What a wonderful surprise to say "Good Morning!" to the sun shining through my window! Today, I wanted to think back to a special moment from a couple of years ago. This is a picture of me from when I lived in Colorado. I spent 3 months living on a farm with horses, cattle, and buffalo! It took a little while to get to know everyone, but eventually I made friends with my neighbors! How can you continue to maintain connections with others in safe, and meaningful ways? ~Elsa

Happy first day of Spring! Even though it is raining today, rain means new growth and new beginnings! Yesterday, I spent as much time as I could outside, relishing in the sunshine and admiring the new plants starting to peak out of the earth. After some contemplation, I realized how grateful I am to be so close to nature!

What are you grateful for? ~Elsa

Good morning and salutations! A few days ago I visited Gooseberry Island to enjoy a little time by the sea. It was remarkable how relaxed I felt listening to the waves wash onto the beach. Sounds have a distinct ability to generate peaceful thoughts and feelings. What sounds make you feel most at peace? ~Elsa

Happy Monday! As you can see in this picture, I am visiting my friend Moca in New Hampshire! Together, with our other furry friend Cally, (who may show up in a later post), we went on a walk through the woods, into some streams, and then spent time rolling in the leaves to dry off. Sometimes you just have to do things that make you happy. What is one thing you can do today to bring yourself joy? ~Elsa

Welp! Guess what? It snowed last night! Fun fact, snow is one of my most favorite things in the whole wide world! I like how fluffy it is on my fur, and I especially enjoy rolling in it! This morning there is even more snow in which to play! I can't wait to go out into the woods! What are you looking forward to today? ~Elsa

Yesterday, as I hoped, I did get to play in the snow! Meet my friend Noah the snowperson! They are pretty cool, but I do love my friend Olaf too. :) There is still a little snow on the ground today, so I think I will be able to roll in it at least once more. It feels good to have some consistency in my week. How have you been creating systems and routines in order to structure your days? ~Elsa

Hi OSS Friends! In case you didn't know, I LOVE water, and especially enjoy wading into the cool streams that run behind Ms. Mosca's house in NH. As I stood on this rock, I pondered to myself: isn't it interesting that at every second a stream is a little bit different than it was a moment before? The water is always flowing, so the stream is always changing. How can you flow, change, and grow every day as you continue to learn from home? ~Elsa

Sometimes, my friends, you just have to nap. Have a wonderful Friday! ~Elsa

A haiku to start your week:

Wet towel under my head

Fun to rub when damp

Can you, write a haiku too?

A haiku is a three line poem. The first line has 5 syllables, the second line 7, and the last line 5 again. This is an incorrect haiku. Whoops! I'm a silly dog! New haiku tomorrow! If you care to share your haiku, send it to Ms. Mosca's email so she can read it to me! ~Elsa

Oh no! *Paw on head!* I realized that I wrote an incorrect haiku yesterday. Here is a new haiku in the correct form of 5/7/5. Enjoy!

Bean bags are my fav

OSS is the best place

Miss you all--so much.

When is the last time you learned from a mistake? ~Elsa

Yay! Can you believe it's April?! I love April in New England, it's the first month of spring when we really start to see new growth and can anticipate the summer months! Are you planning on spending some time outside today? If, so how? ~Elsa

(Photo credit: Nia R.)

This morning, Ms. Mosca and I were working on our handshakes. I haven't been able to practice in a while, so it was a nice review. What is one thing you can practice today? ~Elsa

Happy Friday! This morning I spent some time with my family Moca and Cally (not pictured, she's camera shy). The three of us were discussing what we wanted to do over the weekend. What do you have planned for the weekend? ~Elsa

Happy Monday! This is a photo from a few weeks ago, and I wanted to post it in order to remind everyone the importance of fresh air! Some of my favorite parts of the day are going outside! How can you get some fresh air today? ~Elsa

I've been looking through Ms. Mosca's phone, trying to find old pictures of myself. I found this one, and thought it looks like I'm dreaming about summer! What is one of your favorite things about summer? ~Elsa

Let me tell you friends, it sure has been fun going back through old photos and finding ones of when I was a puppy! Here is one of when I used to live in Georgia. I was about 3 months old when this picture was taken. Do you have a baby photo that you particularly enjoy? ~Elsa

Happy Throwback Thursday! In this photo, Ms. Mosca had just adopted me and brought me home! What is one of your most special memories? ~Elsa

While I enjoy being in the woods in NH, I am definitely missing my home in NB. Here is a pic of my trip to the NB harbor last year. Try to get some fresh air today! ~Elsa

This weekend I traveled to Driftwood to visit my larger four legged friend LJ! Together we went on a trail ride and enjoyed the warm spring day! What did you do over the weekend? ~Elsa

Guess what?! Yesterday was my birthday! I am officially five! Here is my very serious five year old picture! What is one of your favorite birthday memories? ~Elsa

Another Poem for Poetry Month!

