Sunflower Fields Forever ...

Super A. had a fabulous morning -- one of her school friends had a birthday party at a yoga studio. There was music, stretching, painting and kid-inspired yoga. She left it completely happy and relaxed.

I decided we would take a little drive on the sunny day, listening to the Beatles and enjoying the windows down. Our destination was the sunflower fields of Clear Meadow Farms.

We probably visited on the last viable day for many of the blooms. We took a walk through a path in the middle of one field. We laid down and did some cloud watching and butterfly counting.

Before we headed back to the car I remembered a trick my Dad used to do with the pollen heavy flower heads -- pick a few buds off to make a sunflower happy face. My daughter had the same silly grin on her face that I did when my father first did it for us.

More Firsts ...

Today was E's first day of co-op.

I was happy to find a new co-op preschool close to our house. My first experience with this type of preschool for A. was amazing -- it fostered a real sense of community with the other moms and kids. Each class there were 3 "Helper Moms" plus the teacher. We were assigned different areas each time, snack, craft, tool bench, dramatic play plus all of us on the playground. We all got to know each other and our children. And the bonus was that I brought E along with me and there was a babysitter in the next room. I could go in and breastfeed and comfort him whenever he needed.

Everything was perfect about the experience ... except the commute. I had to sit in rush hour on our way there. A 10 minute drive was often 30 minutes.

So, I was pleased to find a co-op preschool up the street (a lovely 10-minute drive through winding farmlands) for E.

I hesitated about enrolling him. I struggled with it. I really don't feel preschool is necessary for a 2-year old but I plan on going back to work soon so I hoped it would be a good step towards preparing both of us.

I look forward to another great co-op experience.

My little guy delved right in and had no problem with me leaving the room.

He's not the only one growing now ... and letting go.

Wordle for September

Having a little fun with the Wordle applet. The Mister and I are making some of the word art graphics to print and frame for our Music Room. We've been having fun coming up with combinations of music-related phrases and descriptors.

I made a graphic (above) with some words describing my goals for September. I think I'll print it up just to inspire me.

Make your own at Wordle.net. Just type in some words, pick fonts, colors, etc to generate your personal word art --- great to make gifts and wall hangings.

Wordless Wednesday

Around the World: Maryland Science Center

Guest Post on Cool Progeny

Today I have a guest post over at the Cool Progeny blog recapping our visit to the Maryland State Fair.

Click on over to see the post. Cool Progeny is a great blog for any parent in the Baltimore area. Heather does a great job of previewing events, interviewing interesting folks and capturing regional fun spots.

Back to reality ...

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~Ralph W. Sockman

Today was our first day back in the rhythm of the school year. Super A. had her very first day of Kindergarten today. Now, I'm not one of those moms that is a weepy mess about it. I've been super excited for her all summer. I so vividly remember Kindergarten. It's just such a sensational thing as a parent to watch your child experience.

She excitedly dressed herself and went down to the playroom this morning. She stayed in there for quite some time before emerging for breakfast. I asked her what she was doing and she replied, "I was building a roomful of train tracks for Emmett to play with so he won't be too sad today". Cue the tears!

Wow, I was so proud of her thinking of her brother. Because he does suffer her absence with such a sad demeanor. "Where is Sissy?", he would ask all day during summer camp.

Later on as she fussed and fussed about her headband and bracelets and I attempted to rush her, she sighed and said, "Mom, you only ever get one first day of Kindergarten". Wow. It's so true too.

So-oooo, first half-day of school under our belt. A fantastic day. My only worry? Ten pages of artwork produced in a few short hours. I have to get a better handle on it.