Staas was quite pleased Ira saw it as a privilege, and not a burden or a massively unwanted responsibility. Hanging with his kids should be a privilege. They were just that awesome. He smiled at Ira and said, "They adore you, man. You're the only one I'd pick."
They entered the building, and Staas immediately toed off his shoes, gesturing for Ira to do the same. "Classroom, man. No shoes allowed. But I want to see what the kidlets are up to. And maybe introduce you to some of the staff, so they don't pester you for ID every time you have to pick the kids up."
He put his shoes in a cubbyhole, then waved to the girl behind the desk, but made his way back to the appropriate room, peeking in first to make certain he wasn't interrupting story time or anything. He wasn't. The kids were sort of spread out, some with crayons and paper, some with blocks and legos, and still others with big bouncy balls or puzzles or dolls.
He opened the door and stepped inside, and Theo immediately dropped his ball and came running. Staas caught him and lifted him up easily, holding him on his hip as his son greeted him with kisses. Alida didn't look up from dressing her dolly, but when she was finished, she noticed their presence and also came running.
"Daddy! Mr. Ira!" Since Staas' hands were already full, she aimed for Ira instead.