Check it out!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61648640@N08/

I'm posting the link to our Sheltering Arms Family Center FLICKR account. Keep checking in to get the latest and greatest pictures! We have tons more to put up from the last few months to the last few years! It's a work in progress. Enjoy!

(Let me know if the link doesn't work, I may have to add you as a contact to view!)

Spring already gone?

Perhaps not just yet! We hear it's going to be a hot and brutal one, but hopefully there are still some days of perfect, balmy, flowery outdoor enjoyment in our future.

(Pictured is a drawing by our resident artist/teacher Raphie Huff, displaying a most innovative May crown idea by soon-to-be Kindergardener Sylvia)

Happy Mother's Day!

What a lovely first week of May it has been! We celebrated May Day by singing and dancing around the Maypole this week, as well as preparing small gifts and cards with love for all the mothers.
Last week the children picked violets, as it is getting late in the season, and the flowers 'magically' turned into violet jam for all to take home! Put some jam on toasted bread and butter, such a sweet treat! (I will post a recipe for the Violet Jam if anybody would like to make some at home! It is almost too beautiful to eat!)
I hope all the mothers and their families are enjoying this beautiful Sunday together. See you all at Sheltering Arms!
With Love,
Emily

May already!

Ok folks! Sorry it has been awhile since the last post. With Easter preparations at the end of last month and children in from their schools' spring break, it was a bit hard to sit down and do a post (sheer exhaustion!). Excuses, excuses I know, but I have slowly been setting up a Flickr account with the pictures Raphie and I have been taking. The month of April's pictures are officially up! Now I just have to backtrack a bit and get the older pictures up as well. In order to see the pictures, I will need emails of parents that would like to be part of Sheltering Arms Flickr account. You will then become a contact of mine once I send out invitations and only the contacts should be able to view. Still working the ropes with Flickr, but it is coming along!
Keep posted later this week, with May Day Festivities happening all this week! We will be sure to capture all the magic and fun!
Also, next Saturday May 7th from 9am-1pm, is opening day at Phoenixville's Farmers Market. Not only is it the 10th anniversary of the market itself, but it is also the festival of the Honey Bee!  Sheltering Arms volunteered to help with the children's table this year! So stop by and say hi!  For more information go to : http://www.phoenixvillefarmersmarket.org/calendar/celebration-of-the-honey-bee-festival
Hope to see you there!

Have a splendid May Day!

-  Emily -

Just a quick note...

A must see for all parents...

Tuesday nights at 8pm on ABC...Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution...wow...
http://www.jamieoliver.com/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/

If you haven't watched it yet, get on board. You will be on a wild ride. Totally blew my mind tonight. This is the start of the second season, I can't believe I missed out on the first! I'm a huge Jamie fan anyway, from watching his cooking and traveling shows; but I have a whole other appreciation, respect and love for what he is trying to accomplish in L.A...

Just speechless....watch for it next week and you'll know why!

- Emily -

* Know where your food is coming from *

No foolin'!

Mother Nature sure has an interesting sense of humor! This picture was taken on April Fool's Day morning, when we had a surprise coating of snow during the rush hour commute! With spring officially under way, there are a lot of other new beginnings here at Sheltering Arms!
Starting with the new Sheltering Arms blog, we hope to share regular updates with all that is happening at our center. They will include photos and entries from teachers; anything from recipes to morning circles and daily activities. You never know what may be posted, so keep checking in!
We are also diligently working on finishing the Sheltering Arms website. We will let you know more when it is officially up and running.
Along with the website and blog, we will be setting up a Facebook page. This will also let "fans" know of any community and/or home based events that are going on, as well as any other news we have to share!
Finally, as a teacher here for nearly 9 years and a lover of photography, I have collected quite a few photo albums of seasonal activities the children have been a part of. So now, it has come to my attention that I can share those photos with you via the web! I am going to be setting up a photo sharing site so that parents can see, print and have these pictures of your children to enjoy for years to come. Raphie, another wonderful teacher and artist will also be sharing her candid shots as well!
We hope these tools will give you the opportunity to be more interactive with us. It is exciting to all of us to share these things with you, and we are looking forward to hearing feedback! Don't forget to check in to see what is happening at Sheltering Arms! :)
- Emily -