Memorial Day moments

Today Dan and Piper accompanied Grandma Sue to a service held at Grandpa Bob's cemetery, where they even had a gun salute.  Then they picnicked by Grandpa Bob's grave, and visited and remembered.

I couldn't help but be taken by these photos:  the juxtaposition of a place we associate with death, alive and pulsing with newness and beauty.  It reminded me of the idea that energy, once created, can never be destroyed.  It is instead recycled.

Let her sleep...

for when she wakes, she will move mountains.

Letter Luau

Another end of year event for the kindergartners is called the "Letter Luau".  It's kind of like the Fall festival, but instead of things being Fall themed, they were letter themed.  I volunteered at the event - it was loads of fun for the kiddos.

Teagan's buddy

She loves this new friend that she's met at the place where we have Piper's swimming lessons. :)

The Reading Cafe

One of the biggest events that the kindergarten puts on is "The Reading Cafe".  It's darling, there's no other word for it.  The kids dress up as waiters/waitresses at a cafe, and present you with a menu of books from which they will read - you choose the titles.  After you order, they read you the story.  Then, there are snacks :)  It's a time to showcase how far the kindergartners have come with their reading, many not having been reading at all at the start of the year.  Unfortunately Dan had important work meetings he couldn't miss, so I had a table for one.  Piper was so proud to 'serve' me.  She'd even made a special laminated placemat for me. 

There was also a video of the kids from the year, which was a tearjerker to say the least and we only watched the first 5 minutes!  Piper's teacher emailed the video to all the parents so we could cry in the privacy of our own homes. ;)  Then, the class presented Mrs. Andress with a class gift.  It was a canvas photo of the whole class holding up signs that said "We love you Mrs. Andress".  All this is especially touching, since Mrs. Andress will be retiring.  Which is sad for everyone, because man she is one hell of a phenomenal teacher.  We lucked out. 

Anyway, I present to you: Piper's Reading Cafe

Piper the Nutter

'Nuff said.

Teagan the conquerer

 

I don't know if it's the second child thing: the fact that she tries to keep up with Piper coupled with the fact that we're watching less often since now there are two (and we're twice as tired), but Teagan is much bolder physically than Piper was.  She's a little daredevil, but she seems to be pretty skilled at assessing what her capabilities are in a given situation.  She doesn't often over-stretch.  Most of the daring things she does, she does them well.  For instance now she runs up to the rocking chair, flips herself upside down on the seat, kicks her legs up in the air and does a hand stand by flopping against the back of the chair.  Then she does this odd, torquing dismount over the armrest and lands on two feet.  It's crazy, but I have to admit she can do it.  Her risks do seem calculated.  

(She also does this adorable thing when she does a front flip on the playmat - she puts her head down, starts to bend over and says "summmmmmmer" and then when she propels herself forward she said "saaaaauuuuuuult!" with real gusto.  And man does she go over with some power.  You can actually feel Teagan's triceps and her calf muscles.  

So I like the picture below, where she seems to be screaming out in confidence that no silly backyard play set is going to get the best of her.  Watch out playset!  And don't watch, adults - because now she's actually going to climb onto that top rung and stand up perfectly straight with nothing to hold on to and balance there for a while - just her two polo sneakers becoming one with a thin round bar.  So for the faint of heart, it's better if you trust her judgement and look away.

 

Parvus et potent!