When I am with the children, funny things happen all the time.

Like one time I was helping Janisha with her homework and she was doing pretty well. She was well-behaved and answering all the questions correct until her little brother came over and demanded a lot more of my attention. Then all of sudden she kept forgetting her answers and started huffing and puffing for no reason. So I asked her, why are you huffing and puffing like that? Your brother is here so now you are extra crazy right? And her bother said: Are you a wolf? Even Janisha couldn’t keep her laugh in.

Or like today when I told David and Joseph about the wallets that the library give to children who have library cards. The got excited and went to the desk to ask for one. Unfortunately, the librarian didn’t know what they were talking about and said: Wallets? There are no wallets here. Go up the block on Tremont to one of the 99Cent stores…. It was only a matter of time before I had to get up to explain.

Yesterday, a boy in the 6th grade was playing with a finger skateboard while everyone else were either reading or doing their homework. He was all over the floor, and up the walls, on the book shelves, on the tables just everywhere with this toy. It was so annoying and distracting. He kept playing until everyone just stop what they were doing and looked at him. This big boy playing like this. I told everyone to just watch. And he didn’t even notice. I said to him- Look at yourself. Everyone is doing something productive- reading and writing while you are playing with your fingers. What’s wrong with you. He just stopped. Hopefully he’ll come with his homework one day cause the same big boy came with his tiny toy today and was doing the same exact thing!

Today was totally different at the library. The children were so bad. Just had the urge to talk back and be in control. I just sat and watched. It got to the point where I just didn’t want to volunteer there anymore. You know, just give myself a break. Gosh, I just want to do something else. Get out of the neighborhood!!

Today I had so much fun! I was raining outside but it was like another world on the second floor in the library. We all played Gestures.  Those kids are some actors and actresses!  I first thought my team was going to lose because the opposite team was in the lead for most of the game but when it was out turn for the last round one of the kids from the other team screamed out an answer giving us an answer! And we won! We were high-fiving and the older boys were picking up the little boys jumping up and down. It was pure fun. Why are kids so fun?!

Today while I was at the Library I thought no one was going to need or ask for my help. The children were just playing on the computer, running in the library and even when I got two older kids to read with me they kept playing around. Two boys who had to be around eleven years old went to look at the books and as soon as one went to a shelf the other one ducked behind some chairs hiding. When the one who was looking at the books turned around to see where his friend was- I pointed to the chairs. Instead of ending the game by going to the chairs- the boy by the books ducked down behind the book shelves’.  I only shook my head and laughed. Boys will be boys.

Soon it was time to almost leave the library. All the children were going home. Guess what? The little boy who wouldn’t read with me over the summer, came to me so I could help him with his homework. I was glad that he was coming around to himself but upset that he used his most valuable time on the computer. We didn’t get to finish his homework but thank God he is defining me as his friend. This is the second time I helped him. Saturday I read three books to him. He is in the first grade and does not know his numbers or alphabet that well. What are parents doing with their children?! Let’s not go off on a tangent…