Playing Football

Ok, so today I did something rather out of the ordinary for me.

My 5 Korean boys were playing soccer, and I went over, just to surprise them, and kick the ball when they weren't looking. And I ended up being on a team and playing soccer for the entire recess. It was awesome. They weren't keeping score, we were just having fun. they were all in hysterics. Then some of the girls came over and started a little cheerleading squad for me. Which was annooooying. Girls are kind of obnoxious. You know? Anyways, I was worried that the other team was going to get fed up with my beating them, but they were having so much fun. And then recess ended, and they begged for me to play with them after lunch. I said maybe.

Now, I am not a predictable Maybe person. YOu know how some people always say maybe and mean yes, and some people say maybe and mean no? Particularly parents. But with me, maybe leaves my kids having NO idea what I'm going to decide. SO after lunch, I'm waiting for the stragglers who eat sooooo slowly (like I used to, I admit!) and three of them came back to the tent to ask if I was coming. When I finally got to the playground, they'd been waiting for me! So I played. It was so much fun. Just kicking the ball around, and having a blast. Of course, one of my cheerleaders managed to get onto the playing field and get kicked in the face with a ball, which was a tragedy, and then John elbowed Dannie in the face, which was another tragedy. Oh well. Now they're off singing in music, then we have nap, then the 4th grade comes to read, then they have library, and then I think we'll just finish our sunflowers from yesterday. It's a nice easy Wednesday. I do like Wednesdays. They are happy days.

I've decided that I should play soccer with my boys more often. Sometimes it's hard for me to connect with them, because the girls will come over and cuddle and insist on sitting in my lap, but all I do with the boys is debate Star Wars. The JK teacher came over during recess and was like, "I bet they didn't know you could do this!" And they didn't.
Yesterday I felt like a failure, like I wasn't reaching my kids. I'm still a little worried about the whole grading thing, but I think I'll do fine. . .eventually. And I can reach my kids. There are still a couple that I'd like to string up, but you know, two out of sixteen ain't so bad. I'll take it! I love my kids, I truly do.