DISCLAIMER: I just want to let you know that it is OK if you do not understand some of the conversations between kids that I record on this blog. Half the time I do not understand what they are talking about!
Two cute little first grade girls came limping into my office today. The first girl had a faint scratch on her lower left leg. Her buddy sported an old bruise on her right knee which I estimated to be about five days old. Both were looking for band aids and most likely the news about the bag of candy I had in my desk had made it around the school. Please listen in on our conversation:
Nurse Ehop: “What are you girls doing in class today?”
Georgia: “We are fixing pumpkins!”
Kayla: “Yea, we put them on the thing that weighs your feet. And then we put on blocks of paper if it is 4 or 5 or 6.”
Nurse Ehop: “Blocks of paper? What…”
Georgia: “It has 380 seeds! You make punkin pie with the seeds you know.”
Kayla: “We can make grape punkin pie and apple punkin pie too!”
Nurse Ehop: “I never hea……”
Georgia: “I saw a stale punkin yesterday. It was sitten on the table by me. I touched it and it was yucky. It was lookin at me so I moved away.”
Kayla: “One boy stuck it with his pencil to see if it moved. He’s mean. We told the teacher on him.”
Nurse Ehop: “Whoa, slow down girls. So what did the teacher do?” Score one for nurse. I finally got in a full sentence!
Georgial: “Nothin, and now there’s a hole in the punkin. I don’t like to look at it with the hole and all.”
Kayla: “Can we have a band aid to put on the hole?”
I sent both girls back to class, one with a Hello Kitty band aid, the other with a Bacon-n-Egg band aid and a plain brown band aid for the abused pumpkin. They then reminded me about the bag of candy in my desk and each selected a sweet prize. I told them not to open the candy until they got home with the rest of their treats. I watched them as they headed back to class…. They were eating their candy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Second Graders and Halloween
I asked second graders today what they are going to be dressing up as for Halloween.
Boy: “I'm going to be Clone Commander Cody from Star Wars the Clone Wars."
Boy: "A silver bullet.”
Boy: “I'm a werewolf with a human shirt and scratched jeans. I'm starting to scratch holes in them every day now so they are ready for trick or treating. See how they look?”
He points to the knees of his jeans. I can see the start of faint worn marks.
Nurse Ehop: “Your Mom isn't going to like you putting holes in your jeans will she?”
Boy: “I know, but the holes are important! I'll just stick them back together afterwards.”
Boy: “My whole family are going trick or treatin. I'm gonna be Goosebumps and all my family is going to be living dummies.”
Boy: “I'm going to be a red and yellow iron man with a big candy bag.”
Boy: “I'm gonna be a pillow case.”
Nurse Ehop: “A pillow case! Why did you pick that?”
Boy: “Cause I'm weird!!”
Boy: “Me, well, I was a gangster last year. But this time I'm gonna be a Zombie Gangster! That means I will walk the street and howl. WOOOOO. See?”
Meanwhile a litttle kindergarten boy sat here in my office listening to this and began to cry.
Nurse Ehop: “See, all you big kids are scaring this little boy.”
The kindergartener was crying louder now. I went over to console him.
Nurse Ehop: “Don't be afraid, they won't hurt you.
Kindergarten Boy: “My belly hurts!”
Yes, I know. Most of the time the conversations that happen in my office make little to no sense!
Boy: “I'm going to be Clone Commander Cody from Star Wars the Clone Wars."
Boy: "A silver bullet.”
Boy: “I'm a werewolf with a human shirt and scratched jeans. I'm starting to scratch holes in them every day now so they are ready for trick or treating. See how they look?”
He points to the knees of his jeans. I can see the start of faint worn marks.
Nurse Ehop: “Your Mom isn't going to like you putting holes in your jeans will she?”
Boy: “I know, but the holes are important! I'll just stick them back together afterwards.”
Boy: “My whole family are going trick or treatin. I'm gonna be Goosebumps and all my family is going to be living dummies.”
Boy: “I'm going to be a red and yellow iron man with a big candy bag.”
Boy: “I'm gonna be a pillow case.”
Nurse Ehop: “A pillow case! Why did you pick that?”
Boy: “Cause I'm weird!!”
Boy: “Me, well, I was a gangster last year. But this time I'm gonna be a Zombie Gangster! That means I will walk the street and howl. WOOOOO. See?”
Meanwhile a litttle kindergarten boy sat here in my office listening to this and began to cry.
Nurse Ehop: “See, all you big kids are scaring this little boy.”
The kindergartener was crying louder now. I went over to console him.
Nurse Ehop: “Don't be afraid, they won't hurt you.
Kindergarten Boy: “My belly hurts!”
Yes, I know. Most of the time the conversations that happen in my office make little to no sense!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Kindergarteners and Halloween
I asked kindergarteners today what they are going to be dressing up as for Halloween.
Two little boys got off to a bad start with my question. The altercation is as follows:
Boy 1: “I’m gonna be spiderman! A good one, black spiders, man they are bad ones.”
Boy 2: “No yer not! Yer gonna be a monster.”
Boy 1: “No I’m not, monsters are scary. They put glue and stuff all over their faces.”
Boy 2: “I’m gonna be Sponge Bob, he’s nice.”
Boy 1: “You can’t be him cause he’s in the ocean.”
Now Boy 2 pushes Boy 1, Boy 1 cries. They both get a reprimand from their teacher.
Girl: “I'm gonna be a good fairy with wings to fly, having a fairy stick with a star on it that is magic and makes everything turn to good stuff like candy. “
Girl: “I'm gonna be a witch with a broom and I can fly too. I can fly higher than a fairy. I can reach the moon.”
Boy: “You know that man from spiderman? He has hair all the way down to his foot? I'm gonna be him.”
Nurse Ehop: “What's his name?---
Boy: He thought awhile then saidm "Jackson, he's cool.”
Boy: “My Mom's making my costume. She gave me a shirt she tore up and my Dad's old hat cause he doesn't want it no more.”
Nurse Ehop: “That sounds like your going to dress like a hobo boy.”
Boy: “Oh yeah, my Mom's gettin me a real big bag fer candy. She wants me to get lots of stuff.”
Boy: “My friend is gonna be….. Oh… my gosh, I can't remember his name. He's the big fat guy from Chicken Little. I don't know what’s his name. He's the mean one that destroys the town. He's a big giant. My other friend is gonna be Chicken Little. He looks like a little chicken, almost, he is the size of a pig.”
Two little boys got off to a bad start with my question. The altercation is as follows:
Boy 1: “I’m gonna be spiderman! A good one, black spiders, man they are bad ones.”
Boy 2: “No yer not! Yer gonna be a monster.”
Boy 1: “No I’m not, monsters are scary. They put glue and stuff all over their faces.”
Boy 2: “I’m gonna be Sponge Bob, he’s nice.”
Boy 1: “You can’t be him cause he’s in the ocean.”
Now Boy 2 pushes Boy 1, Boy 1 cries. They both get a reprimand from their teacher.
