Blockbuster Buddies

Scene: Blockbuster Video Store, Friday, October 26, 6:30pm

Chris and I were waiting in a serpentine line wiggling around the perimeter of Blockbuster last night. We must have had the same idea as everyone else wanting to snuggle in front of the television on a chilly, wet Friday night.

The line was inching along when I spotted a talkative little guy a few people ahead of us. This young man, probably about 4 years old or so, was very interested in all of the goodies on the "snack shelf"...water bottles (aka bowling pins), gummy bears, and other sugary goodness. He proceeded to mimic his father by plucking a bag of gummy bears off the shelf and studying the back label. Although I couldn't hear his exact words, he clearly was hoping his daddy would buy the candy for him. The boy's pleading eyes followed his dad's face as it descended to his eye level. As dad squatted in front of his son, he seemed to be having a calm heart-to-heart with his tiny tot about the fact that they wouldn't be buying any candy this evening. All of a sudden I saw the little boy squat down and continue the conversation with his dad. The image was priceless. Kudos to dad for not getting upset and having the patience to talk to his son in this way.

Enjoying the View

I've started something new this year called Independent Reading Time. Not really that novel (pardon the pun). Basically, it's just fifteen minutes of silent reading at the beginning of our reading block each day. Everyone in the room is absolutely silent and reading--wherever they wish. I have kids scattered all over the room: in my director's chair, under my desk, lounging on a beanbag chair, and hunkered in a little nook.

Well, yesterday, I had one little fella march right over to my desk to claim my chair as his reading spot. Oh, I forgot to mention that we have construction going on...right outside of our classroom windows...our long-awaited playground. Now, let's just say this small man has a bit of trouble focusing throughout most of the day. Well, he proceeds to turn around my chair 180 degrees so that he is now facing out the windows. He even props his feet up! I'm surprised he didn't lock his hands together behind his head! I observed him for a bit and realized that he didn't even have a book in his hands! He was just thoroughly enjoying the spectacle outside! His eyes met mine and I winked at him. He quickly scrambled to grab his book and open it. Whether or not my little friend read a word from his book doesn't really matter, I guess, I know he enjoyed his front row seat. Maybe I should take a lesson from him...sometimes, you've just got to stop and enjoy the view...it might be a once in a lifetime chance.