My adventure today involved accompanying Kiya's class to the ROM for the medival studies tour. If I am not mistaken this is the only tour I haven't been on. I was so impressed at the kids' knowledge and the teacher was just a hoot. She kept trying to egg on the answers because she knew she taught all the stuff.
Some interesting things I saw:
1. a rosary bead with a beautiful woman on one side and a skull on the other side. It was meant to show how fragile life is. Being made of ivory the detail was just exquisite.
2. another piece of ivory carved to show the virgin Mary suckling baby Jesus. After some interesting conversations about breastfeeding in public, this carving definitely made me smile.
3. the gemstone exhibit is to die for. The star of lanka is so beautiful it is hard to believe it isn't something just made.
4. I also learned that a child is first taught to read the Qaran before they are taught what it means. This is a new concept to me, as with my learning I have always thought that you need to know what a word is translated too before you can read it in full context.
5. that Chinese Daoists used bamboo stalks to view the stars and planets.
Now I have a question for you. In all religions, or at least those depicted in ancient times, why is the planet Mars always seen as a hostile, warmongering celestial being/God? Yes it is red, but because something is red does it always have to be associated with war?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Updated Pics
Noticed that I haven't posted many pictures of Kiya and Mylee lately so here are the more recent ones. These were taken at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo on May long weekend.
Michael and Becky's Wedding
This weekend we were fortunate to join in Michael and Becky's wedding celebrations. It was a truly intimate affair held at the Auberge du Pommier. What a beautiful place. It is a quiet little restaurant in North York and the atmosphere is incredible.
Dressing up is one of my favourite things to do, Darryl hates it, but he always looks sharp when dressed to the nines.
We had an amazing time and we wish the best for the happy couple!
Dressing up is one of my favourite things to do, Darryl hates it, but he always looks sharp when dressed to the nines.
We had an amazing time and we wish the best for the happy couple!
And the winner is....
At the end of the assembly, they drew the prizes for the fundraiser. You could feel the excitement emanating around the room and the kids could hardly sit still.
As the prizes were doled out and each smiling face came up to collect it I couldn't help but smile with them and cheer as loudly as they were.
Kiya won an hour in the school gym for her and 11 friends, which is scheduled for this Friday. Mylee came away disappointed but she is still little and doesn't truly understand the idea of a fundraiser.
And then the moment the whole school was waiting for, even the teachers were holding their breaths, the drawing for the new bike. For every $60 the student had raised they got one ticket for the draw for the bike. So as a result both girls got 1 ticket each. This was a beautiful brand new red bike from donated from Tim Hortons. The ultimate prize for a summer full of fun.
So the VP calls up one of my favourite people at the school and she swirls the tickets and then another teacher shakes the treasure chest, out pops that little yellow ticket. She hands it to the VP and she finds my eye across the way and smiles. And the winner is.....KIYA
I am not sure you remember a post earlier about new bikes for the kids, but in March they both got brand new bikes. A discussion was held in the house between me and the girls about what we would do if we won the bike. Kiya came up with ideas and well Mylee didn't really care, but in the end we all realized that the new bike wouldn't fit in our space. Our ideas were quite inventive too.
So prior to winning I had mentioned to the VP that if we won the bike we would be donating it back to the school for another fundraiser if they were short on this one. And there Kiya sat not wanting to claim the bike as her own because she knew it wasn't hers. I walked over and told her to get up and go and tell the VP what she wanted to do. She was a little embarrassed with all her friends cheering and smiling and screaming in her ear. The VP met her half way and Kiya hugged her and said thank you but I want to donate the bike back.
The VP took Kiya's hand and led her to the stage area and wrapped her arm around her. Boys and girls Kiya has just told me something that I would like to share with you. Kiya's family is very lucky, Kiya and her sister were bought brand new bikes earlier in the year and she has some news for you as to what she wants to do with the bike. "Kiya, what do you want to do with the bike?" and clear as a bell in the microphone Kiya says " I want to donate it back to the school so someone else can have a new bike". My heart leapt with pride and I could see that Kiya felt really good about this decision too. So in her hand went and out popped the next yellow ticket....the VP leads up with who's class and then Kiya says into the microphone "Isaiah". Well this kid was quite surprised and on the way up to the stage he gave Kiya a high five/hug five type thing, I don't know what it is called but her daddy does it with his friends. When asked how she felt about it by her teacher, Kiya said I felt like I had good karma, I did something to make someone else's life happier and it makes me feel good in my heart.
