His First Contest

It was our library’s 100th anniversary and they had a Bookmark contest for each grade. Even though it was from K-8, they let the preschoolrs enter the contest too. A is not that good at coloring but that week I had a book called “where do Balloons go?” and that made it easier to draw:-) He made a party theme bookmark with cake, hats, streamers and confetti. I told him that its our library’s B’day and we have to make a card. I didn’t tell him that it was a contest and if he does great he might win the contest. I told him to do his best and try to make a nice card for our library who let us borrow lots of books, arrange story time twice a week, art class and lots of other interesting events throughout the year. Everyone is so nice there and we just want to say thanks by making a card for them and the library.

“Just like we made card for you and Daddy on Mother’s day and Father’s day?”

Yes:-)

They had all day event with really wonderful programs like Mother Goose, puppet show, Special story time, Bubble fun and Art time. As soon as the last event ended and we were about to leave, the librarian said “Its time to announce the winners (one from each grade).” By then I didn’t even remember about entering the contest and I knew there are lots of other kids whose mothers spend hrs. teaching them how to color and they color almost perfect. One of my friend’s daughter, who is a year older than A, can color pictures almost perfect. Every week I see my friend sitting with her teaching her how to color while I am trying to argue with Gudiya not to take all the crayons and let others use them too. A colors ok for few seconds and then start doing silly stuff but he is good at drawing stuff since drawing takes only few seconds;-)

Now I was sure that my friend’s daughter would win. That day she told me that she drew a book & cake and I thought since she drew something related to library(book) and celebrating(cake), she got it right and its everything they are looking for. I had also told A to draw something related to library but he wanted to draw only the things he drew so I didn’t argue. My friend said that her daughter A already told everyone that she will win and I agreed with her knowing how well she is at coloring. So I told her that even though I didn’t see her bookmark but I am sure she will win too. So when they start announcing the winners I told her go ahead cuz they will be calling her name soon but they called A’s name instead.

I couldn’t believe it. The librarian called A and gave him his prize. I didn’t tell A about the contest so he didn’t know what he was getting prize for. I offered my friend the prize since her daughter was so looking forward to it and A didn’t have any clue. She said she had already bought something and wrapped it for her at home so it was ok. A opened his gift right there and it was this..

(Where is my prize?)

It was his first competition and since he won, I explained it to him what that prize was for.
“They had a contest and so many kids made bookmark for the library. Everbody did a great job but they liked yours a little better.” All he said was

So I won and Gudiya didn’t?

Yes.

That’s Ok Mommy, I will share my prize with her.

:-)

To make it more special for him we took him out for dinner and Chuckee Cheeses :-) And the next morning I put 2 wrapped things (1 for gudiya) under his pillow and told him “Since you did a great job making bookmark and shared your prize with Gudiya, Jai-Jai left these for you”:-)

I never thought that he could win otherwise I would’ve made a copy of the bookmark or at least take a picture of it.. He ia getting another award next week for the summer reading program. Everybody who reads certain number of book during a particular period gets the award.. So both will be getting it this time:-)

Here are some pictures of that day..