End of the Year Video

https://www.wevideo.com/view/207827807

What Shall We Do On A Nice Spring Day?

Answer: Take a walk of course!
So it has in fact been over a year since I posted anything on this most neglected blog! Here goes...
Where have I been you ask? Busy and well, sick. Most of the past year has been about sickness and health.  I'm happy to share that after having a benign tumor removed from my lower colon and my gallbladder rupturing and needing to be removed as well, I am doing better.  I have given up sugar, gluten, animals fats and caffeine and because of those dietary changes I am doing MUCH better. All the while I have been running my small preschool here in mid-coast Maine: Helping Hands Family School.  I love my little school, the children and their families and my friend and co-teacher Mallory make it the success it is.  I continue to feel blessed to get to do what I love. 
     My oldest son, Nathan, has relocated to the West coast and is loving his life out there. He is going to school at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood.  I am of course very proud of him and happy for him but I also miss him terribly. 
     My middle man, Max, is a freshman in high school now. He has an adorable girlfriend, is doing well in school and is still the most creative person I know.
      Little One, Oliver, is a busy second grader.  He laughs every day and still gives me a hug often.  Which is nice.  He's still loud, messy and funny; so that's the same.
      My intention is to up date this blog and "bring it back" as Oliver recently said to me, "You can't just leave those people hanging! You have 700 followers Mama."
So, not to leave anyone hanging.  Here I am.
In PEACE,
Montessori Mama   

Blogging Mamas

It's been a while since I blogged here at Montessori Mama...I miss connecting with you all.  I am a very busy mama, but then again what mama isn't right?

So tonight (inspired by the lovely mamas below) I am going to pledge to post more frequently on this beloved blog of mine!

Here are a few of my personal favorite Mamas for you to visit.  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

Wonder Parenting
Maine Adventure Mom
Morning Glory Garden

In PEACE,
MM

Hoppy Easter!

How lucky are we to have a Rabbit in the family school?
Today was a great Spring day.  One of my little friends shared her pet rabbit with us.
The other children bravely took turns to pet the rabbit and offered her carrots from snack.  Too cute!
Happy Easter to all of you.
MM  
 

Paddington Bear

 

 

 

 The Playhouse Children's Theater presents "Paddington Bear's Adventures," adapted from the stories of Michael Bond and directed by Mary Weaver, in final performances by a cast of 15 children ages 5 to 13 at The Playhouse in Belfast on Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31 and April 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 1, at 4 p.m. The play is recommended for ages five and up.

The Playhouse is located at 107 Church Street in Belfast. Tickets are $5 at the door. Seating is limited; call 338-5777 for reservations.

Celebrating Seuss!

I know there are dozens of Dr. Seuss posts out there but I MUST share.  This past week we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday! There is something magical about re-introducing young children to a familiar friend.  The Cat in the Hat is an old family friend to most children, they take pride and joy in knowing the stories and the characters.

 In celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday this past week, we grew as a community.  It was very sweet to over-hear comments like, "I have that book at home!" and "You do? So do I!" said with excitement and joy over the connection to a friend.

 
Children develop independence by first separating from their parent to their teacher, then from the teacher to a peer/friend...this natural progression is not always an easy task for all to do.  The work of the preschool teacher is to nurture friendships between the children.   When was the last time you shared with a parent, about who their child plays with at school?  Suggesting play-dates is a great way to foster preschool friendships.  Some parents will ask but other parents may be shy or may not feel comfortable asking. 
Happy Reading everyone!  ~MM

 

    

To Do List

There are so many things on my "To Do List"!  One of the items is to pay more attention to this blog of mine.  I used to post descriptions and insight. Now I post mostly photos. I used to post weekly sometimes even daily.  Now I'm lucky if I post once a month! It's not that I don't enjoy blogging, because I DO.  It's just there never seems to be time any more to "do it right" you know what I mean?  And, if I'm being completely honest, I have to tell you all something.  I used to think I was typing to strangers, sharing with people I would most likely never cross paths with.  I used to believe I wrote for other Montessori teachers and parents who wanted or needed ideas.   Now, 500 followers later, I know this is not the case.  In fact, I've met a good many of my readers and I'm told regularly that my blog helped a handful of parents in my local community, survive "the toddler years".

In one way it's flattering and encouraging to know your reaching people, helping people, comforting people.  In another way it's intimidating.  And there is something un-nerving about revealing so much of one's life that people you hardly know feel comfortable coming up to you at say.... the library story hour and asking you about your birth story or your spirited child's diet??  True story people. 

Then there is the fact that I left a job I loved, working for a wonderful Montessori school, to start my own in home preschool.  I've been given the impression that some people in my community (who sniff out drama) think there is MORE to this story than there really is.  That, since I'm being completely open here, is fricking exhausting! Look: People resign from their places of employment and start somewhere new every day.  There is no big dramatic story to tell.  If you want to know more because you care about me then ask ME, don't troll my blog for dirt.  Okay, there I said it. 

So, moving on.  I love this blog, I'm really proud of it.  When I started it years ago, blogging was new.  I was one of a handful of Montessori teachers blogging and it felt so exciting to be part of something important.  I really felt that way.  Also, I had a toddler and if I didn't write to all of you, I think like many moms of toddlers, I would have gone a little batty.  Connecting with other moms was paramount to my existence. 

And so I feel like I need to share all this and see if folks still want me to share?   Is anyone reading this blog of mine?
In PEACE,
Montessori Mama



 

St. Lucia's Day

 We made paper plate wreathes and with the circle from the center we made star wands!

 One of our student's grandmother visited and taught us all about St. Lucia's Day from her childhood in Sweden.

 She lovingly dressed her granddaughter in the traditional St. Lucia attire, complete with the ring of candles!

While our very own St. Lucia passed out ginger cookies, her grandmother sang, in Swedish, a song that told the story of St. Lucia.  All the children got to try the crown of candles on and most of them enjoyed the cookies. What a wonderful day!
Happy St. Lucia's Day everyone!

Celebrating St. Lucia Day

This week we are celebrating St. Lucia's day
(Dec. 13th) with our preschoolers.  One of our students Grandmother is visiting tomorrow to share her Swedish family tradition.  She is bringing ginger cookies for all and will dress her granddaughter in the traditional white dress with red sash, green wreath crown of candles while she tells the story of St. Lucia.  Today we prepared for her visit by making paper plate wreath crowns and star wands.  The children enjoyed using the glitter paint and gluing the paper leaves on their clowns.  I'm really happy with how they turned out.  We invited everyone to dress in red and white tomorrow; with their paper crowns and star wands I anticipate some cute photos!
Stay tuned....PEACE~MM

Dress Up Parade

 Yep, that's my little Piglet with the world's best daddy, Montessori Papa.  

 That's me (in the wings) leading the dress-up parade.

 this year even some grandparents participated!

We took a short walk and sang songs.  The children look forward to this holiday tradition.  Halloween is my favorite holiday so truth be told, I probably look forward to it more than they do.  But everybody has fun for sure.  I think sometimes we adults over think what will be fun for kids; often less is more.  As we all know, dressing up is fun.  And parades are fun especially when you're under 4 feet tall.
Add a few corn kernel toilet paper role shakers and you've got one heck of a good time.  This was our preschool's 2nd annual Dress-up parade, I am hopeful it will happen for years to come.  How does your school celebrate Halloween?
PEACE
MM