KM Businesses

 A fun and creative kindergarten experience at Pierce is recreating local businesses.  The kids break up into small groups visiting an assigned local business.  They come prepared with questions to learn more about how the particular business operates as well as keeping a keen eye on the physical structure of the business.  The kids come back to kindergarten with their new found knowledge transforming the classroom into these businesses.  They spend weeks on the recreation as well as gathering supplies they need and designing money.  Each student receives $10 that they can spend in any of these businesses.  Each kindergarten classroom (5 total) has between 4 or 5 businesses making for a hustling bustling small town inside Pierce school.

Micah's local business was Art with Amy, a local artist boutique that holds classes for children.

 Victoria's local business was the Brookline Credit Union.  I found her being a bank teller so fitting... controlling the flow of money!

 One of the local hardware stores who specializes in repurposing / refurbishing.

 The Children's Book Shop, one of our favorite bookstores.  I got a kick out of this group who decided on $25 dollars as the cost of their books.  Not sure how many buyers they had given that each student only had $10 to their name.

Micah's Library Display

 In the children's section of our local library, there are two display cabinets for children to present a collection of theirs.  All one needs to do is sign your child up.  The wait list for this is approximately a year.  Izzy displayed her Legos and My Little Ponies when she was in kindergarten.  Because Micah had a well established collection of Disney Cars at a young age, we signed him up for this collection.  Finally, his name came to the top of the list.  John's creatively came through yet again when he constructed the road and runway to fit the cabinet.  Thank goodness for the internet in helping us recall the names of all the cars and planes.

We typically head to the library once a week as it is located right beside the children's school.  We pick up books and movies for the week and sometimes idle to play a game.  Each time, we pause and enjoy seeing what is on display when we head into the children's section. 

It was fun to hear someone talk about Micah's display in the hall of his school showing how many children patronize the library.  That brought a smile to Micah's face.  We also heard from the librarians that this was one of the better displays they have had in that particular cabinet.  She commented that several children asked if the cabinet could be unlocked so they could play with the cars and planes.

Memorial Day Project

Izzy will always be remembered as my trinket collector.  If there is a shiny thing on the ground, she is sure to pick it up from earrings, to broken metal to coins.  One year ago we spent Memorial Day weekend in NYC which lead to many shiny things being found.  We decided to spend the next year collecting money that we randomly found with the plan to donate the amount.  We all made predictions for how much we could find: John $39.00, Liz $9.75, Izzy $20.45, Micah $50.00 and Victoria $29.00.  This Memorial Day weekend we counted the money from this past year.  Drum roll...... $19.91!  That is $0.05 per day!  Izzy guessed the closest.  We then gave the kids options of how to donate the money keeping Memorial Day in mind.  The options included the local VWF, Wounded Warrior Project or the Odell Legion.  The kids chose the Odell Legion knowing this is the group who puts on the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  This was such a fun project for the family and also helped teach money concepts.

We have now evolved this project into seeing how much money we can find now through Christmas.  We plan on using this money to buy present(s) for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Izzy Turns 9!

 

 Happy Birthday to my 9 year old - Izzy!  Hard to believe that in one year you will be turning double digits.  After returning from fencing, we celebrated with a youthful sophisticated cake fitting for who Izzy is at the current time.

When I reminisce on the past year, the word brave floats to the top.  There have been so many facets of life where Izzy proved to show bravery that left me smiling, teary-eyed and amazed.  I'm so proud of the young lady Izzy is evolving into.

This was Izzy's second year participating in the Learning Center (LC) at her school.  She loves going and actually is bummed when it is Friday (the one day she doesn't attend the LC).  At Izzy's recent IEP meeting, her 3rd grade teacher and two LC teachers describe her as "a reader".  She often learns her spelling words by writing poems using those words.  This baffles her mother's brain as it would be WAY more painful to come up with a poem than to just memorize the spelling of the word.

This was Izzy's second year in ArtBarn (community play).  She landed one of the key parts which just so happened to be the role she desired!  And what a performance!  There was absolutely no such thing as "stage fright".

