Stomp Rocket

This toy is SO cool!!  Since the weather warmed up (for a day, that is...) we got the bug to spend some time outdoors. 

Rick snagged this goodie last weekend and we've already gone out to 'blast off!' three times this week.  It's a great tool for teaching all sorts of things - trajectory, space travel (i.e. the video of Soren making rocket sounds), counting, distance - you name it!

You can find the Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow Kit here.  It's 16 bucks and trust me, it's a blast!

We did however, have a slight shoe casualty from all the melted snow, while running after a 'fast, super high rocket going to the space station!'.

Why Montessori?

Soren is going to Sands Montessori in the Fall!!!  This deserves exclamations points for many reasons.

a) We had to camp out to get him in.  There is a short lottery for Kindergarten, but not Pre-School.  Because it is a specific pedagogy, it relies on small classroom sizes which translates to - not a whole lot of openings.

b) It's a Montessori program.  

'b' is really the reason we are so excited.  The Montessori method is something Rick and I have been stumbling upon before Soren was even born.  A lot of parents that seem to follow the attached parenting methods (nursing, baby led weaning, co-sleeping, yadda yadda) have a tendency to lean more on the Montessori method for education - at least it seems that way.  

Every time we think we know the method, or have it completely figured out - we get slammed with even more material about the pedagogy that makes us even more grateful that we went for it.  We have two stellar sitters for Soren - one is a fun, energetic electronic media major and the other is her dedicated Montessori education major roommate.  Thank you SitterCity for helping me find these gems!

Just a few days ago, our Montessori major sat for Soren and ended up staying and chatting with us about the program.  She is SO dedicated to it - and I can understand why!  She told us how the classrooms are arranged how they are willing to borrow supplies from other classrooms to help cater to each individuals rate of progress.

That Soren will be taught to spell phonically.  How he will group objects together to count - that if he throws one of his legendary tantrums 'which he will - they all do' he will be talked to about his energy and taught how to bring it down.  That he will learn respect of not just his teacher (who will be called by her first name - emphasizing they are ALL people - ALL human beings! Love it!) but of his fellow students.  Because together, they will complete projects in 'interdisciplinary' play.

She brought up more concepts about energy (of which I am extremely intrigued) but also language - both verbal and physical.  She recommended a few books and I can't wait to dive in.  Even more than that - I can't wait to see how Soren does in school.  

Montessori also relies heavily on parent participation to work - so Rick and I are both studying up.  We've already used a couple of Sarah's suggestions.  My favorite of recent is calming Soren's temper.

The other day during a blow up, as he swung his arm at me (normal 3 year old behavior) - I told him the 'energy in here is too high.  We need to give our bodies a rest.'  He looked at me calmly as I repeated myself in a slow quiet voice.  He went to the table, sat in the chair - and we took  a deep breath.  Talked - and expressed our feelings.  He told me 'momma, you hurt my feelings.  You took my legos away'.  I responded 'I am so sorry I hurt your feelings Soren.  But I told you it was time for lunch and we needed to eat.  To give your body good energy.  I am sorry I hurt your feelings, but when you hit me - it hurts my feelings and my body, I love you bubs'.  His brow furrowed as he processed the information, keeping eye contact.  While taking a bite of his sandwich, he replied 'sorry momma.  Hitting is not nice.  I wov you too'.  

And with that, we ate lunch.  That is why we choose Montessori.

Around Here

Happy weekend everybody (for us - Baroque recording, Verdi's Requiem and Piazzola weekend)!!

Life around here has been a quick, fun and pretty crazy.  We are supposed to get hit with another winter storm on Sunday but I can sense Spring on the horizon.  Here are some tidbits of what we've been up to!

Climbing requires A LOT of energy and what better than homemade pizza to re-charge.  Cooking with Soren has just gotten more fun (and adventuresome).  He LOVES to make pizza and has gotten quite good at it  - or at least eating the toppings while putting them on 'more cheese, pleeeeease' and of course I comply, since I am scarfing it by the handfuls as well.  And I am always reminded 'ovens HOT! momma! BEEEEE CARE-ful!'

It actually warmed up enough that all the snow FINALLY melted - can you believe it?!  Which also meant GIANT, GIANT puddles for toddler play.  We had a blast out in the warm sun splashing in puddles and going for bike rides.  Oh - and not only is Soren a great kitchen helper, but he's in charge of the list at the grocery store.  And to think - I almost forgot candles, who put those on the list?!

yes - food is kinda a big deal around here.  We dig food - to cook, eat, smell, taste and touch.  Soren was making 'yellow dough, momma!' on the right.  He was stained with turmeric for almost 3 days - love it!  Here he is chowing down on the broccoli cheddar soup I made while he prepped the 'dough' and baked potatoes (and yes, my kiddo eats the skins first.  It took a silly amount of convincing to try the inside - he ended up dipping it in his soup.  Whatever works!)

The soup in the pic is pureed but here is my general recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup.  YUM!!!