Girl: “I'm gonna be a good fairy with wings to fly, having a fairy stick with a star on it that is magic and makes everything turn to good stuff like candy. “
Girl: “I'm gonna be a witch with a broom and I can fly too. I can fly higher than a fairy. I can reach the moon.”
Boy: “You know that man from spiderman? He has hair all the way down to his foot? I'm gonna be him.”
Nurse Ehop: “What's his name?---
Boy: He thought awhile then saidm "Jackson, he's cool.”
Boy: “My Mom's making my costume. She gave me a shirt she tore up and my Dad's old hat cause he doesn't want it no more.”
Nurse Ehop: “That sounds like your going to dress like a hobo boy.”
Boy: “Oh yeah, my Mom's gettin me a real big bag fer candy. She wants me to get lots of stuff.”
Boy: “My friend is gonna be….. Oh… my gosh, I can't remember his name. He's the big fat guy from Chicken Little. I don't know what’s his name. He's the mean one that destroys the town. He's a big giant. My other friend is gonna be Chicken Little. He looks like a little chicken, almost, he is the size of a pig.”
Monday, October 27, 2008
First Graders and Halloween
I asked a bunch of First Graders what they were going to dress up as for Halloween and why they picked that costume.
Girl: “Princess because they are pretty and they have wings and you get lots of candy if you are one.”
Boy: “Batman because he is my favorite evil.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana because I have lots of bracelets and earrings and my mom don’t want me to be a butterfly.”
Boy: Thinking…. finally said “I want to be ‘Iderman’ because I lost my costume and we went to walmart to get one.”
Boy: “Gas, because I read about it.”
Girl: “Cheerleader because I can then scream at a lot at boys.”
Girl: “Fairy vampire because I have vampire teeth.” She then opened her mouth wide and it was very apparent that her teeth were pointed.
Girl: “Spidergirl so I can throw webs around my dog.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana because I sat on a newspaper with her name on it.”
Boy: “Clone Trooper from Starwars because I want to be able to go to a planet.”
Boy: “Firefighter. I have to be that because I have to practice NOT to light my mom’s lighter. She don’t want me to start a fire.” I asked if he tried to light her lighter and he said, “Yep, I did, one time, and I got in big trouble.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana.” I asked why and she very shyly said, “I don’t know.” The boy beside her chimed in loudly “Because you want to be Hot!“
Boy: “Zombie! My costume is black and it has a black mask, and it has meat and bones and a black cape and my leg will be chopped off.” His friend next to him said, “That’s too scary I don’t want to go trick or treating with you.”
Girl: “Princess because they are pretty and they have wings and you get lots of candy if you are one.”
Boy: “Batman because he is my favorite evil.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana because I have lots of bracelets and earrings and my mom don’t want me to be a butterfly.”
Boy: Thinking…. finally said “I want to be ‘Iderman’ because I lost my costume and we went to walmart to get one.”
Boy: “Gas, because I read about it.”
Girl: “Cheerleader because I can then scream at a lot at boys.”
Girl: “Fairy vampire because I have vampire teeth.” She then opened her mouth wide and it was very apparent that her teeth were pointed.
Girl: “Spidergirl so I can throw webs around my dog.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana because I sat on a newspaper with her name on it.”
Boy: “Clone Trooper from Starwars because I want to be able to go to a planet.”
Boy: “Firefighter. I have to be that because I have to practice NOT to light my mom’s lighter. She don’t want me to start a fire.” I asked if he tried to light her lighter and he said, “Yep, I did, one time, and I got in big trouble.”
Girl: “Hanna Montana.” I asked why and she very shyly said, “I don’t know.” The boy beside her chimed in loudly “Because you want to be Hot!“
Boy: “Zombie! My costume is black and it has a black mask, and it has meat and bones and a black cape and my leg will be chopped off.” His friend next to him said, “That’s too scary I don’t want to go trick or treating with you.”
Tonsil Talk
Dominique, a second grader, paid me a visit today. He patiently tried to explain what was wrong with him, something about his head. This has been a typical Monday with kids piling up at the door, low on blood sugar, grumpy from lack of sleep and I was getting no where fast with a diagnosis for Dominique.
“Dominique,” I asked. “Is it a headache or maybe a sore throat? I’m not sure where you are pointing when you wave your hands around so much.”
“No Nurse Ehop, you see I don’t have tonsils no more.” He continued to explain as he flapped his arms out in all directions. “So cause I don’t have no more tonsils I say the wrong words sometimes.”
“No tonsils? What happened to your tonsils?” I asked.
“They were getting too big! Look,” Dominique said as he measured about ten inches with his hands on my desk. “They were growing up and across.” He pointed to his neck and traced up along his cheek to illustrate this phenomenon. “Now I don’t snore no more cause the tonsils don’t wiggle any. But now I have nightmares sometimes.”
Before I could saw another he looked up at the clock and said, “It’s time for my lunch. Can I go eat now? And I’ll come back later?”
“Sure, eat a good lunch today Dominique.” I said as he turned and headed out the door for the lunch room.
After lunch the ebb of kids slowed downed as the school wide blood sugar readings started to stabilize. Dominique came walking back into my office. “Oh, you’re back.”
“Yes Nurse Ehop, I have a grass-spurt.” He proclaimed looking very serious.
“I see, and what might that be Dominique?”
He fixed his best I’m-surprised-I-need-to-explain-this-to-you look on me. “Well, it’s like later on you get tall, and your muscles and stuff are different.” My blank expression urged him to continue. “I know I’m getting tall and all.” Dominique pointed to his knee. “The doctor said it is right here in my knee bone. The grass-spurt is right here. Do you see?”
Now it was my blood sugar about to take a dive! I assured Dominique he was ok to go back to class and I headed for the faculty room.
“Dominique,” I asked. “Is it a headache or maybe a sore throat? I’m not sure where you are pointing when you wave your hands around so much.”
“No Nurse Ehop, you see I don’t have tonsils no more.” He continued to explain as he flapped his arms out in all directions. “So cause I don’t have no more tonsils I say the wrong words sometimes.”
“No tonsils? What happened to your tonsils?” I asked.
“They were getting too big! Look,” Dominique said as he measured about ten inches with his hands on my desk. “They were growing up and across.” He pointed to his neck and traced up along his cheek to illustrate this phenomenon. “Now I don’t snore no more cause the tonsils don’t wiggle any. But now I have nightmares sometimes.”
Before I could saw another he looked up at the clock and said, “It’s time for my lunch. Can I go eat now? And I’ll come back later?”
“Sure, eat a good lunch today Dominique.” I said as he turned and headed out the door for the lunch room.
After lunch the ebb of kids slowed downed as the school wide blood sugar readings started to stabilize. Dominique came walking back into my office. “Oh, you’re back.”
“Yes Nurse Ehop, I have a grass-spurt.” He proclaimed looking very serious.
“I see, and what might that be Dominique?”
