The Things They Say!

My nieces and nephews honestly say the funniest things! A few examples I just had to share:
Alarielle: Auntie, what are you doing with Christmas?
Me: I'm not doing anything with Christmas. What are you doing with Christmas?
Alarielle: Being silly!

Naters: Scared of rockets! Scared of rockets! (while watching WALLE)
Zack: (putting his arm around Naters) You don't have to be scared of rockets, or even thunder, because Jesus is with you!

Alarielle: (at the top of her voice while jumping on the bed) I love you Naestra! I always have! (Naestra is her sister)

Naestra: (looking outside) Where Christmas lights?
Me: The Christmas lights are off because the sun is waking up. They'll come back on when the moon wakes up.
Naestra: Moon seeping?
Me: Yup, the moon is sleeping.
Naestra: (putting her finger to her lips) Shhh. Quiet for moon seeping.

The Way God Accepts Us

I was teaching Grade 2 today in two separate rooms. I spent most of the day in one class and was in another for only one block. I am constantly amazed at how much those little guys can teach me, especially about my Heavenly Father.
So I'd been there for about 20 minutes when one girl put up her hand. Thinking she had a question I called on her and she said, "I like you. You're really nice."
I was pleased but a little surprised, naturally. I just thanked her and went on with the lesson. Over the next 15 mins I had about 3 kids come up and give me hugs/tell me how nice I was and how much they liked me.
It made me think. How often do I just love a new person right off the bat like that? How often am I afraid to let someone know what I admire about them, even after I've known them for long time?
God doesn't do that. He just loves us from the first moment and He's not afraid to tell us! Repeatedly!
Thank goodness He blesses me with wise 7 year olds to teach me a thing or two once in awhile! :)

OK, so not ALL Jr Highers are evil!

I have (slightly) renewed faith in Jr Highers (the boys at least, the girls are still a lost cause). One of my former grade 8 boys (one of the BIG tough jocks) stopped me today to tell me my new hair colour looks "nice". That's pretty big praise from a 13 year-old boy! Especially when he went out of his way to say it. *warm fuzzy* :)

My Little Recording Artists

So some of my pas students are going to be on a country CD. Some artist named Ty Roberts came to the school today and wants the kids to sing harmony and a solo for one of his songs on his cupcoming CD. I'm so proud of them! It's a really sweet song abou a little boy he knew that died of leukemia this month. So sad. I'll let everyone know where/when they can all go out and buy the CD!

My Favourite People

There are 6 (soon to be 7) people that bring my immeasurable amounts of joy. They are unfailingly honest, unbearably cute, frequently frustrating and overall the best little people you could hope to be loved by. My nieces Alarielle, Naestra, Lara and Arden. My nephews Zack and Nathan.

My Last Day

Well today was the last day of my temp contract teaching Grade 6. I almost cried when handing out the monthly awards at the end of the day, but I managed to keep it together. Man, I'm gonna miss those gremlins!
The job is exhausting, stressful and all-consuming, yes. But when one of them have an "aha!" moment, it's all worthwhile. Just to see their eyes light up and that proud smile on their face when they finally get it/do it. I was lucky enough to see one of those moments today. I'm sure it was the most worthwhile thing I did all day. And the most rewarding.
One of my girls told me she's writing Ed Stelmach a letter outlining her case for having two teachers in her class (myself and the returning teacher). She's also going to tell him that the class is too full (29 kids) and the desks are too small. So here's hoping Ed Stelmach starts listening to the wisdom of 11 year-olds!