Operation Overboard

232 kids, 15 containers of cornstarch, 7 2L bottles of Diet Pepsi, 5 ocean insights, and 1 large squid only begins to summarize this year's VBS volunteering adventure.

Seriously.

Last week I dove into Operation Overboard with a bazillion kids and only slightly fewer volunteers as the Exploration Station leader.

Translation?
I was in charge of all the science experiments that tied into the week. Yep- I always knew I'd use my biology degree one of these days! Maybe not quite exactly the way that I thought I'd be using it, but apparently I was the only one willing to take on this challenge. Well, not the only one...my fearless co leader from the green team last year VOLUNTEERED to help out with the station. Good thing too because as our experiments didn't turn out as planned just hours before show time, I needed her brain power to revamp the lesson/tie in to our ocean insight of the day. Hey, I was there for the science part- you know, to make a mess and make things explode.

Just like last year, the week proved to be a challenge, especially as the sleep deficit increased with the long commute home each night. The botched experiments, supply shortages, lack of voice, & messes to clean up each day were only magnified with said lack of sleep. Fortunately, each evening while I was chatting with the parents they relayed stories told by their kids which was my motivation to get up the next morning to do it all again. Well, the promise of beer and burgers Friday night after clean up may have aided a tad...

Among the challenges each night I was reminded why I was there...for the kids. The first night was a success- attack of the slime. And yes, I do mean attack! By the end of the night the cornstarch/water mixture was over the tables, chairs, floor, clothes, and kids. Success? You betcha. (By the way, I just checked yesterday and there is cornstarch back on the shelf at the commissary if anyone wanted to know.)

Perhaps the most hilarious part is learning what happens when you ask "what do you think will happen?" to kids age 5-11:

When I add salt to the oil & water, what will happen?
What do you think will happen when raisins go in the soda?
If we shine this black light on this water- what will the water do?

Believe it or not, the answer is the same for all of these questions- it's going to explode!

I think that means in scientific terms:
(H₁): An explosion will be observed no matter what Miss Katie mixes together.
(H₀):  No explosion will be observed when Miss Katie mixes items together.

Needless to say, we were unable to reject the null hypothesis many a times during the week, so I decided that we were going to make something explode on the last night. Of course tying in volcanoes to the ocean insight of "change the world" is easy- volcanoes change the geography- easy enough. Making sure that a 5 year old doesn't leave VBS thinking that s/he will explode if s/he becomes a Christian a little bit of a challenge. Making sure the kids don't have volcano nightmares, even more of a challenge!

Luckily living here in volcano central most of them realize that not all volcanoes spew out lava. Of course that didn't stop a 3 year old from telling me "don't touch the lava, you'll die" after our baking soda and vinegar volcano. So naturally I had to put my finger in the soapy red suds to prove him wrong to which he responded "oh, it's fake lava!" Someone give the kid a gold star.

Some of the other memorable kids' quotes from this week were:

Oh, I stand corrected.
The raisins can't make up their minds!
Tigers are my favorite ocean animal.
(When asked about their Bible story time) Once upon a time there was a princess...

By closing on Friday night, a little sticky from exploding Diet Pepsi/Menthos volcanoes all night (don't you dare waste Diet Coke on such things!), it was great seeing all the kids perform for their parents. And yes, despite not being a Dive Guide this year, some of the girls from the purple team insisted that I get up there to perform Undignified. Funny how long that song seems when you're up there flapping your arms like a chicken and realize far too many of your coworkers are in the audience. Oh well- it's all for the kids right?

Clean up was a breeze with our relocation to outside for the last night and before too long we were on our way for the VBS tradition of beer and burgers. And let me tell you, that beer was fabulous!

Oh and I'm going to throw it out there now, because it's going to take lots of applicants to find a Tanya replacement for next year---who wants to be my co leader?  I can't promise we won't have many hiccups along the week. I definitely can't promise that the kids will listen. I can't even promise what we'll be doing. BUT I can promise there will be a burger and beer waiting for you on Friday night in celebration of another successful WEEK-O-VBS!

