Signs of Autumn


Today the boys and I decorated our house for the season! Everything looks so beautiful and full of color. We really love our yard with all the trees. It will be so different in the Winter as the leaves really create a screen. It’s hard to believe that my crimson climber is still blooming. I love our fire pit area. Auntie Kelly called it very Zen. I’m pretty proud that I designed and created the entire front and backyard of our house. When we moved in, there wasn’t anything- only dirt.

NO SCHOOL

NO School for Nishad due to MEA! What’s a Mommy to do and the boys to do?!
HAVE F-U-N!
Thursday we headed out, went for lunch to Nishad’s favorite place (Indian is a close second!)- Chipotle. After we went to the Elm Creek Nature center. The boys really enjoyed playing in the leaves! We “hunted” for colors…listened for sounds of Autumn…and even saw some toads, turtles and a snake. We played with the puzzles and read about the life cycle of a frog (two more favorite things!).
I really enjoyed our time together. Since Nishad is in school, we don’t get to get out like this in the mornings anymore.

Start of the Cake Parade!

We celebrated with the Bean’s for Vada’s 1st birthday party. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Jaxson was coming over here for Nishad’s 1st birthday. Amazing how fast time flies! The Mexican food theme was so tasty! Vada was adorable~ as always! We’ve come to really look forward to seeing the Bean’s extended family (parents/relatives) as well. They are all great.

Absorbent Mind

Last week we had our first parent conference with Nishad’s teacher. Nishad has been doing great since the start. 🙂 Right now he’s working with the Red Rods. He’s also quite the eater! His teacher commented on how wonderful it is to see him enjoy tomatoes and hummus (things other kids won’t eat and even refresh to try). I feel so secure with letting him eat snack at school as I know they are not exposed processed or sugary foods. She also said that sometimes he is an observer- he likes to watch the older kids (his classroom, like any holistic Montessori School consists of 3-6 year olds) at work.

He’s made quite the bond with his two teachers, Brenda and Mary Beth. Though there are 11 children total in his class, he speaks mostly about his friend Thomas and Adam (who noticed his new haircut and liked it!). There are no tears anymore- they only lasted briefly in the beginning of the school year. The director of the school describes Nishad as a very sweet, gentle and compassionate boy.

We are thrilled about our decision to enroll him in the 3 year program. I always tried to maintain a Montessori home for Nishad (and Arun), but having him in the environment that he is in, REALLY impacts him. He was my helper before, but now he is my full out assistant, if not supervisor! They have a Spanish specialist as well as an art specialist. I’ll never forget a parent telling me in another Montessori school, “My child knew where Asia was on a map before she even knew her A,B,C’s.” Some parents get it- and some don’t. I wish everyone could have an authentic Montessori experience…even adults! 🙂

This past week Ashish also went to Parent Education Night at Nishad’s school. He made me so good. He left there and called me and said, “Now I know why you are so passionate about Montessori.” Of course, he was on board with the decision of a Montessori Education, however, he hasn’t had that much time to experience it first hand, or rather hands on. Sure, he’s done the tours, observations and of course, researched and educated himself too…but it is very different when you are one with the environment.

This past week I also took part in a “Coffee with…” the director of the school. What an enlightening conversation and spirit of community. It’s nice to be able to share with other parents and form a common bond based off of prioritizing your child’s needs- Montessori, of course, paving the way for their future. One Mom shared with us how her friends and neighbors can’t believe her 3 year old is in a 3 hour, 5 day a week program. She said how some perceive her as snobby as her daughter is in a Montessori School. How they question her again and again about what Montessori is, doubting her answers. I smiled and said, “Just tell them it’s a cult.” ..haha…

I also had a park and rec meeting and another photography order to work on! Busy week! This combined with commuting 5 days a week to pick up Nishad. My friend and I did get our walk in this week (albeit, wasn’t in the morning as usual)- we’re on a roll! All the boys sure did enjoy the cows. She made a comment about getting heaters installed on our strollers. I’m up for that!