garden day

Garden day was originally scheduled for a Saturday back in early October but in typical alarmist Austin style, it was cancelled due to an expected heavy rain that never happened. Finally, today, the most ambitious of children in my class convened to perfect our outdoor environment. My good friend Samuel and I started the day by building a raised bed (with just a bit of help from his dad). Later in the day, we shoveled 220 pounds of soil into it and then planted jasmine, tri-color sage, day lilies, Mexican petunias etc. Notice my fancy new shovel! At the very beginning of the day, there was much negotiation over who would wear which gloves and use which garden tools. My shovel was popular but I had to part with it for a short time to wear Isabella's lovely pink gloves.

In the front of the cottage, we let the parents do some of the work. To make room for lavender, lantana, columbine, and other flowering plants that will grow huge come spring, my dad removed a towering cypress tree (which we brought home and planted in the very center of the front yard and now we have to wonder how that will factor into our baseball, soccer, and football games). We also had dozens of bulbs from the prized collection of a famous iris breeder that we planted all around. After everything was planted, Pragya and I watered. And watered. We are all hoping for a good soaking rain.

I am excited for the rest of my friends to come back to school on Monday to see all of the good work we did. While I don't want to wish the school year away, it will be interesting to see how everything grows and blooms in the spring.

Speaking of school, this is what my classroom looks like, sans the ten toddlers who normally occupy it. I so love the orderly nature of the Montessori classroom.

After hauling away all of the compost, recycling, and trash, I stole a few minutes to turn myself upside down on the monkey bars.