He fixed his best I’m-surprised-I-need-to-explain-this-to-you look on me. “Well, it’s like later on you get tall, and your muscles and stuff are different.” My blank expression urged him to continue. “I know I’m getting tall and all.” Dominique pointed to his knee. “The doctor said it is right here in my knee bone. The grass-spurt is right here. Do you see?”
Now it was my blood sugar about to take a dive! I assured Dominique he was ok to go back to class and I headed for the faculty room.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Black Holes
Today has been a little slow. This is a good thing. I had time to take inventory of my supplies and order more bacon shaped band aids (this year’s favorite with the kids). After finishing the inventory I had to stop by one of the first grade classrooms.
As I walked into the classroom a little boy with big brown eyes came up to me a said, “My Mom cut my ear off.”
I did a quick count and noticed he still had two ears, one on each side of his head, exactly where they were suppose to be. “And how did that happen?” I asked.
“Oh I don’t know for sure but she said she was sorry. So I asked her to buy me a bike and she did.” He replied.
“Well you have two ears now.” I said.
He grinned showing me his missing front teeth. “Well it grew back after she bought me the bike!”
His little buddy sitting beside him reported to me in a matter of fact tone, “My Dad don’t have ears. My Mom told me that my Dad never hears her when she tells him to do something. So those aren’t ears on his head she said.”
Once again trying to retain my professional demeanor I asked, “Well, what are they?” By now all the kids were feeling to see if they had ears and looking at each others heads. I knew I had to make my exit before the teacher asked me to leave because no one was paying attention to her. All eyes were on someone else’s ears! But I stayed long enough to get my answer.
The boy whose farther has no ears answered my question. “They are just big round circles with dark holes in them. And there’s no hair to comb on them so they can get air.”
Another little girl spoke up, “My Dad’s ears must be loose cause I saw him wiggle them. Will they fall off nurse?”
Now all the little kids were holding and pulling at their ears! The teacher raised her eyebrows at me. Ok, it was time to leave. I had more band aids to count.
As I walked into the classroom a little boy with big brown eyes came up to me a said, “My Mom cut my ear off.”
I did a quick count and noticed he still had two ears, one on each side of his head, exactly where they were suppose to be. “And how did that happen?” I asked.
“Oh I don’t know for sure but she said she was sorry. So I asked her to buy me a bike and she did.” He replied.
“Well you have two ears now.” I said.
He grinned showing me his missing front teeth. “Well it grew back after she bought me the bike!”
His little buddy sitting beside him reported to me in a matter of fact tone, “My Dad don’t have ears. My Mom told me that my Dad never hears her when she tells him to do something. So those aren’t ears on his head she said.”
Once again trying to retain my professional demeanor I asked, “Well, what are they?” By now all the kids were feeling to see if they had ears and looking at each others heads. I knew I had to make my exit before the teacher asked me to leave because no one was paying attention to her. All eyes were on someone else’s ears! But I stayed long enough to get my answer.
The boy whose farther has no ears answered my question. “They are just big round circles with dark holes in them. And there’s no hair to comb on them so they can get air.”
Another little girl spoke up, “My Dad’s ears must be loose cause I saw him wiggle them. Will they fall off nurse?”
Now all the little kids were holding and pulling at their ears! The teacher raised her eyebrows at me. Ok, it was time to leave. I had more band aids to count.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Which End is Up
Carmine, a kindergartener, was brought to my office today. He was not feeling very well but was still talkative.
“Hello Doctor,” he said. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, how are you doing today Carmine?” I questioned.
“Well, I have a cough and I also have diarrhea Doctor.”
I was not particularly sure Carmine knew what diarrhea was so I asked, “Carmine, what is diarrhea?”
He looked at me as if to question my medical credentials. “It’s when you take slop out of your mouth,” he explained patiently.
Suppressing a smile I continued my questions, “How long have you coughing? Did your cough just start today or have you been coughing for a couple days?”
“One hundred days!” He exclaimed. “And the cough is getting bigger and the diarrhea is gonna come out pretty soon!”
He started coughing again so I gave him a tissue and told him to cover his mouth when he coughs.
“Thanks,” he said. “I have paper here in my pocket for boogers.”
“Carmine, how old are you?” I asked quickly changing the subject. Knowing full well the educational cliff from which I edged back.
“I’m three 2’s. How old is that Doctor??”
A little girl sitting on one of the cots, totally engrossed in our conversation, could not contain herself any longer. “Your thirty years old!” She blurted out.
Carmine’s Mother eventually showed up to take him home. He did have a fever. When his Mother came into the office Carmine asked her for permission to lie in bed and watch TV when they got home.
As he was walking out the door Carmine stopped, looked back at me and said, “I’ll be sure to come for a checkup when I come back to school Doctor.”
“Hello Doctor,” he said. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, how are you doing today Carmine?” I questioned.
“Well, I have a cough and I also have diarrhea Doctor.”
I was not particularly sure Carmine knew what diarrhea was so I asked, “Carmine, what is diarrhea?”
He looked at me as if to question my medical credentials. “It’s when you take slop out of your mouth,” he explained patiently.
Suppressing a smile I continued my questions, “How long have you coughing? Did your cough just start today or have you been coughing for a couple days?”
“One hundred days!” He exclaimed. “And the cough is getting bigger and the diarrhea is gonna come out pretty soon!”
He started coughing again so I gave him a tissue and told him to cover his mouth when he coughs.
“Thanks,” he said. “I have paper here in my pocket for boogers.”
“Carmine, how old are you?” I asked quickly changing the subject. Knowing full well the educational cliff from which I edged back.
“I’m three 2’s. How old is that Doctor??”
A little girl sitting on one of the cots, totally engrossed in our conversation, could not contain herself any longer. “Your thirty years old!” She blurted out.
Carmine’s Mother eventually showed up to take him home. He did have a fever. When his Mother came into the office Carmine asked her for permission to lie in bed and watch TV when they got home.
As he was walking out the door Carmine stopped, looked back at me and said, “I’ll be sure to come for a checkup when I come back to school Doctor.”
Monday, October 20, 2008
Beware the Earwig
I truly never know what kind of conversation I am going to have each day when the kids show up at my office. Here is a very interesting conversation I had with two second grade girls today.
Girl 1: “When I talk my throat moves and when I walk it hurts nurse Ehop.”
Nurse Ehop: “When did this start?”
Girl 1: “It never happened before. It’s my first time having it.”
Girl 2 (with hiccups): “My throat is going in and out.”
Girl 1 (she sits down): “It hurts when I sit too, but not when I stand.”
Girl 2 (pulling up her pant leg): “I also have four scratches on my leg. I got them in bed when I was sleeping.”
Girl 1 (in shock exclaims): “MAYBE IT WAS AN EARWIG IN HER BED!”
Nurse Ehop: “What is that?”
Girl 1: “its dark, a very dark bug!”
Girl 2 (a little concerned now about the diagnosis): “I couldn't see it.”
Girl 1: “I'm learning about earwigs now, they are disgusting.”
