"Joy to the world/ To all the boys and girls/ Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea/ Joy to you and me." - "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night
Today was our first field trip of the summer! We went to the aquarium, the girls' choice, and had a great time. They both got a kick out of petting the sting rays and we saw two seals kissing. How do you respond to a four-year-old's question of why would anyone, even a seal, do something so yucky? I got some great pictures too. I'll try and add one to my post later since I forgot my USB cable at home. Grr! I will also use a picture or two for a gift I making for them. At the end of the summer I will present them with a scrapbook that will have a photo from every single day we spent together this summer, which I think they'll really enjoy. It will be a fun project for me too!
Guess what? I have passed my love of writing on to another generation! The six-year-old I teach is an excellent writer (I know I may be biased, but I think this kid has a natural gift!) and she wants to write reports and stories about everything! It's so cool to share something so special with her. She wants to write a book with me this summer, so I think we will start working on a collaborative picture book (me and both girls) after they get back from their grandparents' in a few weeks. I bet that will be quite a bit different from working on my Willow novels! Wish me luck!
Ah, my Willow novels. I was just thinking the other day how much Willow has grown throughout this series, from starting off as a scared but determined 17-year-old, pregnant and alone, to the strong woman and mother she has become four years later. I wish she was real. We could grab a cup of her favorite vanilla cinnamon coffee or a spicy tamale from Paco's Tacos and hang out at the beach in Santa Elena. Okay, enough silly daydreaming. I can see the end in sight for book four, which is bittersweet. I always get just a little sad when a book comes to an end, even though it's a huge high to finish a novel and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment. It's kind of a mixed trip I guess. I know exactly where the rest of the story is going now, and I hope to get some writing done this weekend. Only five work days left until my two week vacation though, and then the writing will really take off! I can't wait!
Showing posts with label field trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label field trip. Show all posts
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday, July 30, 2010
She Sings the Songs
"Looking on she sings the songs/ The words she knows, the tunes she hums."
This is another favorite of the three year old I teach. I started singing her Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" after she began ballet classes over a year ago, and it stuck. She can name that tune just by hearing the first couple of notes on the radio, and she does, in fact, know the words and hum the tune. As we were driving back from the art museum today, I was belting out the lyrics to this song with a three and five year old, making me feel like I was starring in my own G-rated version of "Almost Famous", my favorite movie. Minus the totally cool 70s rock band. And the Band-Aids (except for the Hello Kitty one on Riley's foot). And the writing that the lead character actually got paid for! But I digress.
Before our karaoke session in the minivan, the girls and I had a great time at the museum. All of my reservations about taking a very active and spirited preschooler to the museum were proven unnecessary. She was in awe at the size of the massive oil paintings, and was clearly impressed at the extensive collection of Tiffany glass, especially the chandeliers, which she wanted to buy. What can I say, she has expensive taste! The entire field trip lasted less than two hours, but they were filled with culture, education, and the look of wonder on children's faces that can only be described as priceless.
This is another favorite of the three year old I teach. I started singing her Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" after she began ballet classes over a year ago, and it stuck. She can name that tune just by hearing the first couple of notes on the radio, and she does, in fact, know the words and hum the tune. As we were driving back from the art museum today, I was belting out the lyrics to this song with a three and five year old, making me feel like I was starring in my own G-rated version of "Almost Famous", my favorite movie. Minus the totally cool 70s rock band. And the Band-Aids (except for the Hello Kitty one on Riley's foot). And the writing that the lead character actually got paid for! But I digress.
Before our karaoke session in the minivan, the girls and I had a great time at the museum. All of my reservations about taking a very active and spirited preschooler to the museum were proven unnecessary. She was in awe at the size of the massive oil paintings, and was clearly impressed at the extensive collection of Tiffany glass, especially the chandeliers, which she wanted to buy. What can I say, she has expensive taste! The entire field trip lasted less than two hours, but they were filled with culture, education, and the look of wonder on children's faces that can only be described as priceless.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Seals and Sting Rays and Sharks, Oh My!
"Can't you feel 'em closin' in, honey?/ Can't you feel 'em schoolin' around?/ You got fins to the left, fins to the right/ And you're the only girl in town."
Today I took the girls on a field trip to the aquarium in Virginia Beach. It was quite an adventure! Riley loved the seals and sharks, and Alana happily announced to the whole restaurant while we were eating lunch that her favorite things were the sting rays, bathrooms (don't ask!), and... the gift shop! It was pretty funny. I told the girls they could each pick out something small as a gift from me, and they both picked out stuffed seals, which, to my relief, were under $10 a piece. Whew!
It might not have been quite as fun as eating a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or being "wasted away again in Margaritaville", but the girls had a great time and I enjoyed watching them explore the wonderful world of our oceans and bays. Our next adventure in a couple of weeks will be to the local art museum while we are studying the continent of Europe. Have any of you ever taken a three year old to an art museum? Any advice?
Today I took the girls on a field trip to the aquarium in Virginia Beach. It was quite an adventure! Riley loved the seals and sharks, and Alana happily announced to the whole restaurant while we were eating lunch that her favorite things were the sting rays, bathrooms (don't ask!), and... the gift shop! It was pretty funny. I told the girls they could each pick out something small as a gift from me, and they both picked out stuffed seals, which, to my relief, were under $10 a piece. Whew!
It might not have been quite as fun as eating a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or being "wasted away again in Margaritaville", but the girls had a great time and I enjoyed watching them explore the wonderful world of our oceans and bays. Our next adventure in a couple of weeks will be to the local art museum while we are studying the continent of Europe. Have any of you ever taken a three year old to an art museum? Any advice?
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