home.

Its way fun.

Hollyween said...

I am so OVER the junk of kids toys. That teacher is sending home pure punishment for the parents. And isn't a lot of kid's work that? I swear to you that it seems like it's all to judge how good a parent YOU are and how on the ball you are with crap like that. I hate it.

I'm sorry about your new junk. Dispose of it properly when he's not looking.

AMY said...

Okay, the teacher has got to be cracking up inside when he sees what some the kids take home. The trick, hopefully your kids don't get too attached and maybe it'll be easily disposable.

AMY said...

PS - I hopefully found a way for my blog to upload faster.

http://web.mac.com/sampsonfamily/Blog

Anonymous said...

Maybe you can get Gabe to hold a garage sale and with the money purchase just one junk item. :)
Hey, thanks for being our quickest commentor. We get so excited to see a comment on our blog.
love ya, Brooke
p.s.- You're always welcome to post about our little Braxton.

jessica said...

Oh I'm so glad that Maya got Mrs. Spear! I can't handle anymore crap in my house!

Ilene said...

I love the baby doll. Can't imagine why that didn't get taken. It's kind of like something out of Toy Story (from the bad kid's room).

Hey, you know the nursery is always in need of another junky toy.

TexasTwinsTwice said...

haha--growing up in my family, the older kids (i was one) would sell our 'treasures' to the younger kids who were thrilled to be the new proud owners of their cool older siblings' stuff. My dad found out and made me give our 58 cent profit back. It seems like nothing looks like JUNK to a kid! =)

Meghann said...

So this is what I have to look forward to? . . . . great.