Melissa Elsmo
The Day Nursery is located at 1139 Randolph in Oak Park. The early childhood education program was established in 1912 and is still housed in the Charles E. White tudor built specifically for the program.
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ― Marcel Proust
Last June, my youngest child graduated from preschool. As exciting as that moment was, it was also the end of an era. We had been part of The Day Nursery family for the better part of 7 years and that was coming to an end.
Bittersweet. That’s the word…as cliché as it is.
I’ve mentioned, on many occasions, how grateful we are to The Day Nursery. Not only for the care and nurturing of our boys, but for the friendships that were made while our children attended.
Though we’ve gone in different directions...some at different schools and some moved even further away, many of us still get together regularly.
And it all started at The Day Nursery.
Even though I no longer have children enrolled at The Day Nursery, I still get to go back on occasion. Sometimes for work and sometimes for pleasure (mixed with a little work).
This past Saturday, I was able to enjoy a night out at a Pop-Up Event hosted by The Day Nursery.
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The volunteer kitchen crew at The Day Nursery pop up dinners created 540 plates of food for 60 guests.
One weekend a year, The Day Nursery is transformed into a fictional world from a children's book, and local chef and Day Nursery supporter, Melissa Elsmo (assisted by a small army of passionate folks) creates a magical meal to follow the theme.
This year’s pop-up was inspired by “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. it was a delicious meal that followed Peter’s adventures through his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season.
The event welcomes 60 guests over two nights for a multiple course meal and takes a team of creative people, who all volunteer their time and talent, to make it happen. This annual pop-up event raises funds that are crucial to The Day Nursery and the children who attend.
If you’ve never had a chance to experience one of these events, I highly encourage it!
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Toast for Breakfast and Crunch Crunch Crunch
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Snow Covered Everything
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Snow Angel, Snowball, Snowman
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Snow Hills and Textures of the City
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The Stoplight
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S-L-O-W-L-Y and a Stick
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The Sun Melted the Snow Away...an ode to a summer day in Brooklyn
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A Melting Snow Ball
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Cereal for Breakfast and More Snow, of Course
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