Little People, Big Hearts

#SOL15

The other day I subbed in a 5th grade classroom. This was new territory for me because I'm always in the 7th and 8th grade hallway. I have to say, there is such a difference between the grade levels. I tend to believe kids mature a lot throughout the year and over summer vacation. I see students as they get older, but it's rare for me to see the younger crowds.

On this particular day, two 5th grade girls walked into the classroom. They were holding a small Tupperware bin with the room number and teacher written on top. One girl explained to me that this classroom had currently raised over $400 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma fundraiser. The box was to go back in the room to see if any more money could be collected. I silenced the class to allow the girls to present the students with this announcement. 

When the kids heard the news, they cheered. I allowed them to applaud and be overjoyed at their accomplishment. I smiled and clapped as well. The girls left the box on the teacher's desk and exited to go to the next classroom. Two boys quietly approached the Tupperware and stuck their hands in their pockets. The first boy dropped a few singles inside while the other tucked in a $5 bill. I looked on in awe.

"Did you boys bring this money from home, or did you have it in your pocket?" I asked.
"I got it from home," said the first boy.
"I just took some money from my wallet," the other boy told me. They walked back to their seats, and I just stood there staring after them.

Such a generous, touching moment I am happy I got to be a part of. I know it seems as if what happened was nothing, but it speaks volumes about these boys. Cute little 5th graders donating their well deserved money. You don't see that everyday. I'd be curious to know the grand total in the classroom this time around if everyone continues to be as giving as the two boys. 

All's Well That Ends Well

#SOL15

Today is another snow day. I know you're thinking I should be happy to be off and home. And I am...BUT...I'm getting cabin fever! It's one thing to be home and able to go out, but it's another thing to be home since Tuesday afternoon and not able to leave. 

I tutor at the local library on Thursday night, so believe it or not, I was looking forward to getting out for a bit. I spent the day at home with my little girl, but now it was my husband's turn to spend time with her and put her to bed. I needed to leave a few minutes early to allow my car to warm up and to clean the frosty snow off of the windshield. Of course, as soon as I put my jacket on and go to leave, my daughter starts crying for me. "Mama! Mama!" Here come the tears. Sigh. Mom guilt. I blow her a kiss and leave quietly. Downstairs my key fob wasn't unlocking my doors and I got nervous they were frozen. I put my key in the ignition and...nothing. No lights. No sounds. Nothing. Dead battery.

I began to panic. We all do it: we get in the car, it doesn't start, so we continually turn the key in the ignition hoping the engine will turn over or something magical will happen. Well, it didn't. I had to be at the library in 15 minutes! I run back upstairs and tell my husband. We are both mystified since I just had a ton of service done on my car at the end of the summer, including a new battery! Ugh!

I quickly text the father of the boy I'm about to meet and explain the situation. He was so sweet about it and even offered to help if I needed it. I thanked him and knew I had to call Triple A. I go back down to my car to make sure I hadn't left any lights on or a door ajar the last few days. Everything seems as it should be. A million things are running through my mind. It's amazing how much you rely on your car and don't even think twice about it. 

While I'm down at my car, my husband logs onto the computer and puts in a request for a tow truck and jumper cables. By the time I get back upstairs, the request has been sent and it's one less thing off of my plate. I think back to the last time my car died (I know this seems like a pattern, but I swear it's just a fluke!), and how my husband took the reins and contacted Triple A for me. He does these little things for me all the time: contacting Triple A, setting up the coffeemaker so my coffee brews at 5am each morning, setting up my daughter's bedroom at night so I can easily put her to bed, cleaning off my car each time it snows. The list goes on. Even though they are deemed "little things", in my world, they are the big things. 

Right Where I Need To Be

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

"Big blop. Big blop" has been heard around here all day. My 17 month old daughter has constantly been asking for big blop. It sounds like gibberish, but to me it makes perfect sense. Big Block Singsong (See, big blop) is her new obsession. As many parents know, once your child finds something they really love, prepare to immerse yourself in it till further notice. (Frozen, anyone??)

Each morning that I am home with her, which is not often because of work, this is how we start our day. We are either watching Bubble Guppies or watching a few BBS videos. I pour myself a cup of coffee on this snow day and cue up the videos for her. YouTube has a section with 200 Big Block videos. 200?! Surely they haven't made 200 videos, but if it makes her happy to watch a few, then so be it. Any animosity I have towards the children's videos melt away when I see her laugh and start dancing. 

"Mama, blop! Blop!" she yells with delight. I watch her twirl in circles and then sway from side to side with the music. She runs over and hugs me around the knees, gently laying her head on my legs. I watch her with a smile on my face, and suddenly I love Big Block Singsong, too. Not because it is highly entertaining (okay, maybe a little), but because I may not have experienced this moment with my daughter that made my heart almost swell out of my chest. 

It's days like this that I realize how lucky I am. A lot of days are hard for me, and sometimes I struggle to find the joy. Even though the weather outside is crummy, and people are complaining about losing more vacation days, I don't even have time to think about all that. Right now I'm smoothing out my baby's hair, stroking her cheek, and listening to her giggle. I put down my coffee cup and we begin to make up silly dances in front of the TV. She motions for me to pick her up, and we continue to dance around. 

I smile happily during the 4th, 5th, and 6th time that day when she asks me for "big blop."