Tag Archives: school

A Small Moment

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Today was a small moment that made a big impression on my heart.

Today I was the Mystery Reader in Ryan’s class. Many elementary schools have some form of a mystery reader throughout the year, so this is not a new concept. But it was the first time that I had been the Mystery Reader in Ryan’s class, so it was a new experience for me.

I provided his teacher with my clues (they received one clue each day), and asked Ryan throughout the week about each clue for the Mystery Reader. He was quite oblivious that it was me, until the last clue which his class received today. (The clue was “I went to college at the University of New Hampshire”). The children are allowed to make guesses as to who the Mystery Reader is, but they are not actually told if they are right or wrong.

I wish I had a camera to capture the smile on Ryan’s face when I was announced as the Mystery Reader and entered his classroom. I don’t think it could have been any bigger if he tried. He was thrilled to have me there. And I was thrilled to be there. As a full time working mom, it is often hard to make time for the different volunteer opportunities at school. I do what I can, but it never feels like it is enough. The smile on Ryan’s face today took away all my doubts. Today was more than enough for him. And it was more than enough for me.

The children in Ryan’s class were very excited and attentive. They asked me questions about my clues. Some were amazed to learn that I had been “born in New York” (one of my clues). Another was surprised to learn that “people can grow up in Pennsylvania” (another one of my clues). Oh to be a kid again when your entire world is still so simple and small! They asked questions about the story, and even gave me homework when I was finished!

So today was a small moment that made a big impression on my heart. Thank you Room 10, for allowing me to be your Mystery Reader today.

 

Bittersweet

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I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year.

I love that the days are getting longer, and warmer, and we can spend more time outside than inside. I love that Summer is just around the corner which means our routine (especially mornings!) will be a little bit more relaxed, and the days a little less structured.

But I also feel a little sad. As I have been watching my children these last few days of school, especially with all of their year-end activities, I have realized that these are not the same kids I sent to school in the Fall.

My “little girl” who would barely leave my side all summer long, readily leapt into the arms of her preschool teacher in September (whom she had just met five minutes prior) and has not stopped growing since. She is singing songs and saying things that someone else taught her. She has friends that are not stuffed animals and she calls me “dude” (I am not kidding).

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And Ryan. I don’t even know where to begin with Ryan. He is such a special, unique child, who continues to amaze me each and every day with the things he says and does. He has grown up so much this year. He is so smart, and so aware of the world around him. He LOVES to read. But my favorite thing about Ryan is the empathy that he has towards other people. During his hockey tryouts earlier this Spring, one of his friends fell on the ice. Ryan stopped, skated over to him and knelt down next to him for quite a while. Later, I asked him what he was saying to his friend. He answered “I told him I would not leave him behind.” That is Ryan.

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I am proud of my children and the people that they have grown into this school year. And I am happy that they are so happy. But sometimes, I wish I could just freeze time, even if only for a little while. Because by the end of each school year, they have moved just a tiny bit further away from being “little”. And that, is bittersweet.