Everything is relative, isn’t it?  Like today for instance.  I stopped to pick up the usual donuts on the way to school, coat open, no gloves or hat because it felt so warm this morning.  At close to 40 degrees warmer than it felt yesterday morning, 23 felt outright balmy.  I’ve obviously lived in Nebraska way too long.

The change in the weather was certainly felt by the kids today as their little bodies squirmed in anticipation of being able to be outside today and this weekend.  Getting their attention this morning to assemble for class was an exercise in futility which continued the rest of the day, at least in my classes.  I’m pretty sure it was in every class where I had to ask at least one person “what are you DOing!!” to which they would respond, “I don’t know” in that annoying sing songy way they do.

I understand that is no research to substantiate what I’m about to say, but children are like animals.  They react in a physical way to full moons and weather changes and with the huge surge in temperature, the kids were reacting big time.  Their usual chatter turns to yelling and screaming and their play turns into hurling their bodies in every which direction.  At one point I looked at the playground equipment and it looked like the chaos scene from Marion the Librarian in Music Man, kids hanging upside down, running up and down steps, leaping around acting like bunnies (I can’t make this stuff up), flinging balls just as far as they could fling them, not playing anything in particular, just using their bodies to the nth degree.

And who could blame them.  It’s been sub-zero for days and snowy before that and the kids haven’t been able to be outside.  Stuck inside drawing or reading or playing video games can take its toll on a kid.  Just the thought of running free like a wild animal sent them over the edge this morning.  Unfortunately that also sent them over the edge in the classroom as well.

It’s not all bad you know.  I love it when kids seem to enjoy what we’re doing and it brings out smiles and laughter. The little ones especially tend to get excited about playing music games but on days like this it’s like you’ve turned the volume up to 11 and the excitement turns manic.  They begin doing things you’ve never seen children do before.  Like enter your room on all fours or pull a friend over on the floor and jump over them or run to the risers and jump off of the back.  They’re suddenly banging on the mallets of your barred instruments until they pop off or dropping bells just to see how much noise they can make.  Oh, and note to self, beginning recorders with 3rd graders on a day like today was probably not a smart thing to do.

I understand how they felt.  In my own, quiet way, I relished going out to supervise recess today in the bright sunshine and little wind.  I didn’t have to layer as much and left my scarf and hat inside.  Sunglasses reminded me of spring to come and if it weren’t for that darned snow fence just past the playground, I could have imagined the snow melting and flowers beginning to pop up.  I actually had visions of myself driving the bug with the top down, wind blowing in my hair.  Who knows – it’s supposed to get up to 55 on Sunday.  I may just wear a coat, turn on the heat, put the top down and take advantage of this heat wave.