Girl 2 (even more concerned): “Do they have hair?”
Girl 1 (being quite officious now): “No, they are soft and a little bit waterish. They climb on the bed at night and sneak up on your leg. You can't kill it with your shoe, it’s too hard. I had to get a paper towel and squish it with my hand and flush them down the toilet.”
Girl 2 (understanding now reflecting in her eyes): “I saw one on Sponge Bob and it went on a squirrel, then came in the house by itself.”
Girl 1 (continuing the lecture): “They're very tricky. They hide behind your back. Once they crawled all the way up my Mom’s leg when she was sleeping and bit her all the way up her leg.”
Girl 2: “When I was on my Dad's birthday chair they bit me very hard.”
Nurse Ehop: “So how do you get rid of them?”
Both girls. “WE DON’T KNOW! THEY WERE BORN HERE!”
One of these two ladies is going to make a very fine entomologist someday!
Girl 1: “When I talk my throat moves and when I walk it hurts nurse Ehop.”
Nurse Ehop: “When did this start?”
Girl 1: “It never happened before. It’s my first time having it.”
Girl 2 (with hiccups): “My throat is going in and out.”
Girl 1 (she sits down): “It hurts when I sit too, but not when I stand.”
Girl 2 (pulling up her pant leg): “I also have four scratches on my leg. I got them in bed when I was sleeping.”
Girl 1 (in shock exclaims): “MAYBE IT WAS AN EARWIG IN HER BED!”
Nurse Ehop: “What is that?”
Girl 1: “its dark, a very dark bug!”
Girl 2 (a little concerned now about the diagnosis): “I couldn't see it.”
Girl 1: “I'm learning about earwigs now, they are disgusting.”
Girl 2 (even more concerned): “Do they have hair?”
Girl 1 (being quite officious now): “No, they are soft and a little bit waterish. They climb on the bed at night and sneak up on your leg. You can't kill it with your shoe, it’s too hard. I had to get a paper towel and squish it with my hand and flush them down the toilet.”
Girl 2 (understanding now reflecting in her eyes): “I saw one on Sponge Bob and it went on a squirrel, then came in the house by itself.”
Girl 1 (continuing the lecture): “They're very tricky. They hide behind your back. Once they crawled all the way up my Mom’s leg when she was sleeping and bit her all the way up her leg.”
Girl 2: “When I was on my Dad's birthday chair they bit me very hard.”
Nurse Ehop: “So how do you get rid of them?”
Both girls. “WE DON’T KNOW! THEY WERE BORN HERE!”
One of these two ladies is going to make a very fine entomologist someday!
Friday, October 17, 2008
All I Want for Christmas
Ian and Miguel (names are always changed to protect the innocent), a pair of first grade boys, shuffled into my office today. Ian in obvious pain was bent at the waste holding his knee while Miguel tried his best to support his hunched over friend.
“Nurfe Ehop, Nurfe Ehop,” Miguel exclaimed as he sidled by me and dumped Ian sans ceremony half on the nearest cot and half on the floor. “Ian is hurf.”
“Let’s take a look,” I said as I rearranged Ian more comfortably. “What happened to your knee Ian?”
“I have a boo boo, I tripped on a lod at nite,” said Ian.
Miguel jumped in and tried to explain what happened. “We do campf , we’re tiger scoufs, we was in the dark wif flashlights and he fell.”
I could barely understand anything Miguel said because he had so many front teeth missing! “Miguel,” I asked, “what happened to all your front teeth?”
“They came ouf,” he said. “One came ouf wif a toofbrush and two came ouf when I fell.” “Oh yea,” he added, “my teafer took one ouf and my Mom took one ouf.”
“My, you lost a lot of teeth,” I said doing my best to suppress the smile that threatened my professional demeanor.
“Yea,” he continued, “buf two are growing back, buf more haf to come ouf fer Christmaf.”
“Why?” I asked.
“They’re no good,” he replied. “I hope I kin grow more cause I can’t eat my candy to good thif way and my Mom said she mighf haf to buy me baby food.” “What does thaf mean Nurfe Ehop!!??”
I love my job.
“Nurfe Ehop, Nurfe Ehop,” Miguel exclaimed as he sidled by me and dumped Ian sans ceremony half on the nearest cot and half on the floor. “Ian is hurf.”
“Let’s take a look,” I said as I rearranged Ian more comfortably. “What happened to your knee Ian?”
“I have a boo boo, I tripped on a lod at nite,” said Ian.
Miguel jumped in and tried to explain what happened. “We do campf , we’re tiger scoufs, we was in the dark wif flashlights and he fell.”
I could barely understand anything Miguel said because he had so many front teeth missing! “Miguel,” I asked, “what happened to all your front teeth?”
“They came ouf,” he said. “One came ouf wif a toofbrush and two came ouf when I fell.” “Oh yea,” he added, “my teafer took one ouf and my Mom took one ouf.”
“My, you lost a lot of teeth,” I said doing my best to suppress the smile that threatened my professional demeanor.
“Yea,” he continued, “buf two are growing back, buf more haf to come ouf fer Christmaf.”
“Why?” I asked.
“They’re no good,” he replied. “I hope I kin grow more cause I can’t eat my candy to good thif way and my Mom said she mighf haf to buy me baby food.” “What does thaf mean Nurfe Ehop!!??”
I love my job.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Planes and Boats, Boats and Planes
I am totally engrossed when having a conversation with Kindergarteners. Their leaps of logic and topic transitions require the utmost focus and concentration. Once you start them taking be prepared for anything! The following is a conversation I had today with two kindergarten boys.
Two kindergarten boys came trooping into my office this morning. They always travel in pairs to my office, it is the buddy system. The logic I think (or should I say hope) is that two will go astray less likely then one.
“Hello boys,” I said. “Is someone of you injured today?”
One boy pointed to a small red bite on his arm. “Sompin bit me on my arm Nurse Ehop.”
“I didn’t see his arm get bit,” the other boy chimed in, “but he said it crawled on him on the bus this morning.”
I sat the two boys down. “It really does not look too bad, where do you live?” I asked to distract him while I took care of his wound.
The flood gates opened. “I live in a white house on a yellow brick road,” he said, “and my Mom and Dad live there too and my Grandpa and Grandma,” he continued to elaborate, “and my cousins and some animals.”
“Oh my, that is a big family you live with,” I encouraged him.
“My Dad works only on Sundays in American line,” he pontificated. “He moves a plane around with a car.” He looked up and thought a moment. “Oh I forgot,” onward he spoke, “he has two works, he’s a police too.”
His little buddy not being about to stand it anymore that the first boy was doing all the talking quickly blurted out, “I’m going to be a soldier that has boats with an airport on it!”
And as quickly as the conversation started, it ended. Seldom are there true transitional endings to my daily conversations with the kids. I did however have to stopped the pair shortly after on their way back to class. It seems a little argument broke out concerning which was better, boats… or planes?
