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Friday, April 16, 2010

The Birthday Suit

 "In childhood, we yearn to be grown-ups. In old age, 
we yearn to be kids. It just seems that all would be wonderful 
if we didn't have to celebrate our birthdays in chronological order."
~Robert Brault

My team teacher loves making birthday cards with the children for their families. She had one child off at the table with a few kids doing various activities and as usual I was all over the preschool classroom. We have a deal, you see. If she is sitting I am standing and vise versa. This way we can get maximum coverage and strategic positioning in the classroom.
As ‘Ms. Bee’ was at the art table with the child I heard her laugh and say, “I did not tell you that.”
I then heard I child’s voice say, “Yes you did!”
As the verbal ping pong match went no where I made my way through the ‘block castles’ and the ‘slew of sick babies’ being tended to in the Dramatic Play Area.
“Hi!” I interrupted cheerfully startling them both. “How is the card coming along?” I directed the question at my team teacher.
“Fine.” Ms. B said flatly. “Take a look the picture Nya drew.
Nya is a fabulous artist. Very detailed; however, Ms. B informed me that there was a miscommunication between her and Nya. I looked at the picture and there was clearly a smiling figure.
A smiling figure; completely starkers.
“Well, what a smile!” I stammered.
“A smile?” Ms. B said, “This is going on her mother’s birthday card!” She whispered in my ear.
“Quiet. I’m thinking.” I whispered back.
“You like it?” Nya asked.
“Well of course,” I said, “You even did a belly button!”
“Well, Ms. B said to draw mommy like this.” Nya began again.
“What did Ms. B tell you?”
“Well?” She began.
Yes?” I said.
“Ms B said it was for my mommy’s birthday.” She smiled sweetly.
Yes?” Ms. B and I both said.
“So I drew mommy in her birthday suit.”

3 comments:

  1. Hi Jenni, Her drawing isn't so unusual from most children's, I know. Nya is known for her intricate clothing design. Her mother boasts that Nya could possibly be the next fashion designer of this century.
    You see now the dilemma. Let alone the fact that we couldn't have that type of misunderstanding go by without getting to the bottom (no pun intended) of it. I'm so glad we all had a good laugh. Including Mom.

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  2. Hey Barb,

    This really rang true for me. I remember being 12 and wanting to be 13. 15 and wanting to be 16 17 and wating to be 18, 19 and wanting to be 20 20 and wanting to be 21. Then you get 30 and you wish you were 29, 40 and you wish you were 35 and 45 and you wish you were re born someone rich, thin and beautiful. LOL

    Smooches

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