Ms. O's Kindergarten class

Eliza is winding up the last precious days of her magical introduction to kindergarten with Ms. Osborn.  Ms. Osborn will be leaving "The Sunflowers" to go on maternity leave.  It is hard to express how sad we are to lose her, though we are equally excited for her as she embarks on the wonderful adventures that her new baby will bring.  Still, when Eliza was crying the other night that "It's so unfair that Ms. Osborn is leaving because I just love her so much and I only just started school"...we could definitely relate to the sadness.  

So, how to describe her? First of all, she exudes creativity and craftiness.  The projects she comes up with are incredible and her artistic sensibilities seem to permeate everything she touches.  Walking into the Sunflower classroom is like being in an alternative, much more brightly colored universe.  Through all of this creativity, she has cultivated and solidified Eliza's natural love of learning.  She makes school the fun and amazing journey that it should be. 

One of the things Eliza likes best about Ms. O is that she's been teaching them sign language. Eliza likes to brag to anyone who will listen, "I know sign language."  They also sing their good morning song in about eight different languages...I think she adds a language whenever she has a family in the class who can teach it to her.  This year, we added Tibetan, Norwegian and Portuguese to the Spanish, Chinese and others that were already there.  

She's also incredibly patient, gentle and loving with all of the kids.  Sometimes this can't be easy: Don't let the name fool you, "The Sunflowers" are a wild bunch.  But, Ms. Osborn sees the good in everyone and reminds them of it on a regular basis, inspiring them to do better, to be their best.  

She has all sorts of little rituals and routines that infuse meaning into the kids' day. There is a strong sense of safety and comfort in the environment she has created.  For us, that means there is the wonderful feeling of knowing we are sending our daughter off each day to a place where she is nurtured and loved.  For Eliza it means being in an environment where she is confident enough to take risks, to take chances and to learn from mistakes.  

Plus, she's from England, and of course we love that. 

She also takes wonderful photographs (in general, but also of the kids).  Below are some of her pictures of Eliza from this year.  You can check out more of her pictures on flickr.  Her name there is willowpoppy. All of the pictures below were taken by Willow Osborn, except the one that she's in...I don't know who took that.  Unless, of course, Ms. Osborn has the ability to be in two places at once which seems totally plausible to us. 

Eliza as "Star Student", Kevin helping her tell the class about herself.

Eliza making patterns...E!

Sunflowers pajama party.  Eating cookies, watching a movie...they were pretty happy. 

Ms. Osborn. 

Eliza and best bud Naima playing dress up at free choice time.

Eliza and another best bud, Elan checking out the seeds in the sunflowers that were growing in the BAM garden.

Eating homemade applesauce

Eliza and Kaya proud of the castle they made.

Coloring.

Eliza, Elan and Wisdom making sugar skulls for Day of the Dead.

More skulls.