become a big sister

This afternoon I broke free for a few minutes to go to my Little Sister’s Halloween Parade at school – fun! My weekly lunch with her yesterday was great, too. Since I had bought her a bag of Halloween stuff (which she loved), I let her go ahead and have the school lunch. Part of that was broccoli, which she explained to me she hated, and I confessed that I did, too. But then she told me that since the stuff makes you healthy, she was going to eat it anyway – and she did eat most of it, making this horrible face with every bite! I love her attitude, which is especially surprising in someone so young. Even though it was rainy (AGAIN), the kids were able to play in the gym after lunch, now that they have a brand-new separate lunch room. Turns out she’s a helluva jump roper, too! :)

I feel so blessed to be able to have this unexpected relationship.

I finally got to see my Little Sister lunch buddy, after return from their fall break yesterday. It went great! I treated her to a Happy Meal with apples & choc. milk, and she loved the little teddy bear that came with it. Her friends at the lunch table were acting goofy and putting the school lunch orange slices into their mouth & giving me huge, orangey smiles – so I started snapping pics of them with my phone. These 2nd-graders thought this was huge fun, and started trying to outdo each other with silly poses.

Since it was pouring down rain, we stayed inside after lunch, which was also great. I got to sit alone at a desk in the hall with her, and we drew each other great pictures with her crayons. I’d also brought her an activity book that had come (as an ad from Highlights) in the mail, which she loved.

I feel so blessed to be able to do this!

I’ve been back to it for a couple of weeks, now that school has started up again. Yesterday’s visit was sooo great! My Little Sister’s birthday is Sunday, so I took her a gift, which she (and all her little friends) loved, and which came in very handy because they had an indoor recess due to the weather. She read the book and did the puzzle, and was able to show me her classroom and proudly introduce me to her teacher. They even had fun passing around the gift before it was opened; I wrapped it in Scratch ‘N Sniff gift wrap – big hit with 2nd-graders. :)

It has been taking so long because they couldn’t get ahold of one of my references. I got a call that they FINALLY got ahold of them and there is a form that needs my siggy that will get the ball rolling.

contacted me a few days ago asking whether I still wanted to be Big Sister to my girl in the new school year – which, of course, I do! I’m glad she called; I was able to ask her about when the school year started and she said she’d call when they’re ready for me again – probably a week or two after school starts.

missed me last week when I had to miss due to a court hearing, which is good, but the school staff didn’t tell her I’d e-mailed them, which is terrible – she and her friends just thought I’d quit coming.

I took her a Happy Meal, which had the cutest toy this week – a wind-up Rexy the Dinosaur from Night at the Museum 2, which only works when you insert the “golden tablets” card in his back. Fortunately, I saw the movie at the drive-in last weekend and was able to converse with the kids about it. :)

I also tucked into my pocket the bubbles vial from a wedding reception, which was a big hit on the playground. She’s done with soccer now, but still runs really fast when we play tag!

Spending a little time with kids, especially running around outside, is so good for the soul. I love it!

I received a little card with info today in the mail, which includes my Lunch Buddy’s teacher’s e-mail. I need to attend a court hearing Thursday, when I’d usually have my gig with my Little Sis, and I was able to ask about whether I can go Friday instead. Yes indeedy, e-mail is the greatest thing ever invented. Thanks, Al Gore! :D

great time with my Lunch Buddy! I stopped on the way and picked up a kids meal at Hardees, which had a Madagascar 2 theme (little puzzle inside, stuff on the sack). She told me a little about her Dad this week, and mentioned that one of the rooms had newly-hatched chicks, so after lunch we went and peeked at them, since the preschool teacher was nice enough to let us in. Then finished up on the playground.

Also, I ended up talking to one of the lunch room/recess ladies, who I noticed had braces on both lower legs and was walking with a limp. She explained she has a degenerative nerve disease, somewhat akin to MS. But she seems to have maintained a decent attitude about it, and I told her I really admired her. Then she told me it was her 13-year-old son who really has it rough – he’s on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, and has to do dialysis every night. Wow. Yet another humbling reminder of how insignificant my problems are. Though there’s really not much I can do for this family, I’d sure like to think of something that could at least give a little emotional lift now and then.

good visit with my lunch buddy today! I brought her a Happy Meal with apples instead of fries, and she loved it. We talked a little more about her Mom – who’s apparently not only working really hard, but also going to school. They have to get up at 5 a.m., and her babysitter then takes her to school. Wow – tough schedule. :/

I asked her how soccer is going, and she said good – they are playing a team with 7 & 8 year olds this Saturday, and since she’s only 7, I think she’s expecting it to be hard. I asked if she ever scored a goal, and she smiled and said yes – lots of times. I’ve noticed on the playground what a fast runner she is; I’ll be she’s a good soccer player. I’d like to give her info on kids races at some point – she’d probably kick ass at that!

They had some kind of a special morning, and she mentioned she had touched a snake! I don’t think she was wild about the idea, but was proud she had the courage to do it anyway.

The last 10 minutes she reaaaallly wanted to play outside, so we did, but as usual, I found it hard to keep track of her and fend off some of the other kids. I’m doing a rain dance next week – if it’s pouring, this wouldn’t be a problem. :)

I had a good phone conversation with the “match” coordinator on how things are going so far. She gave me some good ideas on future visits, and said she’d be calling every other month or so to touch base. The level of support in this organization is great.

I also sent in an order for some flowers for their annual Plant Sale fundraiser. A hanging basket for each of our Moms for part of their Mother’s Day gift was the majority of the purchase.