The Gals from Galveston

Here we are on the very last day of such a fantastic convention. These teachers are from a site in Galveston that recieved the full furry & havoc of Hurricane Ike. (Ike was the same storm that ultimately came over a thousand miles north and tore trees up in our yard, left us without electricity and the like.) I can only imagine what their city looks like. Their center is one of only 4 in the city that's been able to get their doors open again. I was moved to give them a set of my materials for their rebuilding process. It's great to be able to be generous at this stage of my evolution. We hugged and cried together. Then Dennis Williams, national product manager for ZB, also did the right thing and gave the gals the entire kit of "On the Road to Handwriting" for preschool fine-motor preparedness. That's Dennie with the rest of us gals in the second picture.... all of us in the ZB booth. Highlights was also generous and gave boxes of their magazine to be taken home to the gulf.

Eric is Wonderful

Here's a picture of my new friend, Eric first thing in the morning of the exhibit hall. We are practising our sign language for my book. He learned all of the signs, in an absolute flash. Maybe someday I can make a visit to his mom's school in sunny southern FL? If I do, you can bet I'll put Eric to work on the stage with me! He told me much of his adventures.... working at the Gap for nearly nine years and other awesome tales. Congrats to Eric for being such a valued employee. It was a pleasure to meet you & I hope we get to see one another again. It almost looks like polka-dots suspended above our heads. Neat effect, don't ya think?

Friendships @ the Booth

Here's a few of those who stopped by to greet us at the booth. From l to r: hubby & wife who came to this country from Laos and have a home child care center where they primarily serve preschoolers . Then we have Connie Bernstein Dow, Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld and I (it was Mim who introduced Connie & I to each other last year in Chicago.) Then comes one branch of my fan club from Mexico. Bottom left corner are the two teachers taking my book back to Nome, Alaska. And last but not least, my favorite first grade teacher: Mrs. Snow from Vermont! [She promised that was her real name. I also met a Mr. Cool from New York and Mrs. Pickle & Mrs. Rice from Tennessee...... but Mrs. Snow from Vermont is the best teacher name to date.]

Exhibition Hall Smiles

Here we are back in the booth, getting ready to greet the tens of thousands ready to rush the exhibit hall. Enrique & I are standing together in the Zaner-Bloser booth, which they were very kind to share. You see that the ZB space is directly adjacent to parent company: Highlights for Children. We're all smiles in anticipation.

5th NAEYC Presentation

Welcome to Room D221 inside the Dallas Convention Center. Enrique Feldman, President of FAME (Fostering Art/Mind-Education) and I had an energetic group of participants and we engaged in all kinds of fun and learning. I played photographer during Enrique's portions of the morning and have captured several of our enthusiastic friends in-the-act. Can you find the common denominator for dividing the groups? The color of clothing they were wearing, or course. You're peaking in on the grand conclusion: "Symphony of Seasons." Yes. We did have fun.

Dallas World Aquarium

Well many of you know how I feel about polka-dots. Imagine how thrilled I was to find sting-rays with my all time favorite: black and white and polka dots!! The octopus was absolutely amazing to watch -- up close and personal!! Probably my all time favorite is watching the Leafy Sea Horses. I think they are evidence of a Creator with such a sense of humor. In all of my travels, I seldom have the time to get out and explore much of the surroundings, so it was a real THRILL to be able to take this field trip. Sharks, penguins, snakes flamingos..... you name it!

Dallas Sheraton

I have arrived safely and am checked in to my lovely room @ the Sheraton. Our presentation is tomorrow morning and begins at 8:30!! With all of the excitement and enthusiasm of the election tonight, I wonder what our turn out will be -- as the roosters awake. This ENORMOUS sculpture is in the lobby. It must be 20 feet tall at least. Last year at this time, I was in a 'doll-house' room in Chicago. There was one single bed that took up 90% of the room. I could sit on the bed and touch three walls. SERIOUSLY. So this feels like a small house, by comparison.