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Today in 5th grade band class…

Me (to Girl Flute Player): You’ve made such progress! When I came back from maternity leave, you were still struggling with fingerings, and now you can play with fluency! ["Fluency" has been our 5th grade band buzzword ever since Girl Percussion Player said, and I kid you not, "I can PLAY it, I just can't play it with any fluency!"]

Girl Flute Player: Thanks. I’ve been practicing.

Boy Trumpet Player: Materniwhat??

Me: When I had the baby

Boy Trumpet Player: Huh??

Other Girl Flute Player: You know, when she had the baby, and she took off for a while.

Boy Trumpet Player: OH! [knowingly] To breastfeed.

All Girls in Class: BOY TRUMPET PLAYER!!! (actually, they said his real name).

Me: Well, that’s part of it, but having a baby is so much work that people usually take a little time off to get adjusted.

Boy Trumpet Player: Oh. Your face is red.

Other Girl Flute Player: So is yours.