Back To School 1.0

On the last day of school, way back in May, I remember looking at my calendar for the summer. As I flipped through the pages, I wondered how we would ever fill that much time. Now as August comes to a close, I really can't believe I felt that way! I realize Dev won't remember specifics from our early summers together, but I hope she has as sense of the fun we had. I thoroughly enjoyed our relaxed mornings in pajamas, swimming in the afternoons and exploring our city. We took another trip to Holiday World, and somehow had even MORE fun than the first trip. Devin's love for water spans into water slides and wave pools. She rode every ride they had to offer...even Pilgrim's Plunge! 



We spent lots of time in my garden.  I really can't cut these sunflowers for bouquets, they're too tall!  For never watering, record heat and drought...the sunflowers, Zinnia and tomatoes are happy.
 

My favorite cleaning task: STEAM CLEANING CARPETS!!!  Now I can share the black water of death with the whole world!




When it wasn't 100 degrees or more, we went on lots of nature walks.

 Back to School Dinner

Devin's choice!  We were surprised she didn't go with her usual...Corbett's.





We enjoyed our dinner at the top of the building.  Devin ate 3 oz of filet mignon, caesar salad, fries and chocolate ice cream, I had the lobster!



So, then it was finally time to head back to school.  Except this time, Devin is a "big kid."  She is upstairs, in the school's elementary program.  We had one or two tears upon separation the first day.  But, I could already hear her giggling up the stairs when she saw her friends.  At car line that afternoon, she hopped in the car and said, "MOM!  Upstairs is wwwaaaaayyyyy funner than downstairs!!"

We are beyond thrilled with her first few days as an elementary student.  She seems calm, happy and centered.  Compared with last year, it's about a zillion times better.  At home, she talks pretty much NON-STOP about things that happened during the day.  In just 2 days we've heard:

     -Miss Marcia taught me to write my name in cursive!
     -Did you know there's going to be an election and we have TWO choices?
     -Two girls had their ear's pierced this summer at a derm-a-tol-a-gist.  Not the mall!

We're continuing with chess club this year, starting violin and she starts formal tennis lessons today.  Several of her friends from school are in a class at our club, so that is perfect.  She's always wanted to be in a group tennis class, but wanted some friends there too.  So, this should be perfect.

3 Weeks Left????

Somehow, we only have 3 weeks before school starts.  I don't know how that happened.  We have stayed completely busy, spending most days running errands, playing at home and swimming.  It's been a wonderful time and I'm so thankful for being able to stay home with Devin.  We're all very excited for the new school year, as Devin transitions to the Elementary program at Montessori.  To me, this is where the real fun begins.  At this point, Montessori starts to be quite different from traditional schools and what most of us remember as school.  I get so many questions from friends and family about Devin's school and why we're choosing this route.  As with many things, it's both easy and difficult to explain.

So, I think this clip bit is a bit cynical.  After all, Matt and I managed to get through the "traditional" system without too much damage.  I guess we both are left wondering, "What if?"  What if we had been able to pursue our own interests and do things in our own time during our 13 years in school?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALCM2LL2y7c

And, just one more link.  This Dr. talks about the science behind Montessori with a study done in Milwaukee, WI.  (Props to Milwaukee btw)  I love numbers and data, but a well-designed study (especially in children) is tough to come by.  He talks about a landmark study done in 2006 that showed numerous and significant benefits to a Montessori education.  And, not just test scores...clear differences in behavior, kindness and collaboration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcNvTPX4Q08

Ok.  I'll get off my Montessori soapbox now.  It's all very intriguing to me, as we make important decisions for our little one.


When Dev ordered a "Cotton Candy Shirley Temple" the other day, we had NO idea that actual cotton candy came with it. She squealed when the waitress rounded the corner. I guess sometimes I still forget she can read. So, now she actually reads the menu and decides what to order. As Judge Judy says, "The questions are going to get tougher!!!" And, they are. Take yesterday in the car. Mom, what does, "Abortion stops a beating heart mean?" Yeah. Good times.

 

We finally started getting some regular rain. The plants and grasses are much happier and my tomatoes are obscenely huge. The crazy hot weather, made for some unusual storms and clouds this summer.

I really don't care much for eggplant, but I wanted to try growing one: It worked!


It's been really fun having Dev with me for boring, routine things like grocery shopping and dentist visits. She (and most 6 year olds) have a way of making things...interesting. Although, she seemed to take a little too much delight in watching me suffer at the dentist. I had to get a filling repaired, no big deal.





My most FAVORITE thing is finally upon us: OLYMPICS 2012!!!! So, I had a little Opening Ceremonies party:) What's more American than ribs, corn on the cob, mac n' cheese and RW&B chocolate covered strawberries? (It was too hot to bake Apple Pie or I would have)