Two kindergarten boys came trooping into my office this morning. They always travel in pairs to my office, it is the buddy system. The logic I think (or should I say hope) is that two will go astray less likely then one.
“Hello boys,” I said. “Is someone of you injured today?”
One boy pointed to a small red bite on his arm. “Sompin bit me on my arm Nurse Ehop.”
“I didn’t see his arm get bit,” the other boy chimed in, “but he said it crawled on him on the bus this morning.”
I sat the two boys down. “It really does not look too bad, where do you live?” I asked to distract him while I took care of his wound.
The flood gates opened. “I live in a white house on a yellow brick road,” he said, “and my Mom and Dad live there too and my Grandpa and Grandma,” he continued to elaborate, “and my cousins and some animals.”
“Oh my, that is a big family you live with,” I encouraged him.
“My Dad works only on Sundays in American line,” he pontificated. “He moves a plane around with a car.” He looked up and thought a moment. “Oh I forgot,” onward he spoke, “he has two works, he’s a police too.”
His little buddy not being about to stand it anymore that the first boy was doing all the talking quickly blurted out, “I’m going to be a soldier that has boats with an airport on it!”
And as quickly as the conversation started, it ended. Seldom are there true transitional endings to my daily conversations with the kids. I did however have to stopped the pair shortly after on their way back to class. It seems a little argument broke out concerning which was better, boats… or planes?
More Career Choices
For today's survey I asked the kids coming through my office what they want to be when they grow up.
Girl (2nd Grade): “I want to be a singer.”
Nurse Ehop: “Do you practice?”
Girl: “Yes, I get out my brush and stand on my bed and sing in the mirror.”
This boy got caught lying to Nurse Ehop a few days ago about being sick. He came back for a bandaid today. His answer:
Boy (2nd Grade): “I’m going to be a kid that doesn’t lie.”
Two boys together, in second grade:
Boy 1: “I am going to be a scientist.”
Nurse Ehop: “What are you going to invent?”
Boy 1: “I am going to invent a porthole?”
Nurse Ehop: “What is a porthole?”
Boy 2: “I know! I know! It’s to get someplace else in a blink.”
Boy (2nd grade): “Either a police officer, lawyer, judge or the president. If I’m a police officer I like to taser people that run away.”
Girl (1st grade): “I want to be a veterinarian to take care of dogs so their owners will give me presents for it.”
Boy (1st grade): “I want to be a principle. If the kids don’t listen to me I am going to take all their money.”
Boy (1st grade): “My Dad makes me take the garbage out everyday, he said I might be doing that when I get big to make money.”
Nurse Ehop: “Is your report card good?”
Boy : Very proudly “NOPE!”
Girl (2nd Grade): “I want to be a singer.”
Nurse Ehop: “Do you practice?”
Girl: “Yes, I get out my brush and stand on my bed and sing in the mirror.”
This boy got caught lying to Nurse Ehop a few days ago about being sick. He came back for a bandaid today. His answer:
Boy (2nd Grade): “I’m going to be a kid that doesn’t lie.”
Two boys together, in second grade:
Boy 1: “I am going to be a scientist.”
Nurse Ehop: “What are you going to invent?”
Boy 1: “I am going to invent a porthole?”
Nurse Ehop: “What is a porthole?”
Boy 2: “I know! I know! It’s to get someplace else in a blink.”
Boy (2nd grade): “Either a police officer, lawyer, judge or the president. If I’m a police officer I like to taser people that run away.”
Girl (1st grade): “I want to be a veterinarian to take care of dogs so their owners will give me presents for it.”
Boy (1st grade): “I want to be a principle. If the kids don’t listen to me I am going to take all their money.”
Boy (1st grade): “My Dad makes me take the garbage out everyday, he said I might be doing that when I get big to make money.”
Nurse Ehop: “Is your report card good?”
Boy : Very proudly “NOPE!”
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Nurse Ratchet I am Not!
They come each day, begrudgingly, at their assigned times. The anxiety in their eyes is palpable. Their fear washes over me like the storm surge of a category 5 hurricane. It is time for the distribution of their daily meds.
I do not condone nor dispute the various reasons for which the children take the medications. My name is Nurse Ehop. I am the school nurse. It is my duty to see that each child take their prescribed dosage at their prescribed time. This does not mean I cannot make it a pleasant experience.
Medicine tastes awful. In the form a house sized pill the thought of swallowing it can also be daunting. I try to alleviate the anxiety in the children by providing a little entertainment. Today a first grade boy showed up for his meds. I had his pill in my hand.
I showed it to him and said, “Watch this pill carefully in my right hand.”
His eyes grew large in anticipation.
“Abracadabra,” I said as I invoked the tried and true magic phrase. I moved my hands in a swirl and used a little slight of hand (keep in mind it takes very little slight of hand to fool a first grader) to make the pill disappear from my right hand.
“Wow,” he said. His eyes were even larger then when I first showed him the duplex sized torpedo. “Now I don’t has to take my medicine!”
Not quite the effect I was looking for. I showed him that I made the pill disappear from my right had and reappear in my left. I was just getting ready to tell him that he needed to make the pill disappear by swallowing it. Before I could get the words out the first grader looked at me subdued.
“Nurse,” he said. “You must be a witch!”
I attributed his remark to that fact Halloween is around the corner. I of course preferred that he saw me as a magical fairy princess. Another hard learned lesson today for Nurse Ehop.
I do not condone nor dispute the various reasons for which the children take the medications. My name is Nurse Ehop. I am the school nurse. It is my duty to see that each child take their prescribed dosage at their prescribed time. This does not mean I cannot make it a pleasant experience.
Medicine tastes awful. In the form a house sized pill the thought of swallowing it can also be daunting. I try to alleviate the anxiety in the children by providing a little entertainment. Today a first grade boy showed up for his meds. I had his pill in my hand.
I showed it to him and said, “Watch this pill carefully in my right hand.”
His eyes grew large in anticipation.
“Abracadabra,” I said as I invoked the tried and true magic phrase. I moved my hands in a swirl and used a little slight of hand (keep in mind it takes very little slight of hand to fool a first grader) to make the pill disappear from my right hand.
“Wow,” he said. His eyes were even larger then when I first showed him the duplex sized torpedo. “Now I don’t has to take my medicine!”
Not quite the effect I was looking for. I showed him that I made the pill disappear from my right had and reappear in my left. I was just getting ready to tell him that he needed to make the pill disappear by swallowing it. Before I could get the words out the first grader looked at me subdued.
“Nurse,” he said. “You must be a witch!”
I attributed his remark to that fact Halloween is around the corner. I of course preferred that he saw me as a magical fairy princess. Another hard learned lesson today for Nurse Ehop.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Hard Earned Money
I took a Monday survey today and asked the kids, "Did you do anything to earn an allowance this weekend or did you just play?"
Boy (3rd grade): I don’t get one. I don’t do anything. I just watch SpongeBob on TV.
Boy (3rd grade): What’s an allowance?
Girl (3rd grade): I get three dollars for doing dishes and laundry.
