Greely Montessori Art School

I find myself at another cross road yet again!

Since making a change to a new Montessori school this past September I quickly realize change is not always a good thing.  I miss my old classroom immensely!!  Why, you might ask?!  Simply because for the past 8 plus years I had been given the freedom to run a classroom my way with no limitations.  All because I had an amazing boss that trusted me.  

Montessori is a true passion for me... I love to teach!  It brings me joy to witness children in my care explore the environment I prepare for them.  I find myself thinking of my classroom all the time; when I am spending time with my family, shopping, watching tv, surfing the internet, pinterest... almost every waking hour involves Montessori in some way. You can even ask my husband how I insist we load the dishwasher... OCD much?!  Maybe.  Montessori is not only a job for me it's my life.  I am very fortunate to be paid for something I love to do. 

However, lately I am sad to say I have actually considered moving on to something different.  A cubicle job... customer service perhaps?!  It really saddens me to think that all these years I have dedicated to Montessori can be put aside because of a few months in a new job.  How can I let that change the way I feel in so little time?

So this is it... the last chance to do what I love. I am opening up a new school for children ages 1-6.  Of course I am scared to death.  Not because I doubt the kind of teacher I have grown into.  I am scared because this is all new for me.  However, I am confident that my school will do well... I am a LEO and I have never failed at anything I put my mind to ;)  

GREELY MONTESSORI Art School will incorporate everything I love about teaching the Montessori method and our new studio INX N ART.  Montessori and Art... a great combination, right?!

I have never been so excited and ready for this new venture.

Please wish me luck ;)

www.inxnart.wix.com/greelymontessori

Greely

MONTESSORI
Art School

Childcare for Ages  1 -6 yrs

OPENING OUR DOORS

JANUARY 2015!

GREELY MONTESSORI has a curriculum that allows for independent thinking and enriches moral development.  Our environment helps children reach their goals at their own pace.  At the same time, it preserves a child’s natural joy of learning, whether they are working, playing or exploring.

AMI Certified

Police Check

First Aid & CPR

References

Small Ratios

Lots of Love!

Healthy breakfast, snacks and lunch included!

Call today... 613-866-0000

Inx N Art

A new business in the works for us!!

Dear Art Fans,

We are excited to announce the prospects of a new local business in your community and need your help!

INX n ART Studio aims to provide enriched artistic experiences through engaging classes that are specially designed for children, teens and adults. A new local professional artist will teach all of our classes. Ranz Dela Cruz is from Los Angeles, California. He attended AIC - Art Institute of California. He specializes in a broad spectrum of Visual Arts such as; charcoal, pencil, watercolour, oil, graffiti and mixed media. A brand new studio that invites creativity and ingenuity!


With our new facilities and exceptional instructor, we hope to invite the community to embark in our creative endeavours. We will be exhibiting local professional artwork in our studio gallery and will be hosting various exciting events and workshops throughout the year to inspire your imagination.

We are reaching out to the community to ask that you write a short letter expressing your support and need for a new Art Studio. Please include your name and contact information in your letter.

You may email, mail or drop off your letter to the following address:


7322 Mitch Owens Rd. Greely, Ontario K4P 1K8 Thank you in advance for your support!

Warm regards,


Natasha and Ranz Dela Cruz
inxnart@live.com
613-866-0000 

INX n ART Classes

Lil Ones (3 – 6yrs)

*Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Explore a variety of art materials and techniques in a class designed as a fun, creative, intergenerational experience for all. It will include delightful themes such as rainbows, dragons, fairies, butterflies, fantasy creatures, robots as well as nature and figurative work. Children and their parent will make a variety of works of art side-by-side. Enjoy the magic of making Art!

Big Ones (6 – 11yrs)

This super fun class is for engaging and encouraging the younger artist to enjoy exploring their amazing creativity and imagination! It includes Drawing, Painting, Design, Collage, Mixed Media, Art Vocabulary and introduces Art History to our newest artists. It is never too early to learn about Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Emily Carr and upcoming new artist. Children are encouraged in a caring and supportive environment to experiment with a wide range of materials such as oil pastels, crayons, pencils and water based paints.


Teens (12 -16yrs)

A visual art program designed primarily for teens. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and mixed media students will learn new innovative art skills, technical skills, knowledge of contemporary visual arts and art history. They are encouraged to develop their own personal creative process. Portfolio development and preparation are provided for students who plan to apply to arts-focused high schools or arts programs in colleges and universities.

Adult – Pencil

This class will cover a vast range of techniques, shading and contrast. You will gain an understanding of basic skills for pencil and charcoal. It is an individually guided course to assist you in developing your own personal style and imagery whether it is in realism, representation, expressionism, abstract or classical drawing. Beginners and experienced people are welcome.

Adult – Watercolour

Combine a range of new techniques with watercolour. Our sessions deal with issues specific to watercolour such as; value, pigment application techniques and brushwork, as well as information and ideas about color and composition. Beginners and experienced people are welcome.

Adult – Pastels

Students will learn to draw the magic of light and shadow. Learn to use this soft medium clearly and precisely with no mystery about the techniques. Methods of Impressionism, creating illusion of depth, and color design will be included. Beginners and experienced people are welcome.

Adult – Mixed Media

Combine them all. In this class students will learn how to work with many different materials together including pencil, paint, pastels, fabrics and so much more! You discover that any material may be used for your artwork. Beginners and experienced people are welcome.

