The Pre-School Precipice

I toured a preschool today. It was entirely different than the kindergarten last week. I felt more confident and not at all out of place. It was their job to impress me. I didn't worry much. It would work out or it wouldn't. I was hoping it would go well, but I knew I'd figure it out. I've been spoiled for a long time which makes a difficult task that much more frustrating. You simply can not replace the irreplaceable. You can only move forward even if it's at a limping pace.

When I did my research I was optimistic. The phone call that followed confirmed this was a possible option. I even spoke to a few parents who have/had kids in this program.
Their website describes them thus:

The [Someone I've Never Heard Of]Approach guides children’s learning through the use of a negotiated curriculum directed by the interests of the child, with an emphasis on ongoing projects. This model is based upon the following; children must have some control over the direction of their learning, must be able to learn through the experiences of touching, moving, seeing, and hearing, and must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.

I arrived right on time for my tour. Most of my questions had to do with class size and logistics. The kids seemed happy and engaged. Most of the classroom had 3-4 small groups working on different activities. The rooms all had wonderful artwork and craft projects on display. It seemed like a fun place to learn. So fun in fact that there wasn't a single opening in Riley's age group. The max class size is 15 and all the rooms had at least two teachers.

I had assumed when I told her on the phone that I was looking for something right away and she didn't immediately tell me that was a problem that there was a spot. It turned out there was one coming up, but nothing now. I deflated like a balloon. I thought the distance and adjustment to a 5 day a week school schedule were going to be the only obstacles. I pressed on with my questions, but felt discouraged. I wanted to run away crying, but I shook her hand and promised to get back to her shortly.

I bemoaned not knowing where Riley would be in a few weeks and then started to go over the options we'd already ruled out in my head. March is an awkward time to change schools because the academic year is almost over and summer session is a few months away. I decided to pick up Riley early again. Part of me was glad she won't be away from me five days a week anytime soon. I like our routine and I enjoy Riley's company so much.

By the end of the day I was able to work out Riley's situation and convince Mike that the distance would actually work in our favor. I'm calling in morning to let her know we're taking the spot. I'm so grateful that I will have a transition period before both my kids are at school all week. Don't you love/hate being on the verge of things changing forever?

Into the Future!

I toured my first choice option for Riley's kindergarten. I was a nervous wreck. I had that feeling I remember from touring my collage while I was still a senior in High School. The feeling of being a fraud. I can't really be thinking about my baby's Elementary school career. It was completely surreal. I fussed over what to wear the entire day before and then thanks to the chilly weather this morning I had to go back to the drawing board. I went from a cute skirt to jeans dressed up with ballet flats and a cute top. Did I look like someone's mom? Did they see me and think I was lost on my way to high school? I don't know...

I arrived about 10mins early which gave me time to wolf down a granola bar and check that Riley had gotten off to school ok. I found the drive pleasant enough. It'll take us about 15-20min each way on school days, but it's not a terrible route. I liked how tucked away the school itself was. A few blocks in from any major roads in a quiet neighborhood. Feeling very much like I'd snuck backstage at a concert I headed up the sidewalk towards the bright red door. I was greeted by a friendly woman who said "Oh! Good Morning, you must be our visitor." She found the teacher I was meeting and I got a quick tour of the whole school (It's not a big place)as the kids settled in. The first thing I noticed was that they allowed the parents to walk their kids into their classrooms and say goodbye. Wonderful. At Isaac's old school they allowed it for the first week of kindergarten ONLY. You were treated like a criminal for even attempting to walk past the front gates after that.

I enjoyed the children in the kindergarten classroom very much. They reminded me of my kids, they were bright and inquisitive and very silly. There a was mutual respect between children and adults I found very reassuring. I loved the intimate class sizes and the way they nurtured creativity. It seemed like a wonderful place to learn. It is still my first choice for Riley, no question.

After a few hours I felt very anxious to get home. Maybe it was that weird feeling of being a fraud or maybe I was just tired. I hated feeling so secure in what will happen down the road, but not a clue where Riley will be next month. More than anything I just missed her. I didn't see her in the morning and than I spent time with all these 5yr olds (who seem huge compared to Roo) and I just wanted to see her. I picked her up early today.

What's Awesome About Home Schooling

It's another in a long list of things I thought I'd never to, but here I am. Everyday I post a schedule for each kid, write notes for them on the white board, prepare worksheets, schedule trips and activities. It's been fun. It's just a natural extension of this.

It is a very time consuming thing, but completely worth it. The biggest challenge and one of the coolest things about this experiment is that it forces me to find things the kids can do together. Maybe that's not a big deal for some moms, but with a 7yr age difference it's not easy. I need activities they can both do or do together and places they both enjoy going. Our days of the week themes mean at least once a week we go somewhere everyone can enjoy. When we're home I am always trying to think of one activity a day they can both do together. I have photographic evidence, it can be done. I wonder if either of them will remember summer art projects together when they have their own children.

