"You're nice, can I be your boyfriend?" (Jonathan... age 5)
What a CRAZY week!
It wasn't because of Jonathan whatsoever. To be sure, HE was the best part of my week indoors... and the week in general actually (save for Michael Buble, of course). Truly the sweetest little boy I have EVER met! If it wasn't illegal to put children in your backpack and take them home with you, I would have. Jonathan was one amazing kid.
I was unable to get in contact with Jonathan's mom over the weekend to chat about his profile and what to expect while he was in my care and, although that was a bummer, it seemed to be just fine. He was the most easy going, compliant, low maintenance camper I've had all summer (which was kind nice, considering it was week 6, and every camper I've had to date has physically, mentally, and emotionally drained me of virtually everything).
Jonathan was in "Stepping Stones", which is a camp program for kids between the ages of 4-7. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE working with younger kids? I'm surprised, I thought the ECE diploma said it all. Ok, well, I LOVE WORKING WITH KIDS THIS AGE! And what was especially great about it this week was that because Jonathan was so independent and integrated, I was able to talk to and get to know A LOT of the other kids in the program too! (I shall discuss my love for Dylan shortly ;).
Jonathan was a part of every aspect of Stepping Stones this week. Although he was VERY, VERY shy. All of day one was spent holding my hand and him having me do things in his place. But he was there with his group. Day two was much better in terms of getting him to participate in games and socializing. On Tuesday, he made great friends with another little boy named Dylan (who was a little mouse of a boy with the laugh of Alvin... as in the chipmunk. I LOVED HIM AND HIS CURLY BROWN HAIR!). The boys started saving seats for one another at circle times and on the bench while getting ready for swimming. By today they were having contests to see who could get changed into and out of their bathing suits faster, with the play-by-play provided by me. It was the sweetest relationship I've had the pleasure of first facilitating, and later watching develop.
Tuesday I saw Michael Buble! *SIGH*
Wednesday was a strange day all around (was it a full moon?). The energy in the kids was unable to be contained... They literally bounced off walls. The noise level was insane, the bickering out of control, the strange happenings strange, indeed. I could have just been tired from the night before, but it was all just too much, I thought. Not to mention the rushing from home to work in Burlington, to home again, to Burlington AGAIN for a staff meeting (which I didn't get home from until 10:30pm). I passed out virtually as soon as my head hit the pillow that night.
Thursday. Two days to go here. I was greatly looking forward to this week being over, but sad because I really loved Jonathan. If you read the blog written previous to this, you will know what I am talking about (no need to get into things again). I will say though, that I know WHY the problems of behaviour in the kids exist in that room, and I wasn't about to be bad cop and police all 35 of them myself. I was there for Jonathan. Thursday we swam with Brock during swim time. Brock had been singing the Bumble Bee song all day ("I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee..."), and eventually Jonathan caught on to this. They'd take turns being the baby bumble bee and I'd use them to do the actions as we swam in the pool. They both LOVED this, especially the part where I they got to sting me, haha! And the part where I used each of them as a broom to wipe up the "messy floor".
In the evening, I began marathon training. Energyless marathon training. I did surprisingly well, though. 86 days until Race Day. I'm crazy.
Friday. T-G-I-F INDEED! Amen to the end of driving on the stupid QEW and moving at a snails pace the entire way (and I only had to go to Walkers Line!). This week I learned that there is no amount of money worth the stress and aggravation produced from highway commuting. And it's summertime. I am very impatient in traffic!
Anyway, Friday at indoor camp is theme day (it's Wednesday's at Chippewa). Our theme this week was "Wild, Wild West", and I had a fairly good costume... I was the Sheriff. The badge was very authentic looking too, and I manged to convince several children that if they misbehaved today I'd have to put them in the slammer. Today was the best day behaviour-wise, haha ;). Jonathan did very well participating with his group for most activities, which I was so happy with because he doesn't really enjoy anything to do with sports, or being physically active in general. He also cut out his own cowboy boot craft! Today we swam among our friends, pretending to ride a magic carpet, which he'd fall off and I'd have to take him to the Water Hospital (where a bucket of water poured on the tummy was the magical cure). We shared a low key afternoon of stories and songs, and then it was time to say goodbye. One of the hardest things to do, I think, is to say goodbye to these kids. Jonathan was staying in extended care for an extra 45mins-1hr after camp ended, and I wasn't staying with him. Each day, including today, he'd watch with his cute, wide eyes as I left the room, with this look on his face like "where are you going?". On Tuesday he actually asked me "But who's going to take care of me?". Oh dear! I'LL TAKE YOU HOME WITH ME PUMPKIN! Guh... it's so hard. But he did really well playing with the kids in extended care, and that is probably most important. Jonathan made many friends this week. That's what he's going to remember. My job is done.
But although goodbyes are hard, I'm glad this week is over. It was just constant rushing around, stress, tiredness, and long. It will be nice to get back to my normal routine next week, and be back with my "family" at Chippewa. I think that place suits me best.
Next week: Rachel. I must figure out something for my hair quick... I like it and don't much want to see it all wrapped around her fingers, haha.
Kudos' of the week: (this is hard this week because I wasn't around anyone else from HH, except during the meeting on Wednesday)
1. To Katherine for getting Hasham in the canoe for the first time ever!
2. To Alicia for having a really successful week with Nolan downtown!
3. To Kylie for living through Laith's scratching.
4. To Michelle for making it to canoeing on time coming from swimming (I know how hard that is with a wheelchair!).
5. To everyone else for doing things I have no doubt were wonderful but I didn't hear about!
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