School Endings

Easton's co-op mom's preschool- wisely named MAPP (Mother's of Advanced Preschool Prep) ended a couple of weeks ago. I started with this group just before Easton turned 3, three years ago. I had Kynlee in a separate co-op and a newborn strapped to me, but I felt like he could really benefit socially from it. There were five kids in the group. The first year we just met once a week for a couple of hours, the next two years we met twice a week for two and a half hours. The kids got to do some really fun things, they were totally spoiled, and all the moms were able to let their individual talents and wisdom shine. He's going to realize how good he had it when he hits Kindergarten. We coordinated the topics we wanted to cover and carefully made a daily schedule, and planned some great field trips. I'm glad he could be a part of it all.

We met one last time in the evening when all the husbands could be there and other siblings so they could look through their work from the past year and see some musical performances as well as a short play. Thanks to all the awesome moms!




On another note, as I mentioned before, I was totally worthless for about five months of this pregnancy. When we came back from Christmas break, I felt like I should get the boys involved with something other than watching me mope around a neglected house. Easton was playing video games too much of the time, and Ander was getting into everything he shouldn't be getting into. I felt like I was saying no no too much at an age where I should be catering to their exploring and learning. I found a Montessori preschool with awesome teachers where Ander and Easton could be together. I signed them up to attend a few days a week for a few months. Easton was a champ doing both the co-op and the Montessori. It was hard having them away from me a lot, and sometimes we'd skip a Friday to hang out, but I really think they both benefited from being there while I put things back together at home. Aside from the money, I really like the Montessori schools. I think it was better for Easton to be able to do activities that catered to his interests and what he needed to be challenged on individually rather than be in a classroom that made everyone do the same thing whether they could or not. For Ander, it gave him a chance to always be busy about doing, in a clean organized place. I bought three great books on the method and plan on doing things with all the kids this summer.

I followed them around a couple of mornings to see what they did. Ander really hogged the camera and would hardly let me escape to take pictures of Easton. I loved watching what they did on their own without me giving any commands.





House slippers.




Group show and tell on their favorite work.








This is skip counting with beads.








They got a snack two at a time on their own, and cleaned up their area by themselves without any teacher (or mom) promptings.






The morning I spent the most time there, Easton worked mainly on his workbook which he loved. It was really surprising to me, since he tried to avoid doing any writing or reading with me for a while. Now he enjoys it- I think because he realizes he can do it.