Baby Chicks

The teacher next door to me received permission from the principal to hatch chicks in an incubator in her classroom. The eggs incubate for 21 days. We watched and waited and her grade 1/2 class learned a lot about chickens!

Katherine worried that only one egg might actually make it. But in the end, 9 chicks hatched!

The chicks starting to hatch inside the incubator.

Their first home in a cardboard box in room 122.

I can't remember exactly when Katherine asked me if I wanted to take the chicks for a night, but with perhaps a little bit of trepidation I said yes, thinking that the girls would love it. We took the chicks for the long weekend and the closer we got to the long weekend, the more the anxiety increased. I was a little freaked out about the dog, but mostly I just didn't want the chicks to die under my watch!

It wasn't too much of an adventure bringing them home, they were cute and noisy and I enjoyed polo-ing Shawn and my sister and showing them the chicks. The girls were super excited when I got home and Milo was unhinged! He did not even begin to know what to make of this animal home invasion.

It was love at first sight.

Milo - the uncertainty begins!

I couldn't get him to leave the house to walk. Then with a bag of treats we walked. Then he sat down and wouldn't get up again, so Ken and Fiona came to get us.

Alice and Fiona named all of the chicks. 

We fed them, made sure they were warm enough and that they had enough water, and of course, they were played with!

And cuddled.

There were four brown/black chicks, one grey chick and four yellow chicks.

At some point on Sunday we put in the next size up water dispenser and it was so much better!

The girls said goodbye Tuesday morning.

Getting them back to school on Tuesday morning was a bit of an adventure only because I did not leave enough time to get them organized to go so I was late... however all was okay and they are happily back at school in a new bigger tote - no more cardboard box for them.

Here are the names that were going to be voted on for the chicks. The grade 1s and 1/2s are voting on their names. Lola - a yellow chick with a brown stripe and Harry - the grey chick are the only ones with set names before the weekend began. The whole school has been gripped by chicken fever!

We didn't really have anything planned this weekend, aside from Ken and his to-do list. I felt kind of bummed that we didn't have anything planned, but it ended up being a restful rejuvenating weekend and the chicks were such a delightful distraction. It really is so special to take care of something so fragile and new.

Two Spring Concerts, A Dance Jamboree, A High School Concert, A Musical

Tuesday May 6th and Wednesday May 7th were my Spring Concerts. I was a pretty frantic person on Tuesday but after the second show was done Tuesday evening, I felt great. We did a daytime dress rehearsal and an evening concert on both days and all of the shows were amazing. I work with an amazing staff and with amazing kids. I am so thankful for how well everything came together.

Ready for the Tuesday show! The gorgeous backdrop was conceived by one of the kindergarten teachers and executed by one of the grade 7 classes. 

My grade 7/8 band - they are so awesome.

My MCs, Melina and Eden.

A beautiful sunset and my bouquet after the Tuesday show.

The Wednesday backstage crew - Eden, Riyana and Inayah.

The tech crew - Seth and Hugo.

The Wednesday night MCs - Larissa and Nesha.

I was given a bouquet after both shows by my principal and I was given a bouquet by one of my students - a grade 2.

On Thursday we took a pic with the entire backstage crew. Riyana, Lia, Eden and Inayah. (Lia couldn't be there on Wednesday night so we took the pic on Thursday.)

The Harry Bowes parent council took and posted this pic on their Instagram account. I was touched!

Thursday May 8th was Fiona's Folk Dancing Jamboree and it was also Kate's High School Spring Concert. I was a little crushed they were both happening on the same night. But I am grateful for technology. Ken recorded every piece - pans and band that Kate participated in and we got to watch them when we all came back home. It made my heart so happy to get to be both in person at Fiona's Jamboree and then to watch Kate's concert. Also parking at the plaza across the street from the Jamboree was life altering! 

I love that they have Folk Dancing club. I love that all the girls have done it. I love that Fiona still enjoys it!

Kate continues to enjoy playing the clarinet in Band and the tenor drum in Steel Pan. It makes my music teacher mama heart very happy that she enjoys it!

A pic Ken took in the cafetorium. 

From Tuesday May 13 - Friday May 16, Alice performed her role as the Queen of Hearts in her school's production of Alice in Wonderland six times. It was a long week for her, but she loved it and did such a great job. I came to both evening shows. On Tuesday night the YW and leaders came to watch Alice as well as two of Alice's good friends, Caden and Noella. On Thursday night Uncle Andrew, Grandma and CJ were all there. Everyone loved the show and I'm so grateful that Alice had the opportunity to participate and shine. 

I've reflected lots on the Arts lately and their importance to me and to my kids. I worry about the future of arts education in this time of economic uncertainty. Music programs in British Columbia and in Toronto District School Board are already facing funding cuts and possibly being cut. I don't want to imagine schools without bands. 

I am so thankful for all of the amazing teachers that work with my kids! I am so thankful for the creative things we all get to participate in!