So Mateo's pre-school, Bluebird Montessori, is a most amazing place for his learning. They do a special thing on Tuesday's called "Mystery Reader" where a parent comes into the classroom and reads for the children. I had the privilege of reading one Tuesday in December to his classroom...and we read some of our favorite adoption stories: Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon and Over the Moon by Karen Katz. We weren't sure what a bunch of 3-5 year olds would think of adoption, but it turned out to be a non-event for them. We were way more worried about it then they were. Mateo loved being the center of attention that day!
Mateo does lots of "work" at Bluebird...and he has the most amazing attention span once he chooses to engage in an activity. Now at home, he's constantly asking if he can help do things...the other night, he spent 45 minutes of uninterrupted time cleaning an 8X8 glass pan that I had made some corn bread in. Now if I could only get him excited about floors and toilets! :)
Mateo loves to clean, clean, clean...and he's becoming very good at it!
Bluebird has everything in kid size, and he does such a good job being focused on his activity. Today in church he named all the letters in Victoria which was on the sweatshirt I was wearing...I had no idea he had been learning the names and sounds of different letters...it just popped out of him.
All the Montessori skills have helped him become quite the negotiator.
Funny Mateo moment in the last month...we were going to a friends house, and when we got there I opened the rear driver side door...it was cold and rainy, so I was in a hurry. Mateo wanted to get out the other door, and I said (in a short, commanding tone), "Come on Mateo, hurry up and come this way." Mateo dutifully came over, and as he was getting out said, "Mommy, how about next time I get to choose." I hung my head in shame and rejoiced in his Montessori education. We could be in big trouble when he gets a bit older...he's already quite the negotiator.
Funny Mateo moment in the last month...we were going to a friends house, and when we got there I opened the rear driver side door...it was cold and rainy, so I was in a hurry. Mateo wanted to get out the other door, and I said (in a short, commanding tone), "Come on Mateo, hurry up and come this way." Mateo dutifully came over, and as he was getting out said, "Mommy, how about next time I get to choose." I hung my head in shame and rejoiced in his Montessori education. We could be in big trouble when he gets a bit older...he's already quite the negotiator.
Mateo and his best buddy, Noah, using the number rods to learn counting...its funny to watch him make his own friends, instead of the children of Mommy and Daddy's friends...in fact, we are having to meet other people to let him have his desired playdates!
Montessori has been a beautiful experience for him, and reaffirms every day why we spend so much of our personal life working to provide a Montessori option to all children of Silverton through Community Roots School. We are actively working with our church, St. Paul's, to work out an arrangement to share space with the religious education program to enable a town location for the school next year. Keeping our prayers flowing and fingers crossed that we can work out all the details.
Love to all from Silverton! Mateo's Mommy
