Something Special

Ok, while this post will summarize my last week or so, quite a bit of it will focus on Charley, so be forewarned. Since I posted last, I've celebrated Halloween, had my first full weekend off in a very long time, worked two jobs, attended two meetings (thus writing two sets of sub plans...my teacher friends will understand why that's annoying), developed laryngitis, gotten my iPad fixed, and finally gotten caught up on sleep. Phew, that was a lot of information for one sentence. Anyway, the week was jam-packed, but in spite of losing my voice, it was a really successful week.

Before I get into the events of the last week, I suppose I should touch base about Halloween. Charley and I went over to my friend Michelle's house to trick-or-treat with her two kids. Michelle's husband dressed up like a scarecrow and sat outside, waiting to pass out candy to the kids, while we took our kids out to get some candy. It was quite an experience! People were pulling kids in trailers, there was a horse and carriage taking kids through the neighborhood...even a haunted house at the end of the block! The funny part is, Charley and Michelle's daughter Evie, didn't notice any of that. They were too busy chit-chatting and playing music on Evie's light-up Elsa dress. The girls nearly got trampled several times by older children, but they were lost in conversation and totally oblivious. All three kids ended up with tons of candy, and because Charley can't have anything with nuts or peanuts, I ended up with quite a stash myself...A stash I actually brought into school. Not without eating a Reese's though...Do you know how long it's been since I ate a Reese's? Mmmmm....Heaven.

Anyway, by the time we got home Friday night, I was exhausted. I was coming off of a 21+ day working streak and two of those days had been 13 hour days. Charley was tired, too. As much as I've been busy, she generally has to come along for the ride whether she wants to or not, so she was wiped out after trick-or-treating. Charley fell asleep on the couch, and I was in bed before 10. It was great. Over the weekend, Charley and I enjoyed not really having anything scheduled. We had chores to get done and errands to run, but nothing we absolutely HAD to do. Except, of course, for meeting up with Jackie and Chris, Charley's new babysitters.

When I started coaching at the gym in North Branch, the program director found a family that was willing to take Charley while I was at work. On my first night in the gym, the director introduced Charley to Jackie and Chris, the parents of one of the girls I work with. They were very friendly, but Charley was not entirely sold. I think she knew that meeting them eventually meant she would have to be away from me. She's such a mama's girl. Anyway, I talked to Jackie about getting together over the weekend, so Charley and I (well...all of us) could get a little bit more comfortable with one another. We went over to their home on Sunday night, and it was like being at home. While I chatted with Jackie and Chris, Charley got acclimated to the space, and played with their daughter. I felt much better about leaving Charley with them, and Charley definitely seemed comfortable. On Monday when I dropped her off, she ran in without an issue, waved goodbye, and apparently did just great. When they brought her to the gym, Chris said, "It was like she's known us her whole life." I guess she was singing and dancing to her iPad, and, of course, making sure she had the whole family's attention.

She always wants to get dolled up!

This is where the focus of my post really turns to Charley. I am seriously so lucky to have a child like her. It's not just because she's smart. I know she's smart. She always has been. But she is just so adaptable in social situations, particularly with adults. I don't know what to attribute that skill to. I mean... there are probably several factors involved. For one thing, she's being raised by a single mom. She has to come along with me, most of the time, more by necessity than by choice. Maybe that's impacted her social maturity. She's also spent time with friends and family, who act like Charley is just part of their families. She's used to fitting in, even when she's the only child in the room. I could also credit all of the coaches and parents who treated her like one of their own, at Kenwood (and Sasso's in Vegas, for that matter). They didn't have to. In fact, they could've been annoyed that she came along while I coached. But they never complained. In fact, on the days Charley was NOT with me, I generally got questions about her. "Where's Charley?" disappointed moms would ask. Ha! I loved that. I'm often amazed at how easily Charley can wrap someone around her finger, and have that person totally engaged for long periods of time. Men, in particular. Even the most straight-faced, inexpressive men will engage in conversation with Charley and usually crack a smile at the very least, within minutes of meeting her. It's impressive. It's also a little scary (I'm thinking of her teenage years).  Anyway, this all relates back to Jackie and Chris' house, because Charley didn't know them well, but seemed to be able to adapt to their house rules quickly and easily. According to Jackie, "She is so polite! And very sweet. I call her Little Miss Manners, because she always says please and thank you. She is such a sweet girl!" What more could a mother ask for?

This kid loves a good hair cut.

 It's funny, because I had at least 5 conversations about manners at work last week. Most of the issues stem from the fact that teachers will greet students as they walk by, and the children say nothing in response. That's happened to me several times. I'm not one for being ignored, so I've been known to say, "EXCUSE ME! Come back here, please. When someone says 'Good morning' to you, it is rude not to respond." I think any time someone communicates with you, and you don't respond, it's rude. It's just not how I was raised. I require my students to say hello when they enter my classroom, and say goodbye before they leave. And you know what? They do it every time.In fact, some of them have started a little contest with me, getting creative with, "See ya later, Alligator," "In awhile, Crocodile," "See ya soon, Baboon," trying to come up with rhymes so they say goodbye last. It's cute. Their peers might not recognize the need to respond to adults, but my students do (well, most of them do) and I appreciate that. It's a social skill we generally don't think about teaching, because it seems like common sense politeness. But kids aren't necessarily learning this at home. I would say that my friends' kids are exceptionally polite. They have great parents. That's why we're friends! But unfortunately, at this point, politeness is the exception, not the rule. This is why I appreciate that Charley shows those social skills outside of the house. From the Target cashier, to the dad watching his daughter get her hair cut at the salon, to the older women checking out her macaroni and cheese at Noodles and Co. last night, Charley makes no exceptions. She's friendly with everyone (everyone she doesn't think is a 'creeper,' that is). It makes me feel like I'm doing something right. She truly is, something special.

With that, I'm going to relax on the couch and try not to talk for the rest of the night, so this laryngitis goes away. I'm hoping to sound like a human before Monday. Chances are slim, but I'll give it a shot. Have a great weekend!