Introducing Henry!

I had the pleasure of reading my book to a class for the first time recently. A friend helped connect me with the director of her son's pre-school, so off I went and had so much fun reading my book to 5 classes of preschool students. They were fantastic! Not only did they enjoy the book, they asked great questions, and really understood the meaning of the character's actions and the lesson of my story. I of course took along with me some coloring pages for the kiddos, with the older classes they used their imaginations to come up with their own mixed up animals (such as an orange penguin-cat), and made drawings of them. Being a teacher, it was a different perspective, but wonderful to have the students respond to my book so positively!

A New Season of Life

Besides being a mother, a wife and an artist, I am an art teacher by day…however, not currently. I am on maternity leave with my now 3-month-old baby girl and I love that I am able to spend this time with her while she is growing, learning and changing every day. I have to say though; it is weird not going back to school. This is the first September in 28 years that I have missed the first day of school. From kindergarten, through college and right into the start of my career I have never been sitting at home while school gets underway. It’s a strange feeling. My fellow teachers have all posted pictures of their classrooms as they finished their set-up and decoration in September, they are all going through meetings and trainings for professional development and they are all getting to know their new students. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t wish I was there, if I could I would stay home with my daughter indefinitely, but I will be a working mom by necessity and because I do love my job. Still, it is so strange not to be doing something that you have become so accustomed to. I did go visit, to say hi to all the teachers and kids that I know and to introduce myself to all of the new kids, especially the kindergartners. Being away from school right now is strange and I miss all my young artists, but I am blessed that I now have a child of my own, and I wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything. She is wonderful in every way and I am so thankful to be her mommy. I love that this Fall will be a totally new adventure with her!