(no subject)

[auntiemeesh]

Today was a howling wilderness in the threes room. Adults approach Friday with the joy of knowing that the weekend is within our grasp if we can just hold on for a few more hours. Three year olds approach Friday with social exhaustion and behavioral melt-downs. They're tired, cranky, haven't seen their parents in days (seriously, these kids often get picked up, given supper and a bath and put to bed on weeknights) and just can't hold it together anymore. Not even a rare chance to play outside was enough to overcome their utter misery.

The matter was compounded by the fact that a parent volunteer came in this morning to do some pumpkin carving with the class. Because of how many children we have, we split the kids into two groups. One group ate morning snack first and the other group did pumpkin carving first, and then they switched. Only thing is, these kids are little. It's hard for them to understand 'you'll be next'. One little girl in the pumpkin carving group was miserable because she was hungry. One little guy in the snack group was miserable because he thought he didn't get to do the pumpkin activity. By the time we switched, little guy was so disgruntled, he couldn't even participate in the pumpkin carving (not that any of the kids actually participated so much as observed and pulled seeds out of the gunky innards), instead isolating himself in the book corner. It was one of those rare days when we decided we'd better have lunch and nap early, and then also let them sleep almost half an hour later than usual. The afternoon was much better than the morning!

One bright spot - I got to read one of my all-time favorite Halloween stories, Big Pumpkin, to the kids.

Another oasis of joy and wonderment during the day - one of the parents (perhaps sensing something of what was in the air) brought a box o'coffee and a box o'donuts in for the teachers this morning. Truly a wonderful woman!

In other news, yesterday I received an almost last minute invite to a Halloween party, tomorrow. I have no costume, because I wasn't expecting to go to any parties this year. But the kids at work did manage to come up with some excellent suggestions for me, which included but were not limited to: Spider-woman, a king, a princess, and (my personal favorite) a castle. I've decided to attempt a princess in a castle. I'll be sure to photo-document the attempt at creating such a thing.

Comments

[wbkbb.livejournal.com]

You have a wonderful talent for describing your work. I feel so sad for the poor, overwhelmed three-year-olds, and for poor you dealing with them. Praise be to coffee and donuts!

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a difficult day, but as wbkbb says, your description of it is brilliant. Have a great time at the party! I hope the costume turns out. Would your Vampires of Venice dress do for a princess?

[shirebound]

I'm glad you have a party to enjoy after a wild week.

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

Have fun at the party--whatever costume you decide to create!
=D

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

I look forward to a photo of you as a princess in a castle! (Of course, you as a King and a Princess in a Castle would be even more impressive!) Have a great time!

And hurrah for the wonderful parent who brought coffee and donuts!

[ctegan.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see a spider-woman princess in a castle. ;) Kids are so cute!

[antbee362.livejournal.com]

Can't wait to see the costume! Seems like you might have some great costumes but maybe these folks will have seen all of them already. Have fun at the party. Is it tonight?