Crazy Town

It started just five minutes into my day at work. I had just entered the preschool one class and noticed a little girl standing by her cubbie. I went over to see what she was doing and found that her skirt was wet. I took her to the bathroom with spare pants and found that she was wearing a pull-up (I thought pull-ups were supposed to prevent this from happening). I figured that would be the only accident for the day. Just after morning snack, about an hour and a half later, it started back up. I was walking around wiping tables and helping some kids throw their trash away when a girl came and told me there was poop on the ground. I didn't want to believe this little girl cause I knew that if it was poop, I would have to clean it up. She pulled me over to the far side of the room and pointed to a few yellowish skid marks. It looked kinda like the oatmeal the kids had just eaten, but I couldn't help but notice that it was a little more of a yellow shade. The shade wasn't enough to convince me and just as I was about to tell the girl that it was oatmeal, when the most awful odor hit me like a truck. BAM! YUCK! (Ok, yeah that's poo.) The only problem was I had no idea how it got there or even who put it there! I scanned the room full of three year olds wondering how I was going to find the culprit. Then I spotted her... wet girl, in her once fresh and clean white pants. Yeah the one I had just changed not too long ago! She had yellowish spot on her rear (really what are up with these pull-ups?) I told the other teacher about the skid marks so she could clean them up, and quickly escorted wet girl to the bathroom. I will spare you the details of this most explosive diaper/pull-up like how it had found it's way all the way down to her ankle or how it's smell could make even a person who couldn't see or smell dry heave! That is not important, just know it was going to take me a while. Just after I had finished cleaning one leg I heard a lot of commotion and a "ewww" coming from the classroom. Followed by a "Karee, are you almost done in there?". I had no idea what had just happened, but I knew it couldn't be good. The other teacher came to the doorway looking frazzled and distraught. "Some kid just puked on the carpet!" And for a minute I was glad that I had been in the bathroom with a smelly pull-up because I know if I would have seen this accident I would have responded with the same thing and all of the kids would have seen the blueberry pancakes I had eaten for breakfast (I cannot stand seeing puke). A few, ok so like 20, wipes later, wet girl (that is what I will call her) along with her 15 other classmates were all lined up to go outside. Ok, now it won't be so crazy I thought...Wrong! The other teacher went inside to take care of puke boy while I was left outside with 15 little three year olds. Most of them are really good, a few like to tease a little, but one likes to climb trees, which is against the rules. Monkey boy sure knew how to pick his trees cause he chose the one that was around the side of the building. Meaning that I would have to leave 14 of his friends alone on the playground so that I could go save him from breaking an arm. I was a little hesitant on doing this though and wishing they would have gone over a similar situation in training so I could know what I should do. While I was there standing at the corner trying to coax him with words, a mom came out to drop off another kid. Great! When she left, I made a mad dash picked up monkey boy, who appeared to be stuck about two feet off the ground, and then back. Just as the other teacher came back. Did you really have to take 15 minutes? (don't worry I only thought that.) I made it out for lunch early, but not before another boy had an accident on another rug (two rugs gone in one day! That is impressive.) I made it back from lunch in time for nap time (noticing our numbers had basically doubled or it felt like they had) which wouldn't happen for another 45 mins because of bathroom breaks, lost blankies, laughing boys, and newly arriving kids. But all the running around, quieting, and back patting was all worth it when finally all but two kids were asleep. It was such a beautiful sight! I wish I could have taken a picture... there were cots and blankies EVERYWHERE! The tile floor was no where in sight.
The rest of the day was mostly uneventful or maybe it was just the fact that the morning had prepared us to expect anything and everything. I had never expected any of these things to happen so when they did I was unsure how to respond, so I just laughed. I hope I didn't make anyone mad (mostly the other teachers) by this response, but it was all I could do.

Where did I go?

I haven't blogged in about two weeks, but don't worry that HUGE spider (The picture does not do it justice but it really was huge!) did not eat me it just scared me out of my tent. Well that and a few wasps. I ended up in a tent that had become home to a family of mice over the winter. They were not too happy about some campers trying to take over and well lets just say we didn't sleep too well. I am not sure which is worse spiders or mice I just know that I could go without either! I could also go without chiggers which seemed to get everyone this year including me. They didn't bug me much during the day, but at night they really itched. Just another thing to keep me awake I guess. But as a whole I really enjoyed camping. I always had something to do or someone to help. I was able to grow closer and learn more about some amazing people. And also gained some good life experiences.

The week after I got back from camp I started something new... a full time job at a daycare/preschool called The Goddard School. At first I was unsure about it and wondering if I could stand to be there 40 hours a week, (long hours really wore me out.) but now it has become a routine and I am really liking the opportunity to work closely with so many kids.



With all the work I have been doing I haven't had much time to relax and hang out with friends like I used to. But Wednesday night I was able to go to my first Springfield Cardinals baseball game, well a game where they actually play. (My real first was rained out.)



I had a fun adventure with my friend Courtney as we cheered on the Cards and #7 from the other team. I was lucky enough to have found someone who knew quite a bit about baseball because I had a lot of questions throughout the whole game. Because I know nothing about baseball, we are a soccer family.

Here we go a campin'...

Flashlights. Check. Bug spray. Check. Pillow and sleeping bag. Check check. Toothbrush. Check. Camera. Check. Getting ready for a few nights out in the woods has taken me almost all day (it shouldn't but I just found out I was going today). I am not much of a camper, but if it is time that I get to spend with friends I hardly notice those darn bugs. And luckily for me we are going to be staying at a place that most campers would consider a hotel. We will have cabins, a pool, and an AIR CONDITIONED dinner hall (I know where I will be spending most of my time). This will be my fourth time at this camp site and I really like it. I am hoping that the rain cools the temperatures for the week, but last I checked it is supposed to be pretty hot with chances of rain and thunderstorms... hopefully not.


As for right now I will be staying indoors enjoying the book I just started reading, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See. (I read Shanghai Girls (another one of her books) and found the Chinese culture to be quite interesting.) I am learning how much the Chinese girls were willing to go through to be considered beautiful and bring their family honor. I never would have thought small broken feet would be a sign of beauty. I am not sure how it will end, but I will blog more about it when I finish along with some camping stories (I am sure I will have plenty).

The Art of Rollerblading

I believe rollerblading
is one of those things,
like many others, that
can be an easy or it
can be a hard thing
to learn. For me blading
has come quite naturally,
which is quite a rarity
in the world of
skaters so don't get
your hopes up.
For those of you beginners,
I say just try it out.


Yes there will be falls
and yes there will be
some pain, but the wind
rushing by your face
and the wheels spinning
beneath your feet
as you speed down a
hill makes it all
worth it! So to you
beginners, let me
give some helpful
tips that will make
learning to Rollerblade
a little easier.
Firstly, before you even begin,
make sure the blades that you will be using are your size
and do not pinch your feet in any way. I would suggest pink
Barbie Rollerblades. They are adjustable and provide top comfort.

The next thing
is in the planning
of your route.
If there are going
to be hills invite
only people that are
bigger and stronger
than you. They will
be very helpful
on the uphill struggle,
trust me!




When blading, remember
it's not like walking,
its like sliding across
the kitchen floor
wearing socks. The
direction your feet
are pointed is where
you are going to go,
so keep you feet straight.
Try to stay near the
grass,it will provide
a safe, well a soft,
landing in case of
crashing.



I wish you the best of
luck with your
rollerblading adventure.
Remember what I
have told you and
maybe someday you
will be good
enough to keep up with me.