My summer of toddlers 2018 is almost over. I think there’s one more week officially before the kiddos graduate to the next class…or down the hallway at least.
There’s a part of me that wants to keep coming back every week for the rest of my life, but I know I need adult interaction more importantly than kiddo time.
I fill in during the summer months to give the regular folks some much needed time off to recharge their batteries.
Every summer has its share of memories for me.
This summer was no exception.
There was only one set of twins this go around.
Ellie was the first kid I held this year. She was sitting at the table when I first walked in. Since she looked like she was about to cry I picked her up to clam her nerves. That’s when I discovered her leg braces.
Ellie has a teenager assigned to her, I discovered. Ellie wasn’t sure she wanted to let go of me when her friend came in the room. It took over half an hour before we successfully handed her off.
Don’t go telling Ellie she can’t do what the other kids do. With a bit of help she climbs up the steps and slides down that slide with the best of them.
I wasn’t in the same room with Piper and Ellie very often, but I won’t forget them anytime soon.
There’s always those special times when a kid, usually a girl, comes over to me and just stands there. I ask them the same question, “Do you need a hug?”
The nod of a head usually holds a smile, too. I count those as little hugs from Jesus.
You can’t pay that with a paycheck.
I remember the time I was taking a mini-break after stacking cardboard blocks for a while. I was sitting on the floor when I noticed a presence next to me.
Charis and I were about the same height then. She began rocking side to side bumping my shoulder each time.
I began rocking side to side, too, timing my swing to connect with her shoulder each time.
I felt like singing, “Me and my shadow…bumping shoulders in Sunday School.”
She got the cutest smile on her face. We had a moment is what that was. A moment I hope I never forget.
Do you remember Charlie Brown’s friend Linus? Linus always had his security blanket with him. Well, Ezra needs his security ball to clam his nerves.
Whenever a kid is too distraught to stop crying they get taken out of the room and set in a stroller. Someone pushes the stroller around the hallway until they calm down.
Ezra became my special project this summer. A few weeks ago I set him on my lap for his first full time in the room. Last week we gave him a rubber ball. It held the same magic as a Mr. Wade lap.
It’s always a great feeling to hear a kid laugh after they cried when they were dropped off.
I can honestly say I watched a wild man this week. Edward Wildman to be exact. He and I were BFF’s for the first half hour or so. He wouldn’t even let me stand up for fear I would leave him. After we had JAM time (JAM stands for Jesus And Me) and Ed felt like I would be okay without him he wandered off and played with some toys.
After a while he came over and helped me knock some blocks down a few times with a fabulous belly laugh only a toddler can create.
That’s why I love holding the title of the toddler whisperer at Stonebriar.
What can I say? My best friend, Jesus, loved to spend time with other people’s kiddos, too.
My goal has always been to become more like Him in all I do.
I hope that’s your goal, too.
I’ll see you later. Wade