All day we lay in the sun,

Cause why not? It's so much fun!

My name is Cally, I'm small and sweet,

And my name is Moca, I'm the one by her feet!

We hope you have, a very nice day,

Till next time, Elsa says it's time to play!

-Elsa

This morning I found a light snowfall on the ground! There was a crispness to the breeze and so many smells to smell. Alas, all the snow will be melted soon; April sure does bring strange precipitation! What's your favorite kind of weather? ~Elsa

HIGH FIVE! You all finished 5 Weeks of online learning! WOW! You should be so proud of your hard work. Every, single, OSS Student. :) See you in a week! Love, Elsa

Herro! It's a new week! What is one thing you did over break that you enjoyed? ~Elsa

This is my toy Beatrice the Beaver. I sure do LOVE Beatrice. What is one of your favorite toys? ~Elsa

Friend Spotlight! This is Cally - she's about to turn 14! Cally was Ms. Mosca's first dog, who she got when she was a freshman in high school! Cally loves laying in the sun or by the fireplace in the winter. She's originally from Tennessee, but is now a New Hampshire dog through and through and does enjoy playing in the snow (sometimes!) Who is one of your favorite people to hang with? ~Elsa

Fun fact--when I am laying on the ground, I like to make sure I am touching someone! I did it ever since I was a puppy. The reason is because I like the connection that comes with physical touch. Today is a lounge day cause it's raining in NH. What do you like to do in the rain? ~Elsa

Happy May First! In celebration of the beginning of May, here is one of my favorite pictures of me hanging in nature! Where is your favorite place to be in nature? The woods? The sea? Somewhere else? :) ~Elsa

Well, I'm back in NB for a little while. So glad there is sunshine peeking through the windows! I hope you enjoy some sunshine today! ~Elsa

YES! This sunny streak has got me like - a dog sniffing dandelions in the grass! Hehe I'm so silly! I AM a dog sniffing dandelions in the grass! :) What is your favorite springtime flower? ~Elsa

This picture is from a quiet moment by one of my favorite ponds in Dartmouth. I LOVE the reflection of the clouds in the water. Looking forward to safely enjoying some summer dayzzzz. What is your favorite part of summer? ~Elsa

Another sunny day--aren't we lucky! Being back in NB means I have my NB toys, and boy, have I sure have missed my frisbee! I LOVE chasing it in the backyard, and sometimes I even catch it in my mouth! What is one of your favorite physical activities that you can do outdoors? ~Elsa

So I've been pondering this question: if you could live on any planet in the universe (and be able to survive) which planet would you choose? I'm gonna use the weekend to think it over. :) Happy Friday! ~Elsa

Friend spotlight! This is Moca (pronounced like Mocha.) She is 7 years old, and lived with Ms. Mosca's brother in college for a year! (Back when she was a puppy.) Moca's most favorite thing in the world are tennis balls and she LOVES playing fetch-- one of my favorite things is chasing her when she chases the ball! (hehe!)

What is one thing you like to do with your friends? ~Elsa

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself! Enjoy something special today--a walk outside, a game with a family member, or perhaps YOUR favorite treat! Whatever you need to make yourself smile! ~Elsa

This morning I took some time lounge in bed, enjoying the sunshine peeking through the blinds. Another day to be alive! What a gift. :) ~Elsa

Throwback Thursday! In this picture I was living my best life, waiting for Ms. Mosca to get done riding horses for the day. Did you know that we use to live in Georgia? It was sooo hot there. Glad to live somewhere a bit cooler, however, I sure do miss running around the farm! Have you traveled anywhere cool? ~Elsa

Happy Friday! I sure hope you do something that makes you HAPPY today, and please remember how incredible you are. <3 ~Elsa

What a wonderful weekend we had in New England! I made sure to get plenty of sunshine and spent lots of time in the cool grass. How was your weekend? ~Elsa

Shout out to my horse friend LJ! LJ enjoys long trots on the trails and getting caught in the rain. Why not? He's a horse! Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday! Please get some sunshine! ~Elsa

Uh oh, I found mud! Ms. Mosca isn't sure where, but she wasn't happy when I came to the door.... Where I went and what I did will remain a mystery! What adventure do you think I took? ~Elsa

Please go outside today! That is all. ~Elsa

Have a super three day weekend! LOVE YOU ALL! ~Elsa

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a great three day weekend! Did you do anything fun? Here's a throwback to one of my fav spots at OSS, on my bean-bag, in the STEAM Lab, with one of my toys. Have a great day! ~Elsa

It's gonna be hot today! Enjoy this warm day and drink plenty of water! ~Elsa

Another Throwback Thursday pic! Have a super day! ~Elsa

Welp, summer is almost here. Since we are approaching the last few days of classes next week, today will be my last blog post. I am so proud of your efforts all year, especially during distance learning. Good luck with your portfolios; I have every faith that you will finish strong. I hope you get rest and have fun this summer! Much love, Elsa