The Ark

Last weekend we took Norah into Temple Bar to a place called The Ark. It's essentially a children's museum type place, focused mainly on the arts. Here's a blurb:

The Ark introduces children to the joy, wonder and creativity of the arts, and plays a vital role in raising the standard of culture for children. Here, in a unique building designed specifically for them, children aged two to 12 explore everything from theatre, music and literature to painting, film, dance and more. They discover what it means to be an artist, from respected professional artists. There’s no better way to nurture hungry young imaginations, or to inspire a lifelong journey through culture. (www.theark.ie) 

And if this wasn't one of the most beautiful things you ever heard:

 

http://ark.ie/news/post/the-ark-presents-an-autism-friendly-performance-of-white

So, it's as good as it sounds.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of all I've ever taken - of parenting and being with Norah. And maybe because it's old Dublin outside the window and I know we'll remember this phase of Norah's life, forever.

 How cool would it be to have a reading room like THIS for your kids??

 magnetic storyboard

 Not sure why exactly, but I loved these two!

 "Letters + Letters = Words"

"Words + Words = Sentences"

"Sentences + Sentences = Stories"

 

 Norah made her rendition of the "Alice and Wonderland" Book Cover and got to put it up on the wall with all the others. She's waving at the camera.

 

 And this is random but every night, if he doesn't stay at the school until late - this is where you can find Wayne. Papers sprawled on our 'dining room' table, grading students' work, earbuds in, until sometimes 12:30 am. No rest for Ph.D. students - (or at least not those who also get up at 6:30 with a 2 year old).  What's so great is that he loves it. He loves teaching, he loves grading papers, and he's right where he's supposed to be. I sneak pictures of him and he grins when he catches me - but I can't help it - I feel like I want to capture this phase when he's first teaching and working so hard on the Ph.D. (embarrassingly, just like a mom taking pictures of their child on the 1st day of school).

And perhaps just as random - this is a picture I took from our living room today. The water was pure glass and I need to capture the beautiful days of Winter before the rain starts and I can't remember this. :)