All For the Children

It seems that the only times I get to do something extra special for our kids is when 2/3rds of the home is out doing kind deeds for the good of mankind. E.g., When we hosted our first mini-retreat ever, I was chosen as Lord High Guardian of the Children (aka, please-stay-back-and-keep-the-home fires-burning), so I indulged in the age-old practice of pillow-fighting with the kiddos, and while in the process of doing so, I managed to get the zipper of a pillow slashed across my forehead by an attacking adult member of the female sex (fun!).

This time 'round those 2/3rds coincidentally managed to go out on their merry way again, this time to Guanajuato, witnessing up a storm as they went. So there I was, drumming away on the table with my fingers, with a fistful of colour pencils in one hand, and schoolbooks in the other, trying hard to think up something diff for our little micro-members to get their hands into, when the simple yet very appropriate idea of hosting a slumber party managed to stumble into my mind. Our older girls were nearly besides themselves with excitement and insisted on doing little jobs for me so I could arrange the details. After a couple of decisive phone calls, and much praying, 6 little munchkins (if I may be allowed to call a 12 year-old kid a munchkin) presented themselves for an evening of fun, brownie face-stuffing along with popcorn, which I personally hate, a movie, and finally, the real deal, sleeping cots for all in our living room, bringing the grand total of the munchkin population up a notch to 18 (talk about a crowd). 

But, you see, it originally wasn't going to be that way.

I had plans of my own for tonight, like going out to play pool with the guys, downing a coupla drinks, and generally chill-laxing. I guess being with children most of your time, and then choosing to make it your career may not seem glamorous to most. 

The truth: It isn't.

But knowing that I'm building our future by shaping the character and overall development of two resident munchkins puts every conceivable little grey cell I possess to work, and besides keeping myself mentally on my toes, so to speak, I honestly do have a lot of fun in the process.

--Special thanks to Joy, who through her many contributions was able to help make this evening a very memorable one. You're tops in my books hun!

Regaining my footing...

It's been abominably cold ever since I got back from the seminar... brrrrr. I wear more clothes than I have needed to in a long time now. Funny that, considering the other three attendees from the Coffeeshop are fine n' dandy.

Strange.

Everything has been a little hazy, dream-like even, since I returned home. Not sure if I can attribute it to the information-overload syndrome, or the fact that, not 96 hours ago, I was surrounded with so many beautiful women. Whatever it may be, I do hope it will fade away soon so I can go back to normalcy. Today I took back command of the two rascals I tutor, Galio and Donovan, who were eyeing me curiously throughout our morning's lessons. I imagine they were probably waiting to see some faint semblance of change in my patterns of tutoring. There was, actually, for, instead of pressing ever onward with the usual drills of counting, vocabulary-expansion (which is minimal at best, considering I tutor them in Spanish), motor skills, etc., I took time to indulge in making, what they called, bread. Actually, it was salt dough, and we spent the better part of an hour shaping little creatures, some recognizable, some not, and sticking them out in the sunshine to dry, with so many reassuring promises from me that, yes, we would see their works of art again, and no, no birds would swoop down from the heavens and devour those priceless artifacts.  We shall put paint to their as-of-now brown bodies tomorrow. So suffice it to say that yes, I am, in a small way, changing my methods, injecting spontaneity whenever possible in order to ensure that their education will be nothing but fond memories of 'making a gigantic dinosaur (it was a gecko, in fact) with Uncle Iman.' 

Tykes.

The Return

Geez, it's been so long since I've posted anything on this blog it's not funny :) But now that I have met fellow bloggers, and am very interested in what goes on in their lives, I have decided to repent and come back to the loving arms of Mother Blog. Attending the Educators Seminar was a life-changer to be sure, and to any and all from Activated Ministries as well anyone who had anything to do with the organizing/executing of the seminar, and may be reading this, THANK YOU!!

Peace and love.