Getting back to life

I went back to work on Monday. After 9 long weeks of not working, it was a little tough to wake up and get ready by 7 am. Of course, it was all worth it for the million hugs I received when I got back to work. Of course I missed my friends tremendously, and it is so nice to spend lunches chatting, and gossiping a bit too. Of course, what absolutely made my day was the kids' reactions.
It started when I stopped to unlock the front door to the portable, and I heard this scream from the playground behind me, "Ms. Allison is here!" followed by a huge run to a hug. Then the next little one came to the door with a GIGANTIC grin, and a "Hi!"
Once the kids started coming in the classroom, it was all smiles and hugs, and everyone wanted to me to play with them. The day was really crazy, and tons of fun!
I was only sad to find out that two of the little ones would not be in for a while. Sadly, one little girl's sister is super sick, and we don't know when she'll be back. The other little one is one of my favorites. I had her sister last year in first grade, and this year, we have become really close. I was told she wouldn't be back until the middle of March. I was crushed when I got to school on Monday and found out on Monday that she wouldn't be there.
Imagine my surprise when her father popped his head in at 11:30 today and had little missed one in tow!! They are back from the States! At first, she was super-shy, which was so surprising, because she is such a strong girl. Then, as I was walking her out to the playground, she whispered, "I really, really missed you, Ms. Allison." Oh, melt. So sweet and so adorable. When I got back in to the room, her dad told me that he was so happy that I was back because they had to hear every night how sad school was without me.
Today, the world was whole, our class is almost all together again, and I feel good.