At the end of the month, Dillon will celebrate the 100th day of school. I don’t remember doing this as a child, but these days, it’s a big deal. I would love a history lesson on this. A Google search produced a children’s book about The 100th Day of School and I wonder if it came from that.
To mark the occasion, Dillon and his kindergarten friends each collected 100 things. My husband suggested our son collect kisses. I pounced on the idea and immediately started singing, “I always have to steal my kisses from you…” and although Dillon thought the song was neat, he asked if we could modify the project.
“Can we do hugs instead?” And then he listed all the little boys who would not want to kiss him.
“Dillon, that’s an even better idea!” I said.
So we spent the past two weeks taking advantage of every hug opportunity we could find. And the result was this:
The project was a family affair, with all that snapping, say cheese!-ing, cutting, sorting, and pasting. I know I’ll keep this forever. It’s one of those things you have to see in real life to get the full effect, but if you look closely at the facial expressions, you witness the unwavering power of a simple embrace. (You will also see Spongebob and a Justin Bieber CD. What can I say? Love doesn’t discriminate.)
It’s like that Dave Matthews song, “Everyday”:
Pick me up love!
Pick me up from the bottom… up to the top (love) everyday
I take my chances on every day.
I can’t watch this video without experiencing a sudden onset of happiness. All you need is, all you want is, all you need is… Love.
Who will you hug today?
And if you’d like to have my blog delivered to your reader or inbox, click here. If I could, I’d definitely hug you for it.
So very cool!! A hug-a-thon captured as a collage, just awesome. I will definitely have to hug someone today, especially the Lovely Miss TK.
Reminds me of the Free Hugs Video that brought such a smile to everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hN8CKwdosjE
I LOVE that song.
I thoroughly enjoyed this song Angie! Makes me smile and feel so good inside to watch the video. While asking for a simple hug “from a stranger on the street” may seem offensive to some…those who’s hearts seemed to be in the right place were open to the warmth and fulfillment of both giving and receiving. I leave this page with such a goodness and love in my heart …Thank-you, Angie!
I love this.
Thank you, Jennie.
For kindergarten students, 100 is the magic number! We work hard learning to count in various ways to 100. The day is full of celebrating 100, including eating 100 snacks. For teachers, the hundredth day means we are MORE than halfway through the school year! (only 80 more days…but who is counting??)
I knew you’d come through with the big “why” of it all!
I’m definitely not counting because the year is flying by way too quickly for me.
Looks like I’m going to be hugging random folks walking down the street today. Thanks Angie
Just doing my part…
I would love to see video of that.
I cried when I read this. Beautiful. I’ve never heard of celebrating the 100th day of school – is this a regional thing? I think it’s a great idea! Your son is awesome and so very, very loving and smart (boys wouldn’t want to kiss him – priceless)! A beautiful tribute to a very loving family.
I’m so glad he didn’t listen to us and came up with a modified plan! He was RIGHT. I never heard of it until he was in 4K last year. In the comment above, his teacher Kristi Meeuwse explains why they do it.
What a great idea! My kindergartener has that assignment, too, but the best idea we’ve come up with so far is to string 100 Cheerios into a necklace.
A Cheerio necklace. Now you see it, now you don’t! Yum. It’s been fun to see what the kids have come up with.
When I taught 5th grade, we watched this video towards the end of school. Their final school project was to hug one person a day for a week, but they couldn’t hug the same person twice. They had to write one page about the difference they saw in themselves and the person they hugged. Children can be pretty perceptive, and if we’re smart, we’ll let them teach us a thing or two
Hi Holly! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. What a great idea. I would have loved to read what the students wrote after the “hug challenge.” And you’re so right about what children teach us. If we listen.
I will hug MTM in honor of Dillon. He looks like he’s having a blast in the collage. Most excellent idea.
His hugs with some of the girls crack me up. A couple of them look like prom pics.
What inspired thinking, Dillon! If there were more hugging going on, there’d be much less time for hurtful things!
When I retired, I brought several things home with me from my office bulletin board, among them an email forwarded from a co-worker in September 2001. I have no idea who the author was, but this piece continues to hang above my desk for periodic reference:
“Hugging is healthy.
It helps the body’s immune system; cures depression, reduces stress.
It induces sleep; it’s invigorating; it’s rejuvenating. It has no unpleasant side effects.
Hugging is all natural, organic, naturally sweet and 100% wholesome.
It contains no pesticides, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients.
There are no moveable parts, no batteries to wear out.
No periodic check-ups, no insurance requirements and no monthly payments.
It’s inflation-proof, non-fattening, theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and of course, fully returnable.”
I love hugs and am sending a big one your way, Dillon!
Virtual hugs are just as effective. Thank you, Karen!
I live in Nolensville, TN. Please deliver me one hug, as promised!
So sweet!!!!
Oh, I love this, what a great idea – 100 hugs! It reminds me of the people who walk around with those “Free Hugs” signs, you just can’t help smiling at them and feeling a little happy. I think it’s wonderful that Dillon not only suggested this but played along happily. What a great memory and photo display to treasure.
What a dedicated parent you are! Your kids have no idea how lucky they truly are!