Meaningful Moments

Last week there were occasions at work that caused me to say, "This is why I do this." 

There is at least one moment daily that elicits that reaction from me. Am I sappy and sentimental? Yup. It's not usually anything big, or would probably not appear so to casual observers. 

But I really do get a moment of affirmation every day. In the middle of the chaotic noise and activity and busy-ness, those moments stand out.

Take Wednesday of last week. 
Oh the weather outside was frightful. 
(everybody sing along)

We used the gym for our running around time. The kids weren't thrilled, they prefer to go out, but when there's an inch of water on the playground, we don't go out. I grabbed my speaker and my laptop and we went to the gym.

Limbo, Macarena, Cha Cha Slide. Then we did their favorite and they all danced to the YMCA. Not all of them danced, some were playing soccer at one end of the gym. But I looked at the line of kids smiling and clapping along and dancing and having so much fun together and felt my heart melt a bit. I admit it. Sappy. The music teacher was on her way out of the building while we were having our impromptu dance party and she stopped to dance, too. The kids loved it.

On Thursday evening the PTA held a school-wide family event.
::sigh::
You all know what that means, right?

We had to move our program to the library after snack time. We had planned to use the gym because it was another wet day, but the PTA was setting up in the gym within 8 seconds after the dismissal bell. So my already-wired-because-the-routine-was-disrupted kids weren't able to do any running around.

I bring regular things with us to the library, art supplies, zoobs, a few games. 
And stuff we don't have out every day, too. 
Dollhouse stuff, the red not-solo plastic cups, the marble run.

I also brought something we'd never had out before, a foosball table. It's small because I don't have enough storage space for a larger, more sturdy model. But they were excited and enjoyed it.

At the end of the day, Andre's father picked up the boys. Kieran headed out to the hallway immediately, the PTA was serving pizza. Dad told Andre that it was his last day in the program. He looked so sad. I told him, "I will miss you, Andre. You better say hi to me if we pass in the hall! And please stop by and tell me a joke now and then, will you?"

He looked pleased at that. His father looked at me and said, "You've been just wonderful. Thank you so much."

I thanked him for trusting me with his kids. Told him I am pleased I got to know them.

I admit things will be calmer without Andre, he's a lot of extra work. But he deserved a place where he felt welcome and was supported. He found a place in the group, and I know several of the smalls will miss him. Yes, he was often inappropriately loud, obnoxious and difficult to redirect. He also has a kind heart, a great sense of humor and an interesting way of looking at most things.

I'm glad I've found a decent company to work for now. I am well-supported (mostly) and able to appreciate those moments as they happen.

The company has been respectful to me and they care about the kids in our programs. 
Do they get everything right? 
Well, who does? 
It is a good place to work, though, and I love my school.

There's a lot of busy-ness in our afternoons. It's never boring. There is constant noise and activity and depending on the mix of kids, arguments and loud conversations and messes and craft projects and more arguments and like I said recently, full contact origami. Add phone calls and parents coming to the door to pick up kids. A whirlwind. 

It's about to become a little more busy, too. The after school classes the school offered last year are going to start again.

They're planning to serve snacks to those kids in our space in the cafeteria. We'll be setting up in half the space but I don't think it will be as hectic. They plan on using the floor for the kids to sit and eat instead of setting up tables. The larger group will be eating in the gym.

I guess we aren't having the rodent problems that we had last year, they've finally removed all the trap boxes from my storage room.

Anyway, it ought to be interesting.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop by. We're having a family open house night this week on Thursday. You could do a craft or play a game with us!