….this one is from my garden
When I got home from work today it was pouring down rain. I was worried that my peony bush would be flattened if we got much more rain so when the weather let up a bit I went outside and took some pictures of the peonies that have finally opened up. There’s usually a bit more red in this plant. Maybe it will show up in another day or two.
….aka Rosethorn in the Park
Almost every year since I started working at my school we’ve put on some kind of year-end show. For most of the 15 years that I’ve been at Rosethorn we’ve rented a portable stage and parked it outside on the school grounds by the hill. For a few years we booked the local high school auditorium when the cost of the stage became too prohibitive.
There was always something very special about putting on the show outside on a warm summer evening.
In all the years that we performed outside it never once rained during the show. Well the year we decided to bring back the show mobile we had rain. We were very optimistic and decided to go ahead with the show despite the forecast of potential showers. The sky was overcast for most of the day but the rain held off.
When we started the show there was no rain but after four classes had performed the rain began. When it looked like it wasn’t going to let up our principal gave the audience some options. Well actually she didn’t get past the first one which was to continue with the show. Everyone wanted to stay. The umbrellas came out and the children were pretty much dry under the roof of the stage anyway. Luckily the sound equipment and the operator were protected by a tent but our conductor/music teacher and the staff working with the children were exposed to the elements.
It rained for about an hour and stopped for the last few acts. Despite the soggy conditions the show was a hit and no one complained about getting wet. The teachers were glad that we didn’t have to come back the next night to continue the show and I think a lot of the families were glad as well.
….after a stressful and frustrating couple of days, an act of kindness melts my heart
Today was much calmer at school. The children actually got outside for recess despite the overcast skies. We started the day with our Character Education assembly and two of the kindergarten classes entertained us with fantastic performances featuring the theme cooperation. Mr. J. presented the trophy to this year’s winning floor hockey team and handed out medals to the boys’ touch football team that came in second in the City Finals. Mrs. F’s grade 3 class performed a musical production on the Orff instruments, conducted by Ms C. In my opinion it was one of the best assemblies we’ve had this year.
Now that all the voting for favourite books in the library is finished some of my stress has been lifted. I managed to email the last set of votes before I left school today. All day during library classes the kids were truly interested in knowing how the vote went. In art class the grade 3s continued on their weaving projects. I’m really loving this assignment. It’s so relaxing and the kids really like it. One of the students who finished his project is working on a design for our class project that everyone will participate in. When it’s done we will donate it for the silent auction at this year’s Fun Fair at the end of May. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.
I started and ended the day with soccer tryouts for the grade 4/5 girls. A group of students wanted to help me in the library and I told them what I really needed was a clean office and clean art equipment. They were happy to take up the challenge. All I really wanted was to have the paint cleaned off the palettes and brushes from Monday’s class.
When I walked into the library after soccer practice the room was dark but I heard a few giggles and my three helpers jumped out from behind my office door and yelled surprise. Not only had they put away all the books but they cleared off my library/computer table, washed all the art equipment, polished the sink, tidied the counter and organized the table and surfaces in my office. If that wasn’t enough they brought me a tray of fresh fruit and made me a cup of coffee. What a great way to end the day. They made me feel very special.
….it couldn’t come soon enough
Have you ever had one of those days that felt like it would never end?
Today was one of those days. It rained most of the day. All recesses were cancelled. The kids were indoors all day. By the afternoon they were more squirrelly than normal and it didn’t matter what you did or said they just couldn’t work without bickering at each other.
I knew I was in trouble when my last art class arrived at my door and their teacher apologized in advance for their behaviour. I sat them down and explained that I understood how their pent up energy had no avenue to be spent on this rainy day but we needed to try and focus on the lesson ahead if we were going to have a fun and productive double period of art. I said I was willing to let them go in pairs for a walk from one end of the school to the other if it would make a difference to their productivity. Most of the students were excited to be able to do that so I organized them into groups and one group at a time ‘went for a walk’.
I’m not sure it made any difference. Not two minutes after I demonstrated the lesson and gave precise instructions students started coming to me and asked what they had to do even though there were students already engaged in the activity. I couldn’t believe it. I looked at the kids that were working and asked them, “Didn’t I just explain what to do?” They nodded in the affirmative.
Day 2 is hard enough as is because I teach art back to back to grades 2 and 3. We have three or four projects on the go and I’m trying to get students to catch up so that we only have one common project that we’re working on at the same time. We didn’t quite reach that goal today. Next week we should only have two projects on the go and hopefully by the end of that class everyone will be on the same project. Of course that means some of the students will be finishing their big weaving project while others will have barely started.
At the end of the day I took some time to put up more art projects around the school. I must have been pretty tired because as I was leaving for the day I realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures of their work. I didn’t have the energy to turn around and go back to take a few shots. I apologize for the lack of photographs today. I’ll make it up to you next week.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I hope to get some rest, read and get out for a walk, weather permitting.
Cheers!
