(old) photos from school

In some rare moments to clean out email, I retrieved these photos from Ariel's school (last year's preschool.)

squeezing into the doll stroller

Last preschool day (in June 2014), but she still had summer school, which isn't so serious.

Studying Mat Man (it's a song) and making him with snacks.  Then they got to eat!

lunchtime peekaboo with Mrs. Khan and Brittney

morning circle time

I am quite behind on blogging.  I've just had so many things keeping me busy: some traveling and visiting friends, playing with Ariel, lots of various paperwork, Ariel's school and appointments, and helping take our neighbor to appointments and on errands.  One day I will go through our photos and post a bunch.

Yesterday, Ariel's teacher emailed us this photo from circle time.  They have a new friend in class this semester, who we haven't met yet.  I was going to visit school for a sing-along this morning, but Ariel is home with a cold.

Last day of summer school (early August)

Ariel's summer session ended earlier this month.  Her bus driver was Ron and the bus helper was Rosa.  They did a great job transporting Ariel and her classmates.  Ariel's starts fall semester after Labor Day.  Today we visited for Preschool Open House.

field trip to Children's Museum

 Ariel's preschool went to the Children's Museum at the National Harbor in Maryland.  We played in a toy firetruck, and spent lots of time in the "cultures of the world" area.

 Ariel with a new friend in a tuk-tuk (the vehicle.)

 Ariel in the tuk-tuk with her classmate, Leo.

 Trying on a Japanese yukata (robe.)

Jellyfish.

Happy spring!

Ariel's school picture

With the package we got, we have rights to the digital image with 6 different backgrounds.  They're all stunning!  This was the only pose, in her power outfit.  It's cool to have shaggy bangs and be counting on one hand.

homework with the cats

Ariel has a green bin of "independent work" that her teachers send home with her. We were working on it before breakfast one morning, with support from Ralph and Nene.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

 Ariel's preschool classes all got together for a party.

Ms. Ngan across the hall threw the party and wore a silky pink qi pao dress.  She handed out hang bao (lucky red envelopes) to all the kids.

The kids made dragons

and red lanterns.

 Ariel and Lucy get together for party food.

Ariel's mom reads Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin, and we sing songs about the dragon and almond cookies.  Rumor has it that Ms. Hilda from across the hall (far left) likes to cuddle with Ariel.  Ariel's other teachers, besides Ms. Brittney, are Ms. Marlene (in a black shirt) and Ms. Kahn (who's hidden behind Robin in the green shirt.)

Ariel and her teacher

Mrs. Brittney is the lead teacher in Ariel's classroom.  They have a lot of fun together.

winter times

Now we are all recovered from the winter sicknesses.  Jeff & I have both been busy working on professional education.  Ariel's class is learning about winter animals and winter things (snow people, mittens, hats.)  We've had cold weather this past week, and snow fell twice this week.  School was delayed one day, and got out early another day.  I've been working on guitar songs to play for Ariel's class (her & Leo), and the class next door comes over (Owen & Tom.)  Yesterday, Ariel got to show me some of her skills (matching, copying actions) at school, and her favorite things to play with.  She always seems happy to be there.  They have a spacious, bright classroom that is very homey.  And her 3 teachers are  nice.

Our next-door neighbor, Mr. Dalal, has been sick and in the hospital, so I've been trying to keep tabs on him.  We miss having him home to bother.  These are some photos from my silver camera, but we have more to share from our phone-camera files (when I get around to it!)

 Alice's visit in early December.

 Watching "St. Elmo's Fire" (only certain parts for Ariel.)

 Ralph watching "St. Elmo's Fire."

 Aubrey's 4th birthday at Pump It Up (a bouncy place) with Linda, Aubrey, and Ayden; and more Yokota friends - Christina & Mick with daughter Shannen.

Playing horsey in Ariel's classroom.

boarding the bus

 As we waited for the bus in our neighbor Gordon's driveway, he offered to take pictures.  Ariel was very eager to board the bus.  This is her second day riding it.

Ariel gets a snuggle from bus driver Sandra while assistant Mike installs the car seat.

I'm happy that she's happy.  I blew her lots of kisses as they drove off.

(photo from yesterday, which was sunnier)

The bus pulls away up our street.  On certain days, it also picks up Charley on the corner.

Evening with Santa

The other night, we attended and Evening with Santa at Aldersgate Day School (Ariel's former preschool.)  She did get to meet Santa, and was most interested in his beard.  A photographer took photos, so if we got a good one, I'll post it.  Mostly, we had a good time seeing the teachers and other parents and kids.

Bus ride post-script

After a full day at Stratford Landing Elementary, Ariel rode home on the bus.  When I went out to greet her, she was sound asleep in her car seat (in her pink rabbit-ear jacket.)

