We have so much to be thankful for!

Our Explorers Academy Preschool Thanksgiving Potluck yesterday was a huge success! We are so grateful to all of the members of the EAP family who, through their attendance, conversation and delicious baked goods, gave all of us an evening to be truly thankful for.
With so many amazing desserts to choose from, including pumpkin pie, cheesecake, brownies, chocolate chip muffins and cookies, courtesy of our little Explorers' families, it's impossible to say what was best. One thing is for certain: the giant cupcake, big enough to feed ten hungry men, certainly wouldn't take home last place, and some might gift it the blue ribbon! Adorable preschooler Lev might not agree, though, as he ate piece after piece of the homemade "corn cake" (read corn bread) that his parents contributed to the feast.
Thanksgiving is always a busy and crowded affair, and our especially so, as not only did even Kisha's husband Chris and Amy's husband Bryan join in the gobbling, but parent conferences and a preschool tour were also scheduled for the evening. While showing the tour's attendees around the EAP, Amy was especially delighted to recognize little Joshua, touring with Mama Sandra. Joshua was one of the very first students at our Explorer's Club enrichment drop-off program at our first location at 388 Atlantic Avenue. Although he is no longer the toddling 10-month-old that he was when we saw him last, clutching on to former teaching assistant Gayla's shirtsleeve while she gave him reassuring hugs, he's just as cute!
While this year's celebration was filled with new friends and members of the NYCE family, missing from the festivities and sorely missed by our staff were Liliana, Simone and their parents, Alex and Joy. Lili and Simone were our very first toddlers when the Explorers Club enrichment program, which evolved into the EAP, first began over 2 years ago. The twins, now almost 5 years old, are spending a gap year in India with their wonderful parents before beginning kindergarten next fall. We wish them all of the best on this most amazing of Explorations yet!