Boy (2nd grade) Yes, I do and I get almost ten dollars fer my dog’s appointments every day. He has to go to the doctor every day because he eats too much and the doctor has to check him up.
Boy (1st grade): I’m not allowance to play my puter games cuz I didn’t do my homework.
Girl (1st grade): I get lowences for making my room look nice.
Girl (1st grade): My daddy gives me a nickel when I have to get stuff for him.
So I asked, “What kind of stuff?”
Girl: Oh, the paper, a drink of water, beer, snacks. I have lots of nickels but my Mommy says no more nickels.
Boy (3rd grade): I don’t get one. I don’t do anything. I just watch SpongeBob on TV.
Boy (3rd grade): What’s an allowance?
Girl (3rd grade): I get three dollars for doing dishes and laundry.
Boy (2nd grade) Yes, I do and I get almost ten dollars fer my dog’s appointments every day. He has to go to the doctor every day because he eats too much and the doctor has to check him up.
Boy (1st grade): I’m not allowance to play my puter games cuz I didn’t do my homework.
Girl (1st grade): I get lowences for making my room look nice.
Girl (1st grade): My daddy gives me a nickel when I have to get stuff for him.
So I asked, “What kind of stuff?”
Girl: Oh, the paper, a drink of water, beer, snacks. I have lots of nickels but my Mommy says no more nickels.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday is not Always Fun Day
Friday is test day and the children flee to my office in droves. These days can be just as tough as Mondays. The kids show up with a variety of somatic problems ranging from blistering math headaches to pre-science class stomach aches. Most demand that being sent home is the only sure cure.
The trick on these days is to catch the fakers and whisk them back to their tests. The easiest way to catch them is to leave the room with some sort of business to attend. I give the kids a few moments then I peek back around the corner. Sure enough a handful of the kids are up from their cots playing around.
No one lies to Nurse Ehop. They learn this early and they all know that if they lie to me they will not be believed or trusted the rest of their elementary school career. Which, if you remember as a child, feels like eternity!
I do feel sorry for some of the younger children. They get so upset taking test sometimes that they wet their pants. They come and whisper in my ear. I select some dry cloths from my pile, take their hand and inconspicuously head to the bathroom to change them. Three incidents already today. My pile of extra cloths is getting low this week.
The trick on these days is to catch the fakers and whisk them back to their tests. The easiest way to catch them is to leave the room with some sort of business to attend. I give the kids a few moments then I peek back around the corner. Sure enough a handful of the kids are up from their cots playing around.
No one lies to Nurse Ehop. They learn this early and they all know that if they lie to me they will not be believed or trusted the rest of their elementary school career. Which, if you remember as a child, feels like eternity!
I do feel sorry for some of the younger children. They get so upset taking test sometimes that they wet their pants. They come and whisper in my ear. I select some dry cloths from my pile, take their hand and inconspicuously head to the bathroom to change them. Three incidents already today. My pile of extra cloths is getting low this week.
Maverick or Sidekick?
In the spirit of the presidential campaign, there is debate from both sides whether a certain candidate is a Maverick or a Sidekick. I try to be very non partisan in my views when talking to the children but I thought it would be fun to see, without actually talking about the campaign, what the kids thought of these labels. My question for today to the children, “Would you rather be a Maverick or a Sidekick?”
Girl (kindergarten): I’m not allowed to kick, my little sister kicks me.
Boy (2nd grade): What would I have to look like.
Girl (1st grade): I don’t think my mommy will let me be that.
Girl (kindergarten): No, I don’t want to be that. I’m going to be a witch for Halloween.
Girl (kindergarten): I don’t want to tell you. I’m too scared.
Girl (kindergarten): I want to go now. (I guess she didn’t want to talk about it).
Group of first grade boys:
Boy 1: Is that dangerous?
Boy 2: No, it’s a superhero.
Boy 3: No it’s not it’s a cowboy.
Boy 4: I think it’s a game for you to play on the computer. I saw that in Wal-Mart one time.
Girl (kindergarten): I’m not allowed to kick, my little sister kicks me.
Boy (2nd grade): What would I have to look like.
Girl (1st grade): I don’t think my mommy will let me be that.
Girl (kindergarten): No, I don’t want to be that. I’m going to be a witch for Halloween.
Girl (kindergarten): I don’t want to tell you. I’m too scared.
Girl (kindergarten): I want to go now. (I guess she didn’t want to talk about it).
Group of first grade boys:
Boy 1: Is that dangerous?
Boy 2: No, it’s a superhero.
Boy 3: No it’s not it’s a cowboy.
Boy 4: I think it’s a game for you to play on the computer. I saw that in Wal-Mart one time.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Our Future Leaders on Conservation?
With the current gas prices, concerns about global warming and desire for energy indepedence I wondered what the children, our future leaders and scientists, thought about solutions to these concerns. I kept it simple with one question, "How can we save gas?"
Girl (2nd grade): I would buy a motorcycle.
Girl (2nd grade): I would make cars that run on sun
Girl (1st grade): My mom says my dad has enough gas for everybody’s car.
Well, that response sent the group of first graders in my office into a think tank frenzy! I was pummeled by the next set of responses.
Girl (1st grade): We can squeeze it up into a small ball.
Boy (1st grade): Well we can’t catch it when we are gassing.
Girl (1st grade): I don’t want to save it in my house cuz – ooohhh it doesn't smell good.
Boy (1st grade): My grandpa has very loud gas and my grandma hollers at him.
Girl (1st grade): I just run away when I smell it in my room and I hide my head under the pillow.
Are they onto a new alternative fuel source that our scientists of today have not yet thought of, or should we wait until they have a few chemistry classes under their belts to work out the details. I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Girl (2nd grade): I would buy a motorcycle.
Girl (2nd grade): I would make cars that run on sun
Girl (1st grade): My mom says my dad has enough gas for everybody’s car.
Well, that response sent the group of first graders in my office into a think tank frenzy! I was pummeled by the next set of responses.
Girl (1st grade): We can squeeze it up into a small ball.
Boy (1st grade): Well we can’t catch it when we are gassing.
Girl (1st grade): I don’t want to save it in my house cuz – ooohhh it doesn't smell good.
Boy (1st grade): My grandpa has very loud gas and my grandma hollers at him.
Girl (1st grade): I just run away when I smell it in my room and I hide my head under the pillow.
Are they onto a new alternative fuel source that our scientists of today have not yet thought of, or should we wait until they have a few chemistry classes under their belts to work out the details. I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Oh Danny Boy
Busy morning, I was at capacity. The cots were full of kids with aches and kids with scrapes. Some aches real and some not, but all must be triaged and attended. These are the times I rely on my years of nursing experience. My tour of duty as a nurse, extensive - my instincts, honed - my judgment, beyond reproach.
Sarah came in holding her stomach. “Cot four,” I told her “and lie still until the ache goes away” I said sagely.
