"A Day for Hot Coke (Cocoa) "

Today, I had the best babysitting job EVER.  And I mean EVER.  I have been dying to babysit the cutest kids, L and L2 (code names).  Back at the beginning of January, I gave my number to their mom and hadn't heard from her until this morning when she needed a babysitter after school.  I, of course, said yes even though I had a lacrosse scrimmage around the same time.  Nonetheless, it was so fun.  I already knew L because I was a TA in her preschool class last year and this year (mentioned in "A Teacher in Training.")  However, I didn't know her younger sister, L2, and boy did I have fun getting to know her.

Their mom picked me up after school and we drove to their home where I played with them while she worked.  First, I read "The Velveteen Rabbit" to them, which is a great book and I highly recommend it for everyone.  Then, we snacked and I made hot chocolate for the L2, who told me afterward that she doesn't like hot cocoa.  Don't you love when kids claim to like something and then you waste your time to make it for them and in then, they don't even want it?  Yeah, I do too. *Sarcasm*

My favorite event of all was when L did my hair and told me it looked, "SOOOO beautiful."  It certainly was quite the hairdo.

Please pardon the poor quality, it was taken by a five year
old who claimed to know how to work and iPhone camera.
Photo Courtesy of Mana Claire

Later on, I really wanted to go on a walk, so we voyaged on the road to visit my friend, Samantha, at her house.  I thought the walk would be short, but it took about 20 minutes to get to her house... Mostly because I was carrying L2 on my hip and holding L's hand.  

All I heard the whole time from L was, "Are we there yet?"  "When will we be there?" "This sure is a long walk."  "Claire!  My hands are cold!"  "It sure is a day for hot coke (cocoa)."  

We made the best of it, and Samantha was so excited to see us and even brought us cupcakes :).

We made it back home just in the nick of time and off we went to drop me off at my scrimmage.  L was so interested in my uniform that exactly what I was wearing, and I had a great time attempting to explain it. 

Overall, it was the most fun I've had babysitting in a long, long time.  Mostly because I LOVE these kids and they are so nice and sweet.  If you can't tell how excited I was to babysit them, just as my friends.  It's all I could talk about today. 

Until next time. 

To Inspire

inspire |inˈspīr|

verb [ with obj. ]

1 fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: [ with obj. and infinitive ] : his passion for romantic literature inspired him to begin writing.

• create (a feeling, esp. a positive one) in a person: their past record does not inspire confidence.

(definition courtesy of Apple Dictionary)

Inspiration can come from many different places.  Every single day we are surrounded by incredible people who do amazing things.  My friend, Livi, has a blog all about the little things that motivate her.   After reading a few of her posts, I realized that even the smallest things can really change how a person operates.

You're probably wondering why I am writing about inspiration.  The reason is that in order to be remember by anyone, you have to inspire.  This relates to being a babysitter because you will get NOWHERE if you aren't liked/admired by parents and children.  I want to be the babysitter that the kids remember having fun with and enjoying their time.  

Below is a list of things that inspire/motive me (not all of the things, and certainly not in order):

Marta, Emma, Me, Samantha
Photo Courtesy of Claire

1. My friends 
2. "The Hunger Games"
3. My teachers
4. The song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
5. My lacrosse coaches
6. The Biggest Loser (tv show)

Also, you're probably thinking I am a weirdo with that list... Especially with "The Hunger Games."  The reason it's included is because Katniss pushes aside every obstacle and makes her situation work.  I want to be like that, and I want to inspire people like she has.  

Overall, inspiration can be found anywhere, and I personally want to be someone who can inspire others.  The main reason I want to be a teacher is to make a difference in lives. In my case, I remember every teacher I've had because of all the things they taught me to do.  Each of them inspired me to want to be a great person.  The little things are the ones that we remember, and I have great memories of my teachers teaching me about life and school.

So, next time you're about to do something, little or big, remember that you have to power to make a difference.