Posted tagged ‘playing with balloons’

Running With Kids…Really Young Kids!

June 15, 2015

WORDS FROM W.W.                                                               June 15, 2015

                                   

Today was the first day of our Vacation Bible School. I was running gym time, well stocked with balloons, bubble blowing attire, ping-pong balls, and long styrofoam noodles. Six different groups divided across four age groupings!

What an amazing time it was! Giggly girls…confused boys…little ones with runny noses…and a few pre-teens and teens who weren’t too sure about an early morning wake-up call on a summer vacation Monday!

Give a four year old a balloon in the midst of a big gym and watch the fun! And I was having fun with them!

“All right! See who can keep their balloon in the air… without holding it!!!!…all the way to the other end of the gym! Ready…set…go!”

What is it about a balloon that makes a four year old squeal as he or she plays with it?

“Who thinks they can make their balloon go all the way to the other end by just using your foot? Raise your hand! Raise your hand!”

A flock of hands go waving in the air like sunflowers in an open field.

“Ready…set…go!”

The squealing gets mixed with giggling as the non-competitive race begins.

Fifteen minutes of balloon fun!

And then the two’s and three’s attack the gym! I’m ready with the bottles of bubbles and the bubble wand. In fact, I instantly create a new character called the “Bubblemaster!”

“Okay! Follow the Bubblemaster and see who can catch the bubbles!”

With this group I have to be careful because they do not realize that my size eleven’s can step on them. One cute two-year old boy comes up to me and with a very serious face gives me a heartfelt message.

I have no clue what he said, so I just shake my head and try to look understanding and compassionate.

A little girl puts down her balloon for a moment to look at a boo-boo she got two weeks ago on her knee. A little boy swoops in like an eagle on prey and snatches up the loose balloon. Thus, a lesson to two year olds needs to be instantly taught about sharing and fairness!

By the time the pre-schoolers leave my head is almost as light-headed as one of the balloons!

But I love it! Maybe because I’m just a kid with XL clothing on, or because they have such interesting developing personalities.

Or maybe because I see Jesus in each one of their faces, a treasure, a jewel, a blessing about toi be given…to me!

Tomorrow should be just as fun! The kids are excited, I’m excited, and the giant squishy ball is about to be unleashed!

Awesome!