niobe

I had a long shitty day at work today. I don't even want to talk about it, because I don't even want to think about it. I just want to take a nice hot bath and a long nap. But I am going out later tonight and I am afraid that if I go to sleep now I won't be able to get up later. But by the time I do go out later I am going to be so damn tired that I am not going to have any fun.

I am so glad this week is over.

The hightlight of the week was going to the farm. I will always remember yesterday. The kids were awesome and it was totally fun.

I only have 4 more days with my kids and then they are all moving to new rooms. Just thinking about it is making my eyes tear up. I am going to miss them so much. For the past twelve months I have watched them grow and change. I have taught them so much, but they have taught me so much more. I really can't wait to have kids. I want to be a mom.

Next week is going to be a really tough week and I am going to need lots of hugs. We are having an ice cream party for the kids on Tuesday which should be fun and messy, but I know by Thursday I am going to be a wreck. In my three years in childcare this class was the first class that I had for a full school year.

So here are some pics of my kids:




Some of the kids in my room I feel like I am just getting to know or I feel like they are finally opening up to me and now I have to say good-bye to them. Most of them will still be in the building, but it just won't be the same, they won't be with me, I won't be their teacher. Each one is so special and unique and I just wish I could watch each of them grow up and be there to guide them through any big challenges in their lives. I know I will always remember them, but I wonder if they will remember me. I would like to believe that I have left an impression on them, but I guess I may never know.

Okay I better stop or I will really be crying. I know I shouldn't get so attached. I think that's even something they tell you on the first day of becoming a teacher, but I just can't help it. I am with these kids nine hours a day, sometimes more. Most days I am with them more than they are with their real families or me with mine. I know their cries, I know their screams, I know when they are happy, I know when they are sad, I know where they are ticklish and I know how they liked to be put to sleep.

A few of my favorite things to do with the kids is to tease them. I think sometimes that I am too funny for them and they don't get it, but some of my favorite things to say are:
When they say, "Teacher, teacher." Like to get my attention I respond with, "Kid, Kid."
When they say, "You know what?" I say, "What do I know?"
When they say, "I'm thirsty." Or any of those kinds of things I say, "I'm Niobe. Nice to meet you."
When they say, "Niobe, watch this." But I am busy and can't look up I say, "Wow, I didn't know you could hop on one foot." This really gets them going, especially when they aren't hopping on one foot. It literally confuse the crap out of them.
When they say, "Did you see what I made?" Or when ever they are showing me something cool, I always say, "That rocks." I wonder how many of them go home and say. "That rocks" about stuff.
There are a whole bunch more little things I like to say, but I can't remember them all.

I have seriously had some of the best conversations with three year olds and I honestly mean that. They are so funny, they just say whatever the fuck it is they want to say. They make me laugh all the fucking time. I love it.

On the 30th I get a whole new batch of kids that a year from now I will be just as attached to.

This is just all so overwhelming for me as I am sure it is for them. I hope we all get through this next week and that when the 30th comes we will all be as prepared as we need to be.

I will end this with this conversation I had with one of my kids, Austin, a few weeks ago.
Me- You know in a few weeks you will be going to the Blue Room
Austin- How many weeks?
Me- In two weeks.
Austin- Let's make it three weeks.
Me- Why?
Austin- Because I like the Red Room.
Me- I am glad you like the Red Room, but you are a big kid now so you gotta go the big kid room.
Austin- Are you going to come with me?
Me- No, I have to stay with the new kids and be their teacher.
Austin- Who will be my teacher?
Me- Tammy or Sarah.
Austin- But I want you to be my teacher.
Me- I would like to still be your teacher, but who would teach the new kids.
Austin- Tracie. (She is my Co-teacher)
Me- Now Austin that is just silly, who would look after Tracie then?
Austin- Oh yeah, you better stay in the Red Room.
Me- Yep.
Austin- Will you come visit me in the Blue Room?
Me- As often as I can.

And with that he gave me a big hug.



Have a great weekend everyone.