To Be A Kid Again

Some say that Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, and who can blame one for thinking so? Everybody comes together in one place to be with family and friends and just have fun. The magic of childhood comes alive with friends like Mickey and Minnie, and whole days are full of laughter, thrills, and wonder. I’ve had to the privilege of experiencing the enchantment of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studies not once, not twice, but three times. (I never said I wasn’t spoiled as a child...) I’ve seen all the movies, I’ve ridden all the rides, I’ve even hit up Disney Land as a toddler. So, as a self-proclaimed Disney World expert, I reckon I know a thing or two about happiness. And although some might say that Mickey’s home is the mecca of delight, after last Wednesday in Managua, I’ve found a place that’s given it a run for it’s money.

Wednesday afternoon, our home was transformed by the 30 foot “Brinca Brinca” - a wginormous blow-up bouncy slide that was covered in suds for a three hour celebration of our literacy and math programs. The children arrived around 1:30 with a change of clothes and a LOT of energy. As they climbed up one side of the Brinca Brinca (literally translated, the “Jump Jump”), and tumbled down the other, we were caught up in the madness as we patrolled the flow of children, hosing them off and tossing the little ones in the air for added velocity. Running from the pool to the Jump Jump, it was a day to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments over the past year. It was also a day for the old PDs to say farewell and for the new PDs to say... “Is this really my JOB?!”

Basically, our house was the happiest place on Earth yesterday. Let’s just hope the joy translates into the classroom on Monday, when we take over the literacy and math programs...

With love,

Jan Margaret