3. Picking out Valentimes!

3/Picking Out Valentimes! The valentimes box turned out very beautiful! After it was finished, Mrs. passed out lists for us to take home. The lists had the names of all the children in Room Nine. "There are eighteen children in our class," said Mrs. "So that means that everyone needs to bring eighteen valentines." I raised my hand. "Do we bring valentimes for ourselves, too?" I asked her. "Well, no," she said. "I mean there's no rule against it, I suppose. But valentines are really supposed to be given to others." She thought for a second.

"Oops. I guess that means I made a mistake, doesn't it?" she said. "Since you won't be bringing in cards for yourselves, you will only need to bring in seventeen valentines." I raised up my hand again. "Yeah, only what if we also want to bring a valentime for you, Mrs.?" I asked. Mrs. raised up her eyebrows. "Well, then you would be back up to eighteen again. Wouldn't you?" she said. "Seventeen plus one equals eighteen." I tapped on my chin. "Yeah, only what if there's people in here who we don't actually like that much? Do we have to bring them a valentime, too?" "Yes, Junie B.," she said. "Of course you do. Valentine's Day is a day of friendship for everyone. So every single boy and girl in

Room Nine will bring a card for every other boy and girl." After Mrs. finished explaining, she sat back down at her desk. I zoomed up there and whispered in her ear. "Yeah, only I know I have to bring cards to the regular boys and girls," I said real soft. "But I don't have to bring cards to the big, fat stinky heads, do I?" All of a sudden, Mrs. throwed her arms in the air. "Yes, Junie B.! Yes, you do!" she said. "For the last time… you will bring a card for everyone in Room Nine. Even the big, fat stinky heads!"

Just then, all of Room Nine looked at her. 'Cause teachers are not supposed to say big, fat stinky heads, I think. After that, Mrs. closed her eyes for a real long time. Then finally, she stood up very slow.

And she went to the sink. And she took aspirin. The next day was Saturday. And it was the funnest Saturday ever! 'Cause Daddy took me to the drugstore! And he bought me beautiful heart antennas for my head! Plus also he let me pick out my very own box of valentimes! After we got home, Mother helped me pick out the perfect cards for every person in Room Nine. First, I picked a card for my bestest friend Lucille. It had a lovely princess on the front of it. "This one, Mother!" I said. "I will give Lucille this one! 'Cause when she grows up, she is going to marry an expensive prince! And she is going to let me and Grace sweep

her castle! Plus also we will get to wear her raggedy used-up gowns!" Mother looked and looked at me. "Lucille is a regular saint," she said very quiet. "I know it," I said. "Me and Grace are lucky to have her." After that, I found the perfect card for Grace, too. It had two running shoes on the front of it! Mother read me the words. It said, Valentine! You and I make the perfect pair! "We do, Mother! Me and that Grace do make the perfect pair! 'Cause Grace can beat me at running! And I can beat Grace at lots of other stuff, probably! Only I haven't actually found anything yet." After that, I picked out special cards for all