Giving 100%.

Tomorrow is Marley's 100th day of kindergarten, and her school is celebrating the completion of this unit of curriculum with treats and activities and a visit from the Hundred Hero.  Each student has 100 homework, too: a collection of 100 things, creatively displayed.  This was a problem.  We were having a hard time coming up with a potential collection, partly because I wanted whatever Marley brought in to be representative of her, of the sparkly and sweet little girl she is.  Two years ago, Riley brought in 100 horses, which makes complete sense.  Next year, I imagine Emma and Owen will bring in 100 of whatever their current passions are.  I wonder what I would bring in, especially since food items are not allowed.  Maybe some sort of crossword puzzle collage.  

Together, Bean and I made a list of things she likes*, to see if any of them could be turned into an Official Collection of One Hundred.  In the end, she decided on combining two favorites, coloring and rainbows, by using 100 stripes to enliven three numerals and seven happy stars on a large piece of paper.  And since I wasn't sure these stripes counted as the "collection" assigned by Marley's teacher in the handout from her special blue folder, I told her to get clearance at school before we got started.  (I love to abide by the rules, you know.)  To  be sure that she could explain her concept clearly, Todd helped Marley write out a note to her teacher, and then things got interesting.

Todd had recently downloaded Songify, an autotune app on his iPad.  And when Marley was writing her note and Todd helped her with a grammar issue, he recorded the lines, "If you don't believe me, ask your Mommy," and shortly thereafter created a hit song by the same name.  It was simultaneously unnerving, amusing, and contagious.  Next Marley made a song reading her note out loud, and then Todd capriciously emailed it, without explanation, to Marley's teacher.

Eventually, Marley's fantastic teacher, who recently got her own iPhone, sent back her own Songified reply, letting Marley know that the stripes were a great idea in what I shall now refer to as: "100 Stripes (The Remix)."

Marley brought her colorful collection, planned and drawn and counted and colored entirely on her own, to school today. And she added some extra sticker stars for decoration, a typical bit of cheerful Marley flair.  I have to admit that I told her they were a mistake, that they would distract from the purity of the stripes, and I also have to admit, looking at these pictures, that they are celebratory and fun and absolutely an improvement.


*Marley's list:

1. Ghostie and Blankie
2. markers
3. hearts
4. stickers
5. rainbows
6. ballet
7. gymnastics
8. fairies
9. princesses
10. decorations
11. coloring
12. chocolate
13. nabi
14. make-up
15. books
16. chin-up bar
17. peace signs
18. balloons
19. dressing up
20. glitter
21. writing in a notebook
22. Calvin and Hobbes