Are there four words in the English language that can cause more anxiety? Especially when spoken by your four year old's preschool teacher?
That's what happened at the end of May when Martia (my four year old), had her last day of school. That afternoon, Big Sexy and I arrived to pick her up and those four little words were said to us as soon as we entered her classroom. Big Sexy and I responded in unison, "Uh oh." (Seriously! This was the LAST day of school! Those words had not come from her teachers ALL year long. What the what?!?)
But, to tell you that story I have to tell you this story, first:
A couple of weeks prior to, the five of us were headed out front to hop in the car. Martia came running over to me and Big Sexy, very excited about a (potato) bug that she had found. She was insisting that we unlock the door so she could "keep it inside."
We explained to her that the bug needed to be outside with his friends, near grass and water, to survive. And we explained that there were hundreds of bugs to be found, once we got home. She seemed to understand and (I thought) put the bug down in the grass.
But raising our children can be like trying to herd hummingbirds, and my attention was immediately diverted to our oldest as I began buckling him into the car, when I heard Big Sexy say, "Martia, take the bug out of your pocket." This, followed by a gentle suggestion to me, "Um, you may want to check her pockets before you do her laundry."
Dear god.
Back to the original story:
When Mrs. Teacher pulled us aside, she explained to us that the school was able to pay for a special guest for each class's last day of the year. The special guest was Critterman Bob from Bob's Critters. [Insert another in-tandem, "Uh oh," from me and Big Sexy. Or maybe mine was more of a trepidatious, "Uh huh . . . "]
Any way! Mrs. Teacher continued her story, telling us that Martia was "quite frankly," enthralled by Critterman Bob and all his - you know - critters. At the start, Critterman Bob asked for any volunteers to help him. Martia was the only one to jump up, enthusiastically, offering to help. She remained Critterman Bob's assistant for the duration of the presentation, encouraging other classmates to join in the fun.
Apparently, Critterman Bob's gig is to wear a fishing vest. One with lots of pockets. And each pocket contains - now you're catching on - a critter.
Mrs. Teacher went on to tell us that Martia held everything. Some type of parrot, a scorpion, a tarantula, several lizards, several turtles and several snakes. She was fearless. And her two teachers were speechless! (And her parents were/are FULL of pride!)
She was so helpful and curious and trusting that Critterman Bob asked her teachers to explain to us what had happened and wanted to be sure we were given his business card. He couldn't believe how well she followed his directions - holding each animal exactly as he told her. And he was so impressed with how she put all the other students in her class at ease with each animal.
It just so happened that our son, Rocco had his last day of school the next day. Big Sexy, Martia (and Bruno) and I all went to pick him up that day and happened to catch Critterman Bob trying (unsuccessfully) to make a quick exit. We stood, for nearly ten minutes, waiting for him to finish up talking to a parent he obviously knew well. Because Martia needed (NEEDED!) to see the animals again.
Critterman Bob recognized Martia immediately, introduced himself and his critters to me and Big Sexy and patiently unpocketed or uncaged each and every animal for Martia to hold, again.
She was amazing! Just see for yourself . . .
Isn't she amazing?!?!? And now she wants a snake of her own! And I'd totally do it, if there was such a thing as a vegetarian snake! I'll have to keep researching that. But for now, I'm off to do some laundry . . . and check some pockets!
Anyone care to join me?
No comments:
Post a Comment