This Moment

An Updated Review of the Brandi Fenton Splash Pad

We tried the Brandi Fenton Splash Pad again on Saturday and it was a success! Max is three months older than the last time we went (he's 17 months now and was 14 months last time). I don't know if it's the age difference, or the fact that he'd been there before, but he really had a good time.

And can I say, by the way, that this summer flew by! I thought I must be doing the simple math wrong- it's been three months since we went to the splash pad??? Surely that's wrong! But, sadly, no, it's right.

Max enjoyed running through the water and was not at all intimidated. He still didn't like getting blasted in the face, but really, who does?

He did not hesitate to leave my side this time. He explored and played and had a good time.

This little boy was so sweet to Max. He tried to let Max have a turn.

Max had a nice time eating all of Ethan and Madi's snacks.

I'm glad that we had a successful trip to the splash pad! We will be going again while it's still stinkin' hot.

This Moment

A New School Year

Yesterday was our first day of school. I've got a small, but highly energized class. The kids are all very sweet and, as always, it will be fun getting to know them.

There are some big changes to our program this year, and it's going to be tough to stay positive about them all. We've opened a new Pre-K room, which means we've hired a new teacher. It's always hard adding new things to the mix, especially when things are working so well. This time last year I was working with a new teacher as well, and I had issues then also, but of course, everything worked out and now we're a great team. I have to keep reminding myself of that. Hopefully everything will work out with this new third teacher. It's just more drama drama drama, and who needs that? I was hoping after the hectic summer our school had, that we'd be able to fall back into a routine. That my beloved boss would ever-so-lovingly get off my ass. But it seems we are moving in the opposite direction. I just need to keep reminding myself this will all blow over. It will work itself out.

Here's hoping.

This Moment

Rabbit Concert

After reading this blog post on Pacing the Panic Room, I got in contact with the band Rabbit! and asked if they would come play for our school while they were here in Tucson. Rabbit! is a family-friendly band from Florida, touring across the US, and they wanted to do something a little different with this tour. From Pacing the Panic Room: "they made the decision to dig deeper into the communities they were stopping in." Their goal was to work with programs where the arts funding has been cut, and that doesn't describe our school so much, so I made sure to tell Rabbit! that if they got a better offer in Tucson to take that over ours. But luckily for us- they didn't :)

So after many many back-and-forth emails and working out a location (thanks so much to The Hut!!!), we got the concert all set up. I sent information letters home to every child at our school, put out sign up sheets and quickly got a big response. Within the first three days, we had 24 families, totaling over 70 people signed up. I was happy with the numbers, but I was not naive enough to think all those people would actually show up.

The day of the event came: Sunday, August 7th. Jeff and I got to The Hut at 9am, to help out where we could. Jeff did more than I did, running out to buy everyone bagels, and to get snacks and juice boxes for the kids (which were a huge success!). By 10:50 (ten minutes til show time) only two families were there! I was mortified. It turns out, the front gate was locked, and the parents didn't know about the side entrance, so they were all just standing on the street! haha, whoops! After that, people just kept pouring in.

We got the show started at 10:15 to a very antsy crowd- with probably 60-70 people in it! I was so excited that so many people showed up! The kids all danced up front and played their shakers. The kids loved the free instruments from B Toys - the shakers really got the kids involved in the concert and kept their attention longer.

Recognize this piano?? Max has one too, and it's from B Toys. The band uses it in their show and their album- which is why B Toys donated all the great instruments for the kids.

The kids loved the concert, as did their parents. I am now a rabid fan of the band Rabbit! They are so fun and bubbly, and their voices are just lovely. Each of the members could be a lead singer in their own band, but they all work so well together. It adds such a nice variety! And I want to point out- they are not a kid band, they are just plain fun. They are silly and whimsical, and impossible not to love.

Thank you so much to everyone involved with Rabbit! I can't even tell you how much it means to me that they did this for us. What they are doing for kids across the U.S. is amazing and I know they all appreciate it. It's a lot of extra work, and Rabbit! should be proud of the work they're doing!

If you haven't heard their music, please head to iTunes and check it out. The kids in my class love "Magic" but after I play the recently released "go for it" CD for them, I bet they'll all have new favorites soon! Who can resist 'Pink Lemonade' or 'Hide and Go Seek'??

This Moment