 |
| I swear, he was really born in Hawaii! |
The
big excitement this week was making butternut squash without glass.
And the election. Also, touring the first two of six schools for kindergarten! I know, get a life.
Expo
This is one of our neighborhood school for
which we have admission preference based on the Strong Community, Strong Schools initiative. We really liked it! Pros: engaged community
with fun events for students, parents and staff, emphasis on social and
emotional development in additional to academics, strong science, math,
and literacy curriculum but not at the expense of art class and gym
class, Treasure Island a huge playground, free breakfast, and a really cool Mac lab
which I would have no idea how to use. Expo has six kindergarten classes
with about 20 kids each and classes gradually increase in size until
about 30 kids in 5th grade. They "loop" classes which mean the same kids
and teacher stay together for two years building continuity. We met the
principal and he was really approachable and involved with the kids. We like that there is racial and socioeconomic diversity
among the kids and that they embrace and celebrate individual/ family
differences. The downsides are that it is a big school with 750 kids
this year (although it will be down to 600 next year due to busing
changes) and they do not offer second language or music.
German Immersion School
I
have to be honest, I kinda loved it. A language immersion school is a
free charter school that still follows the same academic standards as a
regular school, including all standardized tests and state standards only
they teach it all in, get this, NOT ENGLISH! Pros: small
classes with fluent German teachers and Amity interns in each class, vibrant community of
involved parents, framework of cultural inclusiveness and multiple
viewpoints, grades K-8 so no big middle school experience/trauma, emphasis on social emotional development and
character building through the
Responsive Classroom model, high test
scores, area specialists in art, theater, music, science, and sports,
and Spanish language starting in fifth grade. Downsides: full-day
kindergarten has an extra fee, lottery for admission, no bus service,
and currently no playground equipment.
 |
| before |
In other excitement, my high school friends got together
for pizza at Chelsy's place in Savage. We have three new pregnancies in
the group!! Thank god we didn't have that problem back in high school! I
presented at a work
event on Saturday in Hopkins and somehow managed to not get lost getting
there but did discover the Stages Theater for children's plays. Speaking of the arts, we ordered tickets to The Grinch play at the Children's Theater
for a special Jake and
Nori date,
due to her pleas to go and love /hate relationship with the green one.
Our basement construction has started -world's most
expensive floor is underway! BTB, this is old news, but I found my cell
phone after three months. My dad is doing great after an emergency week long
hospitalization. A word to the wise, when you get the call that your
parent is in ambulance and/or in the hospital, you will immediately need
to poop and/or puke. My dad is phobic that the Internet knows too much
about him already so I will just say that all is well now!The girls are wonderful!
Henny loves the book and song Wheels on the Bus and sings it to herself all the time.
Nori was a super helper as we
cleaned the house top
to bottom today. I love them so!
 |
| I am addicted to them!! |
 |
| Man work (notice the remains of our basement floor in the dumpster) |
 |
| Momma!!!!!!!!! |
 |
| my sweet little helper |
