‍The Continuation Of Part Thirty-Eight

‍"Um.......Lyosha could I borrow some of your almonds?" He gave me a curious look, before he replied, "That is an odd question, but sure you can."  I let out a sigh of relief , and had a sip of my iced  tea, before he asked me a question. "How much do you need?" I said, "Oh , I just need enough to make three fourths of a cup." He said, "All right, I will just put some almonds in a baggie for you, just remind me before we leave."   I smiled and replied, "Thank you."  He grinned and said, "You're welcome." Then, we continued to eat in  silence, until he asked me another question. "So, have you found a  ballet partner yet?" I laughed, and I should have known that this question would come up again.  I just played with the drinking straw in  my glass, and I swirled my iced tea around with it.  He just  watched me continue to play with my drink, while I tried to think of a  way to answer his question once and for all, without giving my secret  away. He was waiting as patiently as he could, then he said,  "Well....."  I said, "Well, No. I haven't, my dance instructor was going to ask some one for me, I don't know anything else." "I  mean she has not told me this person's answer yet, so I don't know."  I took another sip of my iced tea, and I hoped that my answer satisfied him.  However, I almost choked on my tea, when he asked, "Were you too shy to ask this person yourself?"
 
I put my glass down, and  coughed into my napkin. I knew that I couldn't reply to his question, because if I did, he would know that I was the one , that needed a
 partner. The only fact that he did not know, was that it was Anna's ide , and not mine. I quickly thought to myself, Well do I come clean? Or do I just continue trying to hide the fact, that it has been me all along? He just continued to talk about it, after he saw how uncomfortable his first question made me feel. "Because, a dance instructor has asked me on behalf of a shy student, that was new to the class."  After I heard that, I knew that it was going to be pointless to keep the truth from him.
 
 Especially when he said, "I wanted to help, but I did not want to give my answer to the dance instructor , I wanted the shy student to ask me."  I just giggled nervously, and I picked up all of  the dishes that I could carry. He followed closely behind me into the  kitchen, and said, "Just ask me, and I will tell the dance instructor ,  my answer, after I tell you what my answer is." I rinsed the  dishes, and just tried to keep busy, but he would not give up. He was  being just as stubborn in his pursuit. Then, I finally said, "It was Anna's idea, I liked it, but I also thought it was crazy. She still went  through with it, and told Nadia only what I agreed to." "While , I was on my trip, Nadia agreed to ask you."  He said, "That's nice, but it was not what I wanted to hear." I laughed, and replied, "Fine. I am that shy student , it was me all along, and I need a partner for my ballet class this summer, and I only want you to be my partner." 
 

"So, will  you please be my partner in ballet class?"  He just smiled, and looked at my red cheeks, while I looked at the floor. Then, his hand  lifted my chin , until I was looking into his eyes. We stood there in  the kitchen, completely motionless, with only silence between us. Then, he broke that silence when he said, "Yes. I would love to be your ballet partner." "I don't want to think about you dancing with anyone else." I grinned, before he gave me a kiss. I returned his kiss, before  he asked me,  "Now  was that so hard?" I replied, "Yes. It was."  He  laughed, and I said, "Don't ask me why it was either, because I don't honestly know." He laughed, and I finished cleaning up the kitchen . I also looked at the time, and we decided that he should have started heading back to the preschool. Before we left though, he gave me a plastic baggie filled with almonds. I gave him a kiss that was filled with my gratitude.  Then he said, "Oh you forgot your flowers."  I  said, "Yes. I did." He asked me, " Do you want to take them home now?"  I thought about it, and I decided to tell him that if he wouldn't mind bringing them later when he picked me up, that I would appreciate it, if he did very much. He agreed, and I told him that I did not want to take the flowers back to work with me.

To Be Continued

 ‍The Conclusion Of Part Thirty-Eight

He said, "No problem ."  Then, he walked out into the afternoon 's sunshine with me, and we drove back to the preschool. When, I returned to the  classroom, Anna asked me if I had a nice lunch. I was relieved, that she did not ask me anything else. I smiled, and told her that I did. Then,  my focus turned to the children , until it was time for them to get ready to go . Once the children, were safely on their way home, Anna asked me if I would like to go out to eat, before our class.

 I  liked her idea, and I let her know that I would really enjoy eating  dinner out, before our class. I waved to her, as she left the parking lot, and then Lyosha arrived to pick me up.  I quickly got into his car, and he handed me my flowers.  Then, he told me that he would let my dance instructor would know his answer that day. I said, "I will act surprised, so that it can still be our secret arrangement." He replied, "Good  idea." Then, I kissed him, and thanked him , before he pulled up to my building. He said, "You are welcome , Sweet Suz. " I gave him one more kiss, before I hopped out, and went up to my floor, where I tenderly replaced the dead, wilted, flowers with the new beautiful pink blooms .
 

