Looking Back on February

February started off with sunny days that really highlighted the amazing beauty we have here in the Northwest!  (I say 'started off', as the rest of the month has been filled with rain).

One of my favorite pastimes...seeing musicals.  This month I went to see Seattle's new production of the classic Oklahoma on opening night.

Weekend trip up north to Woodinville to enjoy some wine tasting for my friend Savanna's birthday!

Preschool Fun: Valentines Day celebrations, friendship chains and shaving cream!

I do not have pictures of the Oscars this year (for I attend a quite party at a friends house instead of a big costume event), but that of course was a highlight of this past month!

A Fish Called...Dory!

Let me introduce you to the new addition to the Caterpillar classroom...Dory.  Yes, we got a fish!  It is fish week and we have been learning all about fish so why not have the real thing swimming around in our classroom.  The day he arrived (yes Dory is a beta boy), I asked Savanna if she had thought of any names.  She suggested we let the kids pick a name, which is great in theory, but I have done this before and they all want to name the pet their name, or something long and ridiculous like Lightening McQueen.  So we decided to give four choices and then vote as a class.  The first two names where in honor of Disney characters, Flounder & Dory... and the other two, Tony & Oscar were chosen to honor my favorite awards ceremonies...haha!  Savanna is a fellow musical groupie so we were routing for Tony...but unfortunately he only got one vote (actually the kid who voted for him is a new 3 year old who mumbled something we couldnt understand, so I thought I heard Tony).  Dory is holding up pretty well.  Poor guy, I would totally freak out if a dozen kids were peering in at me.  So far no one has tried licking the bowl or putting their hand in the tank!  Please pray he lives for a long time...I hate flushing those little guys down the toilet!  Ahhh, the life of a preschool teacher.

Everyone is excited to check out our new class pet

Learning about Betas

Fish Crafts

One of my students brought flowers for the classroom!  Brings such joy on these cold winter days!

A Snowy New Year!

In mid-January, Seattle got its annual snow fall!  Due to bad weather conditions, school was cancelled an entire week.  As a teacher, I loved the unexpected break!  My days were spent cozy in doors getting projects and school planning done, watching movies, sipping wine and also going on snow walks.  One day we had freezing rain which left ice everywhere...I of course enjoyed talking photos.

(Ran into one of my students on a walk)

New York, New York

Near the end of November, I had the amazing opportunity to visit dear friends in New York City!   I love this city and find that each visit holds new and special experiences.  Close friends from South Africa, Richard & Heather Van zyl Smit, and their two boys Timothy (4) and Oliver (2) were staying in NY for 6 months while Richard was doing research.  It was a joy to stay with them in their tiny flat and explore the city by day.  Of course I saw musicals and visited museums...all my favorite things!  Here are some fun photos from my time:

Sitting in the fall sunshine and enjoying the view of the Brooklyn Bridge

Metro rides and fun city public art

Saturday afternoon in Central Park!  The fall leaves were amazing!

Watching the ice skaters and taking a ride on the famous merry go round 

One of favorite locations in the US: Times Square!

So excited to see one of my favorite singers Harry Connick Jr. in the musical On a Clear Day

Enjoyed a Sunday afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art.  I love watching people in museums and how they look at art and interact with the space.  Little do these strangers know they have made my blog!

Radio City Music Hall and Rockerfeller Center

Oh yum!  Just looking at this photo again makes my mouth water!  These cupcakes are amazing...I hadn't been to the Magnolia Bakery since 2000, so it was nice to treat Heather and the boys to American cupcakes on my last morning in New York!

What a treat!