My Random Babies

I haven't said a whole lot about my students here recently. 

Mostly this blog's been "Here's My Life and it's Funny Things and Problems BlaBlaBla". 

But I suppose my students are pretty important, since they are my job and the reason why I'm here. 

I guess I was waiting for a cohesive subject or theme to write about on them, but with Asian second graders nothing is terribly coherent or connected. So I'm going to use the random method. 

..........
 

I have eight classes. 

Class 12 and Class 16 are my smartest classes and they love me to pieces. Class 19 also loves me to pieces, but is...not my smartest class (they try really hard!). Class 15 seems to have a vendetta against me and gives me stomachaches. Class 13 mischievous but manageable. Class 18 doesn't care a whole lot about my presence. Class 14 worships the ground I walk on and Class 17 is the definition of spunky. 

I've got most of their names down by now, even though they themselves may never learn them.

Class 19 has started calling me "Miss Mommy". This trend was started by Grace and Amy, who blow me kisses in the hallway whenever I see them. 

Cooper from Class 15 will NOT stop poking my butt whenever I walk by. 

The English festival is coming up on the week of Christmas, so the classes that are performing really need to practice. A few weeks ago, one of my co-teachers asked me to write a Christmas poem for two of her classes to perform. I did it and it was...interesting (better described by the words "China fabulous"). Little did I know that she would also want me to teach the poem along with motions and the first verse and chorus of "Jingle Bells". 

(Forget about trying to explain what "bells on bobtail" are.)

Today was a snow day. My children have never been so wild and apathetic at the same time.

Class 12 and Class 16 had to make Christmas cards as a homework assignment from my Chinese co-teacher. One of the students had their parents call my co-teacher over the weekend to ask how to spell my name so they could write it on their Christmas card.

My co-teacher in Class 14 taught the students the phrase "I love ____" and asked them what they love. Dear, sweet little Burt emphatically answered, "I love Mees Love!" (And no, I was not in the room when he said this, pursuading him to say it. That means it was REAL.)

Last week, I accidentally told a student "I love you!" and she was ecstatic. I don't think I'll be able to stop myself now. 

Bill from Class 12 usually walks with me after class because my path goes by the boys' bathroom. We always have little conversations and he spends most of the time holding my arm and/or grinning up at me. 

Angel from Class 12 said, "Mees Love, you are like my seestar...you are beautiful!"

Hunter from Class 15 tried to take stuff out of my teaching bag this afternoon. The Chinese homeroom teacher (who doesn't speak much English) made him come back to me and say, "I'm sorry." He looked a small Asian puppy. I wasn't impressed.

Keeping these children from cheating on their exams is a lot like trying to pitch water out of a leaking boat. You just can't fix it by bribing them with stickers.

Class 13 mimicked me so well one day that they even coughed when I coughed. It was scary. 

Watching children act out Goldilocks and the Three Bears in class is going onto my list of Favorite Things that Happened This Year. 

During Parents' Week, when parents came in to watch any and all of my lessons, Class 13 thought it would be the opportune time to take up sticking pencils in their noses.

My favorite part of the day is walking through the hallway and being showered with hugs and children yelling "MEES LOVE! MEES LOOOVVVVVE!" 

Alyssa from Class 16 is usually very quiet and morose-looking, but I've noticed that she's an extraordinary artist. One day she was turning in a picture I had them draw in class, and as I took it, I looked her in the eye and said, "Alyssa, this is beautiful." She turned to go, but then hesitated, gave me a shy smile, and stammered, "Thank you, Mees Love." 

Drake from Class 17 wears a Harry Potter coat (yes, it says "Harry Potter" on it) and salutes me every time we run into each other. 

Justin from Class 17 is EXTRAORDINARILY loud and loves to tell me "GOOD MARNING," and "GOOD AFTANOON."

Hannah from Class 14 just needs extra love.

Tate from Class 16 forgot his name once, but now reminds me of it every time we see each other. "Mees Love! I'm Tate!"

Ben from Class 14 sits up VERY straight and VERY proud ALL the time. He does it so well, in fact, that his face sometimes turns red until I'm sure he's going to burst like an overfed hamster. 

Reese from Class 15 always knows the answer. He used to try to be too cool for me, but now he smiles when I call on him and see him in the hallway. He's awkwardly bigger than all of his classmates and has dimples when he grins. 

Sasha from Class 15 is determined to never, ever like me. 

My second favorite part of the day is leaving school during recess when all the kids are outside. It means I get MOBBED by excited second graders.

Chinese children make beautiful Christmas cards. 

..........

Yes, I could go on and on about my precious, naughty, awful, adorable, ridiculous Chinese babies, but I think you understand already. 

I love them to itty bitty pieces.

And I'm thankful my Father loves them more.