We had some more kids at my house today for our Wednesday shindig. Walking home from the school, our group totalled six children and four adults. The crossing guard is calling us “the Power Moms.” We were joined today by Hieu, one of Council’s classmates, along with Irazu who I walk home every day anyway (she lives across the street), and Isabel—those two girls are classmates of Paolo’s.
Then we had Jose and Brian from next door join us, but also their little brother Luis, who seemed to shy last week to stick around. I guess that makes a total of nine kids today. Not bad. It was a little bit nuts though. We tried to offer some “structure.” A couple of the kids were a bit suspicious of this. And we adults felt a little awkward. I don’t know if there’s a way to sing “We Are Drops” without feeling awkward.
Stephany, Doris, Elizabeth and Minoo were all here, and good sports. My own kids’ behavior was the worst, but every one of them took turns pouting, sulking, or whatever, not wanting to participate in our more structured experience (than what they’ve been used to). It’s hard on me, too. I’m not used to it. I’m out there every day after school most days… watching the kids bike up and down the street. Letting them go, trying to intervene minimally for everyone’s sanity. When we have a friendship class, though, training the kids in some virtues and trying to do stuff together, it’s a big change.
It’s been pointed out that this will be easier, or at least different and hopefully better, if/when there is a Baha’i storefront of some kind where we can base such operations. Maybe a load off my own shoulders. Here’s to hoping. In the meantime, there’s a mom from Ghana at the school who is now aware of the class after I told her today… she may be sending her first-grade daughter Sylvia at some point, or maybe even visiting along with her other four-year-old daughter too. Our group is only going to get bigger… not smaller… eeps!