((Yarn Along))

Well sort of.  The idea behind Yarn Along is to post a photo or photos of what you are knitting/crocheting and reading.  Unfortunately, although I have so many beautiful books I could have thrown in this photo, I have to be honest that I've found very little time to read at all and rarely do.

In either case, I have been busy with yarn so I guess that counts for something :)

On Monday, Brian and I went into NYC to the Natural Museum of History and then the Billy Joel concert.

Both were amazing and the train ride back and forth gave me a good three hours of time to work on Maia's Roselette Top.

I already made one for Brianna and I promised Maia one as well so I'm happy it is coming along.

In addition to Maia's top, I'm almost done putting the finishing touches on this sweet Baby Hooded Sweater for my neighbor's baby.  It's taken me longer than expected (as it always does) and the baby is a few months old already but at least it is still FREEZING enough in Connecticut for her to get some use out of it, I hope!

What will I work on next?  I have one sock done that's been sitting in my knitting bag for over a year.  Maybe it's time to think about the other one?

What are you working on?

End of Year Celebrations

The school year is coming to an end and its a very busy time for us.  With four daughters we can get pretty backed up with parties and concerts around this time of year.  I was lucky this year to be able to kill THREE birds with one stone on this particular day!  So I may as well do the same with blogging about them too :) 

At 6:15 a.m. the day began with preparations for the Academic Breakfast at Keira's middle school.  The PTO works so hard to organize this event each year and it is a wonderful honor for the children in school who have proven academic success.  Parents and students enjoy breakfast together and children are recognized by the principal for their hard work.

Many of Keira's friends were there and they are all such sweet girls.  I feel so lucky that my daughter has such nice and kind friends in school.  I know these years will not be easy but she has formed some wonderful friendships and bonds that I'm sure will help her along the way.

After that wonderful event, I headed over to Maia's 3rd Grade End of the Year Party!  

Another sweet group of kids and a lot of fun was had with snacks, games and a simple craft.  The children are looking forward to summertime and this was a nice way for them to enjoy some time together before school is out next week.

Then last but certainly not least, I headed over to Brianna's End of the Year Party in the courtyard of her school.  

The children enjoyed games and crafts.  It was so awesome to see Brianna actively participating in the games, laughing with her friends and talking.  A dream come true.  She and her friend were the last survivors in the water balloon toss.  That thing would not break!

She was so proud of herself.

And of course the party wouldn't have been a party without the ducklings.  They are being sent to a loving farm to live together.  They are so bonded and sweet.  The children love it when they make patterns like this.

Here is Brianna with one of her closest little friends.  Another sweet girl and the first girl Bree went on a playdate with... ever.  I feel so lucky that my children are all so happy this year and I pray for another good year for them when they return in the Fall.

Sadly, my friend Eric Langlois is still missing.  Tons of friends and family have devoted countless hours searching for him.  We have not given up hope but so much time has passed.  I am praying for a miracle for his sweet children and young wife.  Please join me in my efforts.  Last night a friend and I went to look around where he became missing.  The strong rains have made everything so difficult.  I can't imagine what his family is going through each day and night that passes without him.

We know our chances are slipping away but we refuse to give up hope.  #findericlanglois

Kindergarten Spring Concert

This has been such a wonderful year of growth for Brianna.  She has been so lucky to have an absolutely wonderful Kindergarten experience.  I have watched her form strong bonds with her classmates and teachers, learn how to read, wake up with excitement to go to school and blossom into a confident and happy little girl.  I'm so thankful.

This week she had her Spring Concert at school.  It was a farming theme and the children were so adorable singing together.  Brianna has had the most amazing teacher this year.  She is what a Kindergarten teacher should be.  She puts emphasis on imagination and play and is kind, nurturing and in control of her classroom. She's so wonderful that she received Teacher of the Year.  We are very lucky to have had her and will miss her so much.

Brianna's class even incubated and raised ducklings this year.  It was an amazing hands-on experience for her and the children. We considered keeping a few until we did our homework and realized how much care and upkeep was involved, especially during the winter months.  Ducks are wonderful but are a ton of work and are very messy.

The concert was adorable.  I had received a note from Brianna's teacher awhile back telling me how compassionate and kind she was.  There is a girl in Bree's class with Downs Syndrome and Brianna has modeled true acceptance, love and kindness to the fullest extent.  She loves her friend and spends her lunches sitting with her each day and playing with her.  She knows she needs extra help but never once did it occur to her that she was any less special than herself.  I'm so proud of my girl for who she is and how she brings that love into the world each day.

There were so many times when I stressed out about my children's education.  We all want to do what is best for our children and I would keep myself up at night because I couldn't find a way to offer them all a Waldorf Education.  I considered homeschooling and tried it for awhile here and there.  But, the truth is that my girls' public school education really has been a good one so far.  They have met children from so many other backgrounds, religions, nationalities and needs.  They have learned what it is to be part of a family outside of their own family and how important community is.  There are many things that I would change if I could but life is not perfect and I do not want to create utopia for my children.  I just want them to have a positive experience overall and develop into happy and healthy human beings.

I have come to a place of gratitude for these experiences for my girls and our access to good, quality public schools.  I am embracing their schooling experience and reminding myself of how very lucky they are.  So many children in the world do not have these amazing opportunities.  So many girls all over the world are fighting just for the right to learn at all.  All this time, I have tried my best to find the right environment to teach my girls in ...

Yet, each day it is my daughters who end up teaching me the real lessons in life.  How lucky I am that they chose me to be their mother.