Lunch with Olivia

Today I ate lunch with Olivia at school, and I learned a few things:

• Stetson plans on marrying Isabeau.
• The lunchroom gets very loud, but don't worry because there is a large black woman who gets on the microphone and says with her neck rollin' around, "5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Excuuuuuuse me? I know you children are not makin' this kind of noise in here! I cannot believe what I just saw! I saw two students rollin' around on the floor. Is that acceptable, students? (students yell "No!") I also cannot believe I saw someone yelling to another student two tables over! Can you whisper to someone two tables away, students? (students yell "No!) Take some pride in your behavior, students. (Those of you who know me well are picturing me re-enacting this moment)
• Jamie Oliver was right. Parents are not packing their kids' lunches with much care. I really do not say this to be condescending, because I've sent some unhealthy things in the past myself. I'm trying to improve. I was shocked, though, that Olivia was the only kid with fruit and veggie in her sack lunch. Kid sitting across from me had a balogna sandwich on white bread, large bag of Doritos, a packet of fruit chews, a package of cheetos things (they're like little tiny balls), 2 juice boxes, and a little Debbie cake. 3 other kids were eating the lunchables which I have been guilty of falling to child pressure and purchasing a couple times for Olivia (she begs me to get those crazy things!) Parents, we've got to do better!
• Kindergarten teachers must really love summer time when they can eat a lunch without having to open 20 milk cartons or capri suns or ketchup, mayo and mustard packets. God bless them.
• Ice packs in certain shapes (i.e.a football like Olivia's) are intriguing to everyone at the lunchtable. Moms, wash those ice packs every single night. Lots of licked fingers are touching those ice packs.
• There's always a little boy at the table who wants to show you his chewed-up food in his mouth. I gave him the squinting eyes and shaking head for that gross moment.
• There's some exchanging and sharing between the sack lunchers. I really hope that Olivia does turn down the large bag of cheetos balls offered to her by a sweet little boy even when I am not there.
• Parents who come to eat with their kids are like rockstars. I know, I know. I'll enjoy my star status while I can. These sweet days are fleeting. The kids kept gawking at me and giggling. Funny.
• Kindergartners are just a cute mess. I love the little girl whose ponytail fell out and she obviously attempted to put it back in herself. She only got about 10% of her hair back up in the ponytail holder. The rest hung by the sides of her cute little face.
• Someone's going to spill their milk. Every single day. Someone will do it. Just wait for it.
• I loved seeing Olivia at school, and she loved seeing me there and telling me what I was supposed to be doing.
• Olivia will be a crier--you know one of those people who cries easily at many things. Her mother and father are both criers. She cried when it was time for me to go. Bless her little heart. She was embarrassed, so she buried her head in my shoulder as we sat on the little circular seats and we hugged goodbye. To make her laugh, I pulled my visitor tag off of my shirt and stuck it to my forehead. Soon she was giggling and wiping her tears. She lined up with her classmates and I headed home.

Thank you, Lord for these sweet moments. All good things are from You, and I praise Your Holy Name for school lunch dates with my Olivia.