Sorry I didn't update my journal!! I've been so busy looking after the kids. Yeah, I got in. I'm so excited to be working with them. Yesterday we made light bulbs with layered bioluminescent sand. The bulbs themselves are a different shade of green for each kid. They look very cool, but the kids couldn't sit still in their hazmat suits. I guess the surprise field trip to Chernobyl I had planned is a bust. Unless they have their guardians sign waivers.

The only thing extremely noteworthy about the competition is that Alice almost got me out. It was like she was targeting me, which I bet she was. No hard feelings Alice, hope you recover soon! Those cuts looked bad.

Also, I realized I'm pretty handy with a sword. I found one in the middle of the competition. They're letting me keep it as a souvenir. Something about it not belonging to the school and they don't know how I got it.

I'm looking forward to working with all the other Minders, especially @Elizabeth Magnolia . I can't wait for an awesome, kind of educational, somewhat hazardous summer!! <3

Everyone states awkwardly. "YOU want to help? Didnt you almost blow up the school? Twice?" "I think youll be pleasently surprised!" I say cheerfully. They scowl down at my resumè trying to find something to critisize at every word. I look around nervously. I really want this. Not for the money, anyone who knows me knows that. They finally stare up at me, in utter shock, it seems. "Wow. This is good. Really good. You start next week. Your being paired with @Annie Sweet." I feel good with joy coursing through my veins. All of the school drama just kinda stopped. Hailey and Sophu made amends. My siblings know and except the fact that i am lesbian. But one thing has stayed the same. I am not the biggest fan of Annie Sweet. She is just so smart and crafty. And im so...not. i always feel like she is bragging whenever she says something. But i am called Sweetie for a reason. I feel anger twinge when i get the news i am going to have to work with her all summer. I take my papers and leave the room, still smiling.

Hey @Sweetie2! I'm so excited to be working with you! The kids sure are a handful, I could use the extra help. I've been saving the Child Groove CD I found for a special occasion, and I think your arrival is just that.

This morning I told the kids you'd be coming, and half of them started opening their mouths to show glowing teeth. I think that's new. I asked them what it was about and they all started laughing. Sometimes being an Adult is no fun. You're always left out of the joke.

Tell me if you have any specific crafts or games in mind. We've been playing four square every day, and I think they're starting to catch on that I don't know any other camp games. See you soon!

Sweetie joined our group today. I tried to give the kids a Talk beforehand. "Alright pals," I said as we were waiting out in the congregation area, "how do we act to our new friend, Sweetie?" Some of the children, whom I shall not name, bared their teeth at me and hissed. Some others laughed, and a few tried to shush the troublemakers. "That is NOT polite y'all. We treat everyone with respect. Now, how are we going to act today?"

"We will be nice to Sweetie," they grumbled. I grimaced. It'd have to do, because just then, she walked in the door. I will admit, I did stare. I know it's rude, but most people in the walls are very short, and Sweetie is... not. That's wonderful, of course. Evolution is amazing. But if I came off as starey, I'm really sorry. Like, really sorry.

Anyway, when she got there she said something to the kids about being their new counselor. They just stared. I cleared my throat but nobody seemed to notice. Then I went up to @Sweetie2. Check her journal for that. But the gist is she had no idea what to do. "It's easy! We just have to do fun crafts and games and stuff with the kids and make sure they don't go home with repressed trauma. Or trauma of any kind. Especially head trauma, they can sue us into the void by the swings and back for head trauma." I was even more anxious now.

"Okay. That sounds right." Sweetie replied, smiling... well... sweetly. Then we rounded up the kids to go play volleyball. It was fun. Sweetie's team won. I still don't really understand the rules, but we had a great time.

After lunch we did cloudwatching. I saw a hot pink one, but as soon as I pointed it out it disappeared. I can tell Sweetie thinks I'm lying about it. I could've just imagined it I guess. It did look suspiciously like a spider nest.

Well, that's pretty much it for today. Read ya later.

I was trying to relax. It's difficult taking care of children, even with Sweetie's help. I didn't realize how many questions they asked!! I try to answer the ones I can, but a lot I just don't know the answer to, or don't know if I should answer.

Like, yesterday Jack asked where I came from. "I'm not sure," I answered. "Where are you from, Jack?" I tried to deflect.

"Why don't you know where you're from? Did you just appear one day?" He was leaning over my turkey sandwich, well into my personal space bubble. I tried taking a big bite of food to buy some time. He waited. I chewed slower. "Well?"

"Something like that. How about we go get a vote on what to do this afternoon?" Success. Jack was distracted. "Ohh!! Yeah!!!! Can I do the votes? I'll be fair!!" He made a strained face, like he was trying extra hard to seem honest.

"Sure. The options are crafts, skating, and watermelon seed spitting competition. You can ask Sweetie if you forget." He ran off to conduct the vote, and I finished my sandwich. All was right.

But it's like that all the time. All waking hours, the kids keep asking me questions about myself, our world leaders, Earth security, human biology, and other things I don't know much about. I haven't played the Child Groove CD for them but I'm THIS close. My fingers are together, by the way. Maybe they'll like it and @Sweetie2 and I can take a break? We'll still have to be physically there, but through meditation you can go ~anywhere~. Or just look at our phones. That's relaxing too.

I know we're not supposed to indulge the fantasies of the young people at Children's Circle, but has anyone been hearing about "Anything Owl?" The kids keep talking about "granting their wishes" but when I ask to play along they change the subject.

@Derrick Frampton hasn't woken up for a week and they think it's a psychic virus he picked up at Children's Circle and I just don't want that to happen to me. So if anybody else has been hearing about "Anything Owl" I think we should all share and spread it around as much as possible. How do we play?

So what really happens with the children?

I’m not sure if this is relevant @Elizabeth Magnolia, but we’re supposed to report any “significant” dreams to the group, so here goes.

I’ve was paired with @Molly P after @Derrick Frampton “fell ill.” You know there are kids from the Wolfen Group there, and they’ve been talking about Anything Owl too. They were having a pretend birthday party and made paper hats that looked like owls. Really showing excellent craft skills.

But last night I ended up having a nightmare that I was at some kid’s birthday party and I remember a big bowl of Cheetos, and @Annie Sweet was there and she was trying to leave the party but this big scary OWL kept flapping its wings and attacking her.

So when didn’t see @Annie Sweet today I thought I should mention it.

I had a similar situation a nightmare where an entity was looking exactly like the character from the movie scream who kills people. And it kept chasing after me attacking. I live in a bad neighborhood anyway so this is a warning.

If you're asking about the craft stuff children make and anything owl it's a fashion trend here: https://www.everythingowl.com/