April 15: To WSU!

Wow, what a day! I rode on the bus to St. Charles to pick up the littles. They were all ecstatic, especially for the bus ride! My little sat next to me and she shared her journal (I did not bring mine, thinking we were not going to have time!). I told her that we are now even! She also brought a photo alblum of her family with many pictures of her siblings. I was trying to figure out why she wanted me to look through the pictures so quickly, and then I finally realized that inside the photo alblum she had hid two candy bars! The bus ride was a great opportunity to talk and joke around with the other kids.

Once we got to WSU, her eyes became really big, and as we walked off the bus, she was beaming and holding onto my arm very tightly. I think the moment she was waiting for finally came!

One thing I noticed about this group is that not only have the Bigs and Littles become more closely bonded, but the Littles have as well. I noticed this while we were eating icecream; all of the littles were sitting around the table eating and talking, some in Spanish and some in English.

My favorite part was going to the football field to meet the sports players. One of my friends, Eric, was leading the event, and he did an amazing job! All of the kids were actively involved, and I also loved playing soccer! I caught my little looking at one of the players from a distance, so I asked her is she wanted a picture with him. She first responded with a "No!" because she hates taking pictures! I knew she wanted to but was too afraid to ask. I said, "Are you sure? He's really nice, and he is a friend of mine." She said only if I was in the picture with her, so Amanda's little, my little, myself, and Eric took a picture! This was one of the few times I caught her smiling with a FULL GRIN!

The theater department was also an adventure for me; I have never been in many of those places. My little did not talk much with me during this time. She was having too much fun running around with the other kids looking at objects they have probably never seen before! If we had the time, it would have been really fun to have them put on a short play or try on some costumes.

Next week is our last time this year meeting as a group. I will hopefully keep in contact or meet with my little outside of school because we are becoming "community sisters." And over the summer, we will keep in contact through email or through letters (snail mail).

Next year, it would be amazing if we could join in on any field trips that happen. I also know that as a community big we can expand our experiences. I just hope that she understands what it means completely to be part of the "community" program; she will most likely not be spending as much time with this group of kids, but on the other end, there is much more to be explored!

Thank you for an amazing field trip!