Capturing the “Right Now”

There’s nothing like a 6th grade graduation to make you realized that childhood is fleeting. It was the first graduation in my little school’s history–these three 6th graders started as preschoolers 9yrs ago and have been in our little school ever since.

At the ceremony, there was a sweet slide show, capturing their time in their elementary classroom, as well as their preschool days. That was fun and it made me a little nostalgic for some of the students I’ve had in the past.

Then we got to the part of the program where they showed baby pictures. And those funny moments in the bathtub, the cute baby’s first halloween pictures, the required “smash cake” photo, those were in there too. By the time it was done, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room.

Time is so fleeting. Sure when I’m up to my elbows in vomit, or calling about the upteenth ear infection it seems like it will never end. But it will. And knowing that (and seeing that slideshow) makes me really want to be in the moment and enjoy the wee-ones.

Right Now.

So right now, on June 3, 2010, here’s what shakin’ in our house:

As I type, the kids are zoned out in front of Blues Clues. They’ve just gotten home from their 2nd to last day ever of the little daycare we’ve been a part of for four years. (MaM is there this week since school’s out but I’m working on my classroom)

Jr. is a chatty, chatty boy. He loves race cars and big trucks with all of his heart. He plays with his Little People Parking Garage like it’s going out of style.

MaM is a collector of silly bandz and she’s becoming a big reader. She tries to read every word she sees. She only wears big puffy dresses. They have to have layers, and they have to twirl. She won’t even try them on if they appear not to be of the twirling variety.

At the Children's Museum this weekend

Day 3 of my attempt at NaBloPoMo is complete!

Phew, Again…

I dont usually wear a hat in class, but that tray of shapes? Use it all the time!
I don't usually wear a hat in class, but that tray of shapes? Use it all the time!

So three years ago I wrote Slowly Exhaling, where I summarized, without too much detail about the accreditation process/ evaluation my school goes through every three years. Three years, two kids and one minivan later, it was that time again this week.

Once again, I volunteered to go first, so my room was observed today and I had my consultation this afternoon. Our conversation was considerably shorter than last time–about 20 minutes total. Anyhoo, all is good. I got compliments up one side and down the other, and good advice/constructive suggestions that I can use. I must be getting soft hearted in my old age, because she told me I was too nice/ not strict enough, which made me laugh. I stop smiling tomorrow (an old teaching adage is not to let them see you smile til Christmas).

The nicest thing about today is that our evaluator gave a parent talk tonight. She sang our accolades to the parent body, which she didn’t have to do, but she did. She also recommended a website called Kids Talk News and I have to say, it is fabulous. Want to know more about the Montessori way of looking at the world? Go on and click through.

Next time our school goes through this process, I’ll be in the midst of my 16th yr of teaching and mom to a 2nd grader and a pre-K student.

Does time fly by this fast for you???

Two Weeks of Work v. 10 Weeks of Summer

Almost done with week 2 of the 2009-2010 school year. Bedtimes are established, lunchboxes are being toted, daily reports from daycare are being received, and hey, we even have our first ear infection of the year (Jr, this time). We are up an running!!

Was PBS Kids in the Park just two months ago? Really?
Was PBS Kids in the Park just two months ago? Really?

It’s amazing how fast we can establish a routine around these parts. It almost feels like we never stopped leaving the house at 7:30 in the morning. It almost feels like summer vacation never happened.

That we didn’t eat 236 Flav-R-Ice pops this summer.

That we didn’t spend a fun week on Boston’s South Shore.

That we didn’t spend days at the pool, the park, and the library.

That we had days where we didn’t get dressed until noon.

That we didn’t watch fireworks. Or see sand dunes.

But we did.  It’s a good thing I blogged about most of  it.