As the prizes were doled out and each smiling face came up to collect it I couldn't help but smile with them and cheer as loudly as they were.
Kiya won an hour in the school gym for her and 11 friends, which is scheduled for this Friday. Mylee came away disappointed but she is still little and doesn't truly understand the idea of a fundraiser.
And then the moment the whole school was waiting for, even the teachers were holding their breaths, the drawing for the new bike. For every $60 the student had raised they got one ticket for the draw for the bike. So as a result both girls got 1 ticket each. This was a beautiful brand new red bike from donated from Tim Hortons. The ultimate prize for a summer full of fun.
So the VP calls up one of my favourite people at the school and she swirls the tickets and then another teacher shakes the treasure chest, out pops that little yellow ticket. She hands it to the VP and she finds my eye across the way and smiles. And the winner is.....KIYA
I am not sure you remember a post earlier about new bikes for the kids, but in March they both got brand new bikes. A discussion was held in the house between me and the girls about what we would do if we won the bike. Kiya came up with ideas and well Mylee didn't really care, but in the end we all realized that the new bike wouldn't fit in our space. Our ideas were quite inventive too.
So prior to winning I had mentioned to the VP that if we won the bike we would be donating it back to the school for another fundraiser if they were short on this one. And there Kiya sat not wanting to claim the bike as her own because she knew it wasn't hers. I walked over and told her to get up and go and tell the VP what she wanted to do. She was a little embarrassed with all her friends cheering and smiling and screaming in her ear. The VP met her half way and Kiya hugged her and said thank you but I want to donate the bike back.
The VP took Kiya's hand and led her to the stage area and wrapped her arm around her. Boys and girls Kiya has just told me something that I would like to share with you. Kiya's family is very lucky, Kiya and her sister were bought brand new bikes earlier in the year and she has some news for you as to what she wants to do with the bike. "Kiya, what do you want to do with the bike?" and clear as a bell in the microphone Kiya says " I want to donate it back to the school so someone else can have a new bike". My heart leapt with pride and I could see that Kiya felt really good about this decision too. So in her hand went and out popped the next yellow ticket....the VP leads up with who's class and then Kiya says into the microphone "Isaiah". Well this kid was quite surprised and on the way up to the stage he gave Kiya a high five/hug five type thing, I don't know what it is called but her daddy does it with his friends. When asked how she felt about it by her teacher, Kiya said I felt like I had good karma, I did something to make someone else's life happier and it makes me feel good in my heart.
Friendship and Sharing
Last month the girls were trying to raise money for their school for a set of computers. With their nicest voices they asked their family and with the tiniest bit of help from me and Darryl the girls were able to raise $90 each.
As a bonus to raising so much money their names got put into a draw for some prizes, for each $10 you raised you got a ticket to put in for the draw. So Mylee separated her tickets into 3 groups of 3 and choose the skating lessons, miniature golf and a huge arts and craft basket. Kiya's was a mystery because we never really discussed it. However, I told her to pick things that won't stick around and that maybe we can use as a family or things she could use for school.
So off to the assembly I went. The theme for this month was friendship and sharing, two of my favourite things. I heard the grade ones sing a great song on how they learned to share, then the other grade one class taught us about rhythm with the help of the librarian, who is an absolute doll and I am so glad I have met her.
A good deal of the assembly talked about making a difference in the world, change for the better, and what just one person can do to make someone's life a little easier or a little better. Teachers talked about an organization called "A walk in her shoes", another set talked about the food bank and some of their contributions have changed things for families, then the student council got up and talked about the organization "because I am a girl" and I was almost in tears.
I think my favourite part of the assembly was when the vice principal got up and told the story about her son being born on an airplane a month ahead of schedule. She talked about spending time in the hospital and seeing so many people affected by so many things. She explained to the kids that she is a very busy lady, she works at the school, raises 2 boys and still has things to do for family and friends, so she told them there is one thing that she did best. "I grow my hair" were her exact words. And she got up on the stage with 3 students and we watched as a hairdresser, 2 moms and a teacher cut these girls' hair. There was a substancial piece cut from all the girls, between 8-10 inches, and she then explained that the hair would go to an organization called Locks of Love, a place that collects the hair for it to be turned into wigs. I was crying at this point, thinking how these 3 girls who's hair was close to their bottoms cut their hair and donated it to someone who really needs it.
