the boys sometimes melt me....

a few days ago it happened once. i thought it was a sporadic event, but it made a reappearence today and is killing me so i had to share! i hope it translates well via interweb blogging :)

the boys are learning English at a very fast rate. i'm not surprised at all.
but, they still have so much
yet to learn.

they've mastered "toilet, please bekah" when they need to go to the restroom.
but they have realized i won't always let them go to the bathroom in the school house.

i know, i know, i'm a terrible teacher.
but when i'm alone with them, i can't leave 5 to roam outside while i take the one inside.
and by trial (and error!) learned that if i let one go inside alone, a wonderful hot mess will await me when i do go inside.

so i've sorta started letting the boys go behind a tree outside if its just me and them. ahhh its so shameful to admit this online, but i need you to understand where their thinking is coming from to appreciate what they now do...

so back to the story....

they know they won't be allowed to use the toilet inside, but i guess perfect decided to use his little naughty mind because next thing i know he's saying:

"bekah, bekah, THIS one. this one, toilet, bekah. this one"

now, just imagine everytime he said "this" he smacked himself on the butt. hahahahhaahah
he's so stinkin cute its funny. i love how they have used the little English they have to communicate their needs to me. its adorable...

also, you know (if your a parent or teacher) that it is way harder to be the one disciplining then the child. it hurts us more and costs us more. its so difficult to be steady and consistent and dang it, i hate punishing the boys.
but its necessary. the kids respond SO much better with checks and balances and it just allows the day to be cohesive and flow.
they really are wonderful 90% of the time, but sometimes they are a little to aggressive or just outright naughty.

well, today i had to spank one of the boys. it was awful because he wouldn't admit he lied.
(normally the boys are quick to admit their guilt. somehow in my mind it makes it easier).
well, he instantly broke down into little sobs and just cried "sorry bekah....sor-sor-sorrry bekah" over and over.
it made me cry too...
it was so repentant and sorrowful and i just engulfed him in one long hug.
its so hard for me to know if i am getting across to them the idea of repenting and restoration. i try so hard to communicate via my actions that "this is bad" but once they know that, to let them know "but, you are ok. you are good" you aren't bad, just your behavior. its so hard when they don't fully understand what i'm saying......
sigh....
they can be so naughty in moments but their little emotive tears just melt me.