DAY THIRTY FOUR: I Was Hugged By A Small Child. Not My Own.

Got a call early this morning for a two week position, but couldn't do it because of end of year stuff with Leslie and Kenna I refuse to miss.

So they ended up switching me from High School to Elementary PE for the day.  I was only OK with this because of my strong, yet unexplained desire to be "Coach" for a day.  But, as previously mentioned, small children do not scare me, but I am not terribly comfortable with them.  Probably has something to do with their need for affection and my mild unwillingness to share it. 

So, after once again getting slightly turned around in the school (seriously, this is getting to be a problem), I found my way to the gym and met with the Coach.  I was actually the assistant, but I still got to wear wind pants to work, so I was cool with it.  For the fourth grade, I took runners outside to catch up on laps for their running competition.  Simple enough.  Find a shade tree and make tally marks by a number.

Kindergarten was next. 

I'm not really sure what exactly happened.  It was all so fast.  The kids came in, said 'hi' to the coach and made their way to their seats.  A couple stopped and hugged the coach, then waved at me and went on.  But then, then one of them stopped and hugged me.  Just stopped, wrapped their arms around my legs and squeezed. 

I froze.

No sooner had that kid moved on and I tried to figure out what just happened, than another one hugged me.  Apparently, it was contagious.  A handful of kids did this during this class.  I was a bit shaken when the coach asked me to run Crab Soccer while he handled some administrative stuff.  Then he went to his office.  And I was alone.

With the huggers.

Fortunately, giant rubber balls three to four foot in diameter distracted them from their hugging addiction for the class.

Second grade was gone for the day on a picnic, so we got a two hour lunch.  Not too shabby.

First grade came next, and they were OK the first group around.  But one of the sneaky little buggers got a hug in when I wasn't watching closely.  More Crab Soccer for these guys, but the second class was rather unruly.  So much so, they only got to stretch and warm-up.  The Real Coach was not happy.

Third Grade was the last group of the day, and I was back on runner duty.  While outside, some of the Kindergartners from earlier were out for recess.  One of them got dangerously close to me and called me "Coach-" that was kinda fun.

But the second class of third grade brought a near fight.  Caught a kid throwing a punch, and had to get all "Disciplinary" on them.  But I felt bad- the kid clearly knew he'd stepped in it, but I couldn't do nothing.

I think there is something in me that makes kids fight.  Seems there is one everywhere I go.

Other than that, though, it was a great day.  I could do Elementary PE for sure. 

I just have to watch out for huggers.