It's Showtime!

Well, in yesterday's post I already mentioned how I have a natural affinity for Fridays but this Friday was super fabulous because it was day 5 of VBS. Although VBS has been a blast and I'm 95% sure I'll be volunteering again next year, this week has been exhausting. I think I left all my energy in the sanctuary during out final performance/closing and then switched to "survival mode" while we cleaned up but let's start at the beginning.

(Water ripple fade out)

Today's dress theme was black and white, so my green team became little panda bears. We were down a few kids (only had 23!) but they were our super stars. The first stop of the day (crafts) was a blast- we all (and I do mean all) made our headbands which we proudly wore the rest of the evening. The kids also made slap bracelets, but they just weren't the same quality of the ones we had growing up as us "adults" talked about.

Games were "eh." As the kids ran wild in between catching the volleyball and then throwing it back over one of my leaders and I started talking about how we just may need to organize games next year. Um yeah. We're already thinking about next year.

Dinner was again the highlight of the evening- complete with Super-Fly and Koko, the flying monkey brothers. Two of the kids on our team brought their space monkeys that also fly to have a fly off with them after we were done eating. I'm telling you, those flying monkeys were one of the highlights of the week and I found myself laughing way more than I should while eating dinner because of the main guy's dinner entertainment.

Story time was the least entertaining it had been all week- no tunnels to crawl through, no water raining down on us, no fish smells. We did hear about how he once killed a snake for his wife though by cutting off its head. I'm still not 100% sure how that linked into the main story of Adam and Eve...but that could be due to the bathroom trips that interrupted my story time.

Then we headed off to the chapel for our last minute prep before the 730 show time. After storming the stage (just like how they were told NOT to do) they did it properly and sang just loud enough to be heard on the balcony. I was such a proud mama panda bear and although none of the kids were mine, I just realized that in another life maybe I could have a kid that age right now. I also realized something bad- I just may be a stage mom. The leaders of Green Team unanimously decided (without actually discussing this with each other) that the kids and the kids alone were going to take the stage. Instead, we all sat where the kids could see us and made sure they were smiling, singing loud enough, and remembering all of their hand motions.

After the last kid was signed out, the sanctuary and other rooms used during the week transformed back to their "plain, boring" spaces, no longer taking us through China. My one leader that stayed around till the end and I then marched on over to the restaurant on base (headbands and all) for a well deserved adult dinner and beer. One of my buddies at the front desk loved our look, although he looked a little scared. You think by now they would know to expect anything from me- work attire, workout clothes, my post-4am run look, the same panda shirt for 5 days, so really? A ninja headband really should be no surprise. The best part was that there were a few VBS families also there and their kids got a big smile over the fact that we too were still wearing out headbands. (I'm already thinking it's going to my part of my mud run outfit in a few weeks...)

So yeah, VBS 2011 is officially done. I'm super happy that I decided to volunteer my time, because it was a great time and I not only some amazing kids (that I may see on my soccer team in the fall or at Girl Scout events) but also met some fabulous adults. It was completely worth the long hours I put in the week and being told a few times that I looked tired.

"You are all around me. You are behind me and in front of me. You hold me in your power." -Psalm 139:5

Day Four: God Loves You No Matter What

And it happens to be your favorite team day for the kids. Well, I had to chuckle in the prep for today and yes, I may have changed the message of the day to read something like: Katie loves the SF Giants no matter what. True, last year it was pretty easy to love them but there were a lot (like more than I've been alive) years full of let downs and even last year they were tough to love at times but as a fan that bleeds orange and black you can't help but love them regardless.

My other spin on the message was "God loves you no matter what....Unless you're a Dodgers' fan." Yeah, I didn't think that one was too kid friendly either so it stayed in my head. Let's just say I was happy to see some Giants and A's gear on my kids and in the other teams.

