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top secret ‘happy day’ notes for the whole ‘hood

home / family life / top secret ‘happy day’ notes for the whole ‘hood
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Originally published September 1, 2010, but republished today because, well, friends, everyone could use a lift.

 

Last week, we ran into a verrrry blue Thursday morning. Everyone was cranky, everyone was bickering, and everyone was down in the dumps.ย 

Maybe our summertime later-night schedule was finally taking a toll on us; maybe we were anxious about the upcoming change of schedule. Whatever it was, we needed a lift.

I remembered my pal Jessica’s recent post about ‘Doing Good in August‘ and thought also about my trip to Yahoo! where I learned about all of the amazing people and things going on at Yahoo! for Good.surprise happy day notes

I wondered if a little do-gooding (good-doing?) would be what Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I needed to lift our spirits and pull us out of our end-of-summer funks. Turns out, it worked.

Surprise! Happy Day Notes:

When things got really bad and I counted 1, 2, 3 for the gazillionth time and took away one too many gems from the frazzled gem jars, I wanted to pull out my hair.

surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.com

I finally said (after giving myself a much-needed extra cup of java), Look, it’s okay to have a tough day. We’re all having one, and it’s not pretty. But we can’t keep whining and moaning and picking on each other. I can’t take one more gem away or have any more kids in time out.

Let’s try something different. Sometimes when you’re extra nice to other people and make their day better, your day feels better, too. Maybe that’s what we need to do to turn this terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day around.

So I quickly hit the computer and punched out very simple Happy Day note cards with basic (okay, super-cheesy, overly excited) happy messages like–

You are awesome! High-five to YOU!
You are #1–numero uno!
Have a smiley day!
Here’s to you! You are a great person!
The Happy Day Notesย can be downloaded below if you feel like spreading the love.
surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.com
Cora cuts apart her Happy Day Notes.
surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.com

I printed them out on the brightest yellow, orange, blue, and green cardstock we had. And then we cut them out (pretty good fine motor practice for little fingers, too!).

After they were all cut out, Maddy, Owen, and Cora decorated them with a Foamie or a sticker, and then they shoved them into their bags.

We were on our way.

Maddy and Owen wanted to hoof it, but Cora jumped in the wagon with her bag in hand. Cora and I followed Maddy and Owen around our street, and they literally put a Happy Day note into everyone’s mailbox on our block.

(I know it’s not legal to go into other people’s mailboxes, and really–I’m not condoning illegal behavior. But I thought that the US Postal Service might waive a fine for three little Secret-Happy-Day-Note-Givers on this one day. Maybe?)

surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.comOne lucky neighbor found his note on the bench outside his door.

surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.com

Mailboxes, doors, benches–it didn’t matter. We gave one note to everyone we could, and then when we finished with our block, we went on to the next.

The kids were on a mission. They were happy. They were skipping. They were excited just talking about how people would react when they saw their notes.

We wondered what our friendly neighbors–the ones we know and talk to regularly–would say, and we talked about what the neighbors we didn’t know might say.

Would they suspect it was us who left the notes? Might it cheer them up after a long day at work? Would they be angry or think it was a joke?

surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.comMaddy, Owen, and Cora put tiny Happy Day Notes everywhere they could.

Later that day, we took Brady to the Dog Park, and the kids brought along the extra notes they had. We put some notes on cars in the lot near our favorite Market, and we put some notes on cars near the Dog Park.

One family at the Dog Park had a particularly ‘in-your-face’ kind of pooch who wouldn’t get out of Cora or Owen’s space, and I could not keep the dog away from them. I called out to her, Would you mind calling your dog, please? I can’t seem to keep him away from the little ones.

surprise happy day notes for the whole neighborhood | teachmama.com

She yelled, If you can’t handle three kids and a dog, then you shouldn’t be here–go somewhere else. Seriously. She said that. To me. In front of my kids and hers. Across an entire dog park.

I wanted to scream things that my kids have never heard–and shouldn’t hear–any adult say to another. Instead, I shrugged it off and threw the ball for Brady–the other way.

But as we left the park, I asked Maddy for one of her Happy Day notes.

I said, I really think that cranky lady needs some cheering up. She must be having a tough day like we were having. I’m giving her a note and hopefully it will cheer her up.

I put one on the lady’s car, and her son must have seen me. He yelled, Mom! That lady put a note on your car! which prompted Angry Dog Park Lady to run over to the fence, scream at me–in front of my kids–Why are you putting a note on my car? If you can’t handle your kids and dog, then STAY HOME!

I said, You know what? I did put a note on your car, and it’s a Happy Day note that my kids and I are spreading around to cheer people up. Yours says, ‘You’re Awesome’. Do you want me to take it off? I will.

She huffed away red-faced and angry, and I drove off with a smile on my face and three kids clapping and cheering and woo-hooing that we gave the note to the most perfect person ever–someone who really, really needed it.

And that’s that–not much of an ABC or 123-learning day, but an important life lesson nonetheless. Cheering people up does feel good. Doing good things feels great. And it couldn’t be a better lesson for three little Crankies and their Cranky McCrankerson mom on a late summer day.

We will definitely run incorporate do-gooding into our lives more often–in any and every form we are able.

Do YOU want the Happy Day Notes for the WHOLE ‘Hood?

How does your family share the love, help others, and do good for the community?ย 

Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:

  • wait time
  • my day, your day
  • frozen peas
  • kids who rock the kitchen
  • kids who rock the laundry
  • rest time
  • gem jars
  • arm circles
  • noticing kids
  • homework routine

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ ย For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.ย 

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

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View
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Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
Open
This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
View
Open
Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
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Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
View
Open
Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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