Pamela sent out invites for a Summer get together a few weeks after their summer break started.
It was a perfect way to bond before the kids go on their new school this September.
I was surprised that Pam's mom rented their social room just for the event and prepared a spread fit for a birthday party for the kids (and adults) to snack on.
It just so happened that it was also the first day of Kimi's week day camp so we had to go after an hour of play and missed the magician that was supposed to come and entertain the kids at 1pm... Oh well!
Burnaby Montessori scheduled the last day of school with a field trip to end the school on a fun note.
A lot of kids came and joined.
I was glad that this time around. The trip to the Burnaby Montessori goes with an actual tour of the places plus the added bonus of riding the carousel as a group. It was fun to know everyone riding inside the carousel and the kids enjoyed themselves immensely. The first stop was the schoolroom with the teacher dressed up to the part and she did a bit of a backgrounder as to what school was like before. According to her, everyone was crammed inside one classroom with each row corresponding to one or two grade level.
* Seaforth School 1922
The teacher also did a hand inspection to see if the student did a good job cleaning their hands for school.
The carousel was finally open by the time we finish the school tour and decided to go straight to the carousel so that there won't be much of a line.
* The Grand Old Carousel
* Mini Horse
I settled Kenzo on this mini horse just right for his size but being the daredevil that he is, he won't allow it and changed to the regular horse while I hold on to him throughout the ride.
* Kimi with Teacher Doreen
The tour went on to the bus. Volunteers worked thousand of hours to restore the bus to it's glory.
* Bus of the olden day
...a tour of the stores from back then as well...
Kenzo preferred to look at the olden car.
...a demonstration of how they fire steel in this next tour
* Kimi decided to pose instead of going in with the crowd
Alas, it was time to say goodbye and go our separate ways. It was officially the start of Summer vacation.
* Group picture with the teachers
We went home but not until we got some ice creams for the kids to enjoy.
The Closing Ceremony was held at the Grace Lutheran Church near the Southslope Branch this year for a change, instead of the combined ceremony which was done last year at the church near Norland Branch.
* The Stage
* The Graduates
(L-R: Pamela, Yena, Samuel, Gabriella)
The kids worked really hard at perfecting the songs to sing for this special occasion.
The event are done as follows: The marching of the kids from the back of the room to the front, then, the graduates had their own march. Some words from Ms. Tanya then of course, O Canada song to start the event.
O Canada
O Canada! Our Home and Native Land!
True Patriot love, in all they sons command
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
we stand on guard for thee
God keep our glorious and free
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee
* * * * *
The little graduates had a special song performed. Kimi actually memorized this song (which she kept on repeating at home) and I was surprised that she was not part of the song number haha! Good memorizing Kimi :). The teachers actually did a great job in selecting these songs...
Leave the world a little bit better
Leave the world just a little bit better, a little better than it was
Leave the world just a little bit better, a little better than you found it
when the sun came up.
I'm only one and we are two
but there are others like me and you
Step by step and hand in hand
we can help our land.
Leave the world just a little bit better, a little better than it was
Leave the world just a little bit better, a little better than you found it
when the sun came up.
* * * * *
I got a bit of Deja Vu hearing this song, I used to hear this song being played over and over when my youngest brother was still a baby and we were still back in Manila.
I'd like to teach the world to sing
I'd like to build a world a home and finish it with love,
Grow apple trees and honey bees and snow white turtle doves.
I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,
I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company.
I'd like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand,
And hear them echo through the hills for peace throughout the land.
I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony,
I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company.
* * * * *
...and so is this song, a song I used to sing back when I was young(er)
Somewhere over the rainbow
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star, and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops,
that's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow, why then, oh why can't I?
* * * * *
This next song got me confused a bit. I heard Kimi singing a song that sounds quite familiar but I don`t recognize any of the lyrics at all... She says it was Korean and it was cute to see her singing a full song in Korean... Then she mentioned that the title was `Three Little Bears`, it finally clicked on why it sounded so familiar. This was the song from a Korean series I loved from a few years back, Full House.
According to the teacher, this was the song that the kids memorized the fastest despite it being a song with Korean lyrics
Three Little Bears
Kom Se Ma Li Ga
Han Ji Be Yi Su
A Ba Kom
Om Ma Kom
E Gi Kom
A Ba Kom Mun Dong Dong Hae
Om Ma Kom Mun Nal Shin Hae
Ae Gi Kom Mun No Mu Gwi Yo Wo
U Su U Su Chal Han Da
* * * * *
The last song sung was a classic as well and a great song to end the concert.... Indeed, It is a Wonderful World...
