Ivy Grove of Lexington
Director's Note cozy log • week 4
Rainy outside, extra cozy inside ✨
Hi mamas & papas —
Week 4 gave us 3 straight rainy days. Normally that would mean ‘uh oh’ but honestly? We barely noticed.
Our big sunroom is literally built for this. Bright light, green outside, climbing frame right there, pink tent, space to row boats, build trains, hide in forts — kids moved their bodies all day even without going out.
And the sweetest shift this week: kids started helping each other. Not because we asked. Just because they wanted to, and it was beautiful to watch.
Taitai got stuck on her truck puzzle, looked up, and went ‘Ivy help?’ And Ivy scooted right over, tiny fingers pointing, ‘here! This one!’ That moment? That’s our whole why.
We baked bread, read a mountain of books, played row-boat, train, hide-and-seek, and laughed so much our cheeks hurt.
Rainy weeks show you what a space can really do — and ours passed the test.
"We grow slowly, like ivy — one little tendril, one helping hand at a time."
"Ivy, help?" — the sweetest sentence this week 🤍
Taitai was stuck on the construction puzzle, Ivy didn't even hesitate. Scooted close, pointed, held the board steady. Two heads, four hands, one very proud ‘we did it!’ This is what week 4 looks like — noticing when a friend needs help, and actually wanting to help. No teacher prompt needed. Heart = melted.
Row row row your boat (on the living room floor) 🚣♀️
Who needs a lake when you have a strap and a wooden floor? 5 little sailors + Captain Yan, rowing through the sunroom. ‘Row faster! Shark coming!’ Pink tent = island, climber = lighthouse. Indoor movement, big laughs, and the whole room became an ocean. Rain? What rain?
Why we love our sunroom on rainy days ☀️
3 rainy days and we never got cabin fever. Why? This. Big bright sunroom, colorful climber, space to run, crawl, climb, tumble. She climbed up, cracked that proud little smile, held on tight. Even when they’re gray outside, inside is bright and kids can move. That's intentional design, and this week it showed.
We read a mountain of books 📚⛰️
Rainy afternoons = read-a-loud marathons in the book nook. Counting buns, pointing out colors, finishing sentences for each other. Cross-legged, nose in a book, sometimes swapping to show a friend the picture. Quiet, warm, and full of words sinking in.
Teddy bears, tiny trains, and best hiding spots 🧸🚂
Top: teddy bear express. Everyone brought their lovey, lined up chairs, ‘choo choo!’ Green Lego ticket held high, off on an adventure to nowhere in particular. Bottom: pink star tent became the ultimate hideout. ‘Shhh we're hiding!’ Dancing, giggling, then pouncing out with a shout. Same play, new circle of friends.
We baked bread and the kitchen smelled like heaven 🥖✨
Rainy day = baking day. Mixing, kneading, waiting (the hardest part), then — golden buns off a tray. Two little cheeks nearly in the pan, hands hovering, ‘can we eat now?’ Warm bread, made by us, shared together. Nothing like the smell of the kitchen on a rainy afternoon.
Holding hands on the porch, even in drizzle 🤍
When the rain finally paused, we ran to the porch. Four friends, holding hands in a line, matching rosy cheeks. No agenda, just sitting together and feeling the cool air. These are the tiny moments that turn classmates into a community.