3rd Birthday take one! The Montessori Way

On Friday we celebrated Campbell 3rd birthday! We started the morning off by giving her a present from Mommy and Daddy. I wanted to get her something special that was not just another toy. Inspired by her new classroom and the montessori way of loving nature and giving children age appropriate responsibilities I choose to get Miss C 2 African dwarf frogs! This was a big step for me as I am not a huge fan of amphibians but they are really little and cute! They are VERY low maintenance having to be fed only 2 days a week (toad tuesday & frog fridays) and cleaning their water every 3 months. They have a long life span and well they are flat out funny to watch. 

Here are the new member of our little family. Miss C found her bennie baby frog and set it by the new frogs to keep them warm she said. I just waiting for the day I find her holding one eeeek! 

We sent Miss C off to school and met back up with her later to have her Montessori birthday celebration in her class room. A few of her friends from her old toddler room even got to come over to celebrate with us. Miss C choose to have a Strawberry shortcake them for this party.

In a Montessori classroom the birthday child holds the earth or a globe and walks around  the sun or a candle. The walk represents the earth revolving around the sun. The child walks around as many years old he or she is and stops on the month and date he or she was born.

The birthday celebration is a fun way to introduce the concepts of months, days of the month, the earth, the sun, and how the earth revolves around the sun. 

Yes I made these! cause I know my friends question my honesty 

when it comes to my baking

Each child makes a timeline poster of their life for year old they are

My little earth circling the sun. 

Time for strawberry cupcakes

Dance party time! 

Add caption

It's good to be 3! 

Raccoons to Giraffes

I knew this day was coming and even though I'v know for a while I still teared up when I got this email.

"Dear Amber and Trey,

I just wanted to inform you that Campbell will be moving up into the Giraffes on March 16^th. She will be visiting the room the week before the move up. Ms. Lindsey, her new teacher, and I would like to meet with you next week. The purpose of this meeting is for you to meet Campbell’s new teacher and for us to answer any questions you may have about the transition, the new environment, etc. Ms. Lindsey is available to meet at 2:30 p.m. What day works for you next week?

We are going to miss Campbell very much but are really excited to see her advance to a new stage in her learning and cannot wait to see all of the amazing things she is going to accomplish.

Amber, thank you so much for all you have done for the Raccoons. We will miss having you as part of the Raccoon community as well.

Sincerely,

Aidee"

So after a week of slowly transitioning to the Giraffe's class today was the first full day. She was confused when we arrived at school and passed up her old room. She wanted to hang up her jacket on her raccoon cubby. We got to the door of the giraffe room and 3 girl ran up to her, older girls about 4 and 5 yrs, and told Miss C how pretty her hair bow was. This made her very happy. She clung to Ms. Lindsey's leg and cried a little when I left. (yes I'm crying writing this! ) I'll go pick her up at 4:30 and see how the first day turned out. 

1st day in the primary class 

1 week short of turning 3

Miss C new teacher Ms Lidnsey
and a little look of fear

Happy Valentines Day

Miss C had a Raccoons class party today at school. The kids we all so cute! I watched Miss C and her two little girlfriends chat while having lunch, they were  discussing being princesses. 

The yummy cupcakes I "made"

 Miss C's Cubby, I finally updated her picture

The Raccoons Valentines "mailboxes" 

To see the rest of the pictures and all Miss C's cute friends click here! 

PJ and Pizza day

It was PJs and Pizza day at SITH! 

Fireman!

This week the Lake Travis firefighters and firetruck visited the school. It was very exciting for the toddlers to see them up-close. We always see them go by, but seeing the firefighters put their uniform on, get in the firetruck, and touch the firetruck was a great experience for our Raccoons. I wish we could have taken more pictures, but it was difficult to do when you have 15 toddlers exploring a firetruck :)  If you want to see some  images of this visit click here. 
password "raccoons"
 

It's Fall and I'm Falling behind!

Where oh where does the time go this time of year? When it's 105 outside I can't pass the time fast enough now it feels wonderful out and I have a new pep in my step and there I go falling behind!
Fall family pictures need to be planned and taken, decorations put up, Raccoons class basket planned, fall festival at SITH staffed, trip to the pumpkin farm, football season and of course I'm so behind on blogging! I promised myself I would write one post a week (on average) this first year. I am heading to Chicago on Wednesday morning for a little work project. I got to thinking and this will be the first time I have travled with out Trey in 3 1/2 years and then it hit me... Trey will be alone with Campbell for 3 days! he has done an overnight alone before but never 3 days!!!! Panic is setting in!  I better get caught up!

Amber

Good Friends

First Day of School Fall 2010

Almost a year has passed since Miss C started attending School In The Hills. Today was the first day of fall classes. Boy how time flies. She is such a big girl now and a lot of that is in part due to her fantastic teacher. We feel very fortunate to have Campbell at such a wonderful school.

Mother's Day Tea

Today the mothers were invited to SITH to have a tea party with our children. It was super special to get to spend the morning with my baby having tea and cucumber sandwiches! After we finished tea we went into the classroom and did Montessori work with the kids and had circle time. Last time Campbell was a total wallflower when I was in the room. Today she really participated in all the activities pulling me along to play too! When it was her turn to dance she jumped up and did a jig! I was so proud of her, she is really becoming a smart little girl. Where oh where did my clingy baby go? At the end of the day the kids gave all the mommies a little project they made for us!

My very first mothers day gift from my daughter!!!! Yep, I'm sniffling 

Fathers Picnic

Monday the Raccoon's class hosted a picnic for the kids and their dads! Trey went to SITH ( School in the Hills) at 10:30 and got to spend some time playing with Campbell and her friends. He said they had the most fun spinning and then circle time! Then they got to have a picnic and enjoy ham and cheese sandwiches and chips. I am only guess but I am willing to bet neither Trey or Campbell was happy to share their chips with the other!

Thoughts from Campbell's teacher

I am Re-blogging from Campbell's teacher. I just thought it was such a sweet post about teaching toddlers I had to share. 

Working, Concentrating, & Learning

I often hear things like "I don't know how you are able to work with toddlers," "Is it hard to manage a group of young children?" or "I think you are crazy for wanting to spend your day with babies" (a friend of mine told me this). Yes, toddlers can be difficult sometimes, but I love my job. No, they are not babies; they are capable of amazing things. I won't deny that there are days when I go home exhausted and wonder why I chose this profession, but a hug, a smile, or a funny moment from any of my students makes my day and I forget how tired I am. I love to see the children enjoy life and this energizes me. The moments I love the most are when I see the children working, concentrating, and having fun. If you want to see some photos of the children working click here. 

Ms Aidee