Wow, it's been awhile!

I can't even remember when the last time was I took only a few minutes of my time to up date this blog. So I shall do so now!

In September, my active go getter of a 4 year old head back to The Montessori Family School here in little old Alliston. I will admit that I was concerned about his ability to go to school full days but was over joyed that I wouldn't have to worry so much about child care. Rachel (his lovely teacher) and I agreed that while he may be young for full days, it would be good for him to have more time to focus on his schooling. There were a couple of days in those first weeks that he fell asleep during rest time but he is now totally adjusted and loving it.

The school also gained a couple of new friends, both bigger and smaller then Kade this year. He has been loving teaching the younger friends all the things they need to know about the daily happenings of the school and learning from older students. It has been great to watch my little guy grow as he learns from and teaches others.

We recently had our parent teacher interviews and Rachel had nothing but wonderful things to day about Kade and his abilities. He is spirited little fellow and needs to stay focused! But all in all, he is progressing well.

It has recently be decided that Kade would marry our next door neighbor, Maya, who is a classmate and Rachel's beautiful 5 year old daughter. They are planning to move to China once married and Rachel and I have already decided that we go where they go! Lucky that wouldn't be for many many years.

We have been so blessed with our decision to move to Alliston and enroll Kade in Montessori School. We wouldn't be able to do it with out the support of my mother in law, who is a strong supporter of Montessori Eduction, and my parents who have been great with child care!

Tell me meet again,
Melissa

I would like to introduce.....

Kade's classmates!!!!!

I finally got around to asking the parents of Kade's Classmates if I could put pictures of their children on this blog and they all said yes. This will make my life a little easier because now I can put all kinds of different pictures up not just the ones with Kade in them.

This is a picture from crazy hair day and all of Kade's classmates got dressed up!

Maya is the one in the blue. She is Rachel (in the red) daughter and our next door neighbor. It is so lovely to walk out of our house every morning and hear her little hello!

Lucy is in the front with the pink. Kade has learned a lot of lessons from Lucy how has been in Montessori school for at least 2 years.

Diana is standing behind Lucy, she has just finished her first year at Montessori School but sadly isn't coming back next year. Kade has loved playing with and learning with Diana. Her and Kade are almost the same age and did a lot of things together.

And of course, Rachel, Kade's lovely teacher and our next door neighbor. I can not say enough good things about Rachel. Kade just loves her and we are so lucky to have her in our lives!

Hope everyone has a great Canada Day and a safe weekend,
Melissa

Sleep over fest has begun!

Now that Kade is out of regular school and starting summer school tomorrow, he is going to be having a lot of sleepover and fun days out with family. Last night was the first sleep over and while we missed him, it was nice to have a night to ourselves...not to mention the morning to myself.

I'm sure that all these sleepovers and fun days out will produce a lot of post not related to Montessori education but they will come with great pictures of my beautiful boy.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe summer....and check back soon for more on what kade is going!

Melissa

The School Year is Coming to an End!

The school year is coming to an end at The Montessori Family School but there has been many great memories.

Recently Rachel sent me some wonderful picture, I'm going to spend some time over the next few days to post the pictures and get some information from Kade about the things they have done.

Here a some pictures of Kade doing some of the practical life skills.


Using a knife to cut up veggies (he does this a lot at home and has been since he was about 2 and a half)
Folding laundry (He never does this at home but I would like him too!)


The books I have say that teaching children practical life skills like the ones listed above and others like getting themselves dressed, setting the table for dinner, greeting people and many more allow children to develop a sense of self, enable them to develop new skills and become more independent!

"Lessons in theses skills are intended not only to teach the skill itself, but also to help your child to develop a sense of calmness, concentration, cooperation, self-discipline, and self-reliance" -Tim Seldin

While Kade still really likes having his dad and I help him at home it is really great to know that when he is the big wide world that he can fend for himself. He knows when he needs some water, how to get himself ready for life, and how to treat others with respect!

I am always amazed at how wonderful my kids is! And while try our best at home, I know he has learned so much at school!

Changes have been made!

If you've been to my blog before you will have noticed that there have been some changes!

POPPIES!

Kade was born in the month of August and so I decided to put poppies as the background of the blog. Not only does it look really pretty but it reminds me of Kade.

School is coming to an end and Kade will be doing part time summer school for the month of July. He is excited to stay in school but also to have some more freedom!

I will try to post more often. I've been really busy at work and haven't had much time to post. That and my internet has been acting up!

Hope all is well with you, devoted reader,
Melissa

Montessori School is Everywhere!

I spoke to my mother in law tonight and she told me that she stumbled apon a Montessori School while teaching a workshop this week. Marianne is a professional artist now and does many workshops (she is a great teacher and beautiful artist). While teaching this week she found a Montessori school in the wonderful old building the workshop was in. The teachers asked her if the children could come and see what she was teaching and they made their way up to her classroom.

Marianne is a strong believer in teaching children about art and its history. She came and gave the students at Kade's school a lesson on how to use water colours and is always providing the classroom with more water color paper. Art has been an important part of her life since she was child and Montessori school greatly encourages the teaching of art.

I am always amazed at how much people know about Montessori Education and how interested they are to hear the ways children learn in the Montessori Classroom. Before becoming a parent I gave little thought as to what kind of education I would want for my child and now I probably thinking about it too much. I was joking today with the mother of one of Kade's classmates that we already think of our childrens futures too much. She said, and I happen to agree, that our children need a good start and that Montessori School is the best way to do that.

I count my blessings daily for the beautiful little boy I live with!

my child understands empathy

Last week the Alliston community lost a young talent soul to a train accident. The Blue Frog, where I work, hosted a memorial/band night for him and hundreds of his friends showed up to proclaim their love for him.

I was planning to send Kade to my parents house so I could work overtime but I wanted him close to me. I want to cherish every last moment I have with him and a lose like this one really brings that home. Alex came home early from work and brought him along. I want my child to be exposed to both life and death. To learn that every moment is worth living to its fullest because you never know when it will be your last.

Some would say that a child Kade's age (almost 4) would be to young to understand such things but he would have proved them all wrong last Friday night. Not only was he genuinely upset about the lose of a young man that he never knew but he could empathized with my lose. He held me tight while I cried and wiped my tears.

Kade has always been a sensitive kid but it is moments like that that I know that my child is on a wonderful journey and I'm glad that Montessori School and Rachel Coleman are their to guide him forward.

One more quick note: I aspire to be the type of parent who can rejoice my child's life. Who can "not sweat the small stuff" and allow my child to be everything I know he can be. This lose has taught me so much about the type of parent I want to be. Watching parents mourn their only child with such control and composer has shown me that parenting is more about the life you give your child then the one you want for them. That if you give your child the love they deserve everyday then they will love others and they will live on in others! It's all about love!

Rest in Peace, Patrick!