I’m a Barbie girl-in a preschool world! In order to tell you about today in preschool, I have to begin with telling you about yesterday in preschool. Yesterday began very run-of-the-mill. Huge hugs began the day. The kind of hugs that are healing even if you don’t know you’re broken. The hug-Fest always gets interrupted by a morning potty break and proper amount of time to fill their coveted water bottles. We go outside to run off some of the morning sugar energy from breakfast before coming back in to say the Pledge of Allegiance, count to 100 by 5’s , sing the “days of the week” song and collectively determine what kind of weather we are having. Then I read a story from the Children’s Bible (It’s a Christian based school) before the real lessons begin. They are good about paying attention during lesson time because they know that directly following it they will get free play time. It is their favorite time of day everyday. Yesterday during free play I was sitting with a little fella and a little girl playing with Legos. We were looking for a little girl Lego to perch on the top of one of our towers. I was specifically looking for the little blonde girl Lego piece because she most resembled me.
The little fella I was playing with is the same little fella with the very compassionate, empathetic heart. He asked me if I had little children of my own.
My response was, “Nope. I didn’t get to have any babies.”
That’s when the darling, inquisitive little girl who was playing with us tilted her head and what I thought was a very insightful question. She asked, “But did you WANT babies?”
I told her that it was the desire of my heart but that God had other plans. I told her that God wanted me to work in this school with them and that would fill my heart that was sad since I couldn’t have my own babies. I told her that I don’t have children of my own but that this preschool class feels like a family to me.
That’s when the otherwise compassionate and empathetic little fella piped in and said, “Teacher. I mostly know why you don’t have any babies. Pro’bly it’s cuz you’re just old.” (Oooouuuch!)
I gave him a squeeze while I tried to squelch the unabashed laughter that was ready to explode out of me!
I said, ” Well I’m old now but I used to be young just like you! Can you believe that? “
No answer. Just stares.
Jump ahead to today at free play time. During free play I try to let all of the littles play independently unless I am invited into their space. I enjoy observing them and their imaginations.
Mr empathetic, compassionate fella from yesterday called me over from the Barbie doll station where he was playing with another little guy.
“Teacher? Will you come over here and play with us?”
I jumped at the chance!
He was holding a handsome Ken doll.
From behind his back as if it was a surprise he pulled out a blonde haired Barbie doll wearing a long satin evening gown.
I immediately recognized something very aloof with this beauty queen. So I asked him, “Whats wrong with her? She looks, umm, swollen! Did she eat too much? “
He said, “Look” as he held the bottom of her dress up and peeked.
He whispered, “I got you the baby you wanted!”
I peeked up. Indeed she was with child.
Today in preschool and without proper personal protective equipment-I delivered a haired Lego baby girl from a blonde Barbie in a long, tight, satin evening gown.
Ken is tired but excited.
Nobody has yet confirmed if I get 12 weeks maternity leave. Even if I could take the leave – I don’t think I would depart. I cherish being here and having these entirely authentic and organic moments with these preschoolers.
I think they may just have been dropped from Heaven into the arms of their mommies who chose the school I just happen to have been led to for them to grow in.
I will never have my own babies to grow but I’m certainly grateful that I get to borrow them if even for a few hours during the day.
“I’m a preschool GIRL.. in a preschool wo-or-ld! It’s FANTASTIC! Loud and spastic!”
I can’t wait to see what happens in preschool tomorrow. I began keeping a diary because some of the things that happen would make the best reality television show or chapter of a great book of humor!
The Blonde on the Prairie is a lover of ND. She is an author and motivational speaker, owner of “Monkey Balls” food truck and Joyologist to the elderly, the disabled and, now, also to children wherever she is needed during the school year and beyond.
