Pre-K is the place to be!

Kids always say the funniest things, and this year was no exception! Someday I will need to write a book. What made this year so much funnier to me is how they reference "China". I think it has to do with the fact that this year, my class did a service project for the Foster Home. Back in the fall, we collected loose change to give a monetary donation as well as books, clothing, toys, etc. We learned about China, where it is located on the map, and things about their culture. Of course, it was fun for me to share my experience!

Here are just a few of the things my class has said (whether they be accurate or not!) Sidenote: these were all said at completely random times over the course of the past several months. The sheer randomness of it makes it even more hilarious.

~Child 1: "Miss Catherine leaves for China soon. She will probably be back for my birthday." Child 2: "Really? It is really far. Like all the way to the right side of the map." Child 1: "Well, I know she wouldn't want to miss it. Parties are really fun." (yes, I laughed out loud)

~while pushing a child on the swing.... "Miss Catherine! You are pushing me so high, I can see China!"

~after I told the class I was moving..."Well, you better not speak no more American. You need to use Chinese."

~one day for lunch we had orange chicken, noodles, and fortune cookies: "This lunch is like totally Chinese. Miss Catherine says it is her favorite because she eats it all the time." (disclaimer: I like Chinese food a lot, but very rarely eat it in the states!)

~for earth day we set out a ton of recycled art supplies and let the class make what they wanted: "Miss Catherine, I made this toy for your friends in China. It is nice because it's made from recycled paper. They will have so much fun with it, once the glue dries."

~"I know why you are reading a book about pandas. It is because pandas--well, they live in China."

~"You must see a lot of bamboo. Pandas eat bamboo and they live in China, so you probably see lots of it. But don't eat it; it's for the pandas."

~"Koalas live in China. No, they live in Australia. Pandas live in China. Gosh, they look so much alike that I just got confused!" We are learning about zoo animals this week thus all the references to pandas.

~Child: "You know Miss Catherine? I have been to China too!" Me: "Really?" Child: "Well, yeah! In my imagination."

~"So are you moving to China because you really like Mexican food?" Wow, I am such a good teacher...maybe we need another geography lesson.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine...." Proverbs 17:22a

I just love the way kids give you a gentle reminder that it is the simple things in life we will remember :) Also, kids have such a way of being incredibly more knowledgeable than we think they are! And with that, I leave you with my all-time favorite kid quote from this year (you know, if you have not stopped reading this ridiculously long post yet....)

~on a wonderfully, gorgeous spring day.... Me: "This is surely what heaven feels like!" Kid 1: "I think so too! It is so pretty in heaven! Hell is very very hot!" Kid 2: "NO it is NOT. Hell is freezing cold!!!" Me: "You think so?" Kid 2: "Yeah, it is cold. Well, the temperature is just uncomfortable. I am uncomfortable when it is cold so I think hell is cold. Heaven's where it is comfortable." Me: "Well, I can't argue with that!" Especially because I despise really cold weather. Yuck. But what an adorable interpretation of our future in heaven!

~okay, wait I thought of one more. THIS is my all time favorite. Back a while ago I was working on some things at naptime when a little girl in my class groaned and said, "What do I gotta do around here to get up from nap?" I chuckled to myself then said, "Well, you could give me a million dollars or find me a husband." I am usually apt to give in on certain things for hugs :) Her answer, "Well....if I had a million dollars, I would just buy stuff. And I can't give you a husband because I don't know any boys that look like you." I told her that I guess she was just going to have to take a nap. And she did!

Kids. God bless them.

*see? I actually do teach :)