last day with current babysitter- need ideas on how to mark the occasion/transition

[Nightswimming]

Hi,
This Thursday will be the last day my 18 month old gets watched by his babysitter of 10 months and will probably be the last time he sees her and plays with her 17 month old for a long long time (they are moving cross country).

I am looking for ideas on how to mark the event so that my 18 month old might understand what is happening a bit (other than by just talking to him as we leave). Typically on a Thursday we get ready to go and wave good-bye and I say "have a good weekend. We will see you next week."

How do you think a short ceremony might go? What would I say? Any other ideas? I could focus on celebrating the new chapter my babysitter and her family are embarking on.

Thanks!

--Katie

[ashleyhaugh]

when i worked at a daycare, we were constantly taking pictures of the kids. when a kid left our room, whether because they were leaving the center, or just moving up, we would make them a little book with some of the pictures we had of them. it was usually prett simple, digital pictures printed out and glued into a little construction paper book. if you have pictures, it would be nice to make 2 books- one for her kid and one for yours. that way they'll have memories of their time together