Bill Cosby Says..

"Kids say the darndest things!"

My new job has introduced me to a completely new perspective in working with small children. I have recently taken on a new endeavor upon entering into an actual classroom. My first day was made up of shuffling them around, being asked 800 questions, learning lesson plan formats, sitting "criss-cross apple sauce," and trying not to laugh when children from various backgrounds, various household structures, and various cultures tried to size me up as the new teacher in town. It went a little something like this...

I walk into the room, little Suzie* immediately says "what's that on your titties?" (referring to my necklace) I laugh, answer her question, and can only imagine what's next. To my surprise, my answer was sufficient and she finds something else entertaining elsewhere. Then, little Johnny* comes up, asks my name about ten times again and again, then finds his spot on the carpet, grins and winks at me whenever I pay him attention from across the room. I can only expect for this day to get better... 

Biting, squealing, running, crying, and all other forms of chaos later, I'm exhausted and feel the beginning of what looks to be a lovely headache ahead. I've never met such... energetic children. And we'll say my experience working with children is fairly extensive. I don't know that anyone can be fully prepared for what I walked into. But I'm still there. And surprisingly enough, I found it fun and even enjoyable. There is something truly rewarding at the end of the day when they don't want to leave you or they're worried they won't see you the the following day. 

I have one little Suzie* who is Hispanic and what little she does speak is in Spanish, but she is absolutely the most beautiful little girl. Although there is never very much conversation between the two of us, her eyes light up and she runs to me when I walk in the room. It's the little things in life that make up for the chaos, right? Little things and strong beverages, but that's beside the point. She's my chaos anecdote. 

Well, her... and nap time. 

*Names of children have been changed to protect the wild and unruly*