I walked away from this with a totally different take on what the school does. I always knew they helped children be the best person they could be, but to have them think that they are but one wheel in a multitude of cogs is something that many consider.
As a bonus to raising so much money their names got put into a draw for some prizes, for each $10 you raised you got a ticket to put in for the draw. So Mylee separated her tickets into 3 groups of 3 and choose the skating lessons, miniature golf and a huge arts and craft basket. Kiya's was a mystery because we never really discussed it. However, I told her to pick things that won't stick around and that maybe we can use as a family or things she could use for school.
So off to the assembly I went. The theme for this month was friendship and sharing, two of my favourite things. I heard the grade ones sing a great song on how they learned to share, then the other grade one class taught us about rhythm with the help of the librarian, who is an absolute doll and I am so glad I have met her.
A good deal of the assembly talked about making a difference in the world, change for the better, and what just one person can do to make someone's life a little easier or a little better. Teachers talked about an organization called "A walk in her shoes", another set talked about the food bank and some of their contributions have changed things for families, then the student council got up and talked about the organization "because I am a girl" and I was almost in tears.
I think my favourite part of the assembly was when the vice principal got up and told the story about her son being born on an airplane a month ahead of schedule. She talked about spending time in the hospital and seeing so many people affected by so many things. She explained to the kids that she is a very busy lady, she works at the school, raises 2 boys and still has things to do for family and friends, so she told them there is one thing that she did best. "I grow my hair" were her exact words. And she got up on the stage with 3 students and we watched as a hairdresser, 2 moms and a teacher cut these girls' hair. There was a substancial piece cut from all the girls, between 8-10 inches, and she then explained that the hair would go to an organization called Locks of Love, a place that collects the hair for it to be turned into wigs. I was crying at this point, thinking how these 3 girls who's hair was close to their bottoms cut their hair and donated it to someone who really needs it.
I walked away from this with a totally different take on what the school does. I always knew they helped children be the best person they could be, but to have them think that they are but one wheel in a multitude of cogs is something that many consider.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Mylee's Dress up Day
So after a stressful day at school I decided to do something totally girly with Mylee. Yep, let her play in my make up. I also did her nails and made us both feel really pretty. Sometimes you just need to be girly and have those "Look at Me" days.
We might be in big trouble come the teenage years.
The Rescue
Okay adventure doesn't describe how today went, total and utter chaos is more like it. Thursday is my kindergarten volunteer day, so off I went to the school this morning after Mylee was dragging her behind. She made it just as her class went in to the school so she wasn't late. I signed in like any other day and made my way to the classroom. And then I was in the photocopy room because the librarian had the kids first thing this morning.
After photocopying and starting the Friday files, I remembered I needed a new pizza lunch form for Mylee, I had misplaced hers. A quick chat with Mylee's teacher and then up the hall I went. That's when the chaos began, KT (which further refers to kindergarten teacher I volunteer for) told me to grab my coat, we were going on a rescue mission. Yeah for someone who has had one sip of coffee this morning, this did not compute. But I followed along, out of the school we went, down the street and down the street again. Then the grade 7 girls stop and disappear behind a bunch of bushes along the fence and come out with kittens. Eyes wide, they ask me to grab one the last one.
Here's where the chaos becomes even more fun. The kitten was stuck between a chainlink fence and a wooden fence and the chainlink was the smallest one you can buy. So with twig in hand I started to shuffle the kitten down to where I knew the opening would be so we could grab her. Uh huh....stupid cat, the poor thing gets itself wedged in the wooden fencing between the planks, that small gap between the planks. So off KT goes to the people who own the house, and then out she pops into the backyard. I am sure people would be rolling on the floor laughing at us trying to coax this kitten out of this small space. So out she came and with the stick I gently prodded her some more. Finally she got close enough to grab. 4 kittens rescued, warm and cozy amongst the girls' sweaters, phew....back to school we go covered in grass, scratched by the bushes and hair all dishevelled from the small branches.
