Duck Walk

 The Rockland Montessori School had it’s annual “Duck Walk” on the hottest day of spring.  The kids all walk from the school to a little pond dressed as ducks and carrying yellow balloons.  The parents meet them there and we all have a picnic.  We were all drenched in sweat, but the popsicles and cheese puffs made it so the kids didn’t even notice.  This is Charlie’s beloved teacher, Mrs.. Wishowski.  He was so delighted by her all year and always comments on how beautiful she looks.  She has been such a fun, full of life teacher that has really got Charlie excited about school.  I’m so grateful for her.   And here is Mrs. Simopoulus.  I think Hazel wishes that she were her daughter.  She thinks she’s the best thing since sliced bread and she very well may be.  She has taught Hazel so much this year, and Hazel LOVES her sparkly shirts.  One day when I had a bunch of kids over for a play date and was starting to get a bit frazzled by all the demands Hazel told me that I should just calmly say, “please quiet down, you’re starting to give me a headache” like her teacher does.  Man, I have a lot of respect for pre-school teachers who keep their cool while attending a whole crowd of impatient kids.  After eating a bit most of the kids got up to run around and feed the ducks and blow bubbles.  Not Hazel.  Not when there are huge tubs of Cheese Balls for the taking.  She just sat quietly and ate bowl after bowl.