Josh Renaud's weblog detailing the exploits of his family in Ferguson, MO, USA. Starring Yoli, Jadzia, Ludi, Josie, and Joseph Renaud.
This year, our elementary school introduced a new Girl Scouts robotics team.
I was asked if I might like to help out. I like programming and Legos, so I thought it sounded like it could be fun. I didn’t realize I would end up being the team’s coach. Before long I was receiving boxes from Lego in the mail.
What a big week we had. On Friday, Jadzia and fellow members of Vogt Elementary’s chess club were visited by grandmasters … and a ton of media. Here is her account of the day:
Once upon a time, Jadzia and some of her classmates went to the library. But, this was no ordinary library day. Two (well, more, but you’ll find out later) grandmasters were going to come. Cameras would cram each and every corner and spot, flashing on and off!
It was Grandmaster Friday.
Drums. Singing. Shakespeare. MLK.
What a great afternoon we had enjoying the artistry of Jadzia and other Ferguson kids!
The event was designed as a response to recent events in Ferguson and throughout St. Louis. Students from across the Ferguson-Florissant school district and neighboring districts sang, acted, and spoke in order to bring peace, joy and love through the arts.
Jadzia and a number of her Vogt schoolmates participated. Here is a video I made of some of the highlights:
On nights when I am home from work, I tell the kids stories before bed. Because they are divided among two rooms, I usually tell two stories.
The first story is for Josie and Joseph, and usually involves me making up something about the two of them as “space explorers,” visiting new planets or meeting aliens or trying to escape from black holes.
The second story is for Jadzia and Ludi, who prefer to have an improv-style story in which they each pick a character for the story (like “a good dragon” and “a bad lamp”) and I have to make up the rest.
Occasionally, though, the older girls will overhear the younger kids’ story and ask me to repeat it for them. Tonight was one such night.
Today I bring you the second part of the Muncher and Cruncher saga. There is sadness and there is hope. The following story was written by Jadzia. After the story is a video, which I filmed.
(The following story and photos are by Jadzia)
What’s white, black and orange all over? A monarch! This is about Muncher … and another creature.
(The following story and video are by Yoli)
Our milkweeds have attracted a lot of butterflies. It’s given a lot of joy to my kids, especially Jadzia. But a few days ago she found a dead Monarch butterfly. She was devastated. I had never performed a butterfly funeral or prayed for them, but it comforted my daughter’s tender heart.
Enter Muncher. Wednesday morning, Jadzia found a Monarch caterpillar. She had been looking forward to finding some. We looked for more caterpillars, or perhaps eggs, but found only this one. She named it Muncher.
Continue reading “Video: Meet Muncher, our baby Monarch caterpillar”
The girls first dance recital was a major production.
When I come home from work, I often find books and papers strewn all over the place. Sometimes these papers are fun pieces of artwork. Here are a few I found this morning.