So after a couple minutes, I finished my Friday folders and thought it would be cool to show Kiya and Mylee what I got to see today and went to take a picture. Can you guess.....holy crap more chaos. I walk in and the girls have the kittens out of the box, and all I can think is WHY? So one of the girls tells me that there is a kitten stuck and she can't get it out. Okay I ask where.....get this.....in the vent. You gotta be kidding me, nope...you reach your hand in and you can feel the little sucker. And of course we can't get him out, and guess who had to take the long walk to the caretaker....yep me...that's who.
Mr. C, do you have a flashlight? and if you do can you bring it with you and follow me. You could actually hear the groan he made, I think he knew it was another one of those days. I should mention that earlier this week him and another teacher had to chase 2 raccoons out from the kindergarten area, and then yesterday a dog entered the school, so he knew what was coming.
We shone the light in the vent and saw the same stupid cat in the vent. And off he went to get his ratchet set to unscrew the vent to take it off. Yep nothing fit, so he had to use the vice grips and after about 10 minutes of frustration he finally got the screw out. He wrenched the panel and asked me to grab the cat. This stupid animal had itself wrapped so tightly around things in there that I need to unfold it. So thankfully the humane society came to take them and take care of them. They had little eye infections but seemed healthy otherwise. So alike my mother, I now have my own little cat story about the silly behaviour of animals.
Have to admit, they are really cute and after telling Darryl that I helped rescue them and if I could keep one, he replied with
"Awwwww......NOPE"
After photocopying and starting the Friday files, I remembered I needed a new pizza lunch form for Mylee, I had misplaced hers. A quick chat with Mylee's teacher and then up the hall I went. That's when the chaos began, KT (which further refers to kindergarten teacher I volunteer for) told me to grab my coat, we were going on a rescue mission. Yeah for someone who has had one sip of coffee this morning, this did not compute. But I followed along, out of the school we went, down the street and down the street again. Then the grade 7 girls stop and disappear behind a bunch of bushes along the fence and come out with kittens. Eyes wide, they ask me to grab one the last one.
Here's where the chaos becomes even more fun. The kitten was stuck between a chainlink fence and a wooden fence and the chainlink was the smallest one you can buy. So with twig in hand I started to shuffle the kitten down to where I knew the opening would be so we could grab her. Uh huh....stupid cat, the poor thing gets itself wedged in the wooden fencing between the planks, that small gap between the planks. So off KT goes to the people who own the house, and then out she pops into the backyard. I am sure people would be rolling on the floor laughing at us trying to coax this kitten out of this small space. So out she came and with the stick I gently prodded her some more. Finally she got close enough to grab. 4 kittens rescued, warm and cozy amongst the girls' sweaters, phew....back to school we go covered in grass, scratched by the bushes and hair all dishevelled from the small branches.
So after a couple minutes, I finished my Friday folders and thought it would be cool to show Kiya and Mylee what I got to see today and went to take a picture. Can you guess.....holy crap more chaos. I walk in and the girls have the kittens out of the box, and all I can think is WHY? So one of the girls tells me that there is a kitten stuck and she can't get it out. Okay I ask where.....get this.....in the vent. You gotta be kidding me, nope...you reach your hand in and you can feel the little sucker. And of course we can't get him out, and guess who had to take the long walk to the caretaker....yep me...that's who.
Mr. C, do you have a flashlight? and if you do can you bring it with you and follow me. You could actually hear the groan he made, I think he knew it was another one of those days. I should mention that earlier this week him and another teacher had to chase 2 raccoons out from the kindergarten area, and then yesterday a dog entered the school, so he knew what was coming.
We shone the light in the vent and saw the same stupid cat in the vent. And off he went to get his ratchet set to unscrew the vent to take it off. Yep nothing fit, so he had to use the vice grips and after about 10 minutes of frustration he finally got the screw out. He wrenched the panel and asked me to grab the cat. This stupid animal had itself wrapped so tightly around things in there that I need to unfold it. So thankfully the humane society came to take them and take care of them. They had little eye infections but seemed healthy otherwise. So alike my mother, I now have my own little cat story about the silly behaviour of animals.
"Awwwww......NOPE"
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