So our group started off small but by the end of the kick off- all 26 were there. We were craft rock stars and finished up super early and headed out to the lawn to play our Panda Blast Games. Tonight's game involved a relay of water filled sponges. My team (yes, I ran anchor again) won 2 of 4 rounds...but not the one we needed to win to pick the next game. The team who did that decided that Sponge- Duck-Duck-Goose was the best bet. So yeah, that's what we played. Duck-Duck-Goose this version basically ended up with the water being squeezed on top of your head when you're the goose. Um my hair is still wet....3 hours later. But it's all for the kids- right?

The rest of the night was better than yesterday. I don't know if that's because my group sits in the back so the other volunteers and parents help with crowd control or what but I'll take it. Tomorrow should be cake with the parents there to watch us perform and also with even more of my kids gone due to vacations.

I guess I need to practice just a tad more before that performance. I'll work on it when I drive out to MdP for the inspection. Yep, tomorrow is my last way busy day for a while so I figure why not hang out with my unofficial "team leader" after our official duties as volunteers wrap up. Alright time to go debrief and recharge...

Green Team Alpha Out.

Day Three: More than 1/2 Way!

Phew. It's the half way point and I'm feeling like I'm on already tapping into my reserve energy. This morning when my alarm went off and I had to get up to walk across the room to turn it off I swear to you all that I started to sing "Wild About You." Yep. Even at o'way dark thirty I can't escape this song. I guess it's part of being a leader- it takes over but that's when you have the most fun! 

At any rate after one of my oh so famous discussions in my head this morning I realized that I really didn't have the energy to stay up and run. Back to bed I went and continued to sleep...a tad later than I should have. Oh well, I made it to work...eventually. None of us were swamped with work so we had fun chatting in between tasks. I honestly think that my coworker thinks I'm going to be his assistant coach for soccer in the fall. He didn't seem to buy the argument that I need to hang out with people my own age rather than little kids and their parents. In fact my "no baggage" motto was thrown back at me in rebuttal. The work day didn't really fly by but my problematic traveler that I know some of you heard about earlier this week struck again. Of course we didn't know this until 15 minutes before I had to leave and when we couldn't get a hold of him. (Isn't it refreshing to read that this nonsense doesn't only happen at NPS?)
  
Then it was time for VBS. I was ambushed walking across the courtyard by one of the little girls. She could move in her yellow rain boots. No it wasn't raining but she likes her boots.

Apart from a few behavior issues tonight we did well. It's amazing how just by participating with them how many issues can be resolved. For that reason I made a paper person (she's not done yet though since I was still helping the kids), ran anchor for my relay team, had them practice our song while waiting for dinner, had them play "Katie Says" when we had some time to kill, and yes, did the chicken dance during Undignified. It's totally worth it to see them laugh and mimic. My helpers did a good job too but they just don't seem to want to have as much fun. I guess they are saving it all for Friday?

So although I'm super tired and am pretty much resigned to the fact that I'm not going to get any workouts in this week I've decided it's all worth it. When else can I sit by a tree trying to figure out what was wrong with one of the little boys? Turns out he was looking for a bug to take home. When else can I  let the kids eat their Rice Crispy Treat before their nuggets? And you should have seen the looks I got from the adults...don't put dessert on the table with the main meal I was going to do the same thing- the kids just beat me to it.

At any rate, it was another successful night but now it's time to get caught up with real life...like putting away laundry and washing dishes.


"Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." - Psalms 139:12

It's All Connected

It never ceases to amaze me how various aspects of my life will all of a sudden crash into each other when they seem like they are the most opposite things ever. Well, today was another "in your face Katie" kind of day. 

