Tiny People

11 OCTOBER 2016

Today during opening, Midge and I got out the calendar and asked, "What day is it today? Who's being good that wants to come show us?"

That's when we realized our calendar was still on "September", and of course, parents were watching.

It dawned on me very recently that I will actually miss all these kids when this is over. I'd read countless times about how that happens, and I guess it's happening once more. I already have their abilities and levels in my head, their likes and things to avoid with them, and most importantly: their names. I really hope that some years down the road I will be able to see them again, even just for one conversation.

For the seniors, it's Hannah, Lucy, Sarah, Rako, Andre, Kingsley, Ivan, and Jay. For the juniors, it's Clara, Donut, Sera, Joanna, UT, Vivian, and Allen. Allen is a little stinker, and Donut is going down that path as well. (I thought she would've been my star student, now Clara is taking her place.)

I didn't realize how much I know about them until Midge asked, "Who's that one?" and I said, "Nelson. He's pretty smart." "And her?" "That's Hannah. She's precious. She does my hair and gives me back rubs during lessons." And then Kingsley with his little anklet runs up to me and buries his face in my belly.

He comes up to me during snack regularly to hop into my lap and give me big slobbery kisses on my cheek!

Hannah and me

Sera with Vivian and UT in the background. Vivian is looking down. (She is very good in English!)

Here in China there doesn't seem to be a distinction between "breakfast food" and other food. For breakfast we eat corn, greens, noodles, chicken, dumplings.. basically anything Americans would usually eat for 'Chinese night"

Little Lucas, who always whispers Chinese nonsense in my ear

Kingsley and I

Peter knows how to take pictures!

Andre and Michelle

Michelle is a sweetheart who is eager to learn and very observant. She is so sweet and sometimes gets left out. 
That's the tough part about teaching, helping everyone feel included, especially the quiet ones. I was the quiet one growing up too, and I know exactly how it feels to be on the outside looking in. I hope none of my kids feel that way.

And then for a moment, everything is still.