Isaiah, with a tear in his eye, showed me a scrape on his elbow. “Do you want the Scooby bandaid or the bacon and eggs bandaid?” I asked. Smiling, he selected Scooby and I released him back to class.
Danny, a kindergartener, wandered into the office in the middle of the triage mayhem. Appeared happy, no apparent aches, not bleeding, possible frequent flyer my sharp instincts deduced. “Have a seat over there Danny,” I said as I noticed all the cots were full.
Frowning he looked at the stool and then back at me. “That chair looks too hard,” he said. “Can I sit in that softest chair over there?”
I followed his pointing finger to my desk chair. “Yes that would be fine,” I said. “Just stay out of the desk and don’t play on the computer.” “I’ll be with you in a moment,” I directed him as I turned back to another child coming through the door.
Finally the morning rush subsided. Danny sat happily on my soft padded office chair. His little legs swung back and forth and he twisted this way and that in my chair.
“Well,” I turned to Danny. “You don’t appear to be sick or hurt.”
“No, I not sick.”
“Are you skipping class then?” I asked as I thought for sure he would become a future frequent flyer.
“Nope, that’s a bad thing to do,” he responded with that same happy smile.
“Ok,” I said. “I give up, what’s wrong with you.
“I peed my pants.”
“What, no, I mean, here, get up, I mean, sit, I mean stand,” I blurted with the shock of realization.
Danny hopped off the chair. I took his hand, picked out some dry cloths from my spare cloths pile and ushered him down to the bathroom to change him. On the way back to the office I dropped him off at his classroom and then rushed back to inspect my office chair. Touching and smelling the fabric I confirmed the evidence with disbelief.
School nurse zero, Kindergartener one.
Sarah came in holding her stomach. “Cot four,” I told her “and lie still until the ache goes away” I said sagely.
Isaiah, with a tear in his eye, showed me a scrape on his elbow. “Do you want the Scooby bandaid or the bacon and eggs bandaid?” I asked. Smiling, he selected Scooby and I released him back to class.
Danny, a kindergartener, wandered into the office in the middle of the triage mayhem. Appeared happy, no apparent aches, not bleeding, possible frequent flyer my sharp instincts deduced. “Have a seat over there Danny,” I said as I noticed all the cots were full.
Frowning he looked at the stool and then back at me. “That chair looks too hard,” he said. “Can I sit in that softest chair over there?”
I followed his pointing finger to my desk chair. “Yes that would be fine,” I said. “Just stay out of the desk and don’t play on the computer.” “I’ll be with you in a moment,” I directed him as I turned back to another child coming through the door.
Finally the morning rush subsided. Danny sat happily on my soft padded office chair. His little legs swung back and forth and he twisted this way and that in my chair.
“Well,” I turned to Danny. “You don’t appear to be sick or hurt.”
“No, I not sick.”
“Are you skipping class then?” I asked as I thought for sure he would become a future frequent flyer.
“Nope, that’s a bad thing to do,” he responded with that same happy smile.
“Ok,” I said. “I give up, what’s wrong with you.
“I peed my pants.”
“What, no, I mean, here, get up, I mean, sit, I mean stand,” I blurted with the shock of realization.
Danny hopped off the chair. I took his hand, picked out some dry cloths from my spare cloths pile and ushered him down to the bathroom to change him. On the way back to the office I dropped him off at his classroom and then rushed back to inspect my office chair. Touching and smelling the fabric I confirmed the evidence with disbelief.
School nurse zero, Kindergartener one.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
When I am the President
Today's survey I asked the kids that came through my office what they would do if they were the President of the United States.
Girl (2nd grade): I would take my Mom on a trip.
Girl (2nd grade): I would tell them to free the slaves.
Boy (1st grade): I would eat and play on the computer.
Boy (3rd grade): I would make lots of money.
Boy (1st grade): I would make everything free so everybody could save money.
Girl (1st grade): I would make trees and plants with no bugs.
Boy (1st grade): I would get new eyeglasses.
Boy (3rd grade): I would make people clean up everything so they would have a clean house.
Girl (3rd grade): I would make the world a happy place to live.
Girl (3rd grade): I would not put candy in every store because that's what causes children to have rotten teeth.
Boy (2nd grade): I would get robots to stay with kids.
Girl (1st grade): I would make my Mom and Dad eat carrots.
Girl (2nd grade): I would take my Mom on a trip.
Girl (2nd grade): I would tell them to free the slaves.
Boy (1st grade): I would eat and play on the computer.
Boy (3rd grade): I would make lots of money.
Boy (1st grade): I would make everything free so everybody could save money.
Girl (1st grade): I would make trees and plants with no bugs.
Boy (1st grade): I would get new eyeglasses.
Boy (3rd grade): I would make people clean up everything so they would have a clean house.
Girl (3rd grade): I would make the world a happy place to live.
Girl (3rd grade): I would not put candy in every store because that's what causes children to have rotten teeth.
Boy (2nd grade): I would get robots to stay with kids.
Girl (1st grade): I would make my Mom and Dad eat carrots.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Frequent Flyer
They show up often. Two or three times a week with various symptoms when there is a pending test. I almost have an intrinsic knowledge of the school’s class schedule based on their prompt fly-ins. Today it was a language arts test. “My stomach started to hurt after lunch just as I was walking in the classroom door,” Marie announced as she walked into my office slightly doubled over and rubbing her stomach. Yep, 12:45, Mrs. Wilson’s Language Arts class I thought to myself checking the wall clock.
Stomach aches are a tricky symptom. They are like soft tissue pain, you cannot really identify exactly the root cause or how bad the pain is (or if it even exists). These frequent flyers are good. Marie was a gold member.
Marie rested for a few minutes and was up and around chatting with some of the other wards strewn around on the cots. I decided to send this little bird back to class and sure enough another wave of stomach aches doubled her over as she asked “Can I lay here till the bell rings?” “Well OK, but try to lie still,” I told her as I checked the clock to confirm the test was pretty much over anyway. Yes, she was good, as I resigned myself and turned my attention back to my paper work.
Stomach aches are a tricky symptom. They are like soft tissue pain, you cannot really identify exactly the root cause or how bad the pain is (or if it even exists). These frequent flyers are good. Marie was a gold member.
Marie rested for a few minutes and was up and around chatting with some of the other wards strewn around on the cots. I decided to send this little bird back to class and sure enough another wave of stomach aches doubled her over as she asked “Can I lay here till the bell rings?” “Well OK, but try to lie still,” I told her as I checked the clock to confirm the test was pretty much over anyway. Yes, she was good, as I resigned myself and turned my attention back to my paper work.
It's Better then a Poke in the Eye
"My cousin poked me in the eye fer nuthin," Carlos said as he came into my office holding his eye as if it were about to fall out of the socket. I laid the kindergartener on a cot and applied a cool compress to his eye. His eye look normal to me but he was still holding it like it was going to fall out on the floor.
