Day 1822. Yesterday was Day 2 of Tammy's dance camp and Emmy's soccer camp. And Sammy went back to kindergarten after it had been closed for three weeks. Tammy wanted me to be the one to take her, so we made the deal that I'd take her in the morning and then pick Emmy up in the afternoon, and that's what we've done these past two days.
We always get there early, as it's only a few subway stops away, and have to wait for the door to open. Tammy then took advantage of the playground right there. Once inside, I sat down with her to wait for the class to start. I met the girl and the boy she's befriended while waiting. Then we all went into the one dance hall, and they all sat down in a circle. The teacher did a roll call and asked everyone to do their favorite dance move. She also told them what game they were gonna do first. Tammy then came to me, half crying, saying that she did not want to play that game. I told her that she didn't have to. Then she sat back down. The teacher asked what was wrong, and I told her. I also told her how her name was pronounced, as German-speakers often pronounce Tammy wrong.
When the game was about to start, I asked Tammy whether I could leave, and she said yes. I took the subway back home, where I had a student from 10 to noon.
At 1 pm our Caritas helper and friend arrived and went downstairs with Sammy to play with him. I was amazed by how well that was going. Randy stayed upstairs resting, and I also lay down, trying to get some rest. Randy then briefly went downstairs after 3 pm. At about 3:30 pm we oth had to leave to pick up Tammy and Emmy, while Sammy was staying home with Christine.
It was my first time at Emmy's camp location. It's not far, only one subway stop and then one bus stop, but then it's a long walk. That's why I had my scooter with me, and so did Emmy. That way that long stretch was conquered much faster.
It found the police sports grounds easily and walked up to where they were playing. I could see Emmy playing. He is the youngest and smallest there, so he's easy to find on the field. I was surprised to see him playing with no shoes on.
After a few minutes of playing, they all sat down on the benches for the spectators. The four teachers then lined up in front of them and did some talking, also addressing the parents. There are four teams (by age), and they then called a kid from each team forward as the winner of the day. Then it was over. Emmy came to me, and we went to the locker room to pack up. Then we took our scooters and made our way to the bus stop. Emmy was telling me that they had gone swimming today - into the Danube right there. I was a little worried, but he said it was not deep and that he had stayed in that area.
When we got off the subway at our stop, there were Christine, Sammy and the rest of them. Randy and Tammy had arrived with the previous subway, and Sammy had been unhappy alone at home and had wanted to come to the subway. It was a great reunion, and we all walked to the house together.
I didn't have any more students, and so we all went downstairs, where I turned my computer on to do some office work. I was very tired, and the kids constantly needed my attention, so I didn't get much done. Christine left just after 5 pm, and we soon all went upstairs, where I started getting food ready for them early.
This morning I was taking Tammy again. Randy took the boys, dropping Sammy off first and then taking Emmy to his camp. Tammy and I got there early again and had to wait with the others. Once inside, we sat down again to wait for the class to start. Then everyone sat down in a circle again. They did the roll call, and each kid was supposed to show their favorite pose. Tammy just clapped like she had done yesterday. And again, she didn't like the game they were saying they were doing first. She again came to me half-crying that she didn't want to do it. She still told me that I could leave. Then the music started, and as I was leaving, I saw that an older girl came to her to dance with her.
Today, it was my only morning with no students this week, and so I did not go home but went to my doctor's instead to get a much overdue blood test done. I had to wait for a while, then they took my blood. I waited some more, then they took my blood presssure and did an ECG. My blood pressure was high, as it always is higher at the doctor's office. I never saw my actual doctor; I will to discuss the results.
While in the waiting room there, Sammy's kindergarten called that Sammy was saying he was not feeling well and wanted to go home. So I called Randy who then went to pick him up. Once home, Sammy was perfectly alright, never once saying that anything was wrong or hurting. On the contrary, he was very upbeat.
Soon after I had returned home, I went to the kitchen to make lunch, as everyone was hungry. We ate just before noon. Then Randy and I both wanted to rest. I tried to get Sammy to also rest and let me rest, which wasn't very easy. I got to lie down a little bit, but without sleeping. I then had a student from 2 to 3 pm. After I was done, I was slowly getting ready to go pick up Emmy. Randy was gonna take Sammy with him to pick up Tammy.
I knew I was leaving a little early, but I was ready and I was looking forward to watching Emmy play for a few minutes. I sat down on the bleachers and watched him. Once he had spotted me, he started playing to show me what he could do, and I was filming him. He was doing a great job. And today he had his new soccer shoes on. A few minutes before the camp was over at 4 pm, all the kids sat down on the bleachers, and the teachers started addressing them and the parents again. They again called one person from each team forward as the winner of the day and gave them a book. Today Emmy was the winner in his team. The teacher also told about the trial game they had done in the afternoon, and that the big game was on Friday, for all the parents to come and watch.
After they were done, we went to the locker room to pack up and left with our scooters to make our way home. There is an icecream shop right by the subway, and yesterday Emmy had asked to have some icecream there, but I hadn't had any money with me. Today I had some money, but little time, as I still had a student. However, there was enough time. I called Randy who wasn't home yet, and a few minutes later he and the other kids joined us at the icecream shop. Then we took the subway home.
Tammy and I went ahead. Tammy was crying for my scooter, so I let her have it for a short stretch of our walk home. I wanted to get home a few minutes before starting to teach at 5 pm. The kids all stayed upstairs, while I taught until just before 6 pm. Then I went to the kitchen to get them some food.
After everyone was in bed and I had eaten, I continued wrapping birthday presents, which I had already done some in the past few days. But tonight I finished wrapping them all, and Randy helped with getting some banners ready. Thankfully, no kid woke up to do a surprise walk into my room. But, doing it all meant that it was late before I was done with the pictures and writing my report. Now it's after 1 am and time to finish the dishes and go to bed.
