I probably shouldn't tell stories about teaching Faith Formation but I can't help myself.
A few things from yesterday...
1. Teaching the kids about parables. Ask if anyone went to Mass this past Sunday and heard the parable about the Prodigal Son. Every child but 2 nodded their heads NO, they had not been to Church and therefore, had NOT heard the story.
I feigned disappointment, as we had not made it either.
Lovely leader, I am.
2. Asked the kids about their favorite Bible stories. No fewer than 3 told me they "didn't know any." Hmm. About 5 really and truly told me they had never heard about Noah and the Ark.
Now, I am a heathen in the finest sense and my kids are certainly no better for it but really? All that stuff about the big boat and loading the animals 2-by-2? Wow. We have our work cut out for us this year.
3. Finally after some story telling, we ask the kids to draw and write about their favorite parable. At this point, any story about Jesus and God will suffice. One kid's fave was "the one where God died." Really.
I had to seriously bite my tongue and not inquire "Really? Is that REALLY your favorite? The one where he DIES? And are you sure HE dies?"
But I am an adult and I am able to control my sarcastic tongue when surrounded by 8 year olds.
4. I pick up my 2 older ones after class and we are on our way to pick up Walks With Purpose from the nursery. I see D holding his class book and ask GoGo where hers is. She looks very confused. I ask her again. Again, the face.
By this point my voice may have started to get a bit loud as I asked her again, where her book was. I tell her we have to pick up Walks with Purpose and now we have to walk back to your class to get your book and we will be late and For the Love of Pete. One or two mothers may have glanced our way.
Then D, my smart and sweet boy, gently taps the book in my hand. He gives me a look like "Really, the book? The one in YOUR HAND?" For the Love of Pete.
I think all of this heat and rain is affecting my brain. Thank God I saw a few small signs of Fall around today.
http://theroostphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/slowly-but-surely.html
Shark Attacks and Awards
D came home on Friday with an "Outstanding Student Award" certificate. Apparently he was chosen from his class to receive it, got his name announced on the school TV show in the a.m. and got to go to the Media Center (Library, people) and get a special pencil.
I asked him why he received it. He said "just because I always give my best effort in class". Ok.
But did you do one thing in particular that got you the award? "No, I'm just always good". Ok, then.
For some reason he's back on the Legos he got like 3 or 4 years ago. They no longer make them so of course each set is like a thousand dollars now. Maybe not quite that much, but a lot for Santa's list.
So he's been building replicas of the sets he wants.
My girls. GoGo cried when she found out D received that award. Why are you so upset, I asked her?
"Because I'll NEVER get that award!" Hmm.
Lately I have been finding wounded Barbies around our house. Some with legs missing from the knee down, others without heads. Yesterday I found these 2, lying around.
I asked GoGo - what is up with all these injured Barbies?
"Shark Attacks". That was really and truly her answer.
She is obsessed with sharks right now.
I don't know if she's going into Marine Biology or horror films, but right now she would watch Jaws everyday if I let her.
WHO bit this one's arm???
My Walks With Purpose. Taking it all in.
At Least We Were in the Right Place For It
So I survived my first attempt at teaching a Faith Formation class.
Or as my kids call it, "The Class About God."
Which, they say, they don't really need. Because they already know all about God.
Because they are very clearly in dire need of warm bodies (hence, they asked ME to teach) I signed our happy selves right on up and Walks with Purpose attended nursery while the other 2 received instruction.
I was to have a co-teacher who unfortunately for me and my students, was a no-call/no-show. Bummer.
I had to wake Walks With Purpose up from a nice nap to even get there on time so it's not hard to imagine her state when dropped off at nursery for the first time.
In fact, I received a frantic call about 20 minutes later to attend to her, as she had an explosively, bloody nose. Nice. My first thought? She probably had some sort of apple-sized mass in her sinus cavity, causing her little nose to gush blood. My next thought? At least we are here, on Church property. Maybe some extra call lines to the Upstairs.
