Ms. Help

I work at Ryder's preschool two days a week. I love it. It reminds me of the parts I miss and loved deeply about being a teacher. It also gives me a chance to be there as HIS mom. I think kids get something special about having their moms around to show off. Funny how that is so true at age three yet it takes on a new form by age teenager. He introduced me as, "That's my mom. She is my special girl because I commed out her tummy". There is not a nicer or more genuine compliment I could receive than being claimed by someone. I find in my day that I laugh and love the things kids do hourly. Sometimes it's my own, sometimes is someone's monster in the grocery store. They are all fabulous. I find it hysterical that Ryder wants to rock out in the car, that the little girl in the grocery store is dancing down the aisle or that Izze and her friend would trade their left arms for Starbucks. I love that Charlotte says, "err ooo rrr" when I go to get her out of bed, that Abbi has reached a level of maturity and responsibility that she knows exactly where she needs to be and what needs to go there with her. I love that she wants to "love many, trust few and row her own canoe". I love that Charlotte likes to be a part of "it". It doesn't matter what "it" is. She needs to be right in the middle. She turns around and backs up with her little booty sticking out. She plops that thing down in the middle of everything. She does it most at the preschool. She goes with me most of the time and LOVES being there. Her favorite activity is to sample all the kids water bottles. That is a story of it's own. Several weeks ago she discovered Dylan. Dylan is the cutest little fella. He is just one of those kids you want to hug. He has fluffy curly blond hair and eludes a surfer dude attitude. Charlotte LOVES him! She is head over heels smitten. She is constantly searching for him to hug, love and sit on. He is so kind and gentle and just accomodates her love. He pays special attention to making sure she gets everything she wants while we are there. The whole thing fascinates me. If there is a tight crowd of kids she will wiggle through and find him. She doesn't even have to see his face. She just wiggles through and grabs onto his arm or leg. She just knows. As cute and funny as it is it's really taught me something. She trusts her heart. I find on a regular basis she is very choosy with people. She either loves you all the way or will tolerate you. It gives me a whole new perspective of the term, "it factor". There was a dad at a soccer game she was drawn too. She begged him to pick her up. She looked him right in the eye, gave him a giant hug and wiggled down. He was grinning ear to ear! He promptly turned to me and asked if it was alright. I knew in this day and age that came from both a place of panic and joy. He just had, "it". Anyway, back to the preschool. These kids are hysterical. Actually all kids are hysterical people just forget to see it sometimes. There is one kid that refuses to get his hands dirty. He won't touch slimy, wet, gooey... There is another that gives me updates each time I arrive. I very much look forward to these. The last one was, "my cousin is a doctor and has a bad case of i-a-reeah. Her flower has just been on fire". For weeks one told me, "My mama is a whoraasse". I would ask, "your mom is a horse?". She would say no. I would say, "your mom likes horses?" She would say no. I never asked the other. She said it 10 times every time I was there. I never have figured it out. Now she tells me her mom is going to bring her cookies. One little girl always wears her jacket upside down so the hood can keep her booty warm. They are so proud to share their stories, tell you about their dog or hear they did a good job. I don't want to live with them all but I just can't get over how much little people have to offer. Each and everyone of them is unique and different. However, the one thing they all have in common is that they call me, "Ms. Help". I have no idea how it started but it stuck. I hope with all my heart they never get it straight! I really love being Ms. Help.