Getting to the root of the incident I called the teacher and asked her to send Carlos’s cousin down to my office. The teacher showed up herself with the cousin in tow. He was already crying, a sure sign of guilt from my experience! Seeing his cousin Carlos laying on the cot with his eyeball about to cascade out of its socket on to the floor he fessed up immediately. “I was trying to tell him a secret in his ear but he was looking at something else so I poked him in the eye for attention,” the cousin confessed.
After some apologies I sent them off to class holding hands. As I watched them march off I saw the cousin again trying to tell Carlos another secret. My job was done here, I could only hoped Carlos would pay more attention when his cousin told him a secret.
Getting to the root of the incident I called the teacher and asked her to send Carlos’s cousin down to my office. The teacher showed up herself with the cousin in tow. He was already crying, a sure sign of guilt from my experience! Seeing his cousin Carlos laying on the cot with his eyeball about to cascade out of its socket on to the floor he fessed up immediately. “I was trying to tell him a secret in his ear but he was looking at something else so I poked him in the eye for attention,” the cousin confessed.
After some apologies I sent them off to class holding hands. As I watched them march off I saw the cousin again trying to tell Carlos another secret. My job was done here, I could only hoped Carlos would pay more attention when his cousin told him a secret.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Concerning a Career Choice
A kindergartener’s response to future career choices:
“When I grow up I’m going to be a cooker and animal doctor.”
I’ll let you all ponder that one.
“When I grow up I’m going to be a cooker and animal doctor.”
I’ll let you all ponder that one.
On Relationships
I overheard this tidbit of wisdom while following a group of 1st graders on their way to the library. A boy was being teased by other classmates “Ha, ha, Christina’s your girlfriend”. “NO she’s not!” the boy responded to the teasing. Just as he was getting ready to let his classmates really have it Christina stepped in. With a classy and sophisticated air she informed them all “Naturally we’re like fake brothers and sisters.”
My Dad is Smarter then Yours
Finally I have some breathing room to talk to the kids after the typical Monday morning rush. I sat around with several 2nd graders in a group talking about things that happen at home.
One 2nd grader was telling another that “My Dad is smarter then yours”. I looked at the boy and asked him tell me about his Dad. He said, “His name is Juan and he learnded every grade. He’s a computer guy”.
Next to this boy was a smaller boy and he was trying very had to interrupt by waving his hand to speak. Not getting any attention the smaller boy moved in front of the group and said “Sophie is the smartest one in my house cause he scratches the door to potty and he wipes hisself on the grass”.
Jennie was also emphatic about having her turn “My sister is smarter, my Mom asks her how to spell.”
Enjoy your morning.
One 2nd grader was telling another that “My Dad is smarter then yours”. I looked at the boy and asked him tell me about his Dad. He said, “His name is Juan and he learnded every grade. He’s a computer guy”.
Next to this boy was a smaller boy and he was trying very had to interrupt by waving his hand to speak. Not getting any attention the smaller boy moved in front of the group and said “Sophie is the smartest one in my house cause he scratches the door to potty and he wipes hisself on the grass”.
Jennie was also emphatic about having her turn “My sister is smarter, my Mom asks her how to spell.”
Enjoy your morning.
It's Monday!
It’s Monday and that can mean only one thing around my office. Kids, lots of kids, grumpy and tired. Monday’s are like the full moon of the school days. Kids are just getting use to playing and staying up a little later on the weekend and then Sunday night rolls along. Getting to bed early is a bit more difficult after being keyed up all weekend. Having less sleep then usual on Monday mornings kids are crawling out of bed late and may be too tired to eat a good breakfast.
This is where I come in. My name is Nurse Ehop. I work in the trenches. The walking wounded pour into my office. Juice, Juice, the cry goes out. We need more juice. Strewn across the cots the casualties are pumped full of juice. Each ward being carefully cross matched to the proper juicy juice box flavor, slowly they revive. The vacant look gone from their eyes they are released back to duty. Reluctantly they head back to the frontlines. Some the call of duty is Science, some English and others….MATH! My job complete, I sit back to tell my diary their stories, until, the next wave.
This is where I come in. My name is Nurse Ehop. I work in the trenches. The walking wounded pour into my office. Juice, Juice, the cry goes out. We need more juice. Strewn across the cots the casualties are pumped full of juice. Each ward being carefully cross matched to the proper juicy juice box flavor, slowly they revive. The vacant look gone from their eyes they are released back to duty. Reluctantly they head back to the frontlines. Some the call of duty is Science, some English and others….MATH! My job complete, I sit back to tell my diary their stories, until, the next wave.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Who Should be President?
I did a survey this morning to see what the children think about this election. Here are their responses:
Kid #1: I want President George Washington.
Kid #2: I heard my Dad say he wants Cane.
Kid #3: Hmmmmm.... Belinda Garcia, my grandma has her picture on a post in the front yard.
Kid #4: No puedo entender.
Kid #5: That lady,but I'm not 18 yrs. old and you have to be 18 and up to say.
Kid #6: Brocolli Obama.
Kid #7: (very nervously) Do I have to do that?
Kid #8: ORock Obama
Two Boys sitting together arguing about the question:
Boy #1: Lincoln..
Boy #2: No, no, no, Batman's better
Kid #1: I want President George Washington.
Kid #2: I heard my Dad say he wants Cane.
Kid #3: Hmmmmm.... Belinda Garcia, my grandma has her picture on a post in the front yard.
Kid #4: No puedo entender.
Kid #5: That lady,but I'm not 18 yrs. old and you have to be 18 and up to say.
Kid #6: Brocolli Obama.
Kid #7: (very nervously) Do I have to do that?
Kid #8: ORock Obama
Two Boys sitting together arguing about the question:
Boy #1: Lincoln..
Boy #2: No, no, no, Batman's better
Who Am I?
I am a professional RN who has worked in many areas of professional health care. My career has spanned the emergency room, supervising an operating room and psychiatric nursing. I retired about the time my grandson turned 5 and went off to kindergarten. My grandson was insistent on riding the school bus. So as an overprotective grandmother I followed the school bus to make sure he reached his classroom.
After a few days I began to know the people at the school. The principle found out I was an RN and said as long as your coming everyday, we need a school nurse. And 7 years later I have never regretted the decision.
Before becoming the school nurse my grandson called me Ehop for no reason I can give you. Since he also attended the school all the kids soon came to know me as Nurse Ehop. Now you know my story, and now I will tell you the stories I hear from the kids.
After a few days I began to know the people at the school. The principle found out I was an RN and said as long as your coming everyday, we need a school nurse. And 7 years later I have never regretted the decision.
Before becoming the school nurse my grandson called me Ehop for no reason I can give you. Since he also attended the school all the kids soon came to know me as Nurse Ehop. Now you know my story, and now I will tell you the stories I hear from the kids.
Welcome
Hello, my name is Nurse Ehop. This is the name the children call me at the elementary school where I work as the school nurse. I invite you to set aside the complexities of life for a few moments and enjoy a fresh perspectives on life from the wonderful young minds of the kids I talk to every day. I hope these stories lift your spirits as they lift mine each day.
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