first days

 

Yesterday was the second official day of kindergarten, but the first official 'school' day.  We've chosen a program that is a hybrid homeschool/go to school model.  One of the more common of the charter schools here in San Diego County.  This whole process of looking at schools, choosing a school, getting into a school and beginning a school has been interesting, to say the least.  I had a lot of baggage to process through in deciding what would be best for Nate- and our family-  not just what I was most comfortable with. 

After being on the 'inside' for so many years and having worked at a much sought after public charter school in Oakland, it was rough to be on the other side.  To endure the platitudes from well meaning administration and teacher, to really get at the meat of what a school was going to look like on a daily basis, to navigate different deadlines, lotteries, etc.  Mind boggling.  Oh, I could write a whole post about the drama and horror that is the lottery system, but others have done much better on that (watch Waiting for Superman).  We chose Nate's school largely because it was the closest thing to 'good enough' that I could find.  I'm sad to write that here.  I absolutely adore Nate's teacher and have no doubt that she is going to do a phenomenal job this year, it's more what the schools are missing that troubles me.  I really struggled to find a public school that was rethinking the way education could look- less seat work and more real work, less 'teaching' and more learning, less academics and more socialization.  So, now I'll work on that at home.  This school has a full home school option and there are a couple other full home school charters in our area.  I really never thought I would be home schooling Nate but, as I have heard from countless parents when I was the teacher, it's different when it's your own child. 

I'm actually really open to where this whole adventure leads us. 

In the meantime, Nate's first day has come and gone.  Today is is second day at school.  Tomorrow will be his second home school day.  So far, he is nothing but jubilation.  He loves school.  Proclaiming it the the very most fun thing that has happened in his whole life.  And isn't that what education is truly supposed to be about? 

I was able to get through his first full day away with no tears.  Took it all in stride, had a great drop off, pick up, etc.  That all came crashing down when I took this paper out of Nate's backpack when we got home:

Oh my, the tears just flowed.  Seriously?  These kinder teachers know how to get a mama going.  I still can't get through it without tearing up.  So I just tucked it away in a folder and will check back in with it in a few years...surely the waterworks will be held in check by then ;)

Nate told me that he's reading in the picture on the left, eating lunch on the right, and sitting at his desk in the middle ("We sit at our desks a lot in kindergarten mommy, like for hours and all day!")

Nate and his friend Bailey before they went into their classrooms.

project-ing

Not even sure if that's a real word, but in my world it is. Project-ing (as in doing projects) not projecting (like putting something out there). 

 Haven't been so very busy lately, my lack of posting can largely be attributed to the fact that my computer is mostly dead and I don't enjoy posting from my phone.  

I have been having a lot of fun working on a variety of painting projects at home. As happens in our house, it eventually turned into a "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie" situation (if you don't know the book, read it).  Started with Nate's work table, next was the side table that holds the fish tank, after that the book shelf in the living room, followed by Nate's chairs, onto the mirror above the piano, but that wasn't before I decided to paint the entire front living room and half the hallway, and finished it off with the coffee-table/footstool in the front living room.  Whew.  And, of course, I only took pictures of one piece.  I'm glad that the front room color has changed, I always wanted something bold but then I was over the color I painted when we moved in (4 years ago now!) so now it's neutral, which I like a bit better with all our old fashioned grandma furniture.  Still on the fence about what colors/and/or should I even paint the secretary and rocker.  I think yes to both still mulling over possibilities.  Thanks to my friend Megan for all the painting inspiration :) 

Welcome (환영) to the Family!

This weekend my lovely sister and brother through marriage (Jed's sister) had a son join their family!  We have been patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) waiting for this newest addition to our family and we were so excited to tell Nate that he has a new cousin- Noah- out in Chicago.  They adopted him from South Korea and brought him home on Saturday.  I hear he's loving fried rice and not so into carseats...pretty much typical of most almost-two year olds :)  We love you Noah and can't wait to meet you soon!

projects

Life has been full of many projects lately...

We have been hosting cousins and a grandma the last couple Mondays and loving it.  This Monday was filled with dyeing: first eggs and then using the leftover dye to color some fabric.  Watching the colors magically transform the white to rainbows of brilliant colors was exciting for all of us.  Welcome spring, truly. 

in gratitude

For the pure and simple joy and awe that is a child's first circus. (sorry for the horribly blurry dark photo- no flash and all :)

in garden news

 

The apricot has the sweetest tinniest apricots growing and the D'Anjou pear and the peach tree are full of blossoms.  We are beside-ourselves-happy that we took down the grapefruit and orange trees before spring as the change in perspective has completely given us a new appreciation for our lower garden (because we can see it!).

good

I know life is good when most of my days can be summed up by the number of oranges I ate warm off the tree,  successful irrigation projects completed in my backyard, and pages read in my latest middle school novel.  No complaints.