What a Wonderful World
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, What a Wonderful World
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
And also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do
They're really saying, I Love You
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, What a Wonderful World
Yes, I think to myself, What a Wonderful World
* * * * *
It was a bittersweet moment to look at the board and see that the school year has finally came to an end.
* Announcement Board
* The Spread
* Old Student and soon to be new one, Kenzo
* Kenzo waiting patiently for his food
Kimi specifically asked to take a picture with a classmate, Eshaan.
* Eshaan and Kimi
...and of course, it won`t be complete with a picture with the three ladies that stood as a second mother for Kimi when she was in school.
* Miss Tanya, Su and Doreen- Thank you!
It was really a blessing in disguise to have you guys come in the middle of the school year and be a part of Kimi`s growth. You guys brought fresh ideas into learning and it really shows in the events and art works they brought home.
I love the School's Annual Mother's Day Tea Party.
Aside from being the guest of honor, I just look forward to being there to see Kimi perform and build her confidence as she sings her songs and the kids served the mommies for a change. :)
* Flowers as centerpiece for each tables
The mommies shuffled inside the classroom and took a seat. Each one finding a place to sit on that would get them to take the best angle possible of their kids.
Kimi was right at the center of the group. She sat calmly as if this was just an everyday thing for her. No butterflies in the stomach. Atta Girl!
* Kimi waiting patiently for the show to start
* Showtime!
The first song was actually a repeat from the previous presentation...
It was Kimi who presented the song
* Five Pretty Mommies
Five pretty mommies I once knew,
Fat ones, skinny ones, tall ones, too,
But the one in the middle that belongs to me...
I love her and she loves me!
Down to the grocery we did go,
Wibble - wobble, wibble - wobble, to and fro,
But the one in the middle that belongs to me,
I love her and she loves me!
* Mother's Day, Mother's Day
( To the tune of Jingle Bells...)
Mother's Day Mother's Day
It is almost here
It's the time when we say
Thank you mother dear
Mother's Day Mother's Day
it is almost here
Hugs and kisses to my mom
I love you mother dear
* Skidamarink Song
Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I love you.
Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I love you.
I love you in the morning
And in the afternoon,
I love you in the evening
And underneath the moon;
Oh, Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I love you!
* Bushel and a Peck
I love you, a bushel and a peck!
A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!
A hug around the neck, and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap, and I'm talkin' in my sleep.
About you.
About you!
'Cause I love you, a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck I do!
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle oodle oodle oo.
* I love my mom mom mom mom
(To the tune of I've got Joy, Joy, Joy)
I love my mom mom mom mom down in my heart (where!)
down in my heart down in my heart
I love my mom mom mom mom down in my heart (where!)
down in my heart down in my heart
and I`m so happy
so very happy
I love my mom and she loves me so much
and I`m so happy
so very happy
I love my mom and she loves me so much
* * * * *
After the song numbers, it was time to present the mom with their works. I especially loved the readings of the kids who are in the school for 3 years (it was a new addition this year). They made a dedication which they have written and read it out loud for all the mommies to hear. I hope they do that next year when Kimi reaches her third year in Montessori as I was teary eyed as the kids read their letter which really touched my heart.
* Artworks for Mom
* Handprints as flowers
I especially loved the dedication at the back.
M-O-T-H-E-R
"M' is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold,
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER",
A word that means the world to me.
- Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
* * * * *
I thought that there were only 2 artworks being distributed but then the teacher start taking off the flower decors on the wall. Turns out that the kids also made those and it was nice that they were incorporated as a part of the wall that makes up the backdrop of their stage.
* Flower Tissues for our dearest moms
* Kimi with her flower- smile?
* There :)
* Kimi's work of arts
* Kimi with Teacher Doreen, Teacher Su, and Teacher Tanya
* Kimi gets sweet with Olivia
A loving and careful mother both recognizes
and even protects her daughter's autonomy
and also helps her dance out confidently on to a wider stage.
I was surprised to get an invitation for a Monday, but it made sense when I read that it was just around the corner from school so I guess it was quite practical in a way.
* Kimi ready for her day party
It was a fun and casual party at home with more than half of their classmates in attendance.