To Be Continued  
‍

Part Thirty- Nine
Looking Forward To What's Ahead

 
 After I replaced the wilted pink roses, with the fresh ones I decided to move the vase to a spot that allowed a little more sunlight.  Then, I greeted Petie , and I got ready for the ballet  class.  I also made sure that the video tapes ,  I had borrowed from Nadia were ready to be returned, in the same condition I found them in, before Anna called me , and asked me if I would like to grab a bite with her before our class.  I thanked her for her offer, which I gladly accepted.
 
 
 A little while later, she arrived and I smiled, before I  greeted my friend.  She asked me, "Are you ready to go?" I grabbed my bag, and the video tapes, along with my purse, before I replied, "Yep, let's go."  Then, I yelled, "See you later, Petie !"  He chirped a response back to me, before I shut and locked my door. On the way out to Anna's car, we talked about our plans for the upcoming summer, she could not wait to take figure skating lessons.  I just reminded her that I was also going to look for a summer job.    
 
  Then, we talked about where we should eat, until we both agreed that Taco Bell sounded great.  We went inside, and I ordered a soft taco combo meal complete
 with nachos , and cinnamon twists.  While we ate, she asked me questions about the kind of summer job I was hoping to get.  I told her, that I  honestly hadn't really thought about the kind of job I wanted to get. 

  So, we talked about the types of jobs we had before, and I listened  to her talk about a job she had working at a stable with horses, and she noticed that I could not hide the smile on my face, but she changed the subject over to an idea Sandra had. I smiled again, when she told me  that Sandra really liked my idea about the caterpillars.  Then, I asked  her, "Really?"  Anna smiled, and said, "Yeah , she did, because she  called me after school today."    
 
  "She wanted both of us to know that she is going to order some caterpillars, and these caterpillars will become monarch butterflies, that we will release back into the wild."  I just grinned , as she explained that it would be  a good way to start . "It would be a way to teach the children, how to care for another living thing, and how to be gentle, and to use soft  hands, then, they can also learn about some of the cycle of life, and  how to let go and say goodbye , with the understanding that it is the  best thing for living creatures, to be returned to the wild." 
 
 I nodded my head , because I had learned about those concepts , they are  very important for children to understand, and the children would also  learn and understand how to value nature, and the importance of giving  back. Anna went on , and talked about how the children could also learn  about the  responsibility in taking care of a pet, by helping the  caterpillars develop , as they became butterflies.  I loved the idea,  and I said, "Count me in."  Anna said in reply, "Great ." 
 
 Once we were finished eating, we went to ballet class, and I gave Nadia her video tapes.  She thanked me , and gave me a wink, I knew what her wink at me meant.  So, I gave her a knowing smile, before I joined Anna.   Then, Nadia had us warm up, and stretch at the bars, before we got  started.  She also reminded us that Wednesday was going to be our last  dance class.  She also told us that she was very proud of us, and we had a few minutes to congratulate one another, on our successful completion.  Then, she gave us a demonstration of each step , before we attempted them on our own.
 
 We all practiced a Dessous, Efface Efface , and the Ecarte , however I was really two excited about the class being over, so I did not pay attention to her explanations.  I just followed her examples and danced the best that I could.  Once the class was over, Nadia gave me the next  video, and I returned the videos to her. While Anna visited with her  friends, Nadia talked to me about the arrangement , and she let me know that I had a partner, before she gave me another wink.  I gave her another smile, then Anna drove me back to my apartment, where I spent  some time in my room with Petie, as I read more of the book that I  was currently reading, before I went to sleep looking forward to what's  ahead.  

To Be Continued

Part Forty
 Going From Butterflies, To Nature, And Then Onto Ballet
 
 Wednesday morning , was another very busy one , that was filled with excitement  over caterpillars, butterflies, and just nature in general .  During our group time together, Sandra told the children about the caterpillars she ordered ,and about how we would be taking care of them.  Their little faces lit up, and then we spent time outside in the bright  sunshine, while we looked for caterpillars, and butterflies.  We also talked about ways we could attract more butterflies.
 
 The children thought of a feeder, and Sandra told them, that we would look into it.  Bethany also thought that more flowers might attract  the butterflies.  So, we all talked about the colors of flowers that we needed  to plant.  Anna also thought that the butterflies would like a fountain with clean water to drink. Christy liked that idea, and she added that the birds would love some water too. While the children were  being picked up, their parents listened as they eagerly talked about  their day.
 
 Then, our afternoon group shared the same enthusiasm, and they contributed their own ideas to our growing project, that was  aimed at helping out the wildlife around us.  The majority of the children expressed the need for humming bird feeders.  Alexandria also  thought that our local birds would enjoy having some bird feeders.  So,  Sandra asked the children for a few ideas, on how we could make our own bird feeders. I told them about a recipe , that had for making bird dough, that I had picked up during my time with family in the Nature Center at Pokagon State Park.  I also mentioned, about an activity where some toddlers helped me make bird feeders with pine cones.
 
 So,they came up with more ideas , before they went home.  Sandra was amazed and very pleased, with how the children's interest in caring  for the animals had expanded.  Anna and I were really happy about it  too, and Sandra gave us an assignment to go to the library, and find as  many books as we could, along with any other source of information, that we could provide for the children.  Anna and I accepted her request, and we went to the local library, where we spent hours searching for books. Then, we found books about flowers, butterflies, birds, bird  feeders, and even one on how to make our school yard habitat, along with other books about how to plant seeds, and trees that were helpful to our local environment. 
 
