AMB Field Trip: Queens Botanical Gardens

The last field trip the Eagles took was to the Queens County Farm at the end of February and Carolina missed it because of a sick day. I was really bummed for her, but I knew there would be a few more chances to get out this semester. So I was happy to volunteer to chaperone their trip to the Queens Botanical Gardens at the end of March. The day was sunny and bright even if the winds were chilly. The kids were pretty amped to be outside and they really tried to listen to the tour guide as she took us around the gardens. Of course, Carolina started in about being hungry and wanting snacks as soon as we got off the bus. I brought a few contra band items for her to enjoy, but we waited until lunch to do the real swap out for sandwiches. Apart from the greenhouse tour which was a warm spot on a cool day, I really loved watching the kids run around the open space on the hill after lunch. It's one thing to learn all about seeds and plants and how the cycle of life works. But it's another to see these little minds happy to run free after a morning of exercising patience and control. The classroom lesson on eating an orange and taking its seeds to plant in a small container was good, if somewhat boring. Getting to eat lunch outside and then take off to play was the real highlight of this break from school. They rolled down the hill again and again, helped each other collect sticks to make a "fire" pit, and generally acted like the exuberant kids they are. This marks the homestretch in terms of finishing up preschool and every day I am reminded that they are just about to begin their real learning journey. I'm glad Carolina has found so many great friends amongst this group. And I really look forward to seeing them grow even more as they start Kindergarten in the fall. 

AMB Field Trip: Paper Bag Players

Just before Midwinter Break, Carolina's preschool class had its first field trip of the year. You would have thought it was Christmas morning based on Carolina's reactions each night at bedtime. Only 2 more days til the field trip...only 1 more day...The destination was Queensborough Community College out in Bayside where the Paper Bag Players performed one of their comedic routines called Pop Pop Popcorn. I had heard that they were a fun theatre group and without knowing much about them, I was mostly excited just to see the kids' reactions. And boy, did they have some good reactions. Carolina and Mason were my two charges and they were definitely amped up. The bus ride there was about a half hour and I think they bopped and kicked and laughed most of the way. By the time we rushed in to the parking lot and shuffled inside, the show was already slated to start. But I suppose they know the pace of preschoolers and there was actually still a bit of a wait before the curtain went up as the last few arrived. 

Afterwards, we had a starving group of 4 and 5 year olds and bag lunches with no where to sit and eat them. We tried to ask about the cafeteria but since the campus was actually closed for a president's birthday, we couldn't get in anywhere else. And the bus wasn't going to meet us for another 20 minutes. So as the theatre staff turned to leave us alone, I figured it was our only chance to get these kids to eat. We corralled them into a corner of the entryway and they sat shoving bits of sandwiches and fruit into their little bellies. Of course my girl wasn't too keen on the lunch offerings, but I came prepared with a few contraband items and so she had a little bit to eat on the way back. It didn't take long before the campus security came over asking us to leave. We phoned our bus driver and made our exit. The ride back was smooth and the kids returned to school with big smiles. I passed out some gummy heart Valentines with Paw Patrol cards and tattoos that I'd picked out for Carolina's friends. The class loved them and it gave the kids something to take home from a fun day out. I can't say that chaperoning is always a breeze, but today with this crew it was alright. 

Holiday party time!

Tonight was the Amazing Magic Beans Holiday Party which meant our normal Friday night routines of ballet and Spanish class went out the window. Again. Last week we had to force Elisa to go despite massive protests while Carolina skipped out on her class because she was sick. Compounding that was the fact that we also had to take Abuela to the airport. But today, I was on my own so we simplified things and honestly, it all turned out pretty good. We boomeranged from pick up at 3:30pm to get Elisa at the bus stop by 4:00pm and then back to AMB for the party after that. The kids sang and made crafts and loved all the sugar cookies with do-it-yourself icing that covered one table. I had to step in and become the cookie cop for a minute after noticing several kids bellying up to the bar one too many times. Later we grabbed our music sheets and after Elisa and Juliet practiced Jingle Bells a few times, we were off for some caroling. Before the party, I pulled Lauren aside and plead my case for not going up under the train for the caroling this year. I still have PTSD from dragging Elisa back home the night we went when we got separated from the group on the south side of the boulevard and an old man screamed at me for pulling her across the street when she was about to lay down in the middle of the boulevard in protest. Oh yeah, it was a great night. So this year being my last, I just wanted a shot at remembering this as a fun evening of holiday music. We always sing the dreidel song, Jingle Bells, Rudolph and Twinkle, Twinkle Hannukah Lights. All fun and the kids really get into the act. Ending up just down the block in front of the big apartment building with all the decorations was a success (well, except for the kids punching and pummeling the moving blow up displays) and I took the girls out for pizza at Skillman's Famous afterwards. The holidays are just kicking off in earnest and even though we're expecting record high temperatures this weekend, I'm beginning to feel a little excited. Two more weeks!

Starting Off

This week brought us another round of new routines.  After Labor Day, Elisa's bus to school started back on Tuesday morning which made life a lot easier. No more moving the car every single morning and searching the nabe for parking when alternate side makes it a nightmare. Carolina enjoyed one last day of freedom before school started, but unfortunately that involved a round of vaccinations to prepare for UPK on Wednesday. She handled it like a pro and was rewarded with lunch and ice cream at Shack Shake.  It was a beautiful morning in the city so we walked through Union Square later as she pleaded to find a toy store. The girl does love her toys. But alas, all we found was a Trader Joe's Wine Store *wink, wink*  So we made it back home to Queens a little loaded down, but just in time to take a well earned nap and let Carolina sleep off some of her shots. She hasn't napped much at all this summer, so it was especially sweet to see her collapse after about 5 minutes of stalling and flopping around her bed. The kid was out. And yet, she slept fine that evening too. Getting it all in before the big day... 

And then school for Carolina officially started.  UPK. Full day from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's one of those transitions that I have been anticipating for months, maybe years. And now it's here and it's better than I could have expected. She is so happy to be at school with her friends. There is no hesitation. She loves it. She smiles like that every day. She is a hoot, and I love her enthusiasm beyond belief. 

And finally, tonight, September 11th, we made it back from the park late enough to see the lights shining bright over Manhattan. After a second full day of school and her first dance class, I would have thought Carolina would be ready to pass out. But she was eager to climb the stairs with me and check out the skyline aglow. Elisa was too. I prefaced our climb to the top with a little story about the lights and how there had been two big buildings there years ago. But they were gone now. "How did they come down?" Elisa asked. I told her as best I could that some very bad people wanted to destroy them. "What if the buildings hadn't come down?" "Well, then, things would be different." "The world would be different?" Yes, it would. I wish I knew how. It's not something I want to make them aware of until they are ready to ask about it. How can any of us understand the meaning of that horrible day? Tonight we just watched the beams of light shooting up into the clouds. They moved slowly by and somehow the clouds started to shine like a portal into another world. I teared up a little. It was time to go back inside. Yes, it was late and I was tired. A week of new beginnings and lots of things to be grateful for. Life. This life is good. Even when it overwhelms me.