When in doubt, ask someone under the age of ten.

I've been askedby many people how I handle the awkwardness of teaching 24 small people every day with a growing belly. Can't they tell I'm pregnant?

Actually, when I found out I was pregnant, I told them. There's some things little people have to know . . . especially when you're the PE teacher! For example, don't throw things at Mrs. McDonald's tummy, if Mrs. McDonald acts super grouchy, she is sick or tired from growing a person, and if Mrs. McDonald runs out of class, it is a bathroom emergency and take out a book and read in your seat until she gets back.

Every week they like an update about how big the baby is, what it feels like in there, and what we will name it. Whenever I see a mom, they want to look at my tummy and tell me they hear baby updates from their little one all the time. They don't ask the "how did you get a baby inside" question because this is Utah and they all have baby brothers and sisters. They know some version or another. They do silly things though.

More than once a kids has walked into class, stood with their hands on hips and said, "Wow, Mrs. McDonald. I can tell your baby is getting big because you look way fatter."

One day, after drawing the six-inch baby on the board for them, one little girl got super excited and started flapping her hands next to my tummy. "Where is it, where is it?!?" she yelled. I pointed to where it was. She hugged it and then hollered, "I love you baby!" Then she realized she'd just made a scene and clpped her hands over her mouth, giggling with the rest of the class. "I'm sorry. I just got so excited I couldn't help it!" she explained.

Another day the students were in the hallway hanging up coats and backpacks. A little girl said, not knowing I could hear, "I wonder how Mrs. McDonald GOT pregnant anyway." A boy answered, "I'm pretty sure it was something she ate."

These things I find HILLARIOUS.