THE DUST WILL WAIT

I started kindergarten this year.  I loved it. I took a job as an on-call tutor this fall, but my first position fell into another category. For three weeks I was assigned in a classroom with 26 adorable little tykes beginning their first year of school.  I had the opportunity to watch an excellent teacher and assistant in concert.  Without raising their voices or showing any agitation, they directed those kids through the busy day.   They were always on stage and at peak performance.  I wondered where they got the energy. They were good. I had a job to do, too.  But at the end of the day I was exhausted.  Even my face muscles were sore because my smile was constantly twitching.    So, what are some of things I learned in kindergarten? * Chika Chika Boom Boom * I hold my crayon with the three magic fingers * Don't throw the sawdust * Sneeze into your elbow *Don't run in the cafeteria - especially with chocolate milk *Fe...

Every local school is selling frozen cookie dough as a fund raiser. I just can't say NO. I bought a carton from every student who knocked. I'm going to turn into a cookie. Just preheat the oven to 350 o and hand me a raisin.

I was too tired to go into the store on our way home Sunday evening. “I’ll just sit in the car and rest,” I sighed and let the hubby run in to pick up a few last minute things needed for the workweek. Moments later an older model car that had seen better days rolled in to a nearby parking spot. There was an empty space between our vehicles allowing me total observation. So, I did what I do best. I watched. The driver got out and went directly to the trunk. The passenger hopped out on his side – he looked to be about eleven. “Mama,” he said, “do you need my help?” She opened the trunk, pulled out a baby stroller, and began the process of unfolding it. “No, I’ve got it,” she replied and inclined her head briefly towards the back seat. Acknowledging her gesture, he opened the back door. From there he reached in and carefully unbuckled the restraints on an infant car seat and lifted out a little bundle in pink. “Hi sweet baby,” he whispered ju...

Tuesday night dinner is often a brief encounter with the hubby at ARBYS. Usually he is heading home from a class he is teaching and I am on my way to Watercolor. Schools out, but Arby's still in. Tonight, as we sat and chatted over French Dip and Santa Fe Salad, I told the hubby that Karmyn had posted the story today about our 'Jammin' finding Santa Claus in July at a local Chinese Restaurant. His reminiscing smile beamed across the table but his words were interrupted by a 3 year old rocket that launched from the booth next to us and flew passed us at the speed of..... well... the speed of a 3-year old. Off he ran, around the condiment kiosk and directly to another booth where sat an elderly man with frosty white hair and beard. Beside the old gent sat a smiling lady in a odd knit cap and a kind face. The little guy spread his legs in a bold stance with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked directly into the eyes of the old white haired man, and with a...

On Wednesday, Amanda expounded on the confusion one must encounter when he/she learns English as a second language. Her post is entitled Glish--nn-Eng. She makes up her own words all the time as an aspiring court recorder, so who knows where that one came from. In my list of things "to do," besides Chasing a Tornado and Touching the Northern Lights, I had also penciled in 'Learn to Speak Spanish.' I tried . I signed up for and attended three quarters of Spanish night classes offered at the local community college. Then I gave up. Our teacher was wonderful and encouraged me and the other "adults" that shared the classroom. One evening she asked us to each stand and give a short description of our morning routine. Most of the other students were struggling worse than I. Consequently, none of them understand when I told them in my (ahem!) excellent Spanish that I had gone to the bathroom and then crawled out of bed. The teacher was happy to in...

Zac k ary Johnson has a birthday coming up in a few days so it wasn't odd to have an envelope addressed to him show up in the mail last week. His mom, Glenda, pulled it from the mailbox and noticed immediately that it was spelled "Zac h ary " Johnson . She didn't find that unusual because many people spell Zac k ary's name incorrectly. (Her husband Steve insisted they spell his name with a "K" because "you know we’re going to call him Zack!") She looked at the sender’s pre-printed label with some confusion. That name didn't match up to anyone of her acquaintances. "Hey Hon,” she inquired of her husband, "Do you recognize this name?" "Nope," Steve responded and became somewhat concerned. Still, they agreed to present the envelope to their son to see what was in it and his reaction. Zack opened it to find $20 tucked in a birthday card that said "Happy Birthday Zac h ary!” He was excited. Boy, howdy, he was ready ...

My co-workers son Brayden (Bubby) is an almost six-year old. He loves to draw pictures, which includes the little tattoo pictures all over his mothers office desk phone. His Kindergarten teacher taught Bubby and his classmates all about following rules. They also learned about a sign that has a red circle and diagonal line. His mom said, "Bubby took this as the perfect opportunity to make rules of his own. He has always been a stickler for following the rules and making go od choices ." (Hey Marnie and Melissa -- when I saw this one today I knew you two would be humbled. And then I thought I would send it to Kelly to consider for her Pass The Torch Tuesday!! Or I could have submitted it to Kailani's Carnival of Family Life. This poster really is the best!) So from now on, Brayden, I will remember never to choke anybody by the neck - no matter how much I really want to!