Have you seen our restaurant?

Today, I ‘stopped by’ the new restaurant that has opened in our classroom and I thought I share a restaurant review ;-)


This is a small and casual place, with only two tables, but many willing and excited wait staff. You will not go unattended! Yes, the service is speedy and friendly. The restaurant has a real ‘family’ feel to it, especially in that you sometimes have to bus your own table. It is a very casual environment, with one host talking with her grandpa on the telephone as she directed me to my table. One challenging moment -  two hosts showed up at the front counter to welcome patrons, and they got into a loud but brief argument over which one would use the phone.


It’s clear that the restaurant is training new staff. One waiter put a hot frying pan right on my table, in the midst of my meal - that was a surprise! Another waiter took off her shoes as she was taking my order. I wonder if the wait staff is able to earn a living wage, because one great waiter was in her fire chief uniform, and she explained that she was getting ready to go to her next job.


What are the food specialties? As soon as you are seated, potato chips are delivered to your table as an appetizer. I had a delicious bowl of “Carrot and Lemon Soup.” Chef R breezed into the dining area with the suggestion “Try our cakes!” and Chef M was right behind him, adding “Try our pancakes!” Then, Chef H chimed in “We’re making cake in no time at all!” Do you know the special ingredient in their delicious sandwiches? Two small, thin cookies! A true culinary delight.


It’s clear that the restaurant is not yet accustomed to serving crowds, because when I ordered many of the menu items, I received the answer “We don’t have that.” Here’s hoping they work out the kinks in the days to come! Yes, if you have a chance to eat at the Big Cats’ new restaurant - go and enjoy their novel approach to good food.

Did you see the blossoms?

Spring weather means that we can get out and about more. The preschoolers and I went for a neighborhood walk, to see five flowering cherry trees, in a park located a mere two blocks from our school. I wrote this poem based on the children's own reflections about the fun we had together.

We went walking,

to see the cherry blossoms,

past the construction,

down the block,

around the corner,

heard the ambulance,

saw cars and trucks,

more flowers, blue and yellow,

we went walking,

all of us,

together,

to see

blossoms.

There! See!

Blossoms,

falling

like snow,

picked up by the wind.

Let's jump for the branch,

shake the blossoms

gather blossoms for bracelets,

stand still and feel,

these beautiful blossoms

falling

like snow.

Oh, what else?

Look and see -

big trees to climb,

sticks for digging,

worms, worms, worms,

bugs in the grass,

a green caterpillar.

We run in circles,

chasing,

laughing,

pause on the bench, and

eat a snack.

Looking back,

over our shoulders,

down the hill,

we see

the roof of our school.

We are so close

and yet

so very far away,

with beautiful blossoms

falling

like snow.