Izzy has taken on physical challenges with more smiles than scares.  She braved more aggressive skiing this winter.  Next winter... onto the ski lift!  She was a role model to Micah who was scared to independently go down a water slide only to create a monster waterslide loving brother afterwards.  Izzy was the first to try the flowrider (indoor water skiing / boogie boarding).

One of my favorite attributes of Izzy is her caring of fellow friends and peers.  She is often described as ensuring her classmates are included even when there is a language barrier.  More than once I've heard her teachers comment that Izzy is more emotionally mature than peers her age.  She continues to keep a core group of BFFs which are her rock.

Recently, Izzy learned of Phase II of her orthodontic treatment....headgear.  We were informed Izzy needs to wear this for 12 hours per day.  Most children choose to do so overnight.  Izzy however chose to wear this during the day.  When asked why she had two reasons; 1) she would prefer to not wear it while sleeping as she would be subject to sleeping only on her back and 2) she can show other students at school that wearing headgear is okay.  That first day at school while wearing headgear I gave Izzy a big hug and said she was my hero.  Her answer was simple.. I know.

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Each room parent was approached by the PTO to organize the classrooms in creating door decorations for the teachers.  As I'm a room parent for all three, I had double the duty.  Thank you also to John who sat next to me cutting out flowers, gluing construction paper and taping posters up.

 Izzy's 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Godfrey, has been one of her (and my) favorite teachers.  Elasta Girl from the Incredibles only seemed fitting.  Plus, Ms. Godfrey kinda looks like her.  Though tedious to construct our of construction paper, Elasta Girl was a fun project. 

While putting up Micah & Victoria's poster after school, their teacher, Ms. Muldoon, came back to grab her laptop which she forgot.  It was a fun treat for them to watch her see the poster for the first time.  Each kindergartener designed and decorated petals that John and I put together to make the flowers.



Tea Anyone?

For Izzy's 9th birthday, she requested a tea party.  There was some dread at this request as I envisioned a bunch of 9 year olds plus Izzy's 5 year old siblings sipping afternoon tea at L'espalier.  As tea has historical relevance to Boston, what better of a venue than the Boston Tea Party museum!

 We were fortunate to have Oma join Izzy's celebration.

We are giddy with excitement.

 Inside the meeting house awaiting the news of Governor Hutchison's decision regarding 3 English ships sitting in the harbor loaded with tea.  Their ability to unload their cargo has been blocked by the Sons of Liberty in protest of the British East India company from paying taxes, thus undercutting local merchants.  Will he say they can leave without unloading their cargo?

 Each one of us was given an identity of someone involved or related to the Boston Tea Party.  We were also given feathers as a Native American disguise helping us board the boats. 

 The meeting is underway.  The public is also allowed to speak their mind during the gathering.  Izzy, being the birthday girl, was a chosen speaker.  Her good friend, Michael, came to her rescue when she struggled with some big colonial words.

 Governor Hutchison's answer is NO!  Let the tea party begin!

 In the bows of one of the ships learning what the colonials went through to ensure that only the tea was destroyed.  What craftsmanship back then to make the cargo water resistant during the voyage across the ocean.

 We then headed upstairs for lunch and afternoon tea at Abigail's' Tea Room.

 A tea party would not be a tea party without tasting all the teas.  Everyone was given a brief lesson on the choices.  Let the tasting begin!

 Outside food was not allowed in leaving us without a birthday cake.  Dessert was an assortment of very yummy cookies.  We therefore improvised with the candles. 

 After lunch and tea, we all enjoyed playing various 19th century sailor games scattered throughout the room.  Micah challenged me to Nine Men's Morris.

 Oma, John and Doug took in a game of Shut the Box.  I haven't seen one for 4 players.

 A twist on tic-tac-toe.

 Checkers.

This was a blast!

Big Apple Circus

 After recently watching "The Greatest Showman", it seemed fitting to visit the circus.

 Afterwards the performers were available for a meet and greet.  The clowns were my favorite act.

 John remains a kid at heart... one of his great qualities.  I think he would make an excellent ringmaster.

 These were Izzy's favorite act.  One the left was a contortionist.  I had to look away a few times.

My very own contortionist!