Dirty Bums

I can't write about the joys of caregiving without being candid and frank about the challenges. Today it felt like I spent most of my time cleaning, wiping and changing dirty bums. It seemed everytime I turned around, my nasal radar went off and I was chasing another child. I believe this is where I get most of my exercise in a day. I have to chase, coax and bribe them to have their bums changed sometimes. I really don't get this. Who would enjoy running around with a mushy, stinky bum? I finally get them to cooperate for a moment when.... they begin to squirm and the poop nearly "hits the fan!". AHHHHHHHHH! I would sometimes trade endless piles of laundry or a week of crash dieting in exchange for a week without diaper changes. Oh the joys!

Chit Chats

I enjoy coming across chit chats between youngsters. If you listen long enough, it is quite entertaining! Most times they don't even know you are there. This is key.

They talk amongst themselves and try to make sense of things. They dream. They imagine. They reflect. They contemplate. They realize. They draw their own conclusions. They trust. They believe. They tell whole truths and half truths. They compromise. They negotiate. They share. They fight. They debate. They are themselves. Pure innocence.

The Small Stuff

Sometimes I get carried away with curriculum planning and it's a flop. I can plan a few activities that are fun-filled in every way but the kids are just not going for it. They reject me and my big ideas! How dare they! Instead, I look around and they are gone in the other room! I wonder what they are up to. I find them on my king size bed rolling around and giggling. The smallest is still trying to pull himself onto the bed when the others realize this little monkey needs help! They all pull him up and lay together in a cozy state. They wrap their legs and arms around eachother and giggle some more. I then begin to sing "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and they quickly take my lead and begin to act out the song. It fills my heart with such joy when I am surrounded by these tender moments between them. It's the small stuff that counts--especially with kids. They keep us grounded and teach us so much.

Tuning in

I am a firm believer that even in the eyes of chaos, there is hope. I suppose I would begin to "tune out" a voice that I heard repeating herself often, "Handwashing time", "Clean up time", "Story time", etc. I try to mix it up a bit and throw in the odd, high pitched and whimsical fairy voice in hopes that I will be mistaken for some lovely fairy but it doesn't work often. Today it seemed everyone was tuning me out a lot and what felt like 133 days, was a morning filled with deep breathing, counting to ten and laughter--sometimes there is nothing left but laughter.

12 noon finally arrived. I served a simple but tasty lunch and there was immediate calm. They all sat at the table in silence, filling their mouths with great pleasure and smiling from time to time with satisfaction. I stood against the counter and began to sing softly. I was in a blissful state. I got caught up in my song and turned to see four little faces staring at me. This time they weren't tuning out, they were tuning in. Completely. We were in that moment together. We exchanged grins and they asked me to sing again.

Today was a glorious day! It begun with our lesson on gardening etiquette. I lined up the five children along the new path to our garden. We laid the patio stones last night, with the hopes that they will "mostly" abide by our desire to keep little feet from stomping on our new plants. I talk to the plants daily in front of the children to somehow instill empathy and concern for our green friends growing out of the earth. They look puzzled and wonder why I am speaking to the plants but hopefully in time, they will get it. Perhaps it will help them grow and avoid a premature death from curious feet.