Halloween Déjà vu

The following are two different events with different sets of people involved. One took place about two years ago and the other a few days ago. Neither one is more important I put them together only because they are so similar and I wish not to bore you with too much repetition. I naturally will have more memory of the more recent event however the feelings I have of both are still as strong as ever. They are so similar that experiencing the  more recent one I felt like a Dashvue, with my memories of the past one.

In both cases I was asked to babysit and then almost as an after thought was invited to, if I was so inclined, to take the boys to the church Trucker Treat, that would be taking place the same evening. I quickly agreed excited at the chance to participate in a normal family church setting and in the role of guardian to small children, that I love so dearly, my nephews. In both cases the two families had moved into their ward within the last few months. Adding to the experience in that the children could have been mine as far as the others there were concerned. Another funny thing that I did not realize till I was thinking about it I dressed up as the same thing both times as well. Probably because I could move easily and work with children, if I dress up in my Indian clothes and bangles.

Showing up at my friend's house a couple days ago, I was met with a cute little Curious George, Monkey. I was pointed the direction to walk and we were off on our adventure stopping to jump in every pile of leaves.

Upon arriving and my nephews home, I was greeted by a little train engineer and his little baby brother in some sort of cute costume I now don’t remember. We also walked to the location of the Trunk Or Treat event. This time pushing a stroller. The Engineer running along side driving his cardboard train.

Arriving and mingling with the church members having pizza on the front lawn. The friendly church members came to get to know me and where I lived etc. I had to explain that I was the babysitter/aunty. Others knew I was coming all in all I loved being able to talk to other moms like an equal.

Walking into the church building we were greeted by many happy excited children and their families. I remember sharing words with others there and introducing myself the same. I was just truly loving being around all the families and seeing my nephews running around with the other children.

Little Curious George was shy at first but soon got the idea for going from trunk to trunk and get to pick a piece of candy and go to the next. It was a nice and warm. He was sure to ride each and every trick that was parked in the front lawn. Also for this event many of the children that I have taught dance too were in attendance so I knew more there then I thought I would, which was enjoyable.

After playing little games we went to the parking lot and taught the concept of saying trick or treat and getting a piece of candy, followed by a thank you and going to the next car. He pick up on it pretty quick as well but it was cooler so we were done much sooner.

Being given the invite from my family and dear friends and then welcomed by the church members, was truly a TREAT for me and I will remember both these evening fondly and gratefully!

Failed. Then Learned.

I mainly teach the younger children but a few weeks ago I was asked to sub for an older class. The teenagers. I was a bit nervous about this and excited to get the experience. I looked through the resources I had and talked to a few others teachers. I was as prepared as I could be so all that was left was the execution of my preparations. I showed up and the first three fourths of the class went really well, for the creative portion my idea/plans failed. They were good sports about what I was asking them to do however I could tell they were not being challenged and learning what they would like. I was open with them and let them know that I had not had very much practice teaching their age. They were kind and we talked about what we could do with I had to give them the learning experience they wanted. They could have taken advantage of me but they did not they taught me and what started out as a failure turned into a great learning experience for me.

I am learning that I need to prepare and try my hardest yet be ready to learn and grown at any time especially when my pride has been hurt a bit, when I’ve made a mistake there are almost always lessons to be learned. We just need to be willing to learn them. Funny thing about this day was I was wearing my “Epic Fail” t-shirt. We can and probably should have epic fails and turn them into “Epic Learns”.

Operation Bedtime

My friend and her husband wanted to go out for the night on a well deserved date. Their little boy had never been put to bed by someone else up to this point. I accepted the challenge. Before they left they taught be the bedtime routine of reading a fun book then a Book of Mormon story out of the children’s version. Then it was tucked into bed followed by a couple of bedtime songs. A “good night” and then a walk out of room leaving door open a crack , easy. Well, I knew better than that. I have done this before children like to test babysitter and see what they can get away with let alone when it is the first time mom and dad are not putting them to bed. Changes make children worried, they don’t understand why there must be a change and as we as adults know that we don’t even like change this was a big one for my little adopted nephew. I have found that the best way to approach this is firm yet with patience and love. How do you do this well it is easier said then done. We went through the routine and all was sweet and good.  I walked out and he was quiet for a few minutes and I was shocked that he actually did it for me. Yet it was not long till I started hearing whimpering I patiently waited to see if  he would fall asleep after a little while. This was not the case  pretty soon this little boy was calling out my name. It was so sweet that it was hard to ignore I managed it for a bit till his calling of my name became more distressed I went in there and comforted him and talked to him a bit about the fact that he was going to go to bed and mom and dad would be back and come give him a kiss after he was asleep. He calmed right down and I thought we were good to go. Turned out he did best and would lay down and rest if he knew I was in the room so I stayed in the room almost falling a sleep in the rocking chair at one point till he was worried I was not there anymore so I went to his crib and put my hand through the bars and rested it on the bed next to him. This helped him more than anything else. I felt so much love from him as his little fingers stroked my hand.

