Luke & Levi's First Week of School

Luke washing his hands at school

Levi in the sand box with his new friend Hannah

Luke working in the classroom

Luke and Levi started school at Oak Grove Montessori School in Carrollton this week. Unfortunately, we all had a stomach bug over the weekend, and Luke was sick on the first day of school and had to stay home. It broke my heart to pull out of the driveway with Levi in the car with Luke standing at the windows crying! I was very anxious about dropping him off that morning, but it went perfectly. I walked him to the gate where all the kids enter the school. He walked right in with no problem! I only cried a few tears. Luckily, Luke was able to go to school with Levi on Tuesday. They have enjoyed it all week.

Derek offered to take the boys to school on Wednesday so that I could spend the morning at home. I don't know what happened, but after they all left, all I could do was cry! I cleaned house in my tears. It was so strange for the boys to not be here. In almost three years, I can almost count on both hands the number of times they haven't been with me, other than when I was at work. I know that this will be a great thing for the boys, and me, too. I will just have to adjust.

We have inquired every day about what they did at school. Here's the list:

• played on the playground
• scooped with a bowl and a spoon
• washed their hands
• walked on the "red line"
• sang songs and tapped on their knees
• ate pretzels and cheerios
• ate cereal for snack "out of my hands, not in a bowl like daddy does"
• they have their own water bottle with their name on it that they get to fill up all by themselves
• met a girl named Madison, "she is pretty and I like her" (Luke)

Sounds like a busy week to me! We were lucky to get the pictures from this week. Laura Gayle, head of school, takes a lot of candid shots throughout the school day, which she shares by e-mail.

Luke and Levi are going to school

Luke & Levi's school, Oak Grove Montessori

The Back yard of Luke & Levi's classroom

I was contacted a year ago about teaching piano and general music at a private school in Carrollton. At that time, I had never heard of Oak Grove Montessori School, and knew very little about the Montessori teaching method. The very first time I drove up to the campus, I was so impressed! The school grounds are filled with gardens and flowers of all kinds. The buildings were built with the needs of young children in mind. The teachers and staff are wonderful. I knew that this was a place I would enjoy teaching at. I am about to begin my second year of teaching at Oak Grove, but now Luke and Levi will be students there, too. From the very beginning I knew I wanted them to be part of the program. Derek and I visited one of the parent education nights last spring, and on the way home Derek said, "we have to find a way for the boys to go there". The Montessori method has a three year cycle for preschool children ages three to six. Now is the time for the boys to start this learning cycle. I have to admit, a part of me wants to say "they're too young; it seems like just yesterday they were newborns", but the rational part of me knows that this will be a great experience for Luke and Levi, especially after seeing the activity that goes on in the school first-hand. August 18th is the first day........Luke and Levi are excited and ready, but I'm not so sure about me!

Visit to Six Flags

The boys and I visited Six Flags Over Georgia a few weeks ago. My sister, Stephanie, went with us. My brother-in-law, Greg, is a manager at the park. We had a great day. The boys are finally old enough to ride most of the kiddie rides. They enjoyed visiting the new "Thomas the Train" section and riding the train. My camera battery died not long after we got to the park. I missed a lot of good pictures that day!