A Cause Worth Your Time

Falling Whistles

Singin', Laughin', Dancin'

Today was a day that could have had more of that, had it not been for the rain. When I walked out my doors today I thought - given the distance we have to walk with the kids from subway to theater, I bet they are going to cancel it. But in case they didn't, given the weather, they are definitely going to need the help with all of the kids.

Ultimately, it was cancelled, and I cannot make it to when it is being rescheduled. Bummer.

On the upside, one of the kids who left the program in the fall came back last week and today was the first day I got to see him. He was definitely a kid I connected with early on, and was pretty bummed when he left the school. Realizing I had only been at the school for about a month and a half or so before he left, I figured he wouldn't remember me. It has been 5 months since, and he is only four.

Wrong. He came right up to me, remembered my name (more than some of the kids who see me every week) and wanted to tell me all about his new house which is 'out of town'. It was awesome.

That is coupled with two quotes that totally remind me of why I love being there:
#1
Teacher: I am thinking of a number between 1 and 5 and whoever guesses it first can put a picture up on the board.
Kid 1: 5
Kid 2: 6
Kid 3: Iguana!
#2
Teacher: We are going to go around the room and say what our favorite season is.
Kid 1: Summer
Kid 2: I love everything
Teacher: But which season do you like the most?
Kid 2: But I like them all, I love everything.

Forbidden As A Child

Remember those things you weren't allowed to do as a kid? There were always certain video games I was not allowed to play, certain music I couldn't listen to, television shows I couldn't watch, and food I couldn't eat.

My parents weren't in the more eccentric group of parents who keep their kids from any tv or only allow them wheat based products. They did, however, have some restrictions, growing up, that I still remember. I was never allowed to watch The Simpsons. Roseanne was another show not allowed in our house, as was Ren and Stimpy.

Cereal was another big one. We weren't allowed to have certain cereals as they were unhealthy. It's not like I grew up on shredded wheat and oatmeal. I ate my fair share of sugary cereals, but never the extreme ones. I was allowed Frosted Flakes and Kix, but what wasn't allowed was Lucky Charms and Count Chocula. A big one that we always begged for but could never have was Captain Crunch. That was the mother of all sugary cereals and was an absolute no. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, however, we won on. This was a cereal we initially were not allowed to have. It was on the 'no way, Jose' list. (Not a real list.) Somehow, we eventually were allowed to have it. I don't know if it was that we got older and were considered to be more able to handle it, or if they just figured if they let us have just one, we'd be satisfied. Anyway out, it was a victory, and I still love that cereal to this day.

Funny thing about cereal, ask anyone about it and I bet they have strong opinions about what cereals are the best. They might have a few they still buy now, like Frosted Flakes or Cheerios. But ask them about what they loved as a kid, mention a few brands and watch their eyes light up. Cereal has an instant connection for people to their childhood. It's pretty awesome.

Being Silly

Today, despite the weather which essentially added up to 3 inches of slush anywhere that was not indoors, I went in to work. I guess a bunch of parents decided to not send their kids today as there was only 14 of the 24 kids present.

I don't know if it was the snow or what, but the kids were extra hyper today. At lunch they were all convinced they were eating burgers because the chicken patties were on buns and that was enough correlation to have them sold. They were quite happy to be eating burgers.

Jacob, one of the boys, was not eating much at all and not for any real significant reason except that he just would not sit still. Eventually he started squatting and scooting back and forth under the table. Kimberly, their teacher, asked him, "Jacob, why are you being so silly today?" He responded to her in the most honest way, "Because silly is more fun."

No truer words.

(I realize that it is still snowing and will be for awhile, but at 12:30 am my roommates and I had ourselves a piece of the action. I made sure to leave my mark.)

Homophones

Try explaining homophones to a 4 year old. Yes, it is time for another Concourse House story.

Last week while at the daycare I was sitting at the Yellow Table for lunch time. Lunch this day was macaroni & cheese with a side of diced veggies. The veggies consisted of carrots, peas, and corn. The boy sitting to my right kept telling me story after story about his DS and his sister's DS and his favorite X-man, etc. I noticed that the kids at the table were well into their meals and so I said, "Hey, pal, you have to start eating." He seemed to disregard my comment as he was not finished telling me about his video game system. About two minutes later I tried again and was told that he was not hungry. This happens often enough to know that you have to encourage the kid to eat, "just a little bit, please?" This typically works, especially if you break out the number of bites or spoonfuls they need to take.

But in this case, it was not working. I was told that he does not care for this food. "I don't want macaroni and cheese." I said that he needed to eat something, what about your vegetables. He said, "I don't like peas, they are made of pee." Trying not to laugh at both what must seem obvious to him and the general comedic value of his misunderstanding I said, "Peas don't come from pee." He said, "Well, if peas don't come from pee, then why are they called peas, because if they are called peas they must come from pee. Why are they called peas?" I found myself, once again, without an answer. I actually do not know why they are called peas. I told him this but assured him that they do not, in fact, come from pee. Unfortunately, I had not changed anything for him, and so this reassurance did not help.

Then something awesome happened. He convinced himself. Not only did he convince himself, but he used more basic, not necessarily sound, logic than I would have ever though to use. He explained to me why peas are not in any way related to pee, saying, "Oh, peas don't come from pee because pee makes the water yellow and peas are green so peas must be different." I don't care if this is not sound logic, though, it was the best explanation anyone was going to give him and he figured it out all on his own. "So," I said happy to be out of the woods, "will you eat your veggies for -- " "No."

Before I could even finish my question he decided that now that he figured out this color association, he didn't like corn.

The Never Ending Series of 'Why?'

Going back to work I have noticed there are questions the kids will ask that I do not have an answer for. It's a weird sensation. Kids are so curious and most of the time, their questions are of pure innocent information seeking. A few days ago I was asked, and not for the first time, 'why do you have this?' and they point at the bulge sticking out of my neck - my Adam's Apple. (which according to wikipedia is actually called the laryngeal prominence and is caused by the formation of the thyroid cartilage around the larynx - you can read all about it here.)

I have also been asked 'what is this?' referring to the same thing. This and many other questions leave me briefly stumped. I know the natural and simple response to both questions 'It is my Adam's Apple, it is something boys get.' Unfortunately, anything that is not incredibly clear is followed by the never ending series of 'Why?'

Understanding that my first response to those questions, or many others like them, will lead to the six thousand 'whys' before I have either confused the poor kid(s) or satisfied their curiosity enough that they think they understand, I freeze and ask them to repeat their question. This gives me time to think of a more succinct answer that might avoid traveling down that road.

To clarify, I do not get annoyed by the series of 'why?' when it occurs, nor do I grow tired of it. Instead I just try to get it right the first time so they do not get so confused and need to ask why over and over again. Most of the time, when I fail speak at a level that can both answer the question and allow them to follow my answer, I end up laughing at the persistent curiosity in all of them before I can get it right. This especially happens because, typically, I am not answering to one kid, but a few of them, and their noticeable persistence attracts others and what started as one curious little one escalates into 5 or 6 kids crowding around all asking why, some without even knowing what is going on, which further confuses them when I answer and they don't know what they just asked 'why' about.

Did I mention I love my job? Sure it'd be nice to get paid for it, but not getting paid hasn't stopped me. I probably could have applied for an actual paying position this semester, but I like this too much.