We live in a small town with a big heart. The people of Chestertown put so much energy and effort into making this community an interesting place to live, including the public schools. Last night, our family drove out to the high school for the yearly Open House.

On the way we stopped to catch a nutritious meal at the local, neighborhood McEatery, a rare indulgence that prompted a few spontaneous McHugs.

Once we arrived at Kent County High School, we started making the rounds. Each of the classrooms had set up fun activities for kids, a chance for the next generation to get a sense of the school offerings and teachers.

We started with the art room, which offered such excitement as paintbrush darts. (How often does one get to throw wet paint?!)

And “Pin the ear on Van Gogh.”

Kato’s attempt could have been worse.

Augie’s probably couldn’t have. And yet he felt no qualms in exclaiming his pride.

Next was spin painting on the pottery wheel.

Followed by face painting with local artist (and Kent County High School student) Anna Allspach.

Alden was transformed into a butterfly.

And Kato into Batman. Or, at least, Bat Signal Man.

While Anna finished up with Kato, Robbi borrowed a brush and set to work on fulfilling August’s dreams of actually being Mickey Mouse.

The result was a family transformed.

Next, we headed to see the folks in the agricultural and environmental science room. August got to know a small and friendly chicken.

While Alden did her best not to terrify a four-day-old calf. (Her efforts were in vain.)

Also, there were hedgehogs. In case you are wondering, yes, this one’s name is Sonic. And no, there is no more adorable creature on the planet.

Next we stopped by the wood shop to play the Kent County-branded, student-made skee ball machine.

Because of our McDelay, we didn’t get to visit as many classrooms as we would have liked, but on our way out, we found ourselves drawn by the irresistible lure of the Spanish classroom, where the extremely friendly teacher taught each of the kids how to say the name of the animal that was painted on his or her face. Mariposa (butterfly), ratón (mouse), and El Señior Batman (I’ll let you look it up).

On our way out the door, Robbi paused for a moment, her progress halted by a flood of nostalgia. It was good old locker #66, where young Robbi once stashed her textbooks and angsty doodles.

Apparently, it was a whole lot bigger back then.