Pandemic Birthday #2 is shaping up to be better than I expected and not at all like Pandemic Birthday #1.
5:30 a.m. Hit the snooze button for a few more minutes of sleep. I was greeted with a “Happy Birthday!” but no mention yet that I’m older than him (only for the next 2 months).
5:45 a.m. “Couch Coffee”, as my teammate calls it, sitting in my new favorite chair.
7:35 a.m. Leaving later than I should for in person school. Last year we were in lockdown and there was no birthday at school.
8:00 a.m. Birthday greetings in the hall overheard by one of my students.
8:10 a.m. The secret is out as birthday wishes come trough the announcements. “Why didn’t you tell us?” they cry.
8:15 a.m. The guessing starts. “I don’t mean to be rude, but how old are you?” she sweetly asks.
8:30 a.m. Our morning of math and reading gets underway.
10:40 a.m. It’s indoor recess on a rainy day. “It’s really not a birthday if you don’t say how old you are, what fun is that?” he inquires.
11:15 a.m. A yummy lunch provided by my team. Homemade soup, delicious bread and Hummingbird Cake. Last year’s lunch was over Zoom.
1:00 p.m. Time to model how to write different types of nonfiction pieces. How To, Alphabet and Comic book examples. I love how easily they are awed by my simple drawings.
2:00 p.m. Outdoor recess for our short break. The girls make a six foot semicircle in front of me. “I think she must be 40 something.” she tries again.
“No she’s not. Mrs. F. said she’s in her late fifties. I think you’re 59.” another says.
“No, not 59.” I say.
“Okay, 58 then.” she persists.
“No, not 58.” I reply.
“Then 57!” she insists.
I smile from behind my mask, “Maybe!”
“That’s it, that’s it she’s 57!” she exclaims.
They love this game. The ruse is up. I can’t keep them guessing anymore.
I’ll take my 2nd graders guessing my age on Pandemic Birthday #2 over last year’s isolated celebration.
Teaching from an Empty Nest 