Water balloons...

We helped in Steph's class today.  Well, we refereed.  Sorta.  Their grade brought in the most for a recent food drive; the reward: a kickball game AND they get to throw water balloons at the teachers.  Mother Nature had other plans - on our way to the school this afternoon, the predicted storm was going to beat us to the school...

Joan said, "That looks like a tornado over there - they don't have tornadoes here, do they?"

My response: "Nice haboob."

By the time we got to school, the rain was hitting the windshield and there was a lot of lightning in the area.  No way we are going to be outside with the kids.  Time to punt.

We helped with a project in the class and when it was time for the kickball game, we switched to dodge ball and went to the gym.  I thought every kid understood the whole premise of dodge ball, but there wasn't a lot of strategy happening... more like pandemonium with balls.  OK, that didn't sound proper, but I think you get the gist.  We helped referee... more like crowd control.

The kids were hyped up anyway - today is the last day of classes before spring break.  When it came time for the kids to throw water balloons at the teachers, we had to move outside (can't throw water balloons in the gym... rules, rules, rules).  It was pouring out.  More punting.  We gathered the kids under an overhang - it was a tight fit.  Some of the kids were standing behind the target teacher... I pointed that out before the melee began, but the kids were wired - they didn't care if they got wet.

First up, Carolyn, the third teacher in their team...

As you can see, I couldn't back up enough to get the thrower and throwee in the photo.  Check out the number of kids behind Carolyn... yes, in the direct line of fire.  These are the people who will be taking care of our generation.  Or, perhaps will be in the javelin catching competition in an upcoming Olympics??

Next up: Steph.  Carolyn had done a pretty good job of dodging the incoming fire.  Would Steph fare as well?

Um... no.  The shear volume of the shrieking with all those kids screaming made my ears ring.  No where to go to get away from it, either.  I got a bit wet when one of the kids gripped to hard as he let a water balloon go and it exploded before getting to the teacher.  Collateral damage.

Dan was last.  He egged them on... male bravado.  More shrieking...

He had good moves.  Not so much for the kids behind him; some never saw it coming.

This was a great way for the kids to blow off steam right before break.  I was really glad to not be a bus driver after this.  One of them came to see what all the noise was about... "So, who's gonna calm them down before they get on the bus?"

I told him, "On the bright side, you get a week off, too."

Steph and Dan leave for Kauai really early in the morning.   Us, too, since we'll be taking them to the airport.  Then, we get a "week off," too.  ;-)