First Day of Primary School!

Today Sophie started at the primary school! After two years at the Toddler House she is now with the "big kids." Greene Towne opened up a new classroom this year for the ADM kids (Add Day Montessori), and it's beautiful. Huge, with a separate eating area, practical life area, and movement room. She's also with some friends that were with her the first year of the Toddler House.

Here's her first day outfit, picked out without any help from mom....

The End of Summer Camp

Sadly another summer has almost come to an end - although we're trying to fit as much as possible into what's left. Sophie went to camp at her school, so knew most of the other kids and teachers. She was with the "big kids" this summer, rather than the toddlers. It was a good introduction to being with the big kids, because when school starts in September she'll be one of the younger ones in the class.

Each week camp had a different theme. Outside groups came in to the present to the school, and the kids also took field trips that fit in with the theme. Here are a few of the highlights:

Soph touching a horseshoe crab during "sea creatures" week

 Every Friday they had swim lessons at SWEAT gym. She got really comfortable in the water, which is great. Here she is swimming around on the noodle all by herself (which I've still never seen in person)

And there was lot of fun to be had on the play deck. Notice the beautiful planter in the background that Dave helped to build.

On the last day they got their faces painted. Sophie of course requested to be a princess. 

Peter and the Wolf

Over the last month Sophie's class has been reading and listening to Peter and the Wolf and learning about the various instruments that are played, in part by trying to play them themselves. Here she is trying each of them out: 

Clarinet

Flute (after mom's own heart here)

Oboe. I'm not sure what is better here, the extension of her tips to reach the reed, or the unique way she has chosen to wear her headband. She has her own style - what can I say? 

Violin

Last Day at GTS Toddler House

Today marks Sophie's last day at the Toddler House at Greene Towne School. It seems like only yesterday she started there, and now she'll be among the "big kids" at the Primary School. She's turned into such an amazing, smart and vivacious little kid over the last two years, and I know GTS had a big part in that. Here she is this morning getting ready for her last day (with trusty Benson by her side)!

Here are a few shots of her and the class from this year: 

 The dynamic duo: Sophie & Claire

School Work

Every week Sophie comes home with "work" that she's done at school; usually art work. This week she came home with her first story. And of course, Claire had a big role in it :) 

Sophie at School

One of Sophie's teachers sent me a video from circle time and this text: "We started singing Baby Beluga at circle after rest, but quickly forgot the tune. Sophia saved circle and sang the entire song for us!" Here's the video that she sent: http://bit.ly/UAtu8m 

We've also learned that during art, whenever she's asked by her teacher Patrick "who is that for?" her answer is always "not for you!" This is how one of her pieces was labeled the other day. Apparently we need to work on some manners...

School Update

Three months into school and Sophie is doing great. She's one of the big kids in her class this year (which is from ages 18 months-3 years). I think she likes showing the little ones how to do things. We had our parent-teacher conference last week and we found out that her favorite "work" to do is language work and art work. Not a surprise. We also found out that her and her best friend Claire need to be separated during Circle Time and lunch because they are too distracting to each other. Uh oh....

Here are a few pics from her teachers blog:

This one is from the beginning of the year (pre haircut & cold weather)

Helping to put together some shelves in the classroom

Circle Time with her teacher Laura

Greene Towne School Spring Picnic

Sophie's school had their spring picnic last weekend and Sophie had great time with her friends. It was held on Lemon Hill, just a few blocks from our house. It's always good to see her play with her friends from school.

Eying up the cupcakes with Claire. They were VERY hard to resist....

Liora, Sophie & Claire

They're off!

Claire & Sophie checking out each other's balloons

That would be my daughter. The one who looks a little lost on the dance floor... 

Starting at Greene Towne School

Last week Sophie started preschool at Greene Towne School. The school is about 10 blocks from our house, and one of her classmates lives down the block from us, so we've been walking in together. So far Sophie seems to really like it. A day of play, who wouldn't? (although since it's Montessori, they call it "work".)

Here are a few shots from her first day.