I Used Nice Words, But It Was Too Late

It seemed like a normal day when I finished up practice and headed to the day care to pick up Taz. He said he had a bad day, but he hadn't gotten in trouble (Something I always have to ask when I pick him up). We climbed into the car and drove over to the after school care room to get the other two kids.

When we walked in the door, the supervising teacher asked me if Taz had told me what happened today. Nope.

Apparently a little girl kissed him.

On the mouth.

Yeah.

The teacher wasn't sure who started it, so I had to do a little bit of interrogation, mommy-style. Which is, of course, asking him the same question over and over in different ways to see if his story changes. He's four. He hasn't figured out my system yet. (Mwa-ha-ha!)

This was his story, and for the record, it never changed:

"I was just watching a movie, and she kissed me. I said, 'Please stop.' And I used nice words, but it was too late because she already did it. But we both got in trouble before I could tell on her."

Of course, I had to tease him, because who could resist such an opportunity. I said, "Taliah isn't going to like it that Rilyn kissed you."

He looked at me for a second and said, "Let's not tell her."

First Day of School 2008

In spite of my apprehension about the start of a new school year, we (the kids and I) survived our first day. I tell you, it's amazing how easily you can get these kids up in the morning on the very first day of school. My daughter's first words were -- at 6:30 in the morning, no less -- "I'm not tired, Mom!" and she hopped cheerfully out of bed. She's easy to rouse in the morning (yes, even on the second and third days).

My son, on the other hand, has issues with morning. Especially if it's still dark outside. The first day, he got up relatively quickly and was quiet but cordial. On his second day, however, he was a grump. He climbed back up in his bed and told me, point-blank, "It's not time to get up. It's still night outside." He had a plethora of excuses and condemnations for kindergarten: There's no rest time; They don't have centers; It's too long. Basically, he was in no mood for school.

How can he possibly know -- after only one day -- there are NO CENTERS in kindergarten? Breakfast was another disappointment for him... the Honeycombs were stale. He wouldn't eat them. We ended up grabbing a package of peanut butter crackers on the way out the door. On top of his rough morning, he started off his school day by losing his backpack on the playground so was unable to give the teacher his milk money in time. His mind just couldn't focus and so he was "re-directed" several times throughout the day until he finally ended up by Mr. Sad Face. What a day!

When I picked him up at the end of the day, he was sitting quietly at a table spinning a BopIt. Poor kid!

Well, for better or worse, we made it through our first few days of school and are happy to be finally at the weekend. Next week will be better!

The Summer Ends

Well, the unthinkable has happened. I am back at work. Well, "back" is not the most accurate word to use, since it's a new job -- but it is work, nonetheless. I started Wednesday. I still have virtually nothing accomplished in my classroom. I can't put anything away, so it just sits there in boxes in the middle of my room, taunting me.

Starting back to school in the fall is almost always a stressful experience for me. This time I have the usual stress compounded, since I have to learn a new staff, new procedures, new students and a new curriculum. For the past 8 years I have had only one prep (for those of you who are unversed in the educational lingo of today, that means I taught only one lesson to six different groups of students). This year I start out with five preps -- all new to me, and therefore, I am starting from scratch with the curricula for all five courses. Add all that planning to back-to-back faculty meetings, an open house for parents and students, an unorganized and hopelessly cluttered classroom, and anything else I've probably repressed, and you come up with a delightful recipe for "Dear God... HELP!!!"

I suppose that's a good thing though. Don't want to get too stuck in my old ways, after all. I think I need a little shaking up just to refresh my spirit for teaching. Once I get settled in, things'll fall into place. If they don't, well, you'll probably hear me hollering from where you are.