So I'm had like 42 defining moments this summer about who I want to become and have them all backed up in my brain so maybe I will be "plunging" for a while here. But I need to start with this one. This one was important.
So yesterday I was in my classroom setting up for the year and my boys were with me. They were basically in my way if I am honest. I was trying to do stuff and they were interuppting me...and then every time I tried to teach them how to help me with something it was taking longer.
Story goes... I was taping the numbers on the desk and Aidan asked if he could help so I had him hold the tape for me. Well, it was actually slower with two people and he could tell I was all annoyed with him. So we went over to do something else and so I kept going. All of the sudden I realized what a jerk I was being, not like I needed to realize it. His face said it all. So I said, "buddy why aren't you helping me anymore?" and he responds with, "you didn't really seem like you wanted me to".
Damn. The moment of truth.
The moment when you realize that's not who you want to be.
So I finished the desks and moved onto the next project feeling like the crappy mom and wondering now I think I know I don't want to be that person what do I? Well, Aidan helped me figured that out without even knowing it. I dumped out a bag of old bulletin board stuff and found what I needed. He came over and got all excited about the monkeys and bananas and asked if he could hang them up.
I said sure.
That little word made all the difference. He got to work and found this cool space to make his design and Micah joined in and they were part of it with me.
That was the story I wanted to tell. That was one that makes me smile each day as I walk into my classroom. Not the tape being all perfect on the desks. Not the pieces that break a child's heart. But the ones that build them up. The ones that they feel like they belong.
Welcoming people into what you are doing might not always mean they do exactly what you want but it's better. It's bananas and monkeys on the wall.
Watch for posts on :)
-The pancake breakfast
-Roasting marshmellows
-Back the the Future
-Packer training camp high-fives
