Sisters in the House!

 Mr. Finn's three sisters and their kids going through the greeting line.  Here's Amy, in the pink.

 Another sister, Beth, meeting Tyler.

 Soon to be partners in crime, Tyler and Max.  So nice to have someone your size around.

 We always have guests do a lesson or two, and since Mr. Finn's sisters are all educators, that wasn't difficult.  Kelly did a lesson on palindromes.  Everyone's laughing because Max was the period at the end of the sentence.

 Amy recently moved to Fargo, ND, so she taught a lesson on the American bison.

 Tyler and Max hitting it off in a very cute way.

 Then Beth did a lesson on food and cultures of the world, as well as some background about economics using Hungry Planet posters.  It was very eye-opening!

After the sisters were done, Mr. Finn's nieces Rois and Samantha taught everyone to do those four square fortune tellers and we had a blast going around and asking everyone to pick a color.  Thanks to the extended Finn family for their great lessons!

Going Away Party

 The morning after the performance we came to the front door and Brody was out there, acting suspicious.  We saw Bo's car and tried the door but Brody said, "It's locked.  I don't know why."  Yeah, right.  We entered the classroom and Bo was at the piano playing quietly.  There were signs and decorations everywhere and the kids started jumping out of their hiding spots, shouting, "Surprise!  Party time!" 

There were home made signs like this plastered all over the place, and great long paper chains hanging from the ceiling.  The chairs were organized in a circle and there were plates of treats on the table.  The kids had all hatched this plan months ago, apparently.  Myron said to me, very seriously, "Ms. Finn I barely slept a wink last night because I was so worried I'd oversleep."  They all got up extra early to come down to the school and had roped Bo into opening the door for them.  SO CUTE!  It was incredibly touching.  In fact, as I sit here in the empty school finishing up with cleaning and organizing I keep wiping the tears from my eyes.  When we sat in the circle I suggested that we go around and say things that we'll remember about our four years together...our favorite times.  It was so cool to hear all the things that they enjoyed over the years.  I told them what a special group of young people they are and that it was my privilege to teach them.  I told them how proud I was of all they have accomplished.  I told them I'd never forget them and would cherish my memories of them.  While I was talking, of course I had a few tears and then Tyler called out, "WELL!  Now you're makin' ME cry!" and Seth began to fan at his eyes which of course made me laugh.  One thing I also said to them that has really sunk in lately:  Not one day has been spent in the past four years that didn't have laughter echoing in our schoolroom.  We sure did have some fun, didn't we kids?  Miss you already.

2012 Performance

 We had a pre-performance run through the afternoon of the big day.  The kids didn't seem at all nervous, a far cry from how they've been in past years.  They were having a great time practicing their dances.

 Then Bo and Graham bestowed us with their beautiful gifts and played for us.  They are such marvelous musicians that it almost brings tears to the eyes.

 The kids kept challenging Bo to play for as long as he could on the oboe, and for Graham to play as fast as he could.  Kids.

 Then it was time for the actual performance.  Folks filed in and the kids got ready.

 They sang.  They danced. They played. They acted their little hearts out.  It was fantastic, as usual.  I was all teary-eyed since this is my last Week of Music!

 Mr. Finn's three sisters happened to have arrived on the afternoon boat so they were all in attendance as well.  Here's our nephew, Max, with his Uncle Doug.

And for the finale...You Are My Sunshine.  You're killing me here, kids!  I couldn't stop blubbering.  Thank goodness I was in the back row.  We were so proud of the kids and their teachers, Bo and Graham, for a very special musical night.  Cheers!

Many Hands...

 In Frenchboro School, we always use the old adage, "Many hands make light work" but what this adage doesn't really convey is the spirit with which these kids jump in to help.  In the past four years we have had a lot of setting up and taking down of events, of cleaning after parties and yearly trail maintenance.  Not once have the kids grumbled or refused.  I can't tell you what a wonderful feeling it is to have a group of such helpful, cheerful people to be around. 

Thanks to these students for their great attitudes.  Here's my NEW adage: Many hands and a smile make for light work and a light heart.

 Sooooo....did YOU see the transit of Venus yesterday? 

 Mr. Finn was prepared, having bought a set of special glasses for each of the kids.  It rained all day and we were feeling like maybe it wasn't going to happen but then at the end of school the sun broke out of the clouds.

 Even if you did see the transit, I'll bet you didn't get serenaded, did you?  Graham played as we checked out the sun.  We sang a lot of sun songs, especially You Are My Sunshine.  My mom was really strong in my thoughts as she is always the one that informs me on astronomical events and sang to me that very same song at bedtime.  I have vivid memories of watching the Leonid meteor shower with her as well as standing in our front yard as she pointed out the constellations to me as a child.  Mr. Finn is also really into space events so hopefully he's passing on the passion to the kids.  Maybe they'll take their kids out someday to watch an eclipse or a passing comet.

 Especially if they get to wear styling glasses!

 Cyclops ain't got nothing on us X-Men.

It just so happened that Venus wasn't ready to make her transit until just before sunset.  Luckily it was still nice enough at that time to see the small black dot.  It looked very much like this pic above.  Folks crowded into trucks and viewed it from the down by the harbor.  It was a great experience...once in a lifetime, actually, since it won't happen again until 2117!

Ukelele Lessons

Pretty sweet to get ukelele lessons from a professional musician!  Tonight is the night!

The Sound of Music

Such a joy to be hearing the sounds of music and laughter echoing through our schoolhouse.  Having Bo and Graham here is a wonderful experience for all.  We're so grateful that they make the long trip from North Carolina year after year to work with the students of Frenchboro School.  Thanks again to our resident musicians for your hard work, your expertise and your great rapport with the kids.  Such fun!