After seeing that she was fine with Elmo on the tv and snacks in her hand, I returned to my class.
Which at that point, consisted of only my oldest child. Then in a crazy rush, they all came bustin' in. Fifteen of them, one of me.
There were 2 in particular that I quickly realized WILL require extra "laying of the hands."
My brain was yelling PUNKS while my mouth sweetly inquired if everyone there remembered the Our Father from last year?
Again, at least we are here. Pray for patience, NOW.
GoGo had to be peeled from me like an old fruit roll-up when I dropped her off at her class. She hadn't pulled that stunt in a very long time. But on the return trip, she barely acknowledged me in the hall as she filed by with her class. Well. Hope she was saying some of those Our Fathers when she walked on by.
I felt good when I left even though I doubt I inspired any child to consider the Church as a vocation. Maybe next week...
Or as my kids call it, "The Class About God."
Which, they say, they don't really need. Because they already know all about God.
Because they are very clearly in dire need of warm bodies (hence, they asked ME to teach) I signed our happy selves right on up and Walks with Purpose attended nursery while the other 2 received instruction.
I was to have a co-teacher who unfortunately for me and my students, was a no-call/no-show. Bummer.
I had to wake Walks With Purpose up from a nice nap to even get there on time so it's not hard to imagine her state when dropped off at nursery for the first time.
In fact, I received a frantic call about 20 minutes later to attend to her, as she had an explosively, bloody nose. Nice. My first thought? She probably had some sort of apple-sized mass in her sinus cavity, causing her little nose to gush blood. My next thought? At least we are here, on Church property. Maybe some extra call lines to the Upstairs.
After seeing that she was fine with Elmo on the tv and snacks in her hand, I returned to my class.
Which at that point, consisted of only my oldest child. Then in a crazy rush, they all came bustin' in. Fifteen of them, one of me.
There were 2 in particular that I quickly realized WILL require extra "laying of the hands."
My brain was yelling PUNKS while my mouth sweetly inquired if everyone there remembered the Our Father from last year?
Again, at least we are here. Pray for patience, NOW.
GoGo had to be peeled from me like an old fruit roll-up when I dropped her off at her class. She hadn't pulled that stunt in a very long time. But on the return trip, she barely acknowledged me in the hall as she filed by with her class. Well. Hope she was saying some of those Our Fathers when she walked on by.
I felt good when I left even though I doubt I inspired any child to consider the Church as a vocation. Maybe next week...
Blessings
There is a very tiny church near my house that I drive by at least 8 times a day.
There is a sign out front that reminds drivers to "Count Your Blessings, Not Your Problems."
Blessing Number One.
Blessing Number Two.
Blessing Number Three.
Trying to appreciate things in the moment with these guys and not worry so much about all the fluff-stuff in life.
I would hate to miss a second with this fabulous trio.
There is a sign out front that reminds drivers to "Count Your Blessings, Not Your Problems."
Blessing Number One.
This Sweet Boy.
Yesterday his teacher told me what a hard worker, good listener and good boy he was.
Things I knew but nice to hear nonetheless.
Blessing Number Two.
My Lovely Middle One.
At her third piano lesson yesterday, she "graduated" to songs. Already.
Blessing Number Three.
The Precious Baby in the Family.
She enjoyed her first week of preschool. She's loving it.
Trying to appreciate things in the moment with these guys and not worry so much about all the fluff-stuff in life.
I would hate to miss a second with this fabulous trio.
Nothing, really
So 2/3 of my little people are back in school. I don't want to jinx anything by even commenting, but things are going well. In terms of getting up without argument, arriving on time, nice teachers, etc.
D in particular is faring well in the a.m. He, like his mother, abhors being woken up early. But he has not uttered one word of complaint since school started last week. He seems to really like his teacher and the rhythm of things.
We are, however, only on Day 6.
GoGo has come with 2 Yellows in a row. For those unaccustomed to quantifying your day with a crayon, this means she received a verbal warning from the teacher. For what? Talking too much, of course. I told her today if she comes home with that again, she will lose some privileges. She reminded me it was the other girl, talking to her that caused her to get in trouble. Naturally.
