Dylan "Magic 8-ball" Elder

This week I finally was able to get back into my volunteering routine at Dylan's school. During the first half of the year I was able to make it on a weekly basis to sit in the classroom and help Mrs. Harrington with administrative tasks. It isn't exactly challenging work, but it allows her more time with the kids. Dylan LOVES it when I arrive, and struggles with focusing while I'm in the room. I really think it is good for him to know that I am involved, and quite honestly, it is good for me to be able to 'study' how miraculously Mrs. H manages all 17 of those 5-6 year olds. She is like the Pied Piper. I am certain (from overhearing other teachers in the hall, and from talking to my friends) that she is a true GEM. I even find myself trying to emulate her style with my kids at home. It's almost like she has me under her spell too, and I am being educated as a parent.

The way my volunteering hour works, it ends just before lunch for Dylan. So, about 75% of the time I stay and eat with him. This week I brought in a Publix sub and some granny smith apples (his fave) and we headed outside to the 'if your parents visit' picnic table area. Dylan picked Liam to eat with us. I love Liam, he's a good kid, top of the class, and one of the best in behavior too. We have lunch with Liam on most of my volunteer days. He's a quiet little kid, which (as Mrs.H has pointed out to me) is an interesting contrast to Dylan, but good to help bring Liam out of his shell. Liam is the youngest of 3, Dylan is the oldest of 3....birth order must play some role in this.

As we walked out of the cafeteria both boys were beaming because they knew we were headed to the 'special' outside patio area. Dylan threw open the heavy doors leading outside, yelled "Hi PEOPLE!!" (there was no one else outside BTW). He then skipped and squawked and flipped and flopped onto each of the 8 table tops in the outside patio until he settled on the right one. Liam scuffled his feet, chewing on an unwrapped straw and followed along giggling with his school lunch tray in tow.

As we sat down Liam, while opening his chocolate milk, calmly said , "Mrs. Elder, did you know that Dylan has an answer for everything?". To that I replied, "Oh really, did he tell you that?". Liam said, "Nope, I just noticed it. You can ask him anything and he will tell you an answer. Just try it." The next 18 minutes were filled with nonsense and giggles as follows:

Liam- "What do birds eat?"

Dylan- "They eat the picnic table in the garbage can."

Both- giggles, giggles, giggles

Liam- "What is in this bag?"

Dylan- "The president of the garbage of the bird."

Both- giggles, spitting out food, giggles

etc......

Utter nonsense, but very amusing (mostly to them).

Ahhh, my little Dylan "Magic 8-ball" Elder has an answer for everything.