No Sense of Smell

It was a blessing this morning, to have no sense of smell. It started with a mom telling me in the hall that her boy had thrown up the night before, but he seemed fine now, so of course he wanted to come to school and she let him.

At 8:15 the normal chaos of 20 5 and 6 year olds looking forward to Christmas reigned supreme in the classroom. One of the parents brought in finished gift projects- handprints from each child in plaster, spray painted either gold or silver. One catch- one was missing, he said. They couldn't find it in the house, or car, and had no idea where it was. A quick run-down of the names showed the boy to whom we had no gift.

So I start mixing plaster in a bowl (with my bare hand), preparing to pour it into the last mold the parents left us. My assistant says "I need to go out to my car, I'll be right back." And I thought... maybe this isn't the best time to be doing this.

And sure enough....

Not 10 seconds later I heard 3 kids saying my name and "Kiera's throwing up".

I turn around, wrist deep in wet plaster, to see on the floor clear liquid and bits of blue?? and a green bean. I tell Kiera to go to the toilet to finish, and ask a boy to go next door and tell Trese I need help. Trese cleans Kiera up and takes her to the nurse to call mom, who left not 20 minutes ago. Did I mention today was "Pajama Polar Express Day"? Yes, she threw up on her nightclothes and bathrobe.

I finishing pouring the plaster into the mold, wash my hands, and buzz the office to get the janitor to come clean up. He does, and as he arrives, I see the kids in the class next door are watching Christmas videos. I ask, and they let my class go over there. I follow them, and by this time my assistant is back. The mom arrives, says it's her own fault for giving her daughter decongestant (hence the blue) on an empty stomach. She'll watch her during the day and see if she's alright to come to the party at 1:30. (Said mom was a room parent that is helping organize the party).

So they leave, and I walk back to my room to check on janitor status. About that time I hear a commotion in the other room. Guess what?

Yup.... one of their boys threw up... all over the carpet.

Cue me to call the janitor over as soon as he was done there. So I was eternally grateful I couldn't smell a thing. Else I might have become nauseous too. There must have been something going around, because before noon our janitor got cleanup calls in the first grade across the hall, and down the hall near the front office.

Again I see the sense in making the 18th or 19th of December the last day of school.

Rest of the day went well. We all moved back to my room to let them clean the carpet. Moved the TV too. At 10am I sent the other kids back, with the TV. Our kids were going to have our gift exchange.

Gifts were divided into two tables. One for boys, one for girls.
These were my rules:
1) You don't come up until I call your name.
2) You don't cry or say "I don't like it" when you unwrap it if you're disappointed. (I told them these are small gifts, not large gifts like they might get at home. $5 was suggested spending)
3) If you really don't like the present you chose, whisper it to me later, in private, and I'll see that it goes to a boy or girl who may not get toys at all for Christmas.

Not one child cried or complained. (Yes, I've had it happen in previous years)

Then came lunch. Then came them going to the Coach for 2 hours while he showed "The Polar Express". During this time we covered the tables in green and red butcher paper, got packages ready to go home, and set up for the party at 1:30. The time to ourselves was MUCH appreciated.

Party went smoothly. The parents came to help. Not too much food, no red dye #5 Kool-Aid. We had small bottles of water, a teeny cupcake, a glob of white frosting, 2 sugar cookies each, a popsicle stick to spread the frosting, and sprinkles to decorate with. The goldfish crackers actually weren't needed for the time allowed. Kids got to "do a craft" and then eat it. Perfect.

And I'm home now.
After a visit to the local pub of course... for a burger and waffle fries, and a capaccino stout on draught.

Happy vacation~!