Each day is better than the last.

Each day I post about how amazing the day has been. It's no different today. Some people might question how that's possible. My answer: I'm lucky that I get to spend time with young kids who want to spend time with me, and anything's possible.

We had the morning free to do with what we pleased. I had hoped to go for a run but decided to sleep instead. For lunch we went to the subway a little down the road and then made a stop at Walmart before returning to campus to pick up whoever decided to forgo lunch and sleep.

It was raining from the morning into the early afternoon so on the drive over we mentally prepared ourselves for every board game imaginable. Luckily the sky cleared up for another beautiful day to spend outside with the kids.

Today I met a freshman named Carol. Carol is actually twins with one of the boys that I've met a few times. It was nice talking to another female teen that really needed someone to listen. We talked about high school, relationships, and how hard it is when your friends move away. I enjoyed her company.

I spent a large part of the day with a little boy named Sean. Sean is five years old and has stolen my heart with his blonde hair, blue eyes, and passion. He's also one of the smartest five year-olds I've ever met, he can count to upwards of 40, and pays attention to every little detail. We started by playing dominoes (which were really jenga blocks) and making a bunch of really awesome designed blocks falling patterns things. Then we got bored with that so we moved into building with the jenga blocks. We made all sorts of weird creations. Sean actually started to spell words with the blocks. It was awesome. After awhile he decided that we were tired of blocks and wanted to play a different game. Bingo! Now apparently Sean is known as the bingo master. After playing three rounds with him I understand why. The kid remembers every number that's been spun in the game, and he may have won all three rounds. After that we moved to Chutes and Ladders: Dora Edition. He killed me in that game too. I must've gone down 5 chutes. After that debauchery of board games we went outside to play hopscotch. Only thing is, we had to draw the board. I thought I would have to draw the boxes and number them all but I was wrong. Sean and I worked as a team; I drew the boxes, he wrote the numbers. We went all the way up to 25. Sean was always pleasant and excited, he never threw a fit or got upset, he always played by the rules. He is a real gem.

I also met a new little girl named Maeva. This girl was full of energy and excitement. She talked a mile a minute. We talked about everything from girl scouts to favorite colors. She drew her mom a heart with a lot of colors in chalk and on top of it wrote "Love you Mommy." That reminded me of things I do for my mom. She was so excited to show her mom the chalk drawing. After she showed her mom she asked me how to spell my name. The kids call me Bree (really, anyone calls me Bree) so she asked me how to spell it. I told her and before I knew it I had my very own drawing. A strawberry with 'Bree' written above it and my initials about that.

Also on today's agenda was basketball. I swear I'm getting better each day! I got to play in a few 3 on 3 games with Niki and a few of the kids. What I noticed is that when we play little games we don't keep score. I think it's more fun that way- there's less pressure and competition which creates a safer and better environment. I also got to play one on one a little later with Nassim. Kid was good, but the ball was a little to heavy for him to get up to the rim, so I'd let him steal the ball from me and bring it back to his side to shoot.

 

I probably chanted "Cinderella dressed in yellow went upstairs to kiss a fella made a mistake kissed a snake how many doctors will it take" about 100 times today while turning the jump rope. It's definitely given the ol' shoulder a good workout but the girls seem to love it. Jerica and Fern are probably the best at it and its awesome to watch them go.

I can't believe I have to leave these kids tomorrow. I'm just getting to really know them and have conversations that I think can really make an impact. I might be selfish, but I just don't want to have to say goodbye to them tomorrow. I hope I can give them my email and keep in touch that way. 

We finished our day at the Youth Center around 7 and came back to St. Bonnies to get dinner. I did some laundry, watched some tv with my fellow ASB-er's and skyped with my family (Mike made it back from Cancun alive) and someone who I've known for a really long time. 

It's time for me to go to sleep, the thunder and lightning should help. :)

- Bree