Move over, Mother Earth, corporations bring spring now!

As it was done with Earth Day and everything good people did, we became pawns in the corporate PR game. After putting up a pittance for a rain water tank in our garden, Aveeno is milking it for all it's worth it. A satellite link back then, summoning gardeners to assist at 4:30 AM....
Bringing greenhouse pots in an early spring/cold weather garden - "so it looks good" for the shoot, rent-a-kid vacationing children (as the gardeners' kids were in school that day)
...Little did we know they'll be doing "before" shots too - to illustrate how lazy we are to not get the garden to bloom in winter...
Here's the little example of corporate truth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz_3BP2i5Q4
Enjoy (and read the comments)
Among the things that made the "before": Maya's birdhouse, the mural high school kids painted as part of a community outreach program, the garbage gardeners were taking out to prepare for Aveeno-s photo op and most of the cold April early spring sights
Among the things that made the "after": my tulips (planted by a gardener before me) Clover's totem statue - sculpted years ago as a response to the real estate developers trying to take over the garden
From Leslie's collection, some truly "before" shots and some "after" - not a corporate fake-out - but years of loving effort from many gardeners

Memorial Day weekend - play, garden party

On Saturday Maya donned the firefly costume again for an encore of the dance from the Uncle Wiggly play as part of an all weekend theater event.
On Sunday we had the traditional memorial Day barbecue in the garden - although - because of those involved, it became more of a song and dance festival. After hours of fun, we cleaned up, Maya poured water on the barbecue and we went home.There are more photos of the party here

"The Good Guy" who "gave you five"

Al Gore came to our barnes&Noble bookstore in Union Square to sign his book "assault on reason". I went there wearing an Al Gore 2008 button but half way through his presentation, I took my button off and eventually abandoned the huge signature line.
Outside the bookstore his supporters were mixing it up with Lyndon Larouche crackpots - I captured some sights

The group going to school

It's what Maya called the fact that we both needed to accompany her this morning to school. As she told casual aquaintances on the street: "Today I am going on a sleepover trip!"
We went early - and Maya had to wait for a while until her friends showed up. They all had to wait a while as the bus was a little late. They showed each other the stuffed animals they brought along.
There was a short wait outside, but just when the teachers were about to let them lose in the yard to burn some energy until the bus arrived, it came.
So, in they went - and here we are....waiting and missing her...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!

My Mothers Day started a day in advance (as Maya went to a sleep-over)
So this morning I was presented with a "Queen Bee" card, a dark chocolate truffle hot cocoa canister, a little book of children's essays "My mom is the best mom" and a little kitchen witch - complete with a little book about magical foods and "Like Water for Chocolate".
And then, at the science fair, she potted a flower for me and decorated the pot.

The School Science Fair

Today, the most fun annual event at Maya's school took place.
A beautiful day - and Maya and her friends had a ball! Stood in line for climbing (and Maya did climb - I just wasn't there to take a picture), stood in line for goop making - and did make goop too! They made masks, painted their faces and got the annual family button portrait. Maya and her friends helped build a structure that will be exhibited in school. Meanwhile, Victor and the Weiss Guys played for everyone

News from Ava

I got news from Paris. Ava is having a great time. After school is over she plans traveling around in Europe, making it in Romania in the middle of June.
Some very interesting tales about the post elections riots and how she got in the middle of them...

Ballet Hispanico

Today the 3rd and 4th grades had their Ballet Hispanico performance. It was an amazing show with the usual energy and colorful costumes. Except this year, their dances had stories to go with them, and we were treated to the story and the making of. It was amazing!
here's Maya's class with Juan Bobo (a boy who puts lipstick on the pig without being in politics or in the media)

Annual membership Meeting (the visual edition)

Before I put together the actual minutes and to relieve my guilt for delaying it - here-s all of us (I hope).
We all had something to say or show - Sheldon showed us how to defend ourselves with a hoe, Elisabeth reminded us there are other ways to fight the good fight, we all enjoyed seeing each other on a beautiful May evening.
Also, you can visit the website Andy created for the garden here(under the photos which click to larger sizes):

http://diasyfloresgarden.wordpress.com/