Blue Moon

 

    a blue moon shining

    sapphire as August exits

    summer is slipping

    boys are sound asleep

    grieving no season

    only the moment

    only now

It has officially begun. Second grade for Anders and Kuba's last year of pre-school.

Wow! I simultaneously feel so terribly sad that the summer is ending and so eager to see what the new year brings. I think as an educator and a mom, I always approach the new year with a little bit of anxiety, but for the first time this feels minor. Anders has a male teacher, Mr. Mack. He's thrilled and I am too- I think because of his own joy in having Mr. Mack. His teacher is young, steady, rock solid, devoted to his career and his students, and someone very well respected in the building. I like him because of he really likes teaching. This is very clear. This is his third year as a classroom teacher and each year he gets better and better. I am also happy because Anders does not have the same teacher as last year.

Kuba has also started a new preschool. Two days a week he will be at our friend Sara's home pre-school with his buddies, who are all four years old. All of them will be kindergarteners next year. It's a very sweet pre-school and I feel he's so lucky to have this experience. I think it will provide him with some great playful, creative experiences. I am eager to see how he grows. Sara is an early childhood educator, but also a mom - she "gets" kids. Her commitment to childhood is passionate. It feels very important to me as well, and I think he will have a wonderful year . He's a kid with lots of twists and turns, with creative energy being top on his list. He's also a fast talker and at times an anxious little boy - and he can have difficulty getting all of his words out fast enough. I think Sara will provide the space for him to be who he is in a caring, calm way.  And I know her creativity will be fabulous for him. 

Kuba will continue his old pre-school for the other three days. This is also good. He is familiar with the teachers, the program and the school, and I get to be in the same building with him three days a week. I love being near my kids when they are in school. I can't imagine not having an intimate view of how they spend a large chunk of their day. I feel pretty happy about this arrangement. As sticky as it can sometimes get when you work at your child's school, the benefits far outweigh the difficult moments, and it simply feels worth it.

May the new year begin with gusto!
May the new school year nurture and grow my children.
May the new school year bring great joy. 

School

It's now tradition

first photos on orange porch

new school year arrives

Circus "de" Barn

The kids created and put on a circus for Barbro and guests in celebration of her 70th birthday. 

Lea was the artistic director and brilliantly found a way to weave in each child's part.  There were clowns, trapeze artists, and even a surprise act....Eagle our chicken.  Anders ran down to the coop while Lea introduced the last "surprise" trapeze act...and then he came up the stairs with Eagle, the chicken who naturally loved perching on the trapeze.  We borrowed wigs and clown noses that added just a bit more fun to the show.  Lea did a great job of moving the show along and keeping the acts short and sweet.  Here are just some of the photo's from the circus that show the kids in action.

UP, UP with Kuba

 

It seems that if you are the youngest and smallest in the family, you just need to be picked up!  Kuba could not have loved this more!  The vikings Torleif and Claes were busy these past few days hoisting Kuba up into the air just to make him giggle.   HAPPY Happy kid!

Anders and Gustav

Anders cousin Gustav from Sweden was here visiting and I was amazed at the similarity in their features.  Despite the language barrier, play was no obstacle.  These boys had a totally great time together.  Gustav sharpened his already pretty good english speaking skills and Anders picked up just a few new Swedish words.   I loved having another boy in the family.  Now we are even more eager to spend time in Sweden!  

Our Swedish Family

We have had family from Sweden visiting and it has been totally wonderful.  Mor Mor turned seventy  this week and everyone was here to celebrate her birthday.  Barbro's sister Kerstin and husband Werner, and Anna's cousin Kajsa and her husband Torleif with their two children Torun, and Gustav all flew in from Sweden for the occasion.  Claes, Vicki, Peter, Jen, Lea, Hannah, Fran, Dierdre, and Sandy and Rob were here as well making this an amazing gathering of family and friends. 

Kuba at Art Camp

This first photo describes Kuba's experience at art camp nearly 99% of the time.  He played.  At age four, he couldn't have cared less about making art.  There were a few exceptional moments when he managed to focus, but otherwise his main interest was in playing - and sticking his tongue out at me.  This is what I just love about him....he's a creative little kid, but it's always going to be on his terms, I just know it.

Anders at Art Camp

Anders as a seven year old at art camp (in his own backyard and barn) had a very different experience than Kuba.  He was focused and seemed to really enjoy making art.  His still life drawings of sunflowers were remarkable.  His observational skills are sharp as was his pride in his work.  I loved every tiny bit of this, and I think he loved having art in the barn with his friends. I know I loved being his art teacher all week long.