Monthly Archives: February 2016

Santa siblings

Aunty Annie made the littlies Christmas pyjamas, which they all had on today.

IMG_20160219_231933.jpg

 

IMG_20160219_231841.jpg

Off on my own

Eli has been getting a lift home on a Thursday with a friend for the last few weeks, and today he got to go on his own little adventure, home with Oliver and Finn for a play date – his first time off on his own without mom or dad.

And he had lots of fun.

Lunch time…

IMG-20160218-WA0004.jpg

…and play time (some monster game under the table).

IMG-20160218-WA0003.jpg

Thank you Heather for being a mom to three this afternoon!

Reading to my brothers

There are benefits to having a big sister who can read…

20160210_073046_s.JPG

20160211_063329_001_s.JPG

3 hours

One of the many wonderful things about the Montessori method is the uninterrupted 3 hour work cycle. In this time the children are actively engaged with their work, ideally with minimal input from any adults. They have freedom to move around and choose the work tasks that they are interested in (within certain boundaries), and due to the work cycle there is the opportunity to engage deeply with them if they want to.

Like today. Grace arrived at school, did her journal check, and then started with the addition box. 3 hours later, the addition box was done…entirely. She had worked through all the material in the addition box. Tomorrow? Subtraction…or maybe art…or science, geography, hand weaving…or all of them. Grace gets to decide and to follow her interests. And just in case you’re worried about a narrow band of interests, the entire environment is set up to stimulate a wide variety of interests, and the teachers are there to guide them as they explore everything that there is to explore.

Not the mama

In today’s 90’s trivia reference we have, “Not the mama,” “I’m the baby, gotta love me,” and this photo:

IMG_20160215_200425_s.JPG

Hammock sleeping

On Saturday morning Donné went into the playroom to see what Grace was up to, but all she could hear was the faint sound of snoring coming from the hammock.

IMG_20160215_010214_s.JPG

Grace had gotten up (I’m not sure at what time), gone to the playroom and fallen back to sleep. She eventually woke up properly at 08h00, which if you know Grace is a super, super late sleep in.

She had woken some time during the night (not idea what time), and according to her been unable to go back to sleep, so she went to the playroom. Well, apparently the hammock helped.

An afternoon with the van der Zee’s

We got to spend a lovely afternoon with Pete, Heather, Oliver and Finn today. Great conversations and happy children.

Story time with Heather

IMG_20160213_180240_s.JPG

Iron man came out of the dress up room

IMG_20160213_224823_s.JPG

And so did Donatello

IMG_20160213_224457_s.JPG

The two baby dinosaurs hid away on the couch

IMG_20160213_203806_s.JPG

Morning buddy

After a late night out, it helps to wake up to a smiling face

IMG_20160212_090247_s.JPG

Newberry Family Picnic

Fun on the jungle gym with William

IMG_20160211_210923_s.JPG

20160211_183316.JPG

Meeting some new parents

20160211_184952.JPG

Some of the junior primary took to the stage for a rendition of the Amelia skiet. Grace seems to be working her way into everything. Later she stood at the mike and said, “Excuse me everyone, can I have you attention. We’re going to do a play, and anyone who wants to can join.” After that there was dancing on the stage.

IMG_20160211_190629_s.JPG

Squidgy

Adam has developed his affectionate name – Squidgy. After some others, like Addy, this one seems to have stuck. Our cute Squidgy is now 8.8kg and doing well after his most recent round of vaccinations. He is growing into himself and looking more proportional.

Our cute little Squidgy

IMG_20160209_112645.jpg

IMG_20160210_075949.jpg