I am a CELEBRITY!!!!

Well, at least at Desert Willow Elementary I am a celebrity.

The Spell-A-Thon kick off was today and it was fantastic. I appreciate the comments and suggestions left with my last post. Unfortunately I had been extremely sick over the last week and Josh was gone. It was all I could do to get the packets done to go home to all of the kids today. I couldn't even think about the assembly until last night about 9pm.

I freaked out on Josh and told him he HAD to help me. I certainly didn't want to be the boring parent standing there giving out facts, but I was struggling to figure it out. We started throwing out ideas and together we finally came up with a basic theme of "Spy School" using the Mission Impossible theme song. Josh spent a little while looking for and making sure I had the song on CD while I drew up an outline and put everything together that I would need.

Seriously, I couldn't believe I did half the things I did today. I had to do an AM assembly for four Kindergarten classes and then two in the afternoon for the K-2 & then the 3-5. The AM assembly was a short version of the longer K-2. It was great to get a short test done first. It was a hit. I had them start the music and then came running in diving behind teachers and hiding here and there. The kids loved it and I quickly got their attention.

I introduced myself as "Spella, Spella-Thon." Then proceeded to tell them that I was training them in spy school. It would take them through activities to help them use their spy skills (pictionary and hide n go seek with the spell-a-thon words). In between the fun I gave them very basic information about the spell-a-thon (including getting them super excited about the prizes) and then tested them at the end to see if they could graduate from the spy school. Each child that helped draw, answer a question, whatever it was got a small prize - smencil (a fun smelling pencil). Everyone wanted one!!

The first afternoon one was similar, but a little more in depth since it was longer and the entrance was much more dramatic. I slammed the door open from the back to "make my entrance". Then I was ducking, weaving, bobbing, crawling, sliding across the floor - all the way up to the front and on stage. When I was almost there - I had the thought, "what on earth am I doing right now?" It was crazy - but they LOVED it. Every child there was so involved and excited.

The second one, I was the "cool" spy, rather than the Get Smart silly kind of Spy. Still the kids loved it. I walked in all cool with my shades, struck a few poses. Then the kids all lined up to have me give them five. I was running up and down the isles giving everyone five. Again, the rest of it was wonderful.

I think I succeeded in not being the "boring parent" up on the stage. My email has been full from teachers telling me that their kids loved it and are excited. I have already received calls from parents wanting details to make sure their kids could get an iPod Shuffle! Sa-Weet!!!!

As I walked through the school the rest of the afternoon kids stopped me from everywhere saying, "Hi Spella". During the assembly I told them to get their parents attention by putting their fundraising packet into the fridge. So the kids were also telling me that they were going to do that. I think the other parents there waiting to pick up kids were trying to figure out who I was. Of course, once they visit with their child, they will know that I am Spella, Spella Thon. The Spell-A-Thon Spy!!!!