Kids seem to understand better than we do sometimes.
I know you can't really see what's going on in this photo, but allow me to explain.
A little boy in Eliza's class brought an old-school lunch box to school filled to bursting with Pokémon cards, and within a span of three minutes, dropped the tin box with the flimsy latch twice - spilling what must have been 350 Pokémon cards in a large, scattered pile at everyone's feet.
The first time it happened in the otherwise quiet line, Eliza dropped my hand and ran to help gather. The second time, the kids were walking in straight lines towards the school and, again, several kids (including Eliza) dropped to their knees to help.
While the crouching herd of children were gathering cards, Eliza's teacher passed by, and upon finding out the story simply quipped over her shoulder, "Caiden, you should not be bringing that to school in the first place."
Now, before I dissect this, the teacher is absolutely right. Toys are not allowed at school for good reason, and they have had enough trouble with that rule already in this particular class that a notice was sent home a couple of weeks ago reminding parents that no toys were allowed. Not in hands, not in backpacks, and not in lunch-boxes. I am sure Mrs. Campbell was justified in her frustration.
But because of it, she missed the magic of what was happening. Kids (I count six in that photo) were rushing to Caiden's side when they saw his need, and it was quite beautiful to me.
Kids don't generally attach morals on to good behavioral instincts... they just act on them. Somewhere along the line we start to weigh in our minds whether the person in help 'deserves' the help, or whether or not our help will fuel an underlying problem. And, perhaps, some of that is okay, but wouldn't the world be a much better place if we stopped thinking so much and just rushed in to gather when we saw someone spilling?
In other news, October is a fun month around here because it's still hot enough to have water parties at school,
but not so hot as to be miserable parents while we watch them.
The Fun Run at King happened, and if that smile on Eliza's face up there doesn't tell you a bit about how much she enjoyed it, nothing will.
Brian even got to join us for it this year, which was extra special.
In other school news, Eliza had crazy hair day and rocked it.
Crazy hair in October is something fun indeed.
And if you're going to win a Student of the Month Award,
I would highly suggest you win it in the month of October on the day everyone dresses up for Halloween.
It was quite magical.
The principal, Mr. Shrock, is delightful and really tries to make school fun and exciting for the kids. This particular awards assembly is held outside once a month just after morning announcements, and all of the award winners stand in anticipation at the top of the hill near the fence. Mr. Shrock then calls each child's name through the loudspeakers (...and the winner ISSSSSSS.......), and he or she runs down the corridor of cheering peers, dancing to the rhythm of loud music and high-fiving everyone along her way until she finally ends up at the feet of Mr. Shrock who gives her a paper award.
To do it in costume makes it so much better.
Eliza is a great kid, and it's easy for her teachers to see that. Not long after her student of the month award was received, she was picked again for the Cobra Kai award:
The highest school honor. Because of her excellency, she is now the proud owner of a wristband that will get her into every school party for free (instead of having to pay the cherished Cobra Cash for such a thing). She is elated and very, very honored. There were only two kids in the whole school who won the award, so perhaps she should be elated and honored.
Third grade is going well.
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