well... this got awkward.

So in one of my classes the girls have developed this strange habit of walking up to me, rubbing my stomach and saying "BABY!"

This makes me extremely uncomfortable on a number of levels - and usually I say something like "umm.. no baby. Please don't do that" - but unfortunately my protests have not stopped this somewhat disturbing pattern.



On some level I thought the girls understood that - in truth - I was not actually with child... until yesterday when one of the girls walked up during class to give me this:



That's right. It's a baby rattle. These girls are even telling their parents that I'm pregnant and I am now getting gifts for my
(thankfully!) non-existent child.

Love to you all,
Mama Paige

Best Question Ever

Had a great moment at school today when a girl walked up to me and gave my skirt a tug in the middle of class.

I looked down and she had a pretty pensive face on and motioned that she needed to whisper something to me. I figured she was either trying to tell me that a) one of the other girls had taken her pencil case. These girls take their pencil cases impressively seriously... or that b) she was trying to come up with the English words for "I definitely just peed in my pants."

Well. To my surprise - it was neither. Instead her question was a very quiet, "Teacher Paige... can do you a cartwheel?"

ummm... could not be more glad she stopped class to ask that one.

Love to you all,
Paige

"I am beautiful!!!"

One of my favorite things that happens a few times each day is when I ask one of my students, "How are you today?" and they reply (usually pretty enthusiastically), "I am beautiful!"

I don't have the heart to tell them this isn't exactly a standard response for native-speakers -- nor do I think I could explain the sublteties of why to one of my 6 year olds... so instead I would just have to say: "No, you cannot say I am beautiful" ... and let it stand at that. I just can't do it.

And really.. since it usually makes me giggle a little when they say it - it actually encourages them to say it more. I don't know what this says about my teaching.

Happy Monday!
-Paige