Nona Teaching

A few weeks ago, Nona went in to Clara's classroom to talk to the kids about what she used to do (they are doing a unit on jobs and community helpers). Here's some pictures from the talk. Note the pictures Mary is holding up in the first photo - these are pictures of her teaching in Afghanistan when she was in the Peace Corps! 

The Saddest Ballerina

March 22, 2013
Clara loves to move. She loves to dance. She loves music. And she has loved her ballet classes. Unfortunately, this spring, we over scheduled ourselves and some things had to drop out of our schedule, even if only for a few months. The most heart-wrenching to let go of was the ballet class. Even though we discussed that it wouldn't be, Clara had told herself a story that there would be a performance on the last day of class. There would be a performance during the next session - a big one it sounds like, with costumes and lots of preparations. For whatever reason, though, the teacher decided to start preparing for that performance during this session, which added to Clara's conviction that she would get to be in a performance and wear one of the coveted costumes.

Sigh. So, you can imagine how her world came crashing down at our last class when the teacher and I gently explained that there was no performance, and those costumes that arrived in the big tantalizing box just before class were not for her.

Suffice it to say that screaming and crying ensued. Refusals to leave. Negotiations. Sobbing. Several sorrowful looks from other parents. Several visits from the nice man at the desk asking if everything was okay. And finally, a brilliant compromise from the nice man at the desk: would Clara like to try on one of the much-discussed costumes?

Oh, yes, she would! And she did. She was still sad, but at least was satisfied with a short romp in the costume - documented below. That girl has some incredibly strong feelings and emotions. I just hope I can help her learn how to harness them!

Fwd: Prospect Park today

This is what happens when Mary and Nouri are let loose in Prospect Park in the spring! 

Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream

Sometimes, an ice cream cone is just what we all need.

Molly & Clara - as royalty

Indy in a Box

And sometimes, she just likes to sit in a box. (perhaps she's inspired by Maru the YouTube cat?)

Indy in the Evening

And here she is, enjoying the detritus of life with kids (in this case, Clara's Chinese New Year's parade costume).

School Pictures - Sprout Style

There's a new company in town that's trying to revolutionize school photos. While I still have a soft spot in my heart for the awkward traditional school photos, I must admit that these photos are stunning.

Fwd: Solar panel photo

Zach and Clara and the bubble machine! Zach went into Clara's classroom a few weeks back and talked about his work, and showed them this rad solar-powered bubble maker. 

SMOAC: Lawrence Hall of Science

March 16th, 2013: For this SMOAC we joined Nona up at the Lawrence Hall of Science. While she volunteered at the Make Festival, we explored the museum, enjoyed the rocks, and Molly and I took a short hike below the museum. Unfortunately, Zach had to work that morning, so it was just the three of us, plus Nona.