I understand this is not a realistic approach for every  bedtime routine it was simply the right course of action at this moment with this little boy. Since then bedtime with me have been super smooth, with love and trust in our interactions. Like I have learned so many times from my BYU-Idaho classes, you must treat an average child like this (fill in the blank) when this is taking place (fill in the blank). Yet at the end of almost every lecture the professor would say but each child is different and so you must follow the Spirit.   

“I Help”

A few Saturdays ago I was itching to get out in the yard and do some good old fashion work. Knowing my brother and his family would be doing just that I volunteered some of my time. I tackled the mowing of the lawn, while my two older nephews played in the lawn and porch. Pretty soon they had lost interest in their many activities  they were moving between.  First the youngest came up to me so I stopped the lawnmower so I would hear him and keep him safe. “I help?” he asked me. Well if you have not guessed already I have a very hard time refusing cute little children and helping was not such a bad idea; that is what you want your children to say anyway. I could not refuse his goodness. Thinking it through quickly I put one of his little hands in each one of my back pockets of the jeans I was wearing and instructed him to help me push. I started up the lawn mower again and off we went the corners were the trickiest because I have a little body behind me I could not just whip around the corners and head back the other way so they turned into careful 3 point turns. After a few lengths of the lawn his older brother could not be left out so he came up wanting to help as well.  I put him in front of me and instructed him to push as well. I wish I had a picture of this moment. A moment when two little boys wanted to help. It did make it harder for me but now they have helped.

After a little time the oldest figured it must be more fun pushing from behind so he needed his turn. So we switched places. Now the younger and shorter of the two was holding up by my hands his feet on the ground from time to time but most of the time he tip toed or hung from his hands, while big brother had his turn in back. Naturally this way did not last long. Soon they were done helping me with the lawn and moved on but how sweet these boys were in wanting to help.

Hopper Distracts

I was on my second hour of classes in the studio, this was my oldest class so I was naturally looking forward to not needing to work as hard at keeping their attention as I do in the younger classes. This is the case most of the time but sometimes things just don’t work out the way they should right?! I started class as normal and as one of my dancers went by one of the many windows.  A cry went out “Miss Camilla … there’s a grasshopper!”, with that out hopped any order. I acknowledged it and moved on, in hopes that they would be able to follow my lead. We were able to limp through the next 10 minutes or so until I realized that they could not do anything until little Hopper was gone no matter how I tried to reason with them that he was just going to stay in the window and that he was more afraid of us them we were of him and other such tactics. That little grasshopper sat in the window seal only pacing back and forth. However he might as well been hopping around the classroom hopping on heads, floor, mirror etc. that would in fact make for a funnier story! I therefore located a box and with some difficulty I was able to trap Hopper in the box while the girls watched from a distance and then one girl volunteered to take him out.  Out went Hopper and back came our attention span.

A Mommy Moment? Yes, it was a learning moment for me that there are times that your plans need to be set aside, those future plans and focus on the present. The needs that need to be addressed otherwise further movement forward comes to a stand still.

Forgotten Worries

Classes started last month. In my little boys class of boys between the ages of 5 and 7, they stay in my class each year until they turn 8 so I naturally have repeating boys which is a lot of fun to work with them from year to year. It was the first day of class is always new and exciting well two brothers showed up that were going to take the class together and then one of by repeat boys from last year. As he came in he was I could tell as he look around at the new boys and myself  and started to get more and more worried he came and sat by me instead of doing tag with the other boys - boys play tag to get there school jitters out before class and while we are waiting for the others to come. I tried to help him be excited about tag or anything really.  As I talked to him his countenance fell more and more. Pretty soon he was full on crying; hands over face just weeping. Crying takes place in my 3 and 4 year old classes, yet I was not prepared for this boy to start. I became concerned not knowing what to do or say. I needed to find out the purpose of the tears so I started to talk to him, so I might better understand. I learned that he thought he was not good enough to move on and have a different teacher. I quickly started to explain to him that you  stay in my class to the age of 8 and that he was not the only one to stay in this class I told him of the other boy that was in the class last year.  I could tell that this was helping but still something was bothering him or the same thing.  I asked him again what was wrong and he told me that he forgotten how to dance over the summer. I assured him that he had not but he would not hear of it and then one of those moments when the heavens opened and inspiration came to me. These are simple and wonderful moments when I am able to help a child in this case bring him comfort to his worried heart.  I started listing things off to him in the form of questions. “Do you remember how to run?” looking at me with of course eyes he said, “Yes!”. I continued,

“Do you remember how to jump?”

“Yes!”

“Do you remember how to walk?”

“YES!”

“Do you remember how to spin?”

“YES!”

“Do you remember how to roll?”

“YES!”

“Do you remember how to gallop?”

“YES!”

“Do you remember how to take turns with your knees in a skip?”

“YES!” Each yes he became brighter and happier.

“See, you remember how to dance!”

At the end of this conversation two boys from his class had shown up so he hopped up and joined them in the game of tag. He was so worried that he was not good enough dancer that it brought him to tears and gave me the chance to have a moment in which I could better understand him and feel God’s love for him. I was able to feel it and hopefully pass it on to him.