Dear Maggie —

I loved your post last week to “Mismanaged Molly” – I just giggled so much at the thought of those tchotchkes. SO. MANY. MORE. TCHOTCHKES. – as you put it. Well, you were not kidding! I loaded up my kids e-Wallets as you suggested (thanks for the heads up!) and told them all they had to buy at least one book. I’m sure you know where I’m going with this… not one single book came home. So much for putting the “book” in “Book Fair”. 🙄 But my kids were thrilled with their new purchases – and I’m happy when they are happy ultimately, so we’re all good. So I was wondering how the Book Fair went for you this week – and if you survived all of the tchotchkes – if you don’t respond right away, I will assume that you are still buried under a mountain of them!

— Tickled Torrie

Dear Tickled —

Well, as you pointed out – this year’s Book Fair has not disappointed – both in the turnout and excitement of the students and in the number of TCHOTCHKES purchased! Man, those kids love anything squishy, fuzzy, or shaped like a chocolate bar. But I am surviving, and so is the SMOS Library crew – and we’re all gearing up for one final push with this evening’s family sale to parents and grandparents. Somehow, I expect the preponderance of books sold, will come from this final couple of hours – less tchotchkes, more books!

But while the Book Fair has yet again been successful – the sweetest, and most amazing surprise has been the incredible amount of generosity we’ve seen from the students. There have been countless instances where a kid doesn’t have money, and another student buys them a book or a trinket with their own money – just to make sure their friend doesn’t feel left out. I’ve even seen kids return their own purchases, so they can buy something for a friend!! There have really been some angels on display this week – and trust me, I know a thing or two about angels.

So, good job, moms and dads!! Take a pat on the back – because clearly, you’re doing something right. In fact, when I witness these sorts of selfless acts, I kinda think you’re killing it! I know it’s often difficult to see our own children as little angels – they have a wonderful way of saving their most inappropriate behavior for their parents – and a lot of time, “angel” is not the word you would use… more likely, the opposite. Trust me – I know what it’s like to feel like you’re raising little devils – try rearing a future king and teaching him to be selfless (he literally was “entitled”). And so it’s important to recognize these victories – and celebrate the times when it appears that maybe the kids are going to be all-right after all in this crazy world.

Now, as far as their love for knick-knacks goes – there still might be cause for concern. If nothing else, it might be time to go out and buy stock in Oriental Trading Co. Or thank the good Lord that Amazon doesn’t allow minor accounts. Because I’ve seen what some of these children are like with untethered charge accounts. They may be super generous – but they also are not super thrifty. But let’s not ask for the world here – take the win and let’s all enjoy the shining halos on our little angels… at least for one day.

— Maggie