I'm not sure who was more excited...

I got to read to Abby's kindergarten class today. When I heard that parents were welcome to come in and read, I jumped at the first opportunity. Maybe it's the school teacher in me or because I LOVE children's books or because I used to be the storyteller at the library...

Or it could possibly be the fact that I'm still suffering from separation issues as a first time kindergarten mom, even though Abby started school over a month ago, and I am looking for any excuse to help out in her classroom just so I won't miss her so much during the day. :(

Regardless, I was really excited to read one of my favorite stories to the kids - THE RAIN CAME DOWN by David Shannon. It's a funny story about how a little bit of rain causes a whole lot of chaos! I had the kids clucking, and meowing, barking, honking - they were loving it! And Abby was all smiles.

Noah even got in on the act calling out, "the rain came down!" with the rest of the kids. He thought it was pretty cool to be sitting on the rug with all those kindergartners. (He also thought it was pretty cool to take his CARS lunch bag into the cafeteria and sit next to Abby during lunchtime. We went to eat with her one day last week too when Noah was really missing his big sister.)

After the story, I showed the kids how to "make a rainstorm" (rubbing our hands together, snapping our fingers, then stomping our feet) and then we sang Rain is Falling with the actions a little faster each time. They seemed to get a kick out of it. It was a lot of fun. I could have stayed there all day.

Abby gave me and Noah a big hug and a kiss before we left. She was so happy that we were there and told me later that I am the first mom that has come to read to her class. She seemed pretty excited about that. (She likes being first!)

Still, I have to admit, I think I was more excited than she was...just because I got to spend a little extra time with her today.