One Tuesday Morning in June

Less than a mile off the beautiful Menomonee River Parkway (where the border of Milwaukee and Wauwatosa mingle so much, it doesn't even really matter where you are!), we began our first storytime one Tuesday morning in June on the corner of 92nd & Center at a charming little neighborhood establishment, the Parkway Cafe.

Armed with: Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a real-live caterpillar we harvested from the neighbor's dill, and a stack of construction paper circles and glue sticks; we began our Tuesdays at Ten story group!

Each week we met. Soon the caterpillar hardened into its chrysalis, and then became a beautiful black swallowtail butterfly. Our group grew steadily as the summer progressed. How fun it was to watch through the big windows as everyone came rolling up in strollers!

We had story times about: clouds, water, farm animals, zoo animals, our feelings, our five senses (I think we only made it through four senses because the big red bag became due at the library, and we became sidetracked on other things...oops!), the moon, the leaves, and dressing for winter weather... "Thumb in the thumb place, fingers all together! This is the song we sing in mitten weather!"

We had our momentary tantrums, spilled milk, clunked heads, and stepped-on toes; but we shared it all together. We read, we sang, we used our fingers! We were genuinely happy to be together.

Unfortunately, we lost our original home when the cafe closed its doors in mid November. Though, as they say, "When one door closes, another door opens."

As we search for a new home for our group, let's stay connected. I'll continue to share ideas, links, and photos. Be sure to stay tuned for our new venue!