Another huge plus is that no one is ever bored. It does not happen. They're either engaged (or at least busy) or they've earned their free time and are making it count. Good behavior means super fun stuff like Lego Challenge, baking or family movie time happen. Speaking of, and this is saying a lot for a house when an almost 10yr in it, the TV is almost always off. I really enjoy the quiet.

We're flexible and learn from what's around us. Big storm? Rainwater under the microscope. Watch a ventriloquist? Discuss vaudeville. My new voter registration card arrives? Discuss democracy. Vet appointment? Discuss domestication of wolves that lead to the modern dog. It's very living-in-the-stream-of-consciousness sometimes. It means the kids get a lot (not that they were hurting for it)of one on one with Mom. It also means I get more help around the house. We're a team for most of the day rather than mornings and evenings like the school year.

Setting the schedules to balance subjects we need to work on for school next year, topics we're interested in, fun summer stuff, free time, chores and quiet/nap isn't just helpful for the kids. It also forces me to focus on myself for sections of the day. I find myself eating breakfast every morning now. Showering, reading, working on my other job, blogging and watching grown up TV in the times they're quietly working or the evenings when we've managed to get everything pressing done.

Our daily themes forced me to commit to getting out of the house with the kids at least twice a week. We can learn anywhere and we do. I ran an errand to the bank with Isaac and we spent our whole wait in line discussing the currency exchange chart. It also means grandparent/friend visits and time exploring the city we live in. Go! Dog Go!

I learn things too! I remembered only the very general idea of static electricity, but thanks to having a science day I've had a refresher. Riley wants the colors to blend on her painting, which reminds of a host of art projects I did in school. My geography is a bit rusty, that's what Worldly Wednesday is for.

I'm so glad we took a summer off from nine weeks of camp. They are growing up so fast. I know school will sneak up on us sooner than we will be ready for, but I'm glad we're making the most of our summer.

Mom-And-Dad-A-Pedia

When I grew up there was a lot (or at least as a child I perceived there to be) a lot of "because I said so" and "go look it up" in my house. I know they seem completely unrelated and probably insignificant, but they steam from wanting to know "why". I always wanted to know "why". It was not something most adults understood or had patience for.

I wasn't sassy or rude, most of the time, I just wanted to know "why". My kids suffer the same relentless desire to know "why". They are curious little monkeys. Only, in our house there is no "because I said so". We explain things as thoroughly and honestly as possible at all times. Barring of course, when Isaac is stalling going to bed by asking for a complete history of communism or the meaning of life. It's a constant challenge to find ways that are accessible to an eight year old or a 20mo old to explain complicated issues, but I enjoy the challenge. I want them to be armed with as much accurate information as possible.

This is why when we "go look it up" we look it up together. I am still recovering from all the ridiculous nonsense my friends told me growing up that I accepted as fact. These days false information spreads like wildfire on the web. Just like kids on the playground explaining how you can die from farting and burping at the same time there are hundreds of emails circulating at any given time proclaiming "facts" just as laughable. Also, just like the playground most people seem to just accept these "facts" and worse continue to circulate them.

I am always honest with Isaac when I just don't know the answer to his question. Usually, I'll tell him what I do know and we'll look up the rest. For example, I explained that muscle fatigue has to do with the buildup of lactic acid (thanks AP Bio). However, when Isaac asked where the lactic acid came from I couldn't remember. So, we looked it up. It's produced when we exert ourselves as a way to convert glucose (energy) without oxygen. That way we can conserve oxygen and make energy.

I love that from the time Riley was born if she showed interest in something Daddy explained it to her. "Yes, Riley that's a flower. It makes food from sunlight." etc Intellectual conversations abound here from science, philosophy, engine repair, cooking to common courtesy on a daily basis. I remember that Isaac came home very excited one day because a classmate had told him about reincarnation. We explained what we knew about it and which religions believed in it, to his absolute wonderment. I don't think the adults in my life would have been as forth coming with such information when I was seven. Another time Isaac visited my dad after his heart surgery. My dad never had boys so he's always happy to get gross with the grandkids and thinking Isaac would be amazed he showed him the line of staples holding his chest together (with my blessing). Isaac was not amazed, he was horrified. We had a long talk about medical staples vs. office supply staples, what bypass surgery is and how grandpa's heart got sick. After that the staples were cool.

The world is a big place and I want the kids to be armed with as much solid information as possible. I want them to make choices based on facts not just because their parents tell them to. I try never to state my opinion as fact or to be judgmental when discussing other world views. I want them to always be able to come to me for answers without being afraid or embarrassed. When I was in Middle School I asked my mom, who was a nurse, about periods. Her response was to bring me home pamphlets. I read them, but I wish she had felt she could openly discuss those things with me. I think especially for girls, knowing how your body works is essential. Knowledge is power.

I want my curious little monkeys to stay curious. I want them to never fear judgment for seeking information. I want them to be the kids on the playground debunking myths. I want them to know there's always more to learn. I want them to always read, observe and ask questions freely at home. I always said we'd have a house of fairies and scholars.