 When we  left the library, we just had enough time to grab a quick bite to eat, before we attended our final night of ballet class.  Then at that class, we all tried to concentrate, and we gave Nadia our best effort. She had a few more steps to demonstrate before our big review.  We all learned the Dedans en, Dehors en, cou de pied sur le, and the Retire.  Then, we put all of the steps together for her until, we were reminded of when our next class would start in June, and then we were dismissed.
 
 After Anna dropped me off, I just got ready for bed, because I was  very tired, but I did take some time to answer Alexei's phone call.  He just wanted to know how my day was, and he forgave me when I almost fell asleep during our conversation about everything that the children did  with us.  He understood that I was just worn out after going from butterflies, to nature, and then onto ballet.  He wished me a peaceful night's rest, then I gave Petie a good night kiss, before I went to  sleep, and relaxed my mind by dreaming about other things that did not involve butterflies, nature, or ballet. 

To Be Continued

Part Forty-One
 Then It Was Time For Thursday's Ideas And Plans
 
 
 On Thursday morning I still felt tired, but I got up and got ready for work.  Tatiana picked me up, and she had to wake me up when we arrived at the  preschool.  I apologized for falling asleep, even though she was just concerned .  I told her about the hustle and bustle of activity from the day before.  She let me know that she understood, and she told me to  have a good day.  I grinned, and told her the same, before she reminded me that she would be the one picking up that afternoon.  I thanked her,  and walked into the building. 
 
 When I walked slowly into the room, Anna greeted me , and  I just gave her a grin for my reply.  Then,she had me help her arrange the books, magazines, and the other sources of information on each table, along with each of our learning areas.   When Sandra came in, she instantly smiled at us and said, "You ladies  did a fantastic job, and I also have some special guests lined up, and  some ideas for local field trips."  So, before the children arrived, we  had a meeting, where she shared her ideas.  Sandra told us, that she was going to have all of us go to LOWE'S, as a class.  We would  buy flowers, and seeds to grown our own flowers, along with picking out  materials for building our own bird feeders.  Then, the children would  help us pick out some hummingbird feeders.  Anna also shared the books  we found, and Sandra was filled with more excitement.
 
 After Anna was finished sharing, Sandra eagerly told us about the employee from a  local state park, who would be coming in to help us with building our  bird feeders.  Then, after our meeting, our dolphins came along , and  after our group time, they all walked over to the books, and told us  ideas that they had.  Before, I knew it, I was too busy to feel tired,  and the morning went fast as we all explored the newly hatched ideas,  that the pictures and simple suggestions provided.  Sandra decided to
 tell the parents about the trip that each class would be taking.  The parents were very supportive, and some of them offered to go along. She also let them know that our first trip would be on next Monday.
 
 Our whales were equally excited about the trip , they could not wait until  the trip, and to pick out flowers, seeds, and the feeders for the  humming birds.  Then Christopher reminded us about our plan to have a fountain.  Sandra thanked him, and she assured him that we would look  for a fountain, or maybe even a bird bath, at the store next Monday.   After hearing about the trip, the children went to look at the books,  and they even took things a step further when they drew a picture on the big piece of paper provided. Their picture shared their ideas on where the bird feeders should go, and the best place to plant the flowers.   They also explained why they thought the areas they picked were the  best.  Anna was very impressed, and she let them know that she was very  proud of them.
 
 I was enjoying all of the activities, but I also  wondered when Sandra was going to bring up the class pet.  So, I asked  Anna what she thought, after the children had gone home.  Anna thought  that Sandra could be observing the children and their interest in  animals.  She also added that Sandra may also be building up to it.  I  thought that what Anna said sounded like a real possibility, and I  was satisfied with her answers, so I just left the details about the  class pet up to Sandra.  I had to trust her, and allow her to bring the  subject up when the time was right.  Then, we straightened up the room, and put the chairs up on the tables , before we left for the day. 
 
 On the way home, I told Tatiana about all of the ideas that were taking  shape in our classroom.  She thought that the children were wonderful,  for being so caring , and willing to help out the animals in their  environment.  I smiled, and then I laughed when she also mentioned that  she knew I was ready for a nap. I told her that I was happy ballet was  over, and that I was planning on having a relaxing evening at home. Before she dropped me off, she told me to rest and relax.  I smiled and said,
 "Don't worry, I will."  Then, after another wave from me, she drove off, and I retreated to my room.  While in my room, I greeted Petie, kicked  off my shoes, and laid on my bed for a nice, long, well deserved  nap. After my nice nap, I ate my dinner , and watched my favorite shows  on the television.  Then, I fell asleep again, so I pulled myself away  from the comfortable couch, got ready for bed.  I went to sleep and then it was time for Thursday's ideas and plans to finally be put to rest.  
 
  

To Be Continued