Love from the Border: Thursday Pool Days: THE BEST

So to put it nicely, I've really sucked at keeping this thing updated lately.

It probably seems obvious to say that a lot has happened since I last wrote in this. Luckily, I have a grand memory and can recall evrrything from erryday. I am sitting in the office and have just completed researching activities, typing up spreadsheets, making lists, emailing UTEP students who are interested in volunteering for the program, and laughing with Justin and Lilly. It's been a long, 13 hour day. I decided that this would be a perfect time to reflect more on what has happened and recall some moments that are truly unforgettable. Those memories and events that are not written down, due to the lack of updating, will always be stored in my heart/noggin, and I'd be more than happy to share them in person :)

I guess a good place to start would be to say that I have officially taken my job as the program director. This position has been quite nuts, and has taken up much more time than I was anticipating. It has been very fun, however, practicing a role where I am responsible in overseeing 40'ish (and then some) people. The kids are soooo great and cute. They give me energy all the time and, in general, make me love life and what I do at Cristo Rey. The program runs Tuesdays 12:30-5:30, Wednesdays 12:30-4:30, and Thursdays 11:45-4:30. That does not include the hours used for preparation, outside responsibilities, calling families, tutoring on Mondays, and meeting with the assistants and volunteers of the program. It's been a very challenging experience but has already provided much growth in how I think, oversee, speak, view communication, and other important aspects of the world. The program started on the 18th, and week 1 has been completed as of today! Yay! :) I know almost every child's name, know the names of all the assistants, and volunteers. I've definitely been using a lot of the skills and communication practices with the kids that I learned in my Ed classes. When you have to reach so many kids of various ages, you really have to be creative in how you go about doing that, and in a creative way! Today (Thursday) was probably my favorite day of the week thus far.

Every Thursday we go to the pool (or another field trip set up) at the Armijo Recreation Center. The pool is indoors, which is very nice with the weather. I was thinking that the pool was going to be the most hectic part. However, getting there was way more chaotic than anything! I had the assistants and volunteers arrive at Cristo Rey early to help make 75 sandwiches, pack up all the boxes of juice, bags of chips, fruit, etc. People were approaching me almost every minute from all different directions asking me questions, requesting me for help in something, and also asking me if they were doing everything correctly that was asked of them. It required me to think on my feet in a very fast-like manner. Once people kept coming to me, however, I had everything down with what I wanted to communicate with them. Even the main staff at the church approached me with all types of questions and requests. The important factor was to get to the pool on time. Thankfully we did, and in plenty of time! :)

The pool time itself was so much fun and the kids had such a blast. I had at least 3 kids per arm hanging on to me, wanting me to "flip" them, catch them from jumping from the sides of the pool, etc etc. Justin and I stuck together during much of the time as well because the kids wanted to play with both of us at the same time. Usually if I was alone, one of the kids would say, "Mees (Miss), find Justin so that we can play together!" It was very cute. Justin and I had a blast playing with the kids. I was splashed by multiple kids and Justin (who is basically 7 years old) throughout the afternoon. Justin, if you're reading this, thanks. I'm not sure what it is about the kids, but whenever they call me by "Mees (Miss) Jennifer" my heart just melts and I can't help but smile as they try to talk to me in their adorable, high-pitched voices. We played many games of "tag," hide and go seek, and hey let's splash and soak Jennifer as much as possible. There is also a slide at the pool, and periodically throughout the day kids would come up to me and ask me to go down the slide with them. Justin and I also went down a couple times together, and when we reached the bottom there were some of our kids clapping and cheering us on. It was so adorable! Justin and I would give piggyback rides to the kids, and Justin actually got in trouble for carrying the kids. When he told that to one of the kids, he just responded in his adorable voice, "OOO Meester! You got in trouble!" (P.S. Yeah way to be a good example, Justin)

Since we go to the pool every Thursday, that basically means that Justin, Erin, and me are going to have super buff arms by the end of the summer :) All it took was just lifting and dumping children, and having at least 3 per arm. Gosh, I just love the kids! I don't really know how to fully express how much fun I had with the kids this afternoon. Justin, Erin, and I all had a blast. We were all sunburn and wiped out by the end, but it definitely adds to the list of "most memorable afternoons of my life."