You can click on the above link to the school to learn about it.  She is in the PAC program.

I dropped by around 1 PM to drop off some supplies.  I got to spy on her sitting beside her classmate, Jacob, and listening to the teacher in the book corner.  She picked up a copy of Dora Loves Boots (which she contributed to the classroom) and tried to say "Boots" (he's the monkey.)  They said she did some gestures to "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and "Twinkle, Twinkle."  They said she ate her whole lunch plus 2 clementine oranges, and still asked for more.  No wonder she is tired.  Plus, it is a crisp and sunny day, and she had two 30-minute recesses with all the other preschoolers.

Ariel is taking a break from watching "Dora" this week.  After the bus picked her up this morning, I found myself watching Dora to get my Dora fix!  I think she deserves a Dora now (to wake up, anyway.)

First day on the school bus

This morning, the school bus picked up Ariel for the first time.  The weather was sunny and cool.  We took her travel car seat and backpack, and waited across the street in our neighbor's yard.

We've been reading a couple of books about school buses.  When it stopped for her, she looked a bit surprised and climbed right on by herself and sat down.  Her bus driver's name is Sandra, and a "grandpa-type" man installed her car seat, and buckled her in.  Ariel still looked surprised, but not upset.  Then she was off to pick up the next rider, her friend Charley up the street.

Sandra, the bus driver (I guess I should call her "Ms. Sandra") called us a few nights before to tell us about the bus procedures, the route, and who the other riders are (all preschool students.)  I think she will have fun with the bus.  I hear that the preschoolers love it.

Ariel's new school

Ariel finished her first "long day" at the new school: 9:20-3:50.
Mondays and Wednesdays are half days.  All other days are long days, but they say we can do only as much as we are comfortable with.  I think she's ready for the full schedule.

She did very well.  They said she napped for an hour and was very talkative (in her own way.)  She said "dye-sor" (dinosaur) and "water."

When I picked her up, she blew her teacher, Ms. Brittney, a few kisses, saying "mwaah" as she kissed.  Then she proceeded to blow about 20 kisses to the school building.  The weather was warm, so we played on the playground for a long time, meeting other families from the school.  We saw one of our Music Together families, and met a lady with two children from South Korea.

Starting Thursday, the school bus will pick her up, but I can still pick her up from school and have playground time if we want.  This program is very flexible.

last day at Aldersgate Day School

 We were a bit late on her last day because Ariel had a meeting at her new school.  When we joined them, they were in the sanctuary practicing Christmas songs.  This is Ariel's teacher, Mrs. Mertins.

 With Mrs. King, who works at the school and is also a neighbor.

With Mrs. Garden, who cared for her so well during her separation anxiety the first few times.  Mrs. Garden also provides a warm lap for book reading.

It was sad to say goodbye, because this has been such a nice preschool.  We'll go to their "Evening with Santa" tonight as our last event.  But because the school is so close to our house, we can still stop by and play on the playground.

Ariel started her new school yesterday.  She seems to like it.  The teachers are nice.  There is one teacher and 2 aides in her class.  So far, she has only one classmate, a cute little boy.  She should get another classmate soon.  She plays with more preschoolers at recess.  This school is 5 days a week, and the teachers will work very closely with her, rewarding her for paying attention and following directions.  Ariel is very ready.  Starting 2 mornings a week at Aldersgate was a good way to ease into the school routine.  By next week, Ariel should be riding the bus to school.

arrival in Virginia (August)

 This photo sums up our trip.  This was at Dulles Airport rental car place.  Jeff was loading our luggage and we were off to a nearby hotel (with the cats of course) to stretch our legs and rest.

 Checking out our new library.

 Temporary sleep set up (on camping mats loaned by Fort Belvoir).

Loyal cat brother & sister.

 First day of preschool at Aldersgate Day School!

"Uncle Dave" came over for dinner.  He is allergic to cats.  Ralph remembers him from the day he came to the shelter with us in Cheyenne, Wyoming to help us pick out Ralph (10 years ago.)  Nene was smitten.

Sayonara, Sushi-chan

 Ariel's Little Seedlings Preschool (2 mornings a week) ended suddenly, when Mrs. Sarah's husband got a short-notice deployment to Africa.  The whole family is moving stateside for his pre-deployment training, etc.  Sarah had a little goodbye party before they left.  Ariel got a chance to say goodbye to her fish friend, Sushi-chan.

We were getting quite attached to the little guy or girl.

Of course, we'll miss Sarah and her preschool.  It was good for Ariel.  But hopefully we can find something similar in Louisiana.

First day of preschool

The Drop Off (9:30 AM)

She ran into the house and started playing.

The Pick Up (12:30 PM)

She had fallen asleep about 30 minutes ago.

I think she had a good time!