One of three reasons we bought our house

Way back in September when Henry was just 3 1/2 and a full week into potty training, he started preschool at the neighborhood public Montessori. We had hopes of him going here before we even left Colorado. They learn about peace. They learn about the continents. They make applesauce. It makes my heart so happy that he gets to be there for three hours Monday through Friday. He has best friends in the whole wide world that are not related to him by blood and his teacher, Maureen, is ridiculously amazing. She's got great style. She is creeped out by birds. She LOVES my kid. She also sends regular classroom updates to parents that say things like this:

Some of you may have noticed the beautiful picture of the child “making silence” hanging outside our classroom door. Making silence is an important part of the Montessori experience. Often we will take a few minutes during our morning meeting to sit silently, as still as we can. Each time before we do it we talk about how making silence helps us find peace in our bodies and if we sit really still we can hear the thoughts in our minds. As you might imagine this is not an easy task for children aged 3-6. Actually, it is not easy for me either. I am always impressed when the children can do it. I sometimes take pictures of the children as they make silence, they look so peaceful. The picture hanging outside our door is one of those pictures. When I shared it with the children they loved it. We talked about how the child may have felt when she was making silence. Then we practiced making silence, as we have done many times before. I could not believe how silently the children sat this time. There was absolutely not a sound in the room. No coughing, no wiggling, no whispers. It was the most beautiful silence I have ever heard. We decided to hang the picture outside our door to remind ourselves and others of the potential for peace within ourselves and in our classroom. It does not mean we always have to be quiet but that we have the ability to make silence when we need it. It is a powerful tool and one your child will practice throughout his/her Montessori career. Ask your child to teach you how to make silence. If they ask you to close your eyes, go ahead but you may want to take a little peek at the peaceful, beautiful face of your child.

Henry now asks me to make silence with him every night before he goes to sleep.

Most days Henry is so excited to go. He wakes up happy and asks who will be driving him there. We have also had many of these days as well;

Good Morning Maureen,
Henry will not be at school today because he is three. This condition has rendered him unable to function this morning. He is still laying on his floor in his pajamas. I am hoping to get him in a better mood, so Milo and I do not suffer all morning. Have a great long weekend.
Thanks,
Kelsey

Those days are fleeting anymore as birthday numero cuatro gets closer.

First day snaps (he's so little)

Three. For Twenty-Nine more Days.

Tim, Alcy and cousin noah are here from Tokyo!

So far, Henry has learned how to build a snowman and say delicious in Japanese. And what not to do to if he wants Noah to remain happy.