Sevikas: Nanda, Ruchi and Jacqueline
Click here for kid's Art Gallery.
Morning Prayers:
• OM Saha Naavavatu click here for text
• Vakratunda Mahakaya click here for text
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam click here for text
• Shree KrishnaH click here for text
Quiet Time: 1 minute and 15 seconds of silence — with some accurate, focused counting afterwards. Because we did so well in our last class, we decided to try and "pump up" our time a little. Turns out that we were a little too restless to make the full time. Guess we had too much of a winter break. Next week we're going to build up our focus muscles a little more before we move on. Our goal is 2 minutes by the end of the year.
Geeta Chanting: Shlokas 1, 2, 3, and 4 click here for text and audio
Bhajans: Ganapati, Ganapati click here for text and audio
Letter of the Week: "O is for Obedience"
Storytime: March of the Penguins
Sanskrit Activity: Counting (1 to 10) and "Heads, Shoulder's Knees and Toes."
Likhita Japa: none
Sanskrit Words of the Week: वृक्षः (vRkShaH, tree), वृक्षशायिका (vRkShashaayikaa, squirrel), भल्लुकः (bhallukaH, bear), वानरः (vaanaraH, monkey) click here to view complete text
Ending Prayers: Aarti was conducted in the auditorium.
Comments: After our long, unexpected winter break, we all got back into the Balavihar groove pretty effortlessly this morning. At 10:00, the children quickly laid out our floor quilts, moved the tables out of the way, took off their shoes and sat in a circle to begin our morning prayers!
After our prayers and morning disciplines, Aunty brought out a globe and the much loved book, "March of the Penguins" to begin our lesson for the week – "O is for Obedience." This story was a wonderful example of how rules must be followed, for the good of the individual and for the community. Honestly, at the end of the story, we felt as though the penguin story contained all the values we are learning!
We want to thank all of you for having your children complete their drawings.We have a huge pile to go through — and look forward to posting them in our art gallery. Definitely check back in a few days to see all the children's interpretations of the animals — you will be in for a visual treat. We are really getting excited about seeing these drawings materialize into puppets for our annual performance!
Parents: please don't forget that we are having our bhiksha with Swamiji on Saturday, February 27. Nanda or Indira will be sending a confirmation email to everyone within a few days. So please check your inbox and make sure you receive one. This is such a great opportunity to meet with Swamiji — and we are grateful that this time slot is available for us. So, in addition to your appetite, please make sure you bring your questions!!
Well, looks like we are going to be seeing a lot of each other this weekend – Saturday at the ashram, and then back again for our weekly party with God on Sunday. Until then, enjoy the sunny weather. And kids, we promise to keep our fingers crossed for another snow day tomorrow.
Don't forget to keep practicing the Geeta ...
Stay warm!
p.s. Anoushka, we were really happy to see you today!
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
