Learning from Rembrandt

I am tutoring Miss A’s class, and this week we discussed Rembrandt and portrait drawing. With four and five-year-olds, I was intimidated by the thought of having them attempt a portrait, but they all did really well. The goal was to teach them about facial proportions and attending to the detail of facial features. Here is Miss A’s result from the class — a far cry from Rembrandt, but I think she learned a lot.

Spring Hike

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The weather turned absolutely gorgeous last week, and I was anxiously eyeing the monument for a little exercise with my kiddos. Finally, after a full week of school and some housecleaning, I felt we could head up the hill for a hike. We chose the self-guided nature trail, and the kids learned to identify juniper, pinion pine, sage brush, yucca, and green ephedra. We also saw a rabbit's burrow and some sandstone strata. S got fussy, so we had to cut our walk short, but I promised we would return another day.
I loved that we turned our outing into another learning experience. There is a wealth of information waiting to be discovered and absorbed into eager minds. It's fun when those minds belong to my children.

Saying Goodbye

K told her class last Friday that she would be moving back to the US. According to her teacher, they crowded around her, crying, "No!" Then they said that they would call the police and have them stop the flight.

So this afternoon, I took cookies to K's class to mourn her departure. She wanted decorated cookies, so we chose sugar cookie cut-outs with a buttercream frosting.



The hearts are for the girls in her class. AJ got the yellow star.




The boys got airplanes. I'm not really happy with how they turned out, but I will have to experiment with this cookie cutter to find a better design. Those blue spots are supposed to be the windows.



The teacher's cookie

The farewell part was short, but so sweet. K got up in front of her class and read a short note to them about how much she would miss them. Then, they gave her a card with notes and pictures from each member of her class. The girls all crowded around K to hug her, and some of them even picked her up and spun her around. Then three of them made a chair with their arms, and they carried her around a little. Meanwhile, the boys were eyeing their cookies, asking me if they could eat them.

I almost started crying while watching all the commotion. I know K is sad to leave her friends, and that breaks a mother's heart.

Spring Outing

K's class went on an outing to a park near the water this week. The parents were invited to come along, so I pulled AJ out of preschool, and we made it a family event (minus Timo, of course).



The three munchkins in front of the sign. They kept falling off the log, and this is the best picture I got of the three of them.

Entering the park



K's teacher, Danielle, telling everyone the plans for the day.



Morning snack



K with the sun in her face. It's kind of a strange expression she is wearing.



Danielle



H munching on an apple



After the snack, the kids gathered together to play some outdoor games.



K and her friend, Ines



K's classmate giving her strategical advice in the game.



A classmate and a mom playing a game.



Danielle telling everyone to be quiet so she could explain the rules for the Tips Promenade



My sweet AJ

While the kids were playing, I noticed a couple of swans on the water.



Sleeping swan



It finally woke up.

After the games, it was lunch-time. We sat down with our yogurt, sandwiches, apples, and (for the kids) chips. One of the kids had brought more food than he needed, and he offered some to others. Danielle got some and offered me a taste. It was kind of a couscous pancake/tortilla on either side of some ground beef with onions and some subtle spices. I thought it was really good and definitely different than what I am used to. Of course, at this point, I was wondering what kind of food it was. When I learned their family is from Iraq, I was pleased since I have never eaten food from that country.

After lunch, the kids enjoyed some free-play time.



K's classmates crowded together on a rocking boat

Danielle again.



K and her friend, Ines

The girls enjoyed sliding down this railing.

It was a fun day out, and I am thankful that the weather cooperated for us. We experienced snow earlier in the week, and I was dreading spending the day outside in bad weather. The boys fell asleep in the car, and K took a nap when we got home. I could have slept, too. All that fresh air wore me out. :)

Preschool Program Spring 2011

Last Sunday marked the date of AJ's spring preschool program. I was excited about this, as always. I love to see my kids up there. It just makes me happy.

When the kids initially headed up on stage, AJ was MIA. Timo had taken him to the bathroom, and I anxiously watched the back in anticipation of his return. Unfortunately, when they finally did appear, AJ was too overwhelmed by the number of kids on stage and being a late-comer. He refused to go onstage to sing. Poor kid. I was disappointed, but AJ was crying, so it was much worse for him.

After all the kids filed off the stage, it was time for them to get ready for their skit about Noah's Ark. AJ was supposed to be the sun, and I wondered if he would participate at all. After much convincing, he gathered with the rest of the kids to await his turn on stage.



AJ holding his sun up for all to see.



My Sunshine



With the other kids after the skit.



After the skit, all the kids gathered on stage once more to sing. This time, AJ participated enthusiastically. I was so excited, but another little boy was standing right in front of him during most of the singing.



Singing during the second round.



I was beaming at the end of the program. I am so glad AJ decided to take part.