On Wednesday, and for the first time, I had a lunch date with Niko at his school. I didn’t tell him in the morning just in case something came up at work during that time, but it didn’t.
When he was a first grader last year, I had work obligations during his lunch and couldn’t change it, and I also only had 30 minutes. This year, I have an hour and my schedule was available during his lunch. I may do it again in a few weeks.
So, in addition to his lunch that I very carefully packed: pears, Cheez its, Oreo cookies, a turkey and salami sandwich with ketchup, a chocolate milk, a granola bar, and a fruit bar, I heated up some chicken nuggets and threw them in a small plastic container with a small cup of ketchup and I also made fresh orange juice.
He was surprised to see me and at first, he didn’t want to have lunch with me, but after a second, he changed his mind. It was fun to see his happy face and watch him eat. He loved the chicken nuggets and he scarfed them down.
Since I already have a yearly pass which allows us to hang out with him outside his classroom in the morning before the bell rings, all I had to do on Wednesday was flash it so they can make sure it’s me (as my license picture is on it). Outside the cafeteria area few tables where parents can eat with the kids, and there were a few doing that alongside us.
I was interested in watching how the movement of children from lunch to the classroom works, and after a few minutes of them eating, they slowly and loudly get up from their table and wait at the exit door for their teacher. During this time, a bunch of kids were getting back from a field trip, so there was a lot of extra distractions and noise! Niko enjoyed the quiet while we ate as it’s super loud in the cafeteria. Once Nikos teacher arrived, Niko lingered behind them and even walked me to the front door so I can leave.
Time for a quick dad rant…
TEACHERS SHOULD BE PAID A LOT MORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HARD JOB AND THEY TEACH OUR KIDS GOOD THINGS. NINA AND I ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO BUY EXTRA SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HIS CLASSROOM AND TEACHER.