….it poured down all day and just before our Hallowe’en parade was to start it stopped
The only thing worse than indoor recess all day is indoor recess on Hallowe’en. The kids are already excited and when they can’t run off that excitement during recess it’s hard to keep them focused on their work. On top of that the book fair is still going but I have to admit that business was considerably slower today.
Someone was looking out for us today because just before our parade was scheduled to start the rain stopped. Hooray! We didn’t have to parade up and down the halls but we actually got to go outside and show off our costumes for the parents and the community.
Some of the costumes this year were very creative. The homemade ones are always the best. Here are a few that I can share with you.
The teachers at our school also get into the spirit of Hallowe’en.
Unfortunately when I got home tonight it started to rain again. I managed to carve the pumpkin but only 16 children came to the door. They actually didn’t even come to the door. My husband and I stood out in the rain and took the candy to the few children that walked past our house. A very sad Hallowe’en night indeed.
…..as for me maybe next year
When I first saw the treetop trekking course I was in awe. I couldn’t believe how high the course was. I found out later that the wires were anywhere from 25 to 40 feet off the ground. This is the first year that Mono Cliffs has offered this amazing program to students. Our school was only the second school group to attempt this course.
Before the students were allowed on the high course they participated in a team building activity where they were encouraged to walk across a low ropes course. The wires and swings were close to the ground so that if one lost their balance all they had to do was step off. It was pretty challenging walking across those wires but I did it. It wasn’t a pretty site as my body wobbled and shook, making my way across.
It was raining and cold the morning my group headed towards the treetop course. The three groups that had already experienced the ropes had perfect weather. Everyone raved about the experience and my colleagues encouraged me to take on the challenge. All of us were fitted with safety harnesses and helmets and then sent to a different low ropes area where we learned how to use the harnesses and transfer our clips from one part of the course to the next. Safety first.
After going across the low ropes I felt much more confident and even allowed myself to hang from the ropes in the harness. I waited my turn to go up the cargo net to the first platform. I cheered on the students ahead of me and praised the two who attempted the climb but couldn’t bring themselves to go any further than the platform. When it was my turn my hands were already numb from the cold but I started the climb up the ropes anyway. It was much harder than I expected.
The first platform was 30 feet from the ground and I was about 6 feet away when my arms just gave out. I tried to rest but my experience with anything physical has taught me that when you’re physically spent, pushing yourself can only lead to trouble.
The one thing that I’ve always wanted to experience is being repelled from a significant height. So rather than climb back down I asked if I could be repelled. It was a lot of fun and it inspired the two students who didn’t continue on the course to climb back up and then then experience the same thing. I think they felt a lot better having done that.
As for me, I definitely need to build up my upper body strength before I attempt this again. Losing more weight would also help. I’m actually looking forward to trying this again. 
….not the best day to visit the McMichael Art Gallery
You might think that visiting an art gallery when it’s raining ‘cats and dogs’ is the best time to visit an art gallery. Not so, at least not when you go to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg. The gallery is situated on 100 acres of beautiful conservation land which you can explore through a network of paths and trails. One of the first things we noticed, even in the pouring rain, was the intoxicating scent of the trees that surround the gallery and line the pathways throughout the grounds.
After we had made plans to go to the gallery with A and J, my husband realized that this was also the weekend of the Binder Twine Festival in Kleinburg. Normally you can’t get near the place during the festival but because of the rain we were able to drive straight onto the McMichael property.
The gallery was featuring two of my favourite photographers, Ansel Adams and Edward Burtynsky.
As in most galleries, I couldn’t photograph the actual works of these great photographers so I found a couple of pictures from the internet to share with you. Both these examples were at the show.
The gallery itself looks like a chalet set among the trees and as you walk in you are greeted by a large, high ceiling and very open lobby. On the far wall, large glass windows that go from the floor to the ceiling look over the thickly wooded conservation area. Tables and chairs welcome visitors to sit and relax while they contemplate whether to start their tour on the upper level where the featured artists are or stay on the main level to view the large permanent collection of the Group of Seven.
The gallery also houses beautiful Aboriginal and Inuit art on both levels.
On our way out and back to the parking lot we passed a couple of the sculptures that line the paths throughout the grounds
and we stopped briefly at Tom Thomson’s Cabin which had been relocated to Kleinburg. The building originally came from the grounds of the Studio Building in Rosedale, Toronto where the Group of Seven worked from. Tom Thomson couldn’t afford the rent in the main building so he rented the refurbished workmen’s shed for $1.00 a month.
For more information about the McMichael Canadian Art Collection you can click here.
….despite the crazy weather
Spending time with my adult children is the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Unfortunately this year two of my three children are out of the country so having them all together was impossible. The day, however, was close to perfect.
It started with breakfast in bed, made lovingly by my husband; strawberries and yogurt, a feta and spinach omelet, bacon, toasted baguette and great coffee. Later in the morning I got a long distance phone call from my son who lives in Rotterdam. It was so nice hearing his voice and catching up on all the news in his life. I could have talked much longer but my husband and I were invited for a special lunch at our youngest daughter’s apartment.