GoGo also had her first piano lesson yesterday and I am proud to say she rocked it. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long but hey, you gotta start somewhere.
I was really convinced Walks With Purpose was going to be a boy named Jude Patrick and I was going to be able to live all my rock and roll dreams through said child. While she does enjoy her some tunes, she will most likely not be in a Beatles Tribute band.
But GoGo on the piano is very cool. Her math-friendly brain gets the way the keys have order, "finger number"s, etc. Maybe we'll be able to gather 'round the piano at Christmas for some seasonal fare.
Speaking of Walks With Purpose, her preschool open house is today and she starts next Tuesday. She has been clapping her hands all morning when I tell her this.
I have signed her up for 3 days, although I do not intend to send her 3 days every week. I just like the idea of having options. I sent my older ones for 2 days when they were her same age. I was always told "as many days as they are old". And I love doing things Even-Steven when I can. But there may be days when I have a work commitment or need to volunteer at the big kid's school or just need my toes done.
So there we are with the 3 days.
Settling in to a new schedule. New activities. Weekend trips. The holidays before we know it.
Nothing, really. But quite a lot, also.
D in particular is faring well in the a.m. He, like his mother, abhors being woken up early. But he has not uttered one word of complaint since school started last week. He seems to really like his teacher and the rhythm of things.
We are, however, only on Day 6.
GoGo has come with 2 Yellows in a row. For those unaccustomed to quantifying your day with a crayon, this means she received a verbal warning from the teacher. For what? Talking too much, of course. I told her today if she comes home with that again, she will lose some privileges. She reminded me it was the other girl, talking to her that caused her to get in trouble. Naturally.
GoGo also had her first piano lesson yesterday and I am proud to say she rocked it. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long but hey, you gotta start somewhere.
I was really convinced Walks With Purpose was going to be a boy named Jude Patrick and I was going to be able to live all my rock and roll dreams through said child. While she does enjoy her some tunes, she will most likely not be in a Beatles Tribute band.
But GoGo on the piano is very cool. Her math-friendly brain gets the way the keys have order, "finger number"s, etc. Maybe we'll be able to gather 'round the piano at Christmas for some seasonal fare.
Speaking of Walks With Purpose, her preschool open house is today and she starts next Tuesday. She has been clapping her hands all morning when I tell her this.
I have signed her up for 3 days, although I do not intend to send her 3 days every week. I just like the idea of having options. I sent my older ones for 2 days when they were her same age. I was always told "as many days as they are old". And I love doing things Even-Steven when I can. But there may be days when I have a work commitment or need to volunteer at the big kid's school or just need my toes done.
So there we are with the 3 days.
Settling in to a new schedule. New activities. Weekend trips. The holidays before we know it.
Nothing, really. But quite a lot, also.
These Are the Days
First day back to school. Bittersweet. Hard on the mommies, no? At least this wuss, it is.
Hate to see my little people go back, I had such a great summer hanging out with them. Most days I genuinely enjoyed their company, the amazing people they are becoming. Other days I came close to breaking out the Festivus Pole, they made me so crazy.
I also hate to see them go back because as I walked out of their classrooms this morning, I could see the clock jump a year or four ahead. Each day gets them closer to middle school, proms, drivers ed, college.
Right now I have a little bit of control left. Sooner than not, I won't. I can still help with school work, activities, projects. I can intervene a bit when necessary if friendships encounter turbulence. I can remind them of their manners, the Golden Rule, their P's and Q's as my dad would say.
I also love to see them go back to school. For one thingI don't have to listen to anyone whine or argue for 6-7 hours. Nice.
More importantly, they are able to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, learn something new everyday, branch out on their own a bit. I keep reminding myself that these guys are only on loan to me. My job is to just give them the space to figure out who they are meant to be. Not tie them to my Festivus pole forever.
