My baby is growing up

 . . . too quickly!

I can't believe three months of school are almost up.  This year is even more momentous because Indio is finally old enough to attend the Montessori school I teach at.  He is a "3" in a class of 3-, 4- and 5-year olds with two of the calmest teachers I've met.  There is a lot of energy in this class, especially with the Kindergarten-aged boys, and both of Indio's teachers seem to handle it all with such grace.  Of course, my kid is attracted to these rambunctious, older boys, especially on the playground where games of "Aliens and Vampires" are the norm!

Luckily, Indio also loves the classroom work and routines.  I had often thought about how my own child(ren) would be in a Montessori classroom and listening to Indio speak about the Montessori materials he uses in class brings my Montessori training from 12 years ago full circle for me.  I'm so glad we made this choice.

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Season of Splendour

Other than the freak snowstorm back at the end of October, NYC has been seasonably warm this fall. The trees seemed to be a bit confused at first, some changing colors on time while others remained green. I've spent a lot of time outside, both with family and my class, basking in the colors, trying to get in as much as I can before the leaves are gone.

This week, the students and I went on a neighborhood *leaf walk* collecting "specimens" to explore in class. Though I know the science behind the season, it's still quite difficult to wrap my head around the beauty that currently surrounds me.

little feet in crunchy leaves

interesting stoop dwellers

gold

prospect park

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And . . . I'm back!

For real this time! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted and more importantly, since I've caught up on all the blogs I normally read!

School is in full swing and I've already survived the first field trip of the year. After a week of rain, the sun finally joined us for a wonderful [and tiring] excursion to Brooklyn Botanic Garden last Friday. I was shocked at how tired I was by the time we returned to school!

japanese garden at bbg

One thing we missed on Friday was our usual mid-morning snack. [Though our snacks are nutritious and delicious, I've been warned of the perils of eating *student-handled* snack. Needless to say, I've already had my first cold of the season.] Each student brings in snack on an assigned day, sets it up and figures out how much each person in the class is allowed to eat. The ensuing snack signs are hilarious and adorable.

absolutely no sneaking!

And in personal school news, Indy no longer cries at drop off and eagerly goes to his teachers in the morning. Monday, he starts attending 5 days a week! Yay, Indy!

my big boy on his way to school

Hope you're all enjoying your weekends. Can't wait to catch up on my blog reading!

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School Days

first day of school smiles

Where does the time go? It's been 3 weeks since we moved to NYC and 2 weeks since I started back at school. The kids arrive Monday, but the last 2 weeks have been spent prepping our newly-designed classroom and getting ready for our class of 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.

On top of all the work excitement, E and I have been busy getting ourselves ready for a huge milestone in the lives of parents: sending your baby to *school*.

Indio began nursery school yesterday and what an emotional day it was . . . for all of us. As excited as we all were, a few tears were shed at drop-off. But at pick-up Indio was reluctant to leave and about 10 feet away from the building he asked if he could "go back to school."

I can't believe my baby boy is going to school though I'm so happy we found a fabulous place for him to play and learn.

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Solitude

I'm on a school overnight trip to Queen's University and today I had some time to explore on my own. The last time I was in Kingston, Ontario was with E on our 1-year anniversary, which was almost 4 years ago! This trip is so very different: I'm staying in a dorm room, I'm here for work, and I don't know a single other adult here!

My day started out a bit soggy at first. The rain started just as I was making my way out the door. Good thing I had an umbrella!

I've been carrying a lot of tension in my neck and back lately and E has been pushing me to get a massage. How fitting was it that the first place I passed was a spa? I settled in for an hour of relaxation at the hands of a fantastic RMT. Luckily, once I emerged from bliss the rain had stopped.

After that, I walked along Princess Street to Starbucks for an extra-hot coffee misto . . . YUM! I trekked down to the Lake [Ontario], popping in and out of adorably quaint shops and boutiques. The sun even came out and warmed me up [but also made my hair a frizzy mess!].

don't fall in!

frizzy self-portrait

holiday inn by the water

After a few hours, I thought it'd be best that I head back as the forecast is calling for severe thunderstorms this evening. I didn't really think I could have such a lovely day on my own in a town I knew nothing about, but it turned out grand.

minibux: mocha coconut frap, verdict? delish! [minus the whipped cream.]

best seat in the house

Do you like to explore on your own?

old stone and academia seem to always go hand-in-hand

luxuriously fragrant lilacs

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Shakespeare in Action: The Diary of Anne Frank

^via

Last week, my class and I went to see a theatrical version of The Diary of Anne Frank. The show was done by the company, Shakespeare in Action.

I know this story fairly well, having read it in junior high and taught it about 7 years ago to my middle school class in Brooklyn, but seeing it live on stage was still as moving as if reading it for the first time. The actors were so real, taking on the personas of the various characters in Anne's life. The woman who played Anne was amazing! She relayed Anne's innocence and youth so well that you truly thought this 20-something-year old was 13.

The play told the tragic story of Anne's family going into hiding during World War II in Amsterdam. Though the plot is somber and atrocious, the play also showed the personal side of each character, including the sweet first love between Anne and 16-year old Peter, who was also in hiding with his family.

Of course, no amount of lighter material could make the ending easier to digest. The final soliloquy by Otto Frank, Anne's father and only survivor out of the 8 people who were in hiding in that cramped attic, reduced me to a sobbing mess.

I hate that this story was ever written but am so glad that it continues to be told, especially in a world where such evils still plague humankind.

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Back to the grind

Hello readers! I hope you haven't given up on me because I've been MIA lately.

This week I started back at work...FULL TIME...after not working at all for over 6 months! Though this opportunity came out of the blue, it was the perfect time since I was ready to go back to work, but having to jump in full force with no notice has definitely taken a toll on my body:

I am so tired!

a photo of cassius from the archives

I haven't felt this exhausted since Indio was born. I can barely keep my eyes open after 9pm and have fallen asleep on the couch this week more times than I care to count.

To add to my fatigue I've managed to do 3 super workouts this week, one at the gym with my class--a perk of the new job!

Even with my need to hit the sack early, I'm loving the new venture and I'm invigorated by my workouts!

What's been keeping you busy lately?

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