Reading Now

Ethan is reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

Jared is reading the Captain Underpants series.

Matthew’s favorite read these days is Tony Diterlizzi’s picture book version of the famous Spider and the Fly by Mary Ann Howitt.

I’m on an Ian McEwan kick.

Favorite YouTubes

Tribute to John Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4

Ethan, Grace and Sophia in the Laurel Talent Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9mj8sDcyE&feature=channel_page

Favorite Songs

Matthew: Oats and beans and barley grow, Raffi and Weird Al Yankovich’s The Saga Begins about Star Wars

Katie: Been listening to Sunday in the Park with George and 101 in the Shade

Ethan:  Bombs over Baghdad, Outkast

Glen: Death Letter, White Stripes

Jared: “I dunno”

Pic by Sue Exley at graduation

Matthew and I graduated from preschool yesterday!

Matthew is moving on to kindergarten after 2.5 years at Carlmont Parents Nursery School (where Glen worked with Irene Carvajal to redesign the Website. They made the templates I populated all the content).

6 years in a row for me of working at the school at least once a week, doing a family job, attending night meetings. 6 years in a row of a strong community around us, people who share our values, family potlucks, picnics and concerts and being able to always find a playdate.

I’m really happy that we made the commitment to this school and to El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative before that. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.

The PTA Board at Laurel always has at least one former CPNS parent on it. Next year it will be me and Ed Coady.

Anyway – more about MATTHEW! He wanted a pair of crocs, those rubbery, flimsy sandals which can be worn in water. I bought him a pair but said I would return them if he wasn’t good during graduation. He was SO GOOD! He sat quietly at attention the entire time. I was SO PROUD of him! I couldn’t believe it.

I guess he really is ready to move on to kindergarten. He thinks he is. He seems to think it starts any day now! Maybe today!

Red is gum drops, fire and red peper.

Oranges is oronges, lion scin and oreng juse.

Yellow is lemen heds, lemens and lemenad.

Green is money, grass and frogs.

Blue is the sky, blue berries and a pool.

Purple is graps, eggplant and medeicine.

She makes me food

and puts me in a better mood.

She whistles to songs I like

and encourages me to ride my bike.

* * *

You’re the best

and always will be,

I love you and you love me.

I would still love you if you were in my hair.

I would never ever care

even if you were a bear.

* * *

Kneener! Kneener! Kneener!