Today they came home tired but happy. GoGo encountered a mean girl who commented on her glasses and of course my girl nipped that in the bud IMMEDIATELY. She starts a Tai Kwon Do class this weekend so this chick should be prepared.
D needs time to process the new teacher, kids, etc. He made a few new friends and saw all of his old ones. And learned a rhyme that he and his friends this afternoon found hilarious.
D: Listen to this! It's so funny!
Friends: What? (giggling)
D: Chinese, Japanese (tugging his eyes respectively), Dirty Knees, Look at THESE! (tugging his shirt respectively)
All: Rolling on the Floor with The Giggles
Oh yes. We are the pc household around these parts.
And yes, these are the days.
Hate to see my little people go back, I had such a great summer hanging out with them. Most days I genuinely enjoyed their company, the amazing people they are becoming. Other days I came close to breaking out the Festivus Pole, they made me so crazy.
I also hate to see them go back because as I walked out of their classrooms this morning, I could see the clock jump a year or four ahead. Each day gets them closer to middle school, proms, drivers ed, college.
Right now I have a little bit of control left. Sooner than not, I won't. I can still help with school work, activities, projects. I can intervene a bit when necessary if friendships encounter turbulence. I can remind them of their manners, the Golden Rule, their P's and Q's as my dad would say.
I also love to see them go back to school. For one thingI don't have to listen to anyone whine or argue for 6-7 hours. Nice.
More importantly, they are able to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, learn something new everyday, branch out on their own a bit. I keep reminding myself that these guys are only on loan to me. My job is to just give them the space to figure out who they are meant to be. Not tie them to my Festivus pole forever.
Today they came home tired but happy. GoGo encountered a mean girl who commented on her glasses and of course my girl nipped that in the bud IMMEDIATELY. She starts a Tai Kwon Do class this weekend so this chick should be prepared.
D needs time to process the new teacher, kids, etc. He made a few new friends and saw all of his old ones. And learned a rhyme that he and his friends this afternoon found hilarious.
D: Listen to this! It's so funny!
Friends: What? (giggling)
D: Chinese, Japanese (tugging his eyes respectively), Dirty Knees, Look at THESE! (tugging his shirt respectively)
All: Rolling on the Floor with The Giggles
Oh yes. We are the pc household around these parts.
And yes, these are the days.
I Can See the Beach From Here
While we were at the beach, GoGo asked to redo her bedroom in a "beach theme". I said sure...what did she have in mind? ORANGE paint, Mommy! Um, yeah. No.
So instead we did a few beachy items and some new bedding and she was a happy girl.
It's not a private cottage in Bali but it will do for a 6 year old.
And then Gogo got some rockin' purple glasses and she can really spot the sea shells now, Mom!
And this has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but I love my dining room in the early a.m. The natural light that comes in is so pretty. Getting' my Martha on pretty early, today.
Walks With Purpose got her hairs cut last week and her little bob is too much. She looks so much older and she likes to look at herself in the mirror and tell me she "got cut". As she brushes her teeth.
We met the big kids' teachers yesterday - all very good.
I had a moment of sheer terror last week though.
It appeared as though GoGo had no assigned teacher (4 DAYS BEFORE SCHOOL) and that Walks With Purpose had no preschool to attend.
That equation? Equals Madness for the Mama.
Alas, GoGo DOES have a teacher...a new and very nice one. And some good buddies in there with her so all is right with the world again.
And Walks With Purpose does indeed have a preschool to attend...with her neighbor buddy.
And Mommy is thankful and happy.
D's teacher seems nice and one of his best buddies from 1st grade sits right next to him.
In desks, not at tables anymore. Growing up.
Today is our last day of summer break.
I hate to see it end for many reasons...mostly because even though my little people have driven me crazy this summer on a few occasions, I will miss waking up with them and eating leisurely breakfasts, hanging at the pool, road trippin', impromptu playdates, staying up late to catch lighting bugs.
Now we will have early morning schedules, afternoon activities, homework, early bedtimes. With that will come learning new things, meeting new friends and growing up.
Ready for Fall!
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