So, last week was *just* a bit crazy in Miss Val’s life; it was the week before she moved. This essentially meant that there was no time for updates here at Imagination Table. That does not mean we weren’t doing fun things at school, though. I needed that time for sanity time!

On Wednesday, for Imagination Day, we talked about what we do for our friends and for ourselves on bad days. We got in a circle and went around and talked. The kids’ answers were so thoughtful and sweet. I’ve got such a great group of kids. The list kiddo to share was my first-grade boy. He said that when a friend is having a bad day, he likes to play with them. When he’s having a bad day, though, he just goes crazy. Boy, could I relate with that one! After going around the circle, I told the kids what I like to do for my friends and myself when having a bad day–eat ice cream. So, we ate ice cream. The kids decided that with me around they were going to start having a lot of bad days. I was informed I better always have ice cream on hand! They didn’t know it, but Miss Val hadn’t had a great day, and they sure made her day better!

* * *

Thursday was cooking day. Now, this one was a challenge! I needed to come up with a cooking activity that didn’t require anything from Miss Val’s kitchen, since it was packed! So, we made dirt. This is one of my favorites, and the kids always end up loving it, even if they’re a little concerned at first.

I’ve been working on some redirecting with the kids when they first arrive at after care and also when their parents come. I tend to get a lot of , “Miss Val, what are we doing today?” when they first arrive. I’ve been redirecting with, “Hi, Miss Val! How are you today? Did you have a good day?” And I do a similar redirect when their parents arrive, because Mom or Dad often get, “What’s for dinner?” So, I redirect with, “Hi, Mom! Did you have a good day?” They’re starting to catch on. But on Thursday, Little Miss Val came to after care with a bit of an attitude. It went something like this:

LMV: What are we cooking today?

MV: Hi, Miss Val! How was your day?

LMV: No! I asked, “What are we cooking today?”

LMV’s teacher: You’re being rude.

LMV: Come on! What are we cooking?

MV: Dirt.

LMV: No, really.

MV: Dirt.

LMV: <pause> <big smile> Really?! With worms and everything?!

MV: Yes! Now, can we start over?

LMV: Hi, Miss Val! How was your day?

MV: It was good. How about yours?

So, if you’re wondering what dirt is, here’s the easy peasy recipe:

• Chocolate Pudding
• Crushed Oreos (I let the kids use my Pampered Chef Food Chopper to crush the Oreos)
• Gummy Worms

The key to eating dirt is to get as messy as possible. And, if you do it right, the plates will look something like this when the kids are done:

* * *

Friday I went on my break and almost didn’t make it back. My car decided to cause trouble. After trips to two different car shops, it was all fixed, and I called my boss to find out if he wanted me to come in. He told me it was up to me, since I was moving the next day. But he said, “I think the kids would really like to see you. They keep asking when we’re going to do something special. Do you know what that means?”

I told him I’d be right there.