The main attraction was the...
* Trampoline
...at least it was, until someone made a surprise appearance...
* Shekinah! Former classmate
and everyone was soooo happy to see her
It was my first time to witness a birthday tradition from a different country, and what I've noticed is that they light an extra candle (age 5, candles lighted was 6) and the elders in the family feed the birthday boy a bit of cake with a kiss on the cheek.
Coming from a country wherein Cherry Blossoms can only be seen in Koreanovela (korean television series) and calendars. I am still amazed every Spring when the cherry blossom makes it appearance once again to signal the end of a cold Winter here.
I haven't got the chance to see the Cherry Blossom Festival yet but hopefully I will make my way and fully experience them soon.
For now, I would like to share the latest art from Kimi's class...
* Crepe Paper for Cherry Blossom and paint for the branches
They had an Easter celebration at school and came home with these treats.
* Little Bags with fillers
Kimi's teachers always comes up with nice crafts they can take home every occasion and this time Kimi brought home Bejeweled eggs and nice paper rabbit bags with pastel fillers inside to hold them.
* Bejeweled Eggs
"The resurrection gives my lifemeaning and direction and the opportunity to start overno matter what my circumstances."
First was due to the Teachers Strike and Second was due to a windy day.
We finally got to push through with it on a nice day to boot.
It is the first field trip of the year and it was a complete success.
* Kenzo, William and Kimi with the Otter Background
We were quite early as I was so bent up of going an hour early from our home just to be sure that when I get lost, I will still be there in time. Armed with my not so updated GPS, I picked up William's dad in the skytrain nearby and went on our way to Stanley Park with someone to help me navigate the street just in case.
We were directed to the side which caters for schools and groups and was asked to go by the side door wherein we were led to a room for a short presentation: Aquatic Adventure.
The first part was a puppet show that speaks of how the otters were losing it homes.
After a short presentation, some questions were asked to see if the kids did listen and it was a riot to hear the kids answering. Some were on target, while other answers were way off but such cute answers nonetheless.
* Puppet show
* Kenzo strapped in his stroller watching the presentation
The kids were divided into four groups and each were assigned 2 teachers to guide them as they go from one station to another.
A couple of minutes then the lights were turned off for awhile to signal that it was time to move on to the next station. They were asked to swim backward like an otter to the next station.
Second Station:
* Categorizing the objects if it was food for
People, Animals or both People and Animals
* Kenzo helping out to clean up the pastas
Third Station:
* Magnetic objects like home, cars, etc
was put into the scenery to complete the picture
* Cute Hat
Fourth Station:
This station talks about how animals get protected. Skins, Fur, Shells...
* Snake Skin
* Turtle Shells.... What a cute Turtle!
* More animals to touch: Live fish, Live Squids...
Note to self: Need to wash hands!!!
* Back to Square 1: Q&A before they were released
to explore the aquarium on their own
* My Backup IPAD to keep Kenzo quiet
We were ready to explore the rest of the aquarium...
We got into the 4D Cinema which was featuring Happy Feet as they were starting but Kenzo was not allowed so I got William's dad and Teacher Tanya and Teacher Su take Kimi with them so that she will be able to watch while we waited outside.
* Thr 4d Experience...
Kenzo was looking a bit tired since it was way past his nap time so a bit of pushing and he is snoring on his stroller.
* The only picture of Kenzo awake after the presentation
* Sleeping Kenzo with the Aquarium
... I especially love the jelly fish. I wish I could have these at home as a night light. so pretty!
* Pacific Sea Nettle
* Moon Jelly
* Japanese Sea Nettle
We decided to try our luck at the Beluga show which was starting at 2pm. The 4D finished at 2:05PM and with little feet walking it was finish by the time we arrived at the Beluga area just in time to see all the audience exiting...
* Olivia was still there enjoying the Belugas
* Hi Belugas!!!
...next was the Dolphins...
* Dolphin show was at 3:30PM- a bit late if we want to avoid the Rush Hour
* A Big Aquarium to see the fishes from a good distance
* Kimi Seahorse
* William Seahorse
...Kimi and William amused with the Starfish and Octopus in action
... it was a short visit but we will be coming back soon as we have visitors we are planning to bring here.
It's nice that they are expanding and it will be a better place to bring tourist in to show them how the Aquarium in Canada can be as nice as the big ones on some places.