Adult – Graffiti

We believe everyone can learn Graffiti Art. Our intention is to give anyone the opportunity to experience the sheer joy of creating art using different styles of font, aerosol spray paint, marker pens and other materials that professional graffiti artists enjoy. Learning in a supportive environment, participants are encouraged to fully explore their creativity in a fun and exhilarating experience. Beginners and experienced people are welcome.

Open Studio

Bring your supplies or use ours. Instruction when needed in a casual and creative environment. Teens and Adults are welcome to drop in and join us!

*Private lessons available upon request.

*Combine any 2 adult classes and get a 10% discount. Supplies are included in all our classes.

*Ask us about a mural in your home or business today. We will come out and give you a quote!

*PD Days, Camps and Birthday Parties coming soon!

Fishing!!!

My man loves to fish... so much that he will wake up at 4am to go under the Manotick bridge before we all get up.  To be completely honest I love it too!!  I'm just not a die hard fisherman like Ranz.

We've spent a lot of the summer along the river checking out new spots to cast off.  My favourite would probably be the Manotick Mill at night.  Ok... so maybe the thought of seeing a ghostly apparition might have something to do with it.  I'm definitely a closet ghost hunter that is just desperate to catch a glimpse of the afterlife (that's a whole other blog subject for another time).

I also like the Arboretum at The Experimental Farm... the park is beautiful.  However the water gets really messy with overgrown weeds at the end of August making fishing a tad difficult.

We like to go to the Locks along the Rideau River. One we fish often is Long Island Locks... the kids love this one.  Very educational too!  Another that we just discovered is Burrits Rapids Locks.  Jace will sit with me for hours watching the boats pass in and out of the locks.  So fun!

What's Ranz's favourite thing to fish for?!  He likes Bass... I like them too... no big teeth.  He's still waiting to catch the elusive Musky as he would call it.  Regardless of what he likes he will not discriminate... he takes what he can get.

I have to say... I'm pretty darn proud of myself this year.  I now get excited when I get to take the fish off the hook myself (the Bass of course... hence no teeth).  I feel like a kid again when I'm fishing.  It's thrilling to catch one and fight to reel him in. 

What have I caught this year?!  Some Bass... Crappie... Catfish (I ask Ranz to get this one off the hook.  It's funny to watch him... he calls them evil lol).
 
I'd like to send a shout out to my cousin Marc.  We recently reconnected and I am happy we did.  He's another die hard fisherman that I knew Ranz would get along with.  He often takes my hubby out on his boat.  Thanks Marc!  Ranz is always happy you call.  He's not sold on ice fishing just yet though... you will have to work on him :)

Here's to hoping the summer lasts just a little longer and the fish keep biting... Fish on!!

Welcome to Canada

It's official!  As of August 8th, 2014 Ranz is a Canadian Permanent Resident!!  Not bad CIC... only took you 7 months.  

This would be more appropriate if it said... NOW JUSTIN BEIBER FREE!!

The past 7 months have been interesting to say the least... A big thank you to my parents Edgar and Diane Henri for your ongoing love and support.  You have welcomed Ranz with open arms and we are forever grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for us.  We love you!!

What's next for us?!   

Family time...tattoo shop... house hunting... new jobs for the both of us... it's an exciting time in our lives and we could not be happier.  Life is good!!


Now for some more Welcome to Canada hum'ou'r...

And summer...and fall...

Caribbean Cruise - Princess Ruby

BUCKET LIST:

CRUISE... check 

Ranz and I decided to take a 5 day cruise to the Caribbean for our belated honeymoon.  It's something neither of us has ever done and we had a ton of fun!

We boarded the ship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida... with 3 stops along the way... Nassau Bahamas, Princess Cays Bahamas and Grand Turk. 

Yay cruise cards...those can get you into trouble lol.

Last cabin at the back... with an extended balcony... great room!

Was surprised how narrow these hallways were... very tight!

And we're off!

Strawberry Margarita time!!

Yum... soo good :)

Food...food and more food!

A view from the top!

First stop... Bahamas!!

Rented a scooter in Nassau to tour the island.

Round about number 58... ok maybe not... but close!  No stops on this Island lol.

Love this pic!

Our cruise ship!

Back at sea!

Stop 2... Princess Cays... an Island owned by Princess Cruise line...

The tourist beach.

The beach we found... 

Our lil Inuksuk statue :)

Back on the ship... again.

Muah!!!

A good read from the library room... no relation to Ranz... but I did choose it for obvious reasons.

A beautiful sunset view from our balcony!

Stop 3... Turks and Caicos 

Grand Turk selfie... or half selfie for Ranz?!

More beach time!!

These selfies are tricky.

Another beautiful sunset.

Last night at sea.

With everything there are some cons:

• The Island time is never long enough... we always seemed pressed for time.
• The booze is an extra fee... why not hide it in the price?!
• 23 dollars a day for room gratuity tacked onto the bill is a bit much... I don't mind tipping... just wish I had some control over it.
• Those pools should be heated... brrrr!!

And now the pros:

• Always something going on... anytime day and night.
• The food... wow!!!
• 3 different Islands in 5 days.
• Great entertainment.

Overall we had a wonderful honeymoon.  The weather was great, met some great people, the Island time was fun, got some sun on my white skin, and the food was amazing (and endless).

Would we do it again?.. maybe... maybe not?!