Today was thankfully a slow start morning- my pre-contract appointment was at 8 so that was my first official place to be. Are you confused about all these apartment viewings, going in to make an appointment, pre-contract appointments, inspections, contracting signing? Don't worry. I always just tell them what the last step I completed was and they tell me what's next. But seriously, it's complicated. I have to share the following from an email from my dad because although it's super ridiculous, it pretty much sums it all up:

OK, so I confess I am a bit confused.  You said you signed your "pre-contract" today.  But I don't remember you reporting signing the "preliminary-pre-contract".  And before you sign "The Contract" don't you have to sign the "post-pre-contract" and then The Contract then the post-post contract?

(Yes dad- I did laugh over that one.)

So at any rate Enzo convinced the inspector from the housing office to inspect my house on Friday since he'll already be in MdP. Yay Enzo! I actually think he was worried about his vacation which starts on the 18th (and the housing office is closed M-W next week for Italian holidays). I don't care- we got what we wanted! Well, pushing our luck he asked if we could also schedule the contract signing for the 25th or 26th. My vote of course is the 25th since I check out the morning of the 26th. That was a no go...even when we asked the supervisor of Enza, the contracting person we were meeting with. Oh well. Enzo assured both her and I that this place will pass Friday's inspection.

Off I go- happy that I not only signed the pre-contract but also got the inspection scheduled this week. Okay, getting to sleep in and having a chat session with home probably played into that a bit too but the housing situation is what's been keeping me up at night so it was nice to have progress (no matter how little) after 2 weeks.

Fast forward to me sitting in the chapel waiting for my amazing Green Team chatting with one of my assistants and one of the other volunteers. They too are currently going though this process and decided to rain on my parade by saying that houses never pass the first inspection. Well big boo. I'm still keeping my optimism though...I feel like the inspection of Friday was already a huge win so I'll just see how everything else plays out. And besides, I didn't have time to worry about it...kids starting pouring into the chapel and I quickly realized that without their name tags I have no idea who they are!

We made panda face drums & kazoos. (And couldn't wait for parents to sign their kids out.)

We played red light green light where I dominated. Although we played by doing the crab walk, the whole concept of "green, yellow, and red" are beginning to fade here in Italy...so I may have still moved forward when red was called? The kids did the same though and I still won but it was pretty close.

At dinner my team was so polite and quiet compared to the screaming blue team that passed us in the stair well. Seriously. My team was asked to perform the theme song for the kitchen crew but since that seems to be the "I need to use the bathroom" stopping point the performance was cancelled this evening. Maybe after our meal of chicken nuggets tomorrow they will be ready. Tonight's kid friendly dinner had my plate looking rather brown/tan/yellow - apple slices, grilled cheese, graham crackers, oranges.Where's the green stuff?

And then there was story time. We learned about King Ahab and Jezebel and as soon as marriage was mentioned, my up then pretty quiet room erupted in "ewwwwws" and a ton of laughter. I guess the ATP kicked in and my little troopers started acting like 5-7 year olds again.

Off to singing time we sang How Great Thou Art about 10 times with hand motions. My little curly haired 4 year old (who we later thought went missing but I guess just wanted to sit with the red team?) had a great time spreading her arms out for the "thy pow'r throughout, the universe displayed" portion. I had to turn my head to hide my reaction when one of the teen leaders asked the kids what "How Great Thou Art" meant followed by a "that's really really old English."

Closing was challenging yet again. After 3 hours of being together and it's late for some of them (yes, and me) kids start getting a little out of control. One of my instigators won't be there the rest of the week so hopefully it will be bit easier...maybe? I just wanted to sing and dance to the songs stuck in my head 24/7 at this point but even my ridiculous dance moves (I swear that's what we're going for, I just have a natural knack for it) can't get the kids back into it once they've lost focus.

At any rate, today's theme was God Listens to Me! (See? It's all connected.) I firmly believe this and although I often find we're not on the same time table, He hasn't let me down. I often tease that this job offer was nothing short of Divine Intervention...seriously if that other offer came through I'd be writing you from Mississippi right now. Ick. Don't throw this back in my face later on, but I'm pretty sure I'll take Naples on its worst day any time over Stennis.

"Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." -Psalm 139:4

Let the Good Times Roll!

Well, it's here----my crazy long week where I go to work for 8 hours and then volunteer for 4 hours as I serve as the Green Team Leader for VBS.

Is it going to be a blast? You betcha!

Am I going to let the original Katie O. (as in the pre-schooler version when I first was dubbed Katie O.) out? Oh yeah.

Is it going to be a caffeine filled week? Oh you better believe it.

Training happened over the weekend and although admittedly I've been out of the VBS circuit for some years but this one was unique. How so? Well we talked about security threat procedures. Granted we are in a foreign country, on a US military base but it just caught me off guard. Oh well, if my Girl Scout days taught be anything it was to be prepared.

As previously mentioned we're using the Panda Mania curriculum so it's a panda filled week. No problem for this panda lover! Check out my awesome shirt that not only did I make, but I get to wear all week! Yeah, I really should have made two.... but he has freckles just like I do. The panda (without ears, but with freckles) is on the front and the "God is Wild About Me!" is on the back.

Give me another day and I'll be able to sing and perform with hand motions the theme song "Wild About Us." Hey- just cause I'm able to, doesn't mean I will. Eh, who am I kidding? I've already caught myself humming the tune and it's only day one. Spend any amount of time with me and you'll hear it.

Sorry. It is rather catchy! I should be working more on the hand motions for the leaders' performance of Undignified for Friday. Again, such a shame that so many of you are located in the United States and unable to make that performance.

My team grew (as in almost doubled) since the roster I saw on Saturday, but I also got 2 more assistants so that's good. My kids are awesome and I'd say 80% of them are 5. How do I know this? One of our games tonight was to see how old everyone was. Let me tell you...28 has never felt so old! Also during this game I realized that not many 5 year olds know their middle name...I guess they never get in trouble?

There were a few tears when kids realized their friends weren't in our same group or when parents left but nothing the tackiest green paper umbrella couldn't make better. (I'm just so glad I don't have to carry that around as the leader of the group!)

My fingers were painted while I held a stencil down with each hand while tables of 2 painted their shirts. The kids teased me since I had paint on me but they didn't have much on them...I wonder how that happened.

The girls out number the boys probably 1:3 so when we sing our theme song that breaks into two parts, I help the boys out. They will do the hand motions and try to be heard over the girls!!!

The little boy who prayed over our oh-so-kid-friendly meal of hotdogs and tots prayed for good tasting food. It's so hard not to laugh when you're not expecting it to be voiced but secretly hoping the same thing. 

During story time, when asked for different types of bears I was the one in the back feeding answers to the kids. It's not cheating...the koala, kodiak, and the sun bear all need to be known! Oh and I even kept my mouth shut with we were supposedly listing types of fish yet some of the following answers were accepted : whales, dolphins, jellyfish, seahorses. Who is teaching these kids science?!?

I've got twin girls that are adorable that with 2 other non related girls seem to always be by my side. There are two brothers 4.5 and 6 that are so cute and are always sticking together.

By 7:30 some of the kids were looking pretty sleepy. I was trying my best to keep the energy going but my reserve fuel was almost gone. One little girl asked if it was midnight. I told her no, but checked my watch just to make sure.

After one last round of Big House (aka the touchdown song) I was more than ready to get out of the marble floored, high ceiling, kid filled sanctuary and into some quiet even though tonight was a blast and it brought back a ton of RCP memories. I figure I've got 4 more days of this so it's probably time to get to sleep and get ready for the repeat tomorrow...

And oh yeah. If this post seems like a million times happier than the last two it's because it is. I'm still dealing with a lot of σκύβαλα (skubala) but nothing like getting a letter from one my little girls (Keiry) and watching 160+ kids sing, dance, and just have a blast to put things in perspective. I'll still be an adult when I have to this week, but I think I'm going to act more like a kid when I can...why let the small stuff bog me down?

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139:14