garden or build

We've officially been in school for a whole month! We're amazed and grateful that we've come this far, and so quickly. What an incredible month it's been, too. Today Mackenzie and I took a group of kids to the Potrero Hill Community Garden (my first field trip!) while Chane and Josh took charge at the school and helped out with building projects and declaration work.Mackenzie told a story about the Goat Lady of Potrero Hill on the snack break during the walk to the garden.Intrepid bug catcher.At the garden the kids used egg cartons marked with adjectives like "stinky," "spiky," "beautiful," and "spicy" to take small samples of plants to share with the group.Sharing discoveries.One of my favorite parts of the day: Aidan stood as still as possible amidst the swirling bees at their hive in one corner of the garden. He held a tiny blossom in his outstretched fingertips, waiting for a bee to land and collect the bounty from the flower in his hand.Mackenzie challenged everyone to a Sense-o-challenge where they had to smell a secret leaf or two in her hand, then find the plant in the garden where the leaves had come from.On the overpass going to and from the garden, the kids stopped to wave at the cars and trucks zooming under them. The drivers waved and honked back!The visitor of the day: Petey, Chane's charge for the weekend and a dog with no fear of kid-handling.Sofia built a chair for Petey - also used for humans.Flopping.Examining the bird that the kids found on the sidewalk yesterday (yes, everyone washed hands right after holding it).Building a racetrack for matchbox cars.The tallest construction project of the day, of course, was the frame for Kid City. It's becoming more and more clear that the spaces that each kid will get in this place are positively enormous.One month in and still going strong. And so many great things to come.