All done with kiddos...

Today I had my laaast kiddos of the summer. One cancelled on me, so I only had two today. I started the day with a little fishing at Turtle River. Nothing. Not even a bite. But the kiddo enjoyed it immensely! So that was good I guess. He had more helping me unsnag my line than anything I think. Also, he found some tadpoles and frogs. Then, I had kiddo #2. I had not eaten since breakfast when I picked up #2, and she said she had not eaten yet at all, so I "convinced her" to let me treat her to lunch since it was our last day together. She, of course, chose McDonald's, but oh well. Such is life. Then, we went for our one free bowling game of the day and then to the mall. Now I just get to sit and wait for volleyball to start. I am superdeeduper tired and may take a short snooze while I wait. Our friend JPJ is taking over for JJ tonight, so it should be interesting ; ). It's our last night... we'll see if we take home another shirt (I believe we already have three).

Those darn kiddos

I have been so busy trying to get all of my kiddos' hours in. I feel a bit overwhelmed until I actually think about what I'll be doing rather than the time commitment. Hmmm, let's see... bowling, going to a movie, rock-wall climbing, swimming, bike riding, etc. There is, of course, the occasional reading lesson (it just took me about an hour to complete the miscue analysis/running records on one of my kiddos) and social skills lesson. Well, I should say, the social skills lessons are pretty much ongoing throughout my day. For example, I had to institute the "three compliment rule" yesterday at bowling. Whenever someone said something not so nice to another kiddo, that kiddo had to give three compliments to the other kiddo. This was harder for some kiddos than others! It was interested to watch. Even if it was a forced thing just so they could take their next turn at bowling, I was glad they were coming up with nice things to say. And, by the end, there were many encouraging words shared without being forced! The kiddo that I have probably been most frustrated with -- he is just so darn hyperactive -- held my hand practically the whole time. I think he was so overwhelmed with these two other boys that were bowling with him, that he needed an anchor. Anyways, it was touching to say the least and it made (some of) my frustration dissipate.

That darn gravity!

I have two kiddos I see on Mondays for reading practice. They have shown signs of regression after summer vacations of old, so this summer, duh duh duuuuh, they get yours truly to make sure they keep up with their skills. Their teacher worked with them together last year so I figured we should try that this summer, too. I called one of the boys' dad to make sure the time change for his son would work. He said that it wouldn't be a problem, but that his son did not want to work with the other child. I had no clue they didn't want to work together. When I posed the option, he seemed fine with it. I wonder if this negativity could possibly have to do with the unlimited rock wall climbing pass his auntie gave him??? (Read or climb walls... read or climb walls?) I told dad thanks for letting me know, but that I still wanted to give it a try.

So. Planning x10 occurs. I over plan so that there will not be one spare moment for them to complain! And guess what? Both boys had a blast. In fact, boy 2 was chatting about the next time he could read with boy 1. Huh. Funny thing. And, he still got to go to the climbing wall for 1/2 hour (which in my opinion is enough anyways, because his hands get pretty sore). At the rock climbing wall, he kept having trouble on this run that involved a big outcrop that he had to climb up and around. He just could not figure it out - good thing the worker was belaying him - because he seriously did some matrix style moves as he continually fell from that spot. Darn you gravity!

Adventures with the Kiddos

With my mentor job, I don't always know what to call the children I work with. Students? Mentees? Clients? So I have settled with kiddos. JJ has started using the term too. It has confused people more than once. "Where's EJ?" "She's with her kiddos." "Really?" Well, one of my kiddos made it clear what he thinks I am. We were at the park and this Dad was giving really good tire swing rides. Kiddo N wanted to get a ride so I'd love to say that he asked nicely if he could have a turn, but anyways, he did end up having a turn.

Dad: "Sure, only if it's ok with your Mom."
Kiddo N: "That's not my Mom! That's my social worker!"
Dad: (stammering) "Oh, jeez, sorry, I know it's never good to assume."
Kiddo N doesn't even notice as he tries to get into the tire swing.