Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

While our substitute list was surprisingly short, I'm grateful to say, our admin assistants were all out this morning - and my life as an Assistant Principal went into a tailspin.  Who runs the school really? Well, we all know that the front office staff usually has the best handle on what is happening, what needs to happen, and what may happen in the near future.

This morning sick children, sick staff, and doctor's appointments meant that I was manning the front office - eek!  It's a non-stop hamster wheel in there!  Students coming late, late passes, documentation of reasons why they are late, parent phone calls regarding sick students, parent phone calls period - and me not knowing how to transfer a call, parents dropping off lunches, or cheerleading shoes, or rsvp's for the sports banquet, or chorus money, and getting the right subs in the right place, finding replacements for the subs that didn't show, finding coverage for the classrooms where no sub was put in - but there was no teacher???, cobbling together schedules for subs, printing class rosters for subs, and making sure they had plans.  Whew, that was mostly in the first hour!

The half day in the main office left me grateful for the Admin Assistants' calm, positive, and efficient handling of the situations that arise when you have 963 middle school students entering your doors every day.  Jessica, Carla, and Kesha, you were missed this morning - Please come back tomorrow!

Umm, or I'll take a snow day?  Fingers Crossed

The End of an Era

The temperature was downright frigid, but the sun shone down on us this time.  I had a spot on the sunny side of the street for this parade, and I was prepared to enjoy the show.  After dropping our dancer off at the staging area my husband and I, clutching our coffee cups, wove through the waiting crowd to our traditional spot across from the American History Museum.  There we basked in the sun, glancing to our left every few minutes to see if the parade had started and reflecting on how much Rebecca and her friends had grown up.

As a new dance mom I was constantly trying to keep track of stuff (wigs, shoes, capes); we had our share of  (now hilarious) mishaps early on.  I'll never forget the first time she danced a parade; one of the parents came up to me at the end waving Rebecca's wig and telling me she'd help me put it on correctly the next time.  Or the time Rebecca danced in her socks because her ghillie shoes had fallen off.  I learned pretty quickly that everything needed to be strongly attached.

As an experienced dance mom, I am just a sherpa.  I carry the bags to every performance and I carry them home.  She is responsible for the makeup (thank goodness) and wig, the dress and the shoes.  Now that she is older - it is fun to just observe her in action while lugging the gear.

A transformation happens to Rebecca and her friends before an Irish Dance performance.  They usually arrive at the performance venue with hair and makeup done - wigs and tiaras attached, but dressed in sweats and jackets.  They are an interesting contrast, often drawing stares from people walking by.  After warming up, the dancers change into their full costumes - sweats and shirts are tossed aside for glittery and colorful Irish dance costumes.  Worn sneakers and Uggs are traded for taps and ghillie shoes.  The giggly girls transform into stunning and poised performers - smiling and posing for cameras and ready to perform.

Today these grown up and gorgeous girls danced Irish Jigs on a float pulled by a massive truck.  They were amazing; what a wonderful day for the last of her St. Patrick's Day Parade performances.

Sweet Snuggles and Warm Cuddles

There is nothing that compares to the sweet snuggle of a sleepy baby.

Last night I babysat for my little sister's three delightful children.  The oldest, 5, is at the perfect age to be a helper.  During the evening she checked off the things on her mom's helpful list that we accomplished, and she orchestrated the evening's events.  "Aunt E.M.," she'd say, "now it's time to order the Chinese," or "Aunt E.M., don't you think we should play school now? I think so," and she'd nod her head with all the wisdom of her age and proceed to help me count.  

The second is almost three, and he is a constant source of surprise.  Yesterday's library trip got him a book on The Avengers - and of course we read it probably 15 times.  This morning when he woke up he asked for the book, and immediately pointed out to me the names of the characters and unique characteristics of each.  "This one is Captain America," he said proudly, and rattled off the rest.  "And, this one is Thor, Aunt E.M. - the one you like, right?"  I'm going to have to perhaps censor a little of my sidebar commentary while I read to this youngster.

The third is just 14 months, and as cute as his brother and sister with their blond hair and big eyes. He was not happy to see me yesterday afternoon, and proceeded to act "strange" for a while.  I finally won him over with organic cheddar bunnies. As the evening progressed he relaxed some, but he remained slightly unsure of who I was and what I was doing at his house.   He went down easily enough, and slept through the night.  I heard a whimper then a wail at about 5:30, waited a few minutes and he didn't fall back to sleep.  He was standing up, holding on to the side of the crib, and looking at me with hopeful eyes.  As I walked closer he wailed a little louder and held up his arms.  Ok, I thought, it's morning time.  I picked him up and he nestled his warm head into the corner of my neck and shoulder and sighed a huge sigh for such a little guy.

We climbed back into the big bed and I laid him on my chest, where he remained for the next hour, only picking up his head to look curiously at me in the dark.  I wasn't sure if he was wondering why his mommy felt different or if he was sure I wasn't mommy and wondering who I was.  Regardless, he was content to stretch out on me, and I relished the cuddle of a warm and snugly little person.

