Back when my husband and I were first dating, I was working multiple jobs that involved young elementary school-aged kids. It wasn't long before the resulting anecdotes were dubbed "cute kid stories", and were staples of our "How was your day?" conversations.
Last year, when I found myself moved from teaching in elementary schools to teaching in a middle school, one of the things I missed the most were the funny stories that I had felt were part and parcel to teaching. The stories that just made you giggle were harder to come by...and I was feeling the withdrawal.
Fast forward to last Wednesday, and I'm back to elementary school. I once more have 4th and 5th graders in my classroom. The night before school began, I couldn't help thinking: "What if the kids aren't funny?"
What a silly thought.
It didn't take long before the quips and one-liners from the students-- their genuine responses to real life-- had me smiling. And today? Well...
One of the teachers in my building has a friend who makes cakes and cupcakes as a side business. Every week or so, samples of the newest flavor variety are available in the staff lounge. This morning, one of the paraeducators in my classroom brought back a couple of today's selection (Blackberry frosting on white cake) for the teachers in the room. I've been trying really hard lately to carefully monitor the amount of sugar and fat I'm taking in, so my cupcake sat on a table in the back of the room for most of the morning.
When my students returned from recess and lunch, one of my boys caught sight of the sweet treat.
"Is that yours?" he asked.
"Yes, it is," I replied.
His eyes danced over the pink icing and tempting-looking berry. "I just want a small bite," he said.
Before I could even remind him to use good manners and ask (I gladly would have given him half without hesitation), he picked up the cupcake.
The word "wait" was on the tip of my tongue.
And the frosting was on his.
THE KID JUST LICKED MY CUPCAKE!
How could I not laugh?? Practice. I stifled the laugh and looked at him with shock.
"Did you seriously just lick my cupcake right now?" I asked as I tried to hold back a grin. "For REAL?"
"Are you mad?" he asked.
I could feel the way my eyebrows were wrinkling in utter surprise. I want him to get the message that it's not okay to take things that don't belong to you. I want him to know that people will not think it's okay, or find it funny as a general rule. Had he got that message?
"Are you going to do it again?" I asked.
"No," he returned.
We'll see about that. But in the mean time, have I mentioned how glad I am to be back in elementary school? :) Bring on the funny kid stories!
