Curious George
Curious George has been one of Keegan’s favorite characters for a couple of years. He is a monkey (well, technically he is an ape, since he does not have a tail) that lives with the man with The Yellow Hat and lets his curiosity lead him in all kind of adventures. In the TV series, every episode centers on learning something new, so it is definitively a show we endorse.
Curious George was also Keegan’s nickname at his preschool when he was an infant, as he would immediately turned towards every noise to see what was going on…and this did not change AT ALL. Our little guys is still incredibly curious (in fact often crossing over to the noisy and busy-body territory). Curiosity, when it reined in, it is one of Keegan’s best skills, and we are hoping it will translate into curiosity about learning. At his school, Curious George is the classroom’s pet, and every weekend he goes home with one of the kids for the weekend.
Keegan has been waiting anxiously for his turn. Not knowing exactly how this turn was determined extended the “agony”: it did not seem to correlate with any order, or any merit, for that matter…finally his turn arrived. Since Keegan is a very lucky boy, he got to bring him home for Spring Break: a whole week! And to prove there is no apparent rhyme or reason to the assignment, Keegan had a pretty bad week: very little work was done, and his behavior was disruptive enough that, along with two other boys, he had to go to the principal to promise he will not talk anymore. Not that this will be an incentive to behave: Keegan thought it was kind of fun to go to the principal.
Anyway, we made sure to have a lot of fun with Curious George, especially because we need to write down his adventures in the classroom book. And he has been around: he went to Disneyland, Legoland, Seaworld, the zoo, different classes…
We started with a movie night on our big projection screen with our neighbors. Naturally, Curious George slept with Keegan every night, despite his other 4 animals already there.
In the morning, Keegan chose to watch his Curious Geroge DVD of course.
Then he went shopping with us: first IKEA, then Lowe’s then Kohl’s to get some new shoes.
The following day, we had a fun playdate with his preschool’s friend Brady, and George played too. He also came to Italian class, and on Friday night, he went with Keegan to his Pool Party (parents night out).
The last weekend was a busy one: he watched more tv on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon, he went to Seaworld. They have finally finished their latest remodel, with the addition of the Explorer’s Reef, a series of shallow pools, where kids (and adults alike) can interact with different sea creatures: horseshoe crabs, rays, white-spotted bamboo sharks, and Keegan’s favorite: cleaner fish. These are very small fish that like to nibble on your hands. If you are patient and still enough, dozens of little fish will feast on the dead skin cells on your hands. Quite fun.
Of course we had to sit through the obligatory Shamu Show (definitely way less fun than the previous show) and the Dolphin Show, and pay our dues at the kid’s zone. However, all this excitement wore Keegan down, and he wanted to leave before closing time. Seaworld is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so the entryway has a brand new commemorative “statue”. The design is not even too bad.
We concluded the week with a bang: Easter Sunday! Matt got up early to hide the eggs in the yard. Curious George accompanied Keegan in the hunt and helped him collect all the eggs and his basket.
After egg hunting, it was time for brunch, and once again, Curious George was our esteemed guest.
Wow, Keegan had a great time with the class pet. But every fun experience must come at a price. Bringing George home means you must write in a journal and tell about all the adventures you had, maybe add a drawing or photos. Seems easy, right? Well, it took us 3/4 sittings and lots of patience to get slightly more than a page. I am really grateful we don’t have homework every day: it is such a painful experience, mainly for us parents…
working hard on the drawing
Keegan’s adventures
The final result is “stunning”: the drawing of the eggs hunt is complete. And with a little help from mom for the photos, we can finally put the journal away. Done! I am glad they only get to take it home once a year.
Bye Bye Curious George.
