Kindergarten Helper

I got to experience kindergarten all over again today! Boy, is it different when you are over 3 feet tall! I helped out in Ashlyn's kindergarten class today. It was a lot of fun and Ashlyn was so excited for me to see her class in action! She had been asking me for weeks to come help out in her class but there was a hold up due to the fingerprint process. I freaked out a little when I first got there because the teacher asked me to "teach" something to the kids. I wanted to say "Um...Hello - parent VOLUNTEER here. NOT teacher!" But it turned out to be a lot of fun and of course, I had no reason to freak out. The kids were really excited to play the game I was teaching them about letter sounds and they couldn't wait to meet "Ashlyn's Mom", as I was quickly dubbed. I got some eager kids, some not so eager and I even got some hugs.

It turns out that I am the only parent to volunteer all year. The teacher seriously has her hands full with 32 kids and no help. Thankfully, she recently got a student helper from a nearby high school who is getting credits for helping out in the classroom. I hope to be able to help out more often and I'd just like to say that for all of you teachers out there - you deserve a pay raise!!

On a more positive note, I got some major praise about Ashlyn today. I was told that Ashlyn was the most well behaved child in the class. The helper told me that any time she is asked to do something in class she does it without complaining or whining, and that she is really smart. It is so nice to hear praise about your kids from other people. Ashlyn had such a hard time when she started kindergarten and to hear that she is doing so well is such a blessing. She even came home and said "I love school!" I really hope her excitement continues!