Lunch at G’s and B’s place was relaxed and informal. We had a smorgasbord of cured meats, cheese, fresh bread, a citrus fennel salad and a rapini pesto with olives. After lunch the weather had cleared and the sun started to peak through the clouds so we decided to take the dogs, Lucy and Frances for a long walk through Sherwood Park.
My son-in-law and the girls.
The weather held out for our walk and actually started to warm up. Earlier in the day we experienced rain showers, gusty winds, cold temperatures and on the drive to the apartment we drove through a torrent of hail. When we returned to the apartment we stopped at Dufflet’s (situated just below the apartment) to pick up a couple of tarts to share and enjoy with our coffee.
On the drive home the weather changed again. The temperature dropped, the wind picked up and it rained heavily. Just before arriving home it started to hail again and people on the street were covering their faces and running to find some kind of cover.
When we arrived home I got back in my car and went shopping. I needed to buy some things for school but that particular store closed as I drove up. At that point I decided to check out Marshall’s and boy am I glad I did. I needed a new spring coat that I could wear with dresses and skirts. I found that perfect coat plus 2 skirts, a short one and a long one and 3 summer tops.
When I got home my oldest daughter ‘skyped’ me from Argentina. Like her brother it was so nice to hear her voice but also to see her face. We had a few problems with the video portion of our exchange and we had a couple of laughs when the screen froze on a silly expression or when it started to loop over and over again. My day was perfect. I had a special moment with each of my children. Thank you, all! Love you!
Me with my youngest daughter, G at her apartment.
P.S. …..and Cochran won Survivor. How perfect is that?
…. but at least it’s a little warmer
We always look forward to the first days of Spring but this year Winter keeps reappearing. Just as we start to think that warmer, sunny days are upon us the temperatures plunge back down to freezing and the skies cloud over, not with warm spring rain but icy cold snow and sleet.
I’m sitting here debating whether to get outside and attempt a long walk with the dog or get in the car and get a little bit of shopping done in the Junction. We need some organic vegetables, coconut water and almond milk and there’s a great store up there called the Sweet Potato that sells all that great stuff.
My husband just checked the weather and the rain isn’t coming for a few more hours so we’ve decided to get the dog out. I’ll continue when I get back.
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Well the weatherman was wrong again. As soon as we stepped outside it started to drizzle but we decided to continue with the walk. We didn’t get very far and it started to rain pretty steadily. We were both dressed in our rain gear so we made the decision to keep going. Initially we thought we would do a shorter route because of the rain but our legs kept us moving on our usual path.
When we got closer to the rugby pitch something came over me and I started to run/jog. I jokingly told my ‘Girls on the Run’ students that I always run faster in the rain and maybe there is something to that because I didn’t stop till I got home. More about this later.
I just called my oldest daughter and after we dry out a little we’re going to pick her up and head over to the Junction to do some shopping. Maybe we’ll catch some lunch in one of the little coffee shops or restaurants that are springing up all over this up and coming area of Toronto.
Well, so far the day isn’t turning into a ‘gloomy’ day, despite the weather. It’s only 11:00 in the morning and already I’ve had a great walk/run, I’ve written a post for the blog and I’m about to go out do some fun shopping with my husband and daughter. Things are looking up!
Cheers!
…..especially when it’s not my money
Every year in the library we host a book fair and all the profits go to buying more books for the library and to support the curriculum across different grades and subjects. I had a nice sum of money from the last two book fairs to spend. Routinely the company that runs the fairs sends me catalogues and flyers of all the products that they sell. When I see something that I think would benefit a class or a specialty teacher I pass it on to see if there is any interest.
Today I actually found the time to order everything that a number of teachers expressed an interest in and the best part is that I still have more than half of my credits left. I’m looking forward to approaching more staff to help me spend the rest of the money. I love children’s books and I know it will feel like my birthday when this order comes in. So far half the order will stay in the library and the rest will go into different classrooms.
I have students that are library helpers and they love helping me unpack new books. Next week when this order comes in I’ll have a group of very happy children.
Yesterday I went to a meeting for girls’ soccer and track and field. The good news is that extra-curricular sports are back in the TDSB and I’ve volunteered to coach soccer again. So on days when I’m not coaching Girls on the Run, I’ll be out with the soccer team. Luckily I have some parents that are eager to help me coach the girls and their expertise and dedication are greatly appreciated.
The third reason to be happy today is that the temperatures went into the double digits today and I was able to wear my spring jacket. We had our best day so far for Girls on the Run until the rain started but we were able to get in most of the run before we had to head back inside. It looks like the rain is going to stay with us for a few days and unfortunately we’re being threatened wit a winter storm warning. Really???????
Anyway, new books, warmer temperatures (even if only for a day) and bringing back extra-curricular sports are in my Happiness File today.
Cheers!
Mama Cormier 
