Big boy Wade started his first year at Casa Montessori! He's been in school for 2 years at Mt. Bethel, but this is a big step for him (AND ME). We've loved Mt. Bethel, but wanted to give the Montessori style a try. We feel Wade can really thrive in this environment. I could give you lots of selfish/logistical reasons why I'm not excited about this move/change, but the only point that matters really is that this was the best choice for Wade!
Not familiar with Montessori? Well, I'm horrible at trying to explain it, so here's the
website if you want to try and learn more. But my novice impression is this: it's a different teaching philosophy that appears less structured allowing children to independently chose the "work" they want to do and move at their own pace. However, within this format it's actually more structured than anything I'm used to. It's more about the process a child goes through to learn and master a skill, than a predecided schedule of what all needs to happen in a day's lesson. It encourages independence, respect of others, and self control. They learn through practical life skills and very hands on exercises. An example a friend gave me: they learn how to sew with needle and thread and the kids love the achievement of what they can produce. But the point is not what they can sew, but now they have the fine motor skills and patience to write the alphabet. The other big difference is the class is made up of ages 3-6 in one room (which seems weird). But Wade loves watching what the older children are doing, they feel pride showing the younger one "how" to do something, and they all help one another. Anyway, I'm sure one day I will look back at this explanation and cringe at my ignorance, but that's my explanation today :)
Looking back at July , I thought I blogged about his summer camp experience at Casa. But I guess I didn't. Whoops. Wade went to camp, I called it Boot Camp, to get familiar with the Montessori style, meet teachers, and get a taste for his new school life. I was nervous about many aspects, but his potty training regression (they have to be fully potty trained AND do it all themselves) and the addition of carpool to the format, made me nervous. HE LOVED IT! His teachers said he did great and made a smooth transition! YAY! That made this next big step (actual school) much easier.
(Wade's best "Home Alone" face)
He's really into making faces these days :)
This picture above cracks me up. He looks all tall and lanky like he's at least 7 and not quite sure about our conversation about school. Then when I asked him who's class he's going to be in, he jumped for joy and screamed "Ms. Lorri"! It really sounds like Ms "War-ree", but he's trying hard and it's too cute to correct.
Ms. Lorri is the same teacher Beau had at the same school 29 years ago!! And she honestly still teaches with perfect patience, energy, care for the children. She's not even 5 feet tall, a tiny little woman, with a happy smile, that can get a child's attention and complete admiration with a whisper. I'm not kidding, it's like she has special child taming powers. If you meet her, you will know what I mean. We requested Ms. Lorri in the beginning for sentimental reasons (her classroom is still the same one Beau was in), but when Wade met her at summer camp, he could not accept that he would have any other teacher other than Ms. Lorri. Luckily they honored our request!
Bree was barely awake to see her big brother off to school. Casa starts earlier than I'm used to it and I wasn't sure how long it would take in traffic...
Wade was excited in the car, but as we got closer I could tell he was getting nervous. When we pulled up, Ms. Frances greeted us with a smile. She is Wade's assistant teacher, and has her own special skills. She's so good at making children feel comfortable and at ease, even in new situations. She asked for "his help" with the car seat and made him feel very important.
In a flash he was off and waving goodbye! I wanted to hug him and love on him, but that's not a part of the drop off process. It's quick and painless.
Then I went on to breakfast with some of the moms I've met along the way. It was a great introduction to Casa life. I stayed close by and made sure I was back in carpool line early to see him playing on the playground and so he didn't worry that I wasn't coming back.
I first saw him burst on to the playground from his classroom. He was so happy and excited...
Then he saw his new BFF, Wade Cutter. We've talked a lot about Wade Cutter since meeting him this summer and I can tell we have made a friend for life. Maybe it's the name they have in common? But regardless, they're inseparable on the playground (they are not in the same class).
They played for a minute before realizing all the moms were gawking and came to say hello...
Wade gave me a sweet but cautious wave, and then things went downhill! He could see me, but could not come to me yet, and that didn't make sense to him. He started bawling. Teachers tried to calm him down, without much luck. I tried to hide, but that only made it worse. I realized that I was so worried he wouldn't adjust well, and then I was the main cause for his unhappiness. How sad is that? I suck.
Finally we convinced Wade Cutter to calm him down and that seemed to help.
Then when we had to return to our cars for actual carpool, Wade lost it again!! He thought I was leaving without him. I'm sure it must've been confusing for his little insecure mind. So when Ms. Lorri brought him out to me, this was the tearful reunion...
As soon as he was safely buckled and on our way, he was fine. I even treated him to a special 1st day lunch at Chuck-e-Cheese!
His friend Jack met us there too! What a fun way to finish to a big day!
Since that first day, Wade had trouble with pick-up anxiety for a few days, but quickly realized I was coming back and not to worry. He also has his play time with Wade Cutter to keep him occupied and rarely even notices it's time to leave.
I will update more soon on the positive changes I've seen in him since school started, but he's doing great. He told me my stack of papers look like the state of California (and they did), he walked into my pantry and told me it was messy and things needed to have a "place" (I almost choked), and when I asked him what he did at school one day he said "made hemispheres with playdough and then used roller to squish them" (which I knew they were working on to give the concept of how a globe is the same thing as a map). Anyway, I can't wait to see what this year holds!!!
Even though it was at a restaurant, we still wanted it to have a personal touch, so we got a little creative. Everyone had old college pictures marking this place.
And Melanie put together these perfect "to go" bags inspired by Paula. It was like a Paula's favorite things bag....a diet coke, hair rubberband, mascara, NYC "Big Apple" nail polish, and a swiss cake roll (or ding dongs as Molly calls them!)
And then a few pictures of Paula with her Prince Charming (most of them from their exotic world travels)
Paula and her mom Connie
Now Paula's gonna have to cook. No more NYC takeout...
Paula and Kimsey
Cancun, spring break 2001
Fall Break 2000
I have no idea WHY this picture occured, but I do know we were stone cold sober when it was taken...
Freshman dorm hallway, we were the Queens of Kingsland (shout out to Ashley Slagel!!!)
And here's the happy couple right after their engagement in Paris!!!
CHEERS to Michael and Paula!
