We've had a busy weekend. We spent Friday night meditating in preparation for Saturday's insanity. I'm fairly certain Ghandi wore a similar outfit for meditation.
Saturday was a busy day. Arden had gymnastics, where she proved once again that her forte is the bar. She is the only one who flips over the bar on her own. We were impressed.After gymnastics we visited a Montessori school. Wednesday of last week was a big day in this house. In a town fraught with school district scandal, and in a housing market devastated by the economic downturn, our options are limited. Wednesday was Lotto Day for the one good school in our town. 1100+ applicants, 36 openings. 32 of those openings were for the K1 class, 18 of those openings were filled by siblings. 14 openings remained for the 111 applicants for K1. Arden was in the pool for K2, which had a whopping 4 openings. And 145 applicants. 126 names later, her name was drawn. 126th on the waiting list. The remaing applicants spanned the grades, and there were no openings for 1st through 8th grade. Simply a waiting list, leaving people to hope and pray that a few children left the school. For the rest of us, it is back to the drawing board.
We spent Wednesday looking for options. One of my first stops on the web was a Montessori school one town over. We've eyed them before, but the cost is well, costly. In interesting timing, they had an open house planned for this weekend. Friday night I ran out to get Arden a new outfit. First impressions are everything, right? Yes, grandparents, there are photos below.
Walking in the front door we were greeted by a 5th grade student, who would serve as our tour guide. Flocking him were the Admissions Director and the Head of School. Our tour guide, N., took us first to the Art Room. The art teacher was there, and talked with us about all of the different art projects they do each year, all designed to support the curriculum underway. Upcoming for kindergarten? Rainforest dioramas. Rainforest study starts this week. Arden was hesitant, but intrigued.
Next up was the gym. She hasn't stopped talking about the gym and the basketball hoops since. Onto the kindergarten class, where we met the class dove, parakeet and tree frog. Arden proved that she is not only a goat whisperer, but a dove whisperer too. The bird immediately began to coo to Arden, she was pleased. We explored the classroom, full of organic materials, puzzles and even their own piano. It is, without a doubt, a perfect kindergarten classroom. N sat down with Arden at a table and started to work with her on puzzles and math beads. She has not stopped talking about N either. This morning she got up and colored 18 pictures. All for her new classroom, with the exception of 1. Naturally, that one is for N.
We do not know if Arden will go there in the fall, or if we will wait until the first grade. It is an incredible school. There were no issues, and trust me, we can tell, with Arden having two mothers. They are encouraging of leadership, nurturing, yet with high expectations. She would thrive, most certainly, regardless of her start date. And, because the world continues to prove itself to be frighteningly small, we met people (N's parents, actually) that knew a woman who was one of Dora's Montessori teachers 25 (or 30...) years ago.
After visiting the school, we went to the mall. I needed new glasses, so we headed to the place that could have them ready in an hour. Why would anyone go anywhere else? I came armed with my prescription from Friday's visit to the optometrist, tried on a few different frames and, creature of habit that I am, ended up selecting frames nearly identical to my last pair. Why mess with a good thing.
We had lunch at Ruby Tuesday's and returned for the glasses by way of the Disney Store. I'm not sure if Dora or Arden enjoyed that experience more. New glasses in hand, we headed home (after offering a visit to the Easter Bunny, which was received with a vehement shake of the head), let out the dog, and hit the road for our friends' house. It was movie night, with salad and pizza for dinner, and popcorn and ice cream for dessert. A fun and exhausting day.
Today we spent in the house, sheltered from the nasty rain and wind that has been pounding New England for the last two days. And with that, I think I shall use the excuse of the rawness outside to make a cup of hot cocoa.
I leave you with pictures, my attempt to get a smile for the grandparents while waiting for our table, coveting a new Buzz Lightyear ('but he TALKS'), followed by the end of the evening, upon arrival home. And yes, she is wearing Wall E pjs. Hand-picked by hers truly. I have to tell you, it used to be a lot easier to carry the sleeping child up the stairs.
I would *love* to send Michael to Montessori school. I took a tour of Summit Montessori in Framingham 2 years ago, as a friend of mine was teaching there at the time, in the preschool class. I was so intrigued. But all I could think of was the debt we'd be in. Serious debt. Esp. for 9 years (K-8th grade)... So we are choosing Catholic School for Michael - he will be attending St. Paul in Wellesley next year. I was the product of Catholic school - 13 years of it- and while I know the public schools in Natick are decent, I just can't pull the trigger. I feel like private school is the best choice when all you hear about on the news is budget cuts and school closings.
ReplyDeleteAnyway - RIGHT ON, Arden. :) I love you guys. ;)
Hey Kate,
ReplyDeleteI know, it's really expensive, especially when you add up all the years! Public school here isn't an option though, and well, Catholic school isn't since she has two moms and we just don't trust how that might turn out.
I wish public schools were all as fantastic and well funded as the SHOULD be!!!!