Celebrating the new school year while Mom is away

I have an amazing opportunity to speak at a TEDx event at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida today. I’s a huge honor but it also means I’m missing the kids’ first day of school. I know there are a lot of parents who are never able to send their kids off on the first day, but with Cameron going into seventh and Jordan going into third, this is a first for me.

To make up for it, I took “first day of school” pictures during back-to-school night just so I can have pictures to compare and contrast the kids at the end of the school year. I also was able to put a small Hallmark gift to work as a little surprise for the kids.

During our super cool visit to Hallmark, I was given a gift of two small Sound Charms that let you record a short message. I knew it would be a perfect way to sort of “be” with the kids on their first day. I recorded a message for Cam and hid it with his keys in his backpack.

For Jordan, I left the decoration hanging from her backpack and figured out a way she wouldn’t notice it until I was out of town.

It’s super dooper sweet. Jordan noticed the charm pretty quickly after I left town. She listened to it a lot… So much, Cameron was worried I didn’t get him one. Luckily, I snagged charm for him and recorded a different message. (I was worried he’d think he was too old for a message from me. I was wrong!) Cam’s charm was hidden deep inside his backpack with his keys. He had a chance to get a little reason to smile.

Thanks again, Hallmark, for giving us so many wonderful memories and a special gift to help the kids start the school year with smiles.