A, E, Y, O, U. It makes ALL the difference in the world.

During recess today the girls were playing another rousing game of Pretty, Pretty, Princess Ponies.  (Last week I discovered I could easily win this game only if the children wore snow boots, I had a two-minute head start and if I insisted the game last three minutes. They don’t call me teacher for nothing.)

Today two of the participants (English as a Second Language children) ran past me in the middle of the game.   “Oh! Is this Pretty, Pretty, Princess Puppies??? Are you puppies?” I shouted.

Alenka turned and ran back to me. “No!! No, Mrs. Smythe….Abia is a puppy, I am a HYMAN!”

“A WHAT?” I said.

“A HYMAN.  No, a HOOMAN!”  she shouted again.

“Alenka, I think you mean human.  Are you a HUMAN?”

“Oh, yes.   I am a human!” she said as she turned to run away.

Oh sweet Lord in heaven, where has she been hiding all year?