I guess the last time I wrote was right before our first group of kids got here. That seems like forever ago. The first week was good, but overwhelming. Theeeeeeeeen I had kitchen duty the second week. Boy was that a treat. And by treat I mean hell on earth. Cooking and especially cleaning for 100+ people is not my idea of a good time. I will spare the gory details, but I'm sure you can imagine how grumpy I was after working from 6:30am to 10pm with about two 15-minute breaks in there somewhere. Grumpfest 2009. Be glad you didn't buy tickets.
But then I was rewarded the next week when I was back on the trail with the most delighful group of 4th graders. We were warned that it was going to be a tough group because they were inner city kids, but I found the situation to be quite to the contrary. I had a blast with these kids, and it was just what I needed after my week in the kitchen to remind me why I love teaching environmental ed so much. These kids hadn't been around a lot of natural settings before so they were amazed and excited by just about everything we did and saw. It is times like these when I feel like I'm actually making a difference in kid's lives. I also lucked out with a great group of kids last week. If only I could tell myself their good behavior and interest were due to my superb teaching skills. Haha. But I think I am mostly getting lucky. We'll see what next week will bring. I'm excited because they will be 2nd graders- so cute!
Quote of the week (last week) that made my week: "Miss Eve is so nice and such a great naturalist. I want to grow up to be just like her." -6th grade boy, melting my heart :)
Ah yes kids, inflate my ego. Wonderful.
Other than that, things are good here, but always kind of strange. It is like living in a surreal world, always with the same 11 other people and really no one else. We live in our own little Glen Helen world... It's fun though. Besides the fact that pretty much everyone but me has spotted Dave Chappelle in town. Boooooo.
Well, sorry to cut this so short. Hope all is well with everyone! xoxo
Ric and Aly after a food coloring/shaving cream fight in the craft hut... Ric had a green face for about 3 days.
During our evening program for the kids... Although I wish we dressed like this every day. Sigh.
Amanda, me, Ric and Dia
More evening program business. Jesse, me and Allie
Out on a hike in the Glen.
Creating our own Glen Fun. Yes, those are nerf guns and drwn on mustaches. Don't ask.
Ric, Aly, Megan, Samuel, Lori, Amanda & me
Aw, Miss Eve, how precious.
ReplyDeleteI totally feel you with the surreal living- always around the same people in what feels like our own little world... (until I walk outside and see 3 million people on the streets)...
Nice to hear the update. Miss you!
I'm having trouble deciding whether this is "nature" or "theater". :)
ReplyDeleteI do get a twinge of jealousy when you post those great outdoor shots. That place is really pretty.
Hi Eve,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your comments on the inner city kids. I always learned at lot when I had inner city kids at the nature center I worked at near St Paul. They taught me when I saw the natural world through their eyes because it is so different from their usual habitat.
Thanks for sharing!