Thursday, December 17, 2009

Forget her energy, I want some of her wonder

clip_december001_LLittle Miss Loves Life is a frequent flier in my office.  She isn’t a *bad* child but she does have a lot of energy.  And by a lot of energy, she often jumps up and down while in conversation.  Sometimes the teacher just needs a break.

Little Miss Loves Life: “Do you know what is for lunch today?”

Me: “I don’t.  But we can check the calendar…”

Little Miss Loves Life (interrupting excitedly and beginning to jump up and down): “It is my favorite!  Toasted cheese sandwich!  I love how the cheese and the bread stick together…..”

How can you not love that?  She can make the most ordinary thing extraordinary.  I when Little Miss Loves Life visits the office (and for the record, she isn’t in trouble… we have a deal that the teacher sends her to us to do some work when she is feeling stressed with the flea-like antics).

As we have gotten closer to Christmas, Little Miss Loves Life has ramped up her energy level.  Yesterday, we got to spend some quality time together.

Little Miss Loves Life (vibrating, I swear she vibrates): “We bought you a Christmas present and I’m not supposed to tell you but we did and we bought it from Sams!”

Me: “You are so sweet.  Now let’s take a look at this math problem…”

Little Miss Loves Life: “My mom told me not to tell you and I told her I wouldn’t because I CAN keep a secret even if she says I can’t.  I CAN.  I really can!”

Me: “I know you can.  Can you read this word problem to me…”

Little Miss Loves Life (interrupting herself while reading a math word problem): “Miss Beth?  Do you love coffee mugs?”

Me: “I do!”

As a matter of fact, I do love coffee mugs.  Almost as much as I love her zest for life.  She amazes me and keeps me smiling.

And her secret will be safe with me.

43 comments:

essbesee said...

Thank you for reminding me that my kids are little mr. loves lifers and sometimes I need to appreciate that a bit more instead of just wishing for a moment of silence. Enjoy your mug!

The Peach Tart said...

Oh what a sweet story and a sweet girl. I wish more people especially adults could have her zest for life.

*krystyn* said...

We need more kids like her around huh? What a cute story and I would have had a hard time laughing when she asked if you liked coffee mugs.

Kulio said...

Oh I LOVE those kinds of kids! The ones that just can't help themselves, vibrate and have shining eyes. Christmas must be amazingly amazing for them :-)

CiCi said...

That's a great kid. My kids were pretty somber and so was I. So when I see a child who is free to exhibit the internal joy and spread it around for the rest of us, I can't help feel the joy too.

cheatymoon said...

I wish we worked in the same district! Love this story!

Brian Miller said...

teehee..she keeps a secret about as well as my oldest boy...too cute. smiles.

Mama-Face said...

Haha. SO sweet!! And your title was 'wonderful'. This story made me so happy.

I always wonder what "they" think about my son who is sent to the counselor to work off some stress by playing games and whatnot. I've been there a couple of times and my little guy says some of the craziest things; I can't imagine what he says when I'm NOT there.

:)

Jan said...

Oh, what a sweetheart.

What the coffee mug will have on it will be a complete surprise, so she IS good at keeping secrets!

Malady said...

Oh, how absolutely adorable! Hopefully my boy will be that positive and gleeful.

Kristina P. said...

This made me smile.

Unknown said...

She is just adorable!!

I just love the way she subtly told you what the gift is and still was able to say to her mom that she didn't tell you what was in the present!

Rosaria Williams said...

You'll be needing a strong cup by the end of the week. The energy in schools at this time of the year is palpable miles away.

Enjoy your holidays. May you get peace and quiet.

Chris said...

Kids like that make everything else worthwhile, don't they?

Have a great Christmas (sorry, WINTER) break, Beth!

Herding Cats said...

Aww, that's cute! Sometimes it's hard with kids that have tons of energy, but we have to remember that they mean well!

Mike said...

It really is the the little things that can make you appreciate the mind of a child. It is not developed in so many ways, but in other ways it is far superior to the over burdened mind of an adult!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Secret? What secret? Did she tell you? LOL

Optimistic Pessimist said...

i love that you appreciate what most people can't with this little girl!

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darsden said...

Merry Christmas and Have a Very Blessed New Year

♥ Braja said...

Just proving to you she can keep that coffee mug secret.....adorable :)

Cristin said...

Enjoy your mug. Way cute story.

Amy said...

What a fun and sweet story you shared. It made me smile..

Brenda Susan said...

So funny! I actually have a 22 yr old student whom I call Tigger, because she is so bouncy & full of life & literally jumps up & down while talking to me!

Carma Sez said...

that is so sweet. You can't help but love kids like that. Bet you will think of her for years to come whenever you use the mug...

Pseudo said...

You would be so much fun to work with. I miss my principal, who retired last year. New one? Meh.

Lori said...

That is so flippin cute. It's also pretty flippin cool that you do this with her. Enjoy your new mug! :)

Chief said...

ha! she is my kinda gal! I have no idea what your getting, do you?

Jaime said...

so sweet. i love how kids are just so amazed and overjoyed by the smallest things.

Masala Chica said...

Beth,


It's so great how much you really appreciate the kids you teach. What a sweet story.

It's also nice that you can recognize the true pains in the asses.

You have a real talent, my friend.
Kiran

Jason, as himself said...

This story is making me stand back and look at the little zesty ones in my life with a whole new appreciation.

I loved this story.

Pseudo said...

Speaking of secrets, I've got one for you over at my blog...

Sprite's Keeper said...

I love it when kids practically shake with excitement over things we've forgotten to appreciate. My 3 year old does the same thing when she gets a cookie with sprinkles. It's almost religious the way she treasures every bite. I'm getting a little misty thinking of it. Thanks for that! -)

Matty said...

Seasons greetings. I'm stopping in by way of Pseudonymous High School Teacher.

My oldest daughter was an elementary school teacher until she began life as a stay-at-home mom. I went back through many of your posts, and it seems clear to me that you are doing exactly what you were meant to do. You have the patience of Job, and the wisdom of Saul.

Merry Christmas and nice to meet you.

Matty

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

I came over here from Pseudo's Spin. I love this post. You're a wonderful principal in my book to do this for this child, her teacher and her obviously grateful parents!
And I shall definitely be back!

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

How sweet! Sounds adorable and exhausting.

Heidi said...

Here via Pseudonymous HS Teacher.
What a great amount of patience you must have and Miss Loves Life is lucky to have you help her when she's a bit vibratey. The teacher is lucky too!

Jen said...

I'm so happy she ended up at our school instead of one where they would want to medicate her. What a charming little girl!

Jen said...

Your school...I meant. Oops.

bernthis said...

please send her over to my house to that I can harness that energy and she can clean for me. That would be okay right?

A Free Man said...

Those are the best kind of kids, even if they're a bit hard to...direct.

Captain Dumbass said...

My oldest has begun talking non-stop lately, much like a shark that needs to keep swimming. Reminds me of her.

Jessie said...

Thanks for sharing a lovely story! That precious little girl is going to grow up and remember that you saw her value as a human being. What better gift is there?