Elsa Extravaganza

I got to babysit Elsa this evening. We had special time, just me and her. She was so excited,
as was I. Elsa pretended to feed me mushrooms (circular blocks) and I pretended to be disgusted-- and she loved it.


In the middle of playing, she decided we needed music. Off she went, putting in an Al Green cd, then connecting headphones. Standing there, dancing by herself, I couldn't have loved it more.

I have been known to put any, and every, kid to sleep. Whether it be nap time or bed time, I never have a problem. Elsa has been quite a problem for her parent, but she doesn't nap with me at school, so I had my fears. Alas, my reputation remains untarnished. Elsa and I went up to bed at 6:45p, read two books, sang two songs, and out she was by 7:15p. One more kid down, many more to come I'm sure.

Optical Occasion

Josie's mom, an optometrist, came to my class today to discuss the eye. She brought in extra pairs of adult glasses for each of the kids -- which they loved.

Mabel, wearing her glasses, and also the daughter of a mom-doctor, comes to me saying: "Hello. I am Dr. Mabel. Now what can I help you with today."

On another note, Josie's parents brought in cupcakes for her upcoming birthday. Her mother was going to collect and throw out the cupcake wrappers. I told her that the kids could clean up after themselves, in which she sincerely responded with, "They can?!"

Josie

I have a pet bunny, LaBrown.

Josie sits on my lap while playing outside at work and, completely unprompted, asks: Is LaBrown doing well? Is she still peeing on the couch?

Lovely, refreshing sincerity.

Growing Pains

I am in my first real workplace ethical debacle.

A co-worker is violent with our kids. She makes the day miserable, stressful, and rather unbearable for the other teachers and children. A family left the school today because of her behavior, but called me before making a final decision. Was it ethical to accept the personal phone call about professional issues? My boss is extremely concerned, but doesn't feel ready to fire my coworker. She wants me to "blow the whistle" immediately after/during the next incident. Do I get this girl fired? She trusts me.

I'm struggling with where my loyalties should lie, the family? My boss? My coworker?

Observation Deck

Today the school I work at took a family field trip to Longwood Gardens. The teachers got to go along, and didn’t I find it interesting how parents interact with their children (outside of the fifteen minutes I get to see at drop off and pick up). Parents couldn't get their kids attention, insisted on holding hands if out of the stroller, and best, started complaining how they would never get their kids down for a nap!

I, however, called 'Ladies!' just once, and four of my children turned around. Nap? No problem. Stop going into your child's room! Stop answering his/her every call! And please, whatever you do, forget the milk bottle. At three your child should be consuming more than enough calories and balanced meals that he/she does not need milk six times a day, let alone from a bottle.

Overall the trip was entertaining, mostly due to the wild goose chases between adult and child.

Revolution

Josie (2.5 yo) and Eliana (3yo) decided to watch a movie. They opened a door, to a basement I didn't know the house had. Down the steps, the pair entered an enormously red room, complete with a projection screen. Josie asks, "Is this a movie theater?" Eliana, "No. It's my TV collection."

Eliana proceeds to shuffle through a collection of remotes, picks the correct one (I can only assume), and turns on the projector, DVD player, receiver, dims the lights, and tucks herself and Josie into the leather couch. Was I, the babysitter, and teacher at their preschool, needed?

Side note: Parents of both girls still give them sippy cups, think they cannot walk up/down stairs alone, and spoon feed them regularly. Perhaps the 'parents' should get to know their girls.

Scrabble

I decided to get a cup of tea while working on some reading for class. The coffee house was bustling, and a little girl, with what I assume to be a family friend, was playing her version of Scrabble on the floor in one corner. I opted for the seat adjacent to the game.

She held up a tile, E! And her guardian would list words, beginning with E, until she guessed the correct one. I commented on the girl's hair bows- Halloween themed. She watched me read, and I watched her play. She suddenly stands, looks me over closely, and tells me I have beautiful red hair.

What beautiful sincerity.

Spilt milk.

At work we take daily trips to the local park. Each kid holds on to a ring on a rope, and we travel the 2 blocks with 20 kids, and 2 teachers.

I was at the end of the line with the day's 'caboose', Rebecca. Jacob, ring neighbor, was excited for his birthday cup cakes, planned for later that day, and repeated the word spaghetti, over, over, and over. Rebecca looked up to me and asked me to have him stop. There was little I could do, so I told her to think of something else, like I do, and soon all the 'noise' would fade away.

I was thinking off coffee and a croissant, so Rebecca picked chocolate milk to focus on. We walked a few steps and she began to cry. What could have happened? Rebecca looked up, so sad, and wailed: "I spilled my chocolate milk!"

Four-Year-Olds.

Elias: Well that's what my mommy said.
Hartwell (from across the classroom): Well your mommy's always wrong so who cares.
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Elias: If YOU eat on Yom Kippur then I'm going to pull my cannon gun off the wall and put you on fire!

Josephine

Josie and I spend about 30 hours every week together. When given a homework assignment, she's almost always part of it. Here is a recent short, showing how Disney propagandizes the princesses.