Life is interesting. When I started this blog about nine months ago, I had no idea where I’d be today. The school I’ve worked at and loved for three years had to close at the end of this school year. It was heartbreaking, but in the end, it was the only decision that could be made. I was incredibly fortunate, though, to find a job at a Montessori school nearby, where I am doing some of the same things. I am their office assistant and after school program coordinator. Due to the exit of their previous person, they needed me to start right away. I was only unemployed for one day.

Tomorrow marks the end of my first two weeks at the school. There has been some adjusting, but I think it is going well. I am getting acclimated in the office and get to spend the last several hours of my day with the children in the summer program. It has been just the right balance and tons of fun.

Part of it is funny to me because I see things in the children that I thought were unique to the kids in my previous program. And I realize that kids are kids and some things are universal. For instance, when you give a child sand and a bunch of sand toys, chances are they will bake millions of flavors of sand cakes for the adults around to try. Also?  Having an imaginary ice cream stand at every school is apparently a must.

The kids are getting used to me too. There have been many funny encounters as we get to know each other. One little girl has really caught my eye, though. She’s spunky and independent and challenges everyone around her. She’s a pretty amazing kid. Apparently, she can also be a challenge to break through to. My office mate told me on my first day that it took this little girl about four months before she really talked to my office mate. So, the fact that the little one was telling me about her favorite animals on my first day was pretty incredible.

I’ve taken to reading books to the kids at dismissal–to the point that they just come on to the porch, sit down, and wait with great anticipation to see what book I’ve brought from home each day (I dread the day I run out of children’s books from home!). We’ve worked through many of my favorites, including all three of the Ladybug Girl books (my absolute favorites! for probably obvious reasons…). Yesterday I forgot to bring in a book from home, and my spunky little one said, “Well, you could just start reading Ladybug Girl again.” And, well, I just had to then!

After everyone else had left, and it was just down to my spunky one and her little brother, she brought me a dinosaur book to read. She’s a real animal lover. She says that people don’t understand her, but animals do. And, her absolute favorite animals are dinosaurs. So, we read all about them, and she corrected me when I mispronounced their names.

I knew I’d won her heart, though (and she mine), when I was working with a group of children this afternoon on a special activity since it was raining outside. She came over, interrupted in the way only she can, and handed me a picture. “Miss Winters, this is a picture of Ladybug Girl at the Dinosaur Beach.”

“Is it for me?”

“Well, yeah!” she replied, with a distinct tone of “DUH! in her voice.

I’d been wondering just what to hang on my bulletin board in my office…