Friday sure ain't what it used to be

Back in the day, before marriage and kids, I worked for several different companies. No matter what the business was, Friday usually consisted of the same things; casual dress, long lunch, slacking off and living for 5:00 pm.

In the elementary school business, things are a little different.

For instance, this morning I spent time subbing for a kindergarten teacher. The same teacher who has what some may or may not consider to be the worst behaved class in the entire school. I had to break up 2 fights, repair a car made of Lego's, mediate a dispute between two girls, one of whom was punched in the eye and moderate the nightmare known as show-and-tell. All before 8:30 am. I was in the class until 9:15. The last 45 minutes are kind of a blur.

From there I went to the other kindergarten class to supervise their restroom break and snack time. After 5 "I don't like this!"'s and 7 "why can't we have somethin' else?"'s, I gave my famous "You Get What You Get And You Don't Pitch A Fit!" speech. Then I had to help them make a craft with construction paper, muffin cups and glue. Once they created a flower garden with the muffin cups, I had to glue cloves in the center to make them smell nice. Of course, half the boys said they "reeked".

I find it ironic that 6 year-old boys think anything reeks.

From there I went to a first grade class to give make-up tests and grade papers.

And now, I'm putting the finishing touches on lunch with a chocolate cupcake, courtesy of a 1st grade boy named Drew.

That is one of the benefits of working at an elementary school that isn't listed in your orientation packet. You can pretty much count on a cupcake at least once a week, if not once a day.

So, I guess the moral of the story is this. Friday's might be easier in corporate America. But hard work in the school system is always fairly rewarded with cupcakes.

TGIF.