sol17-10 What is today's surprise?

I am participating in the
Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC).
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day of March 2017. 

A big thank you to Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.

The day did not bode well. 

A five a.m. text from my Teaching Resident that she was home sick with the flu. 

I left my house later than I should have and I just missed a metro train.

The morning air was much cooler than expected and I felt chilly throughout my commute.

Darkening skies, I knew the rain wasn't going to hold off for outdoor recess.

The day did not bode well.

Look! 

A surprise at my classroom door!

A treehouse! 

Yes, for real.

A colleague's children and home had outgrown this treasure and she knew my preschoolers would welcome it. Just looking at it made me break into a smile. It was adorable.

I set it up on the center of our welcome carpet and just let it speak for itself. 

The children's delight was as instantaneous as mine. They brought dolls, animals, toy furniture, shells, dominoes, all their favorite treasures to visit the new treehouse. They opened its doors, looked through the floors, walked dolls up the stairs, touch, feel, open, shut, turn, spin, wonder.

For the first few minutes of their play, I was able to sit and listen and take notes. I love to eavesdrop on children! What are they thinking about? Here's what I overheard - 

"I saw something missing."

"Where is the Mommy?"

"We don't have a baby."

"We can have many Mommies.

"It's a treehouse."

"Mommy, I have to go to bed."

"You are not going outside, come back inside."

"There's no room."

"Open the door!" 

"Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me."

"Hey, what's the problem?"

"Close the door." 

"There's a moment."

"I wanted to check the door."

"It's a surprise."

Children consumed with thoughts of family and home. Beautiful. Loving. Magical. 

We were only a few minutes into our day together and I felt that I had set a huge "reset" button from my earlier moments. One never knows what surprises a day holds!