Polka Dot Lunch

For my years at St. Matthew as a Reading Specialist, one perk was that I often got to work with kids for years and years. One perk of that was that each year I was invited to The Polka Dot Lunch. The concept was simply. For one family, instead of buying Christmas or end of the year gift for "special" at their children's schools ( PE, Music, Art, Janitors, Library, etc) they provided one themed lunch for them all- every year was the same thing- POLKA DOTS! And year after year it became a lunch we all looked forward to and were so grateful for. When I asked mom where she came up with the idea, she told me a family had done it for her when she was working in the schools and she wanted to recreate it. I told her then someday I would do the same. Today was that day.

A week ago, we hand delivered invitations to the teachers and helpers inviting them and asking what sort of items they would want for their lunch.

This time, each lunch was in a white sack with a polka dot piece of tissue paper, a polka dot napkin, a water bottle, and mayo and mustard!

Everything has to be shaped like a polka dot! This year, the menu included Ham or Turkey and Cheese Bagel Sandwiches, Grapes or a Orange, Circle Pretzels or Chips, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.
THis morning I took a polka dot tablecloth and put it on one table in the teacher's lounge and set out some cheese balls and M&M's for everyone to enjoy!

The kids, Alaric especially as he helped me with all the planning and preparing, were so excited for their own Polka Dot Lunch( they had sandwiches using bread and then cut out with a measuring cup)

Happy little polka dot faces!

Next year will be a totally different menu! What a fun project. We all enjoyed it! Thanks to all of Alaric's teachers and school helpers who keep him safe, healthy, happy, and educated!