Feeling Honored

I didn't post last night - I'm feeling so guilty!  But, when the teenagers (including the college one home for spring break) hang out at the table after dinner - for two hours - you don't leave.  I just reveled in their laughter and teasing.  A lovely memento of these years.  

Tonight I was recognized for 25 years of service in my school system.  It was important to me to participate in this recognition - even though many don't participate.  Educators do not get recognized publicly very often - and I do think that it is an important rite that validates the years and the service. 

My dad's experience in the military sets a high bar for recognizing and celebrating service.  Every time he moved from one duty post to the next, or got a promotion, there was a recognition ceremony that both honored his work and celebrated his successes.  The Army also celebrated and valued the family sacrifices that are part of being in a military family.   My dad and mom, now retired, have plaques and pictures reflecting their years of service that serve as the framework for the story of my childhood.  

I don't have pictures and plaques, but I did receive a lovely pewter tray that will grace the credenza in my office as a token for my service.  And, I have years of memories of children and adults who have helped me grow as an educator and person over the last 25 year.  

Good Advice

Instant headache boiled up under my scalp as I pulled the weights down, pinching my shoulders, working my lats.  In previous workout sessions I had just pulled through when I didn't feel good - but my trainer lectured me the last time, "Tell me when you have a negative physical response, like a headache.  I'm able to adjust your workout right then to better meet your needs."  So today, I stopped, and told Kenny.
 
As we moved from the lat machine over to the leg curl and extension machine, Kenny asked if I had eaten today - how much, and what, and how much water I'd had to drink.  "What?" he asked, surprised, "you haven't eaten since noon and it's six thirty now?  Your body needs nutrition."

Instantly, my eyes welled with tears.  It had been a long day, and I was feeling defeated.  I began the leg extensions, my least favorite exercise, ten seconds up, ten seconds down.  "Keep breathing," Kenny intoned gently.   His positive support, I think, pushed me over the edge, and the tears I had been barely holding in just poured down my cheeks.  We stopped there.

I wish I could say I cried because I had challenged myself physically and succeeded - but the reality is nothing so pleasant.  I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of situations I dealt with today, and underwhelmed by how successful I felt at handling them.  And, when the headache rushed upon me, I felt like a failure yet again.

Kenny listened empathetically as I recounted my worries - reminding me that he takes the "personal" in personal trainer very seriously.  "You have to take care of you," he advised, "Otherwise, you can't take care of anyone else."

In Search of a Slice...Here is What I Found.

Today, as I meandered through the cafeteria during sixth grade lunch, touching shoulders, saying hello, and checking to make sure everyone had gone through the line, I wondered what my Slice could be about.  So many possibilities, I thought, the weather frustrations, the upcoming St. Patty's Day parade, my favorite students...usually a topic makes itself known during the day.

While chatting with two of our custodians, one commented to me that the sixth grade seemed pretty quiet today, which was unusual after a three-day weekend.  After we adults high-fived each other, I glanced around - and sure enough they were very quiet (low roar, rather than loud).  Why?  Not altogether shocked I realized the answer quickly.

Almost all of the students that stayed in the cafeteria (rather than going outside) were attached to a device, either their school-issued iPad or a phone.  My joy over the quiet dissipated and was replaced with a feeling of discomfort.  In relaxing our rules about devices so that students can be on their devices during lunch, what problems have we created?

Would these kids never enjoy the outdoors?  The National Parks?  The amazing things to see and do that are just not the same on a device?  Would they read and enjoy books, actual books with fascinating covers and folded down corners where the person before them marked their page?  Would they explore other worlds and lives by reliving history at museums and historical sites?

So, I know (intellectually) that I went to worst case scenario in my head during this lunch period. I know, too, that there have been many unknowns in the world and we human beings have adapted to and adopted many new practices to adjust to these new things.  But I can't help but worry about how things will change.

Must be a sign of my age.  

Dream of a Day

I love a quiet Sunday.  After the hectic week and a busy Saturday, I was delighted to roll over this morning knowing that there were no demands on my time, outside of those I put on myself.  How freeing!

A trip to the grocery to gather what was needed for...
Pumpkin flavored pancakes with Sausages and fresh fruit
Eggs for protein
Orange Juice in little cups for extra vitamin C
Washing dishes while looking out the window at the bright sun
All's right with the world.

A trip to the warehouse style store allowed for some great people watching
Loved the snacks and freebies  :)
Seltzers, shampoo, cheese, lunchmeat and bread -
I think we are ready for another busy week.

Sheets and towels gathered and thrown into the laundry
Teens' laundry too!
Up and down the stairs many times
Laundry in, laundry out, fold, fold, fold
Laundry done...
What a wonderful feeling.

Next:
Family dinner with both kids
Schedules, spring breaks, calendars
Fun, then
Reading time

Dream Day!