"You wouldn't catch me standing out there in this weather."
"I hope you're getting paid for being out here in the rain."
"Mug!"
These are some of the comments I've had this week while manning the gate stopping cars going in and out of school at times when the children are about. Little Fink's school is suffering at the hands of the cold/flu bug that is doing the rounds. The staff are so depleted that the Governors and parents are offering their services to help the school continue to run. I told a couple of the parents that I was only there because if no one helped, the school would shut, I would have to stay home with Little Fink and not go to work, soooo I'm actually helping at the school for selfish reasons.
I offered my limited abilities and have so far this week been engaged in, gate duty - involved tutting at parents who drive SO incredibly in the vicinity of the school it takes your breath away, milk monitor - counting out the cartons of milk for the little-ies in nursery, washing up after the Breakfast Club's FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST - what a service the club offers. Today I was promoted to table washer and minder of a little doll of a 4-5 year old girl. She is the tiniest dolly like child I have been in contact with for ages and doesn't have a great deal in common with the other Breakfast Clubbers who are quite roughty toughty and a lot older. I was asked to entertain her, then take her to class (I am CRB checked in case you were wondering). We had a lovely 10-15 minutes drawing letters and shapes, then she astounded me with her picture of a bunny rabbit. What joy these small beings can bring us - I had forgotten the wonder our children can impart to us. As I helped her into her coat, she said, "You haven't done it right." I gently said, "I think you mean, 'Please can you do my coat up?', She responded right away, "Please can you do my coat up." "Sure thing boss." said I and did!
I almost hope the staff have another week recovering so that I get the chance to spend time with 'Lily' again. (Who'd have thought i would have enjoyed small children again?!)
The pinnacle of my volunteers career at the school would be to be allowed to 'drive' the push-along salt disperser. A kind of trolley that chucks out salt and grit on the path as you push it along. Watch this space!
