Pigeon Mountain

After a weekend of storm conditions it was with some relief that we woke to discover that it was fine ... not perfect, but fine ... just right for climbing our local mountain, Pigeon Mountain (Ohuia rangi). We like to make a connection with our local mountain at least a couple of times a year. Today we shared our mountain with our friends from Mangere Bridge kindergarten. Late last yera we had a fun day climbing their mountain. it was a bit too windy to eat at the top of the mountain, so we ate together at the bottom before enjoying games ... running, balancing, sack races and parachute. We have to say a thank you to the scouts for the use of their hall ... just in case it rained.

Pigeon Mountain

After a weekend of storm conditions it was with some relief that we woke to discover that it was fine ... not perfect, but fine ... just right for climbing our local mountain, Pigeon Mountain (Ohuia rangi). We like to make a connection with our local mountain at least a couple of times a year. Today we shared our mountain with our friends from Mangere Bridge kindergarten. Late last year we had a fun day climbing their mountain. it was a bit too windy to eat at the top of the mountain, so we ate together at the bottom before enjoying games ... running, balancing, sack races and parachute. We have to say a thank you to the scouts for the use of their hall ... just in case it rained.

And so the story continues ...

Georgia came in with this beautiful gift for me. Scroll through the blog to see the background to this story.

An awesome addition to our website

Last year we had our socks knocked off when Georgia shared a movie that she had made with the help of her Mum. It was all about Botany Downs Kindergarten ... with Georgia narrating it. We were SO excited that we thought we might put it on our website. Imagine our frustration when itʻs format just would not go into the website format. We tried and tried, but to no avail! So, there was just one thing for it ... we made another one. Thanks for doing it all agin Georgia ... and a very special thanks to your awesomely creative Mum. We really appreciate her contributions. Letʻs hope everyone checks out this movie on our website.

When a book just says it all

Ruby, I just had to buy this book when I saw it. The story tells of a duck that takes her time, but is very observant. That skill proved to be very helpful when her siblings got lost ... and Ruby was able to lead them home. I felt that the book captured a lot of your qualities too. What do you think? The cover of the book is just so soft to touch too!

Thereʻs that cow again

Georgiaʻs Mum just had to buy this friesien bag. Iʻd have to agree that it is a must have. I found a friesien cow money box at the $2 shop. I just had to buy that. How many more friesien things can there be? To follow this cool story you really have to scroll down through past blogs.

Row, row, row your boat

What a delight it was to come out of the kindergarten to the sound of ʻrow,row,row your boatʻ being sung with great gusto in the sandpit. There in front of my eyes I saw Jaden and Jack in full voice sitting on the digger with their oars in a pool of water. I was so glad I had my camera. I was able to video this event so you could each take a CD of the moment home to show the family. Thanks for making my day boys.

Itʻs all go for our Allyson Gofton evening of culinary teachniques and recipes

We were ever so lucky to have a visit for Allyson. We asked the children who had seen her cooking segment just before the six oʻclock news. Some children said that they had, other children just looked at her REALLY hard. Allyson took the opportunity to have her photo taken with Jorjia and Georgia. Check our website for more details.

Two feet, two scooters

Lucas, we couldnʻt believe our eyes when we saw you riding two scooters ... at the same time! Time and again you did cuircuits of the the playground. We were SO impressed that we asked you to give a demonstration at group time. What a skill you have there. We had to wonder if this would lead to great skiing.

The story of the friesien cow continues

Georgia, I continue to delight in our friesien cow interchange. It just gets better and better. For Christmas I got a friesien cow pencil and a friesien cow container from my daughter and she didnt know about our little interchange! When you went to Australia I wondered if you would see any friesien cows. Well ... you did better than that you saw a friesien pub! Then when you went to Tamworth you saw a friesien pillow and you bought it home for us to share. It doesnʻt get much better than that.

The digital microscope

The digital microscope has been an awesome addition to our kindergarten resources. We watch the enlarged images on the computer screen and on the projector screen. On this day we were looking at a centipede that Bronwyn found under her spare bed! We know that it had been dead a while because it was very dry and brittle.

Caelanʻs sewing

Caelan, in the short time that you have been at Botany Downs Kindergarten we have come to know a number of your wonderful qualities. One such quality is your intense interest in all that is going on. Sewing is just one example of your enthusiastic engagement. When you spied the sewing your eyes lit up. Immediately I could see the cogs turning in your mind! Initially you thought you might make your Mum a skirt because she only has one skirt. We have noticed that you often have such kind thoughts. As you talked your way through the planning process you came up with the idea of making a dog. Then it was off to the drawing board to create a pattern. Next it was time to choose the material and cut out the pattern. After the sewing it was time for you to add the stuffing and the facial features. I notice that you then carried your new dog around with you all morning. I canʻt help wondering what you will discover tomorrow ...