Armed and Not So Dangerous

This is how I feel when I put on my work "garb." I've got the bright orange vest, a whistle, a fanny pack, a walkie talkie, and bathroom passes (the clothes pins dangling off my fanny pack). Honestly, I feel a bit like a mall cop - I've got the appearance of authority, but really I don't have all that much. I'm really just someone who can scare a little sense into them with my mere presence...usually. Now that I think about it, that is kind of powerful. I'll try not to let it go to my head. So far, I haven't had too many incidences. Of course there's the usual playground shenanigans - a kid spitting on someone's shirt, almost pushing someone off the slide, big long sticks almost poking someone in the eye, wrestling, and of course there are the usual tattle talers and tag alongs (You know, those kids who don't have too many friends so they hang out with the yard duty).

My second day on the job I blew the whistle way too hard at some kids (I didn't realize the power of the whistle) which made my ears ring it was so loud. Later that evening I was talking about my job to a friend and she said she heard the whistle blow from her house that day and she never hears the whistle. Sure enough that was me. I was a tad bit embarassed by that.Ethan was a bit nervous on his first day. The night before school started as he was gettting into bed he goes, "Maybe we should have done homeschool this year." Funny.

I get to be on Ethan's playground for his afternoon recess and he always comes up to me and says "hi" and admires my walkie talkie. I love it. It's cute. Luckily he's still young enough that he's not too embarassed by me. Honestly, I think by me working at his school it has made the transition for both of us quite smooth. He's really liking school and surprisingly has adjusted quite well to the long school days.Ethan and his good friend and carpool buddy.