I have long expressed a desire to do more at our church, and when the volunteer sign up for Vacation Bible School began, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I volunteered for both Prep week and Bible School Week, offering to help where I was needed. I was placed in the Mini's program for 2 and 3 year olds (the children of the volunteers). I will admit I was very intimidated when I first discovered I would have a classroom of nine 2 year old children for roughly 3.5 hours, for 5 days. I was fortunate to have my sister, Alyssa, as well as three other amazing teenagers to help me out!
We spent Prep Week putting together all the planned activities for our kids, as well as figuring out logistics. We did a lot of cutting, taping, sorting, and tearing as we prepared for a busy week ahead. Norah and Justin stayed in the nursery during this week, and while Norah seemed to have a great time, the ladies watching Justin were highly entertained by Justin's attempts to talk his way back to me. Apparently at one point he looked at the girl watching him and said, "I'm ready for my mommy now" to which she replied, "Your mommy's helping right now but she'll be here very soon." Not liking that answer, he said, "Umm.....Daddy?"
The following week was filled with challenges ranging from finding a rhythm that worked for our group of kids, to keeping everyone entertained when all the projects were completed. We became adept at mediating fights, stopping tears, and making up games when all the activities were completed with time still on the clock.
Justin had a hard time spending so much time apart from me and while he had a good time, he kept asking for me throughout the day. He didn't cry during his time with his class, but was very glad to see me. Norah loved making all the crafts and getting to play with everyone. She was exhausted by the time we got home and both took really good naps those two weeks. I'm very proud of how well they did, especially since they were on a much busier schedule than they are accustomed.
As for me, it was an experience best described as hard and exhausting, but rewarding. Nothing got done around the house for an entire two weeks except laundry, leaving the place a larger disaster than usual. As soon as the kids laid down for their naps, so did I. At the same time, as hard as it was, it was an incredible experience for which I am so thankful. I was given the opportunity to serve, thereby allowing others to do the same. It made me realize that if I can keep nine 2 year old children entertained for hours on end, that really, I can do anything I want- or at least try. The following Sunday, Jeff and I signed up to teach Sunday school for the first time. Starting this Fall, we will be "teaching" the 3 year olds during one of the services and we are both very excited about it.
We spent Prep Week putting together all the planned activities for our kids, as well as figuring out logistics. We did a lot of cutting, taping, sorting, and tearing as we prepared for a busy week ahead. Norah and Justin stayed in the nursery during this week, and while Norah seemed to have a great time, the ladies watching Justin were highly entertained by Justin's attempts to talk his way back to me. Apparently at one point he looked at the girl watching him and said, "I'm ready for my mommy now" to which she replied, "Your mommy's helping right now but she'll be here very soon." Not liking that answer, he said, "Umm.....Daddy?"
The following week was filled with challenges ranging from finding a rhythm that worked for our group of kids, to keeping everyone entertained when all the projects were completed. We became adept at mediating fights, stopping tears, and making up games when all the activities were completed with time still on the clock.
Justin had a hard time spending so much time apart from me and while he had a good time, he kept asking for me throughout the day. He didn't cry during his time with his class, but was very glad to see me. Norah loved making all the crafts and getting to play with everyone. She was exhausted by the time we got home and both took really good naps those two weeks. I'm very proud of how well they did, especially since they were on a much busier schedule than they are accustomed.
As for me, it was an experience best described as hard and exhausting, but rewarding. Nothing got done around the house for an entire two weeks except laundry, leaving the place a larger disaster than usual. As soon as the kids laid down for their naps, so did I. At the same time, as hard as it was, it was an incredible experience for which I am so thankful. I was given the opportunity to serve, thereby allowing others to do the same. It made me realize that if I can keep nine 2 year old children entertained for hours on end, that really, I can do anything I want- or at least try. The following Sunday, Jeff and I signed up to teach Sunday school for the first time. Starting this Fall, we will be "teaching" the 3 year olds during one of the services and we are both very excited about it.
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