counting

There has been a great deal of counting in our house lately.



I had been having a hard time explaining to Tigs that he absolutely has the capacity to add and subtract beyond units, as he has been doing at school. As a Montessori teacher I knew that if I had a set of golden bead material  I would be able to demonstrate to him and reassure him that he can do SO much more than realises. Tiggy's wonderful auntie, and my treasure of a sis, Flossy, bought us a complete set and we have been having a ball with it.

He can easily read numerals up to and beyond 9000 now. In just a few three-period lessons. Yes, he's clever and I am so familiar with the material that it's now effortless for me to demonstrate it all to him but really, it's the miracle of Montessori equipment and his readiness.

Montessori learning is concrete and tangible before abstract so when a child is holding 400 beads in one hand and is able to compare it to only 6 little unit beads in his other, it suddenly makes sense to him. We're now working on addition and 'exchanging' and he picks it up so quickly. Again, it's because Tigs is clever, coupled with catching him at the perfect moment - a sensitive period. When both his interest and his developmental readiness were in the same place at the same time!

l

And not to be outdone ... Woo wants to do her Montessori 'cativities' too! So it's sandpaper letters for her!

Happy days!
And very very freezy-pops day, as Tigs would say. It's been proverbially-rainy here. And some snow up higher too - eep!

Stay warm, or cool, wherever you are.

Thanks for popping (oops nearly said pooping) by!

E x

in England's green and pleasant land

via the daily fiona

perfection ...

the eyes have it

 Woo's - dreamy, creamy Cadbury's 'glass and a half ' milk chocolate. 
Hers are cheeky, impish, clever, feisty (yet gentle) and utterly adorable.


  

Tiggy's - the deepest, blackest liquid pools of Lindt 80% cocoa. 
His are thoughtful, careful, bright, kind (and sometimes enraged with Woo) eyes and melts his Mummy's heart, again and again and again. 

 My love for these two beautiful babes of mine knows no bounds.

 Cicero (106-43 B.C.) "Ut imago est animi voltus sic indices oculi"
"The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter."

autumn

A week or two ago Woo and I farewelled the boys as they headed off to the Melbourne Grand Prix. So we girls decided to have some fun ourselves and headed off to the bush. The day was cool and autumnal and beautiful. We had the most lovely and peaceful visit to Momo and Booboo's place. Isn't it glorious? From down at the end of the field all the way to the top is theirs (and ours when we visit). Our children adore it here and so do we. There are frequent murmurings about moving away from this patch of paradise. Would you?

 



Yes it's a little out of the way (but that's actually its charm) and sure there are some domestic annoyances - a small stream that seems to wind and wend its way under the house during heavy rain, of which we've had more than our fair share recently. But it's really rather glorious being up there. Particularly at this time of year. It's almost time for heart warming fires to be lit and for Tiggy's beloved marshmallows toasted by the open fire.

The orchard has been absolutely laden with sweet fruit. There must be about 3 or 4 varieties of apples and at least two of pears. We've had several apple/apple + pear/apple + berry crumbles. YUM! Over the last couple of days the change of season has really started to show itself. We've had wild rain, wind and deeply gloomy skies.

Yesterday, the first day of school hols here, we celebrated the change with a 'jamy day. We enjoyed movies, pop corn, chocolate cake snoozes on the sofa and pure unadulterated laziness.

Two of us didn't shower, nor did we even change our 'jamies. Heaven.

 I have to confess that I was one of the "grubby two" but this morning I was up showered and dressed and ready for the day by 7 am . We've enjoyed a lovely day of friendship and were blessed with their great kindness and generosity today. Lovely Lisa and cheeky Channy came bearing party sandwiches, quiche, salad, more cake and delectable chocolate studded hot crossed buns. How lucky are we?

At my house the candles are already lit, the blinds are drawn, the heating is on. I hope you're enjoying the weather wherever you are.

 E x

 p.s. This natural heart is for you Lis'. Thanks for being such a treasure of a friend.

Editted:  Not sure what's going on with blogger but my photos keep vanishing.  Hope they're there now!

mutual love

These two adore each other - can't you just see it?
 Thanks for visiting and I hope you have love like this in your life! E x

wow tiggy!

Parent/Teacher Interview Term 1, 2011
If you could see my heart, you'd know that it's almost bursting with pride.

You are so clever Tiggy.
You're right at the top with your reading, spelling, comprehension - you're getting there with your writing... Your maths is up there at the top too.

Your kind, gentle, encouraging teachers are allowing you to shine.  I mean really shine!

They commented on your impeccable manners, your eagerness to contribute (and their efforts to encourage you to let others have a turn too!). They have recognised your super quick brain and the way it's already 10 steps ahead of even them . They mentioned that you are always the one that other children want to partner up with. They are proud of you too. They love having you in their class.

Your main teacher said she nearly cried when she read your feelings about your visiting the Stations of the Cross. You drew your picture and beneath it you wrote, "Wow! Jesus died on the cross for us!". I might add that as I left you for the meeting tonight, you were playing in the garden with mud painted up to your knobbly knees, with Woo pouring a steady stream of water from the watering can over your feet. When I asked what you were doing you informed me that, "It's okay, Woo is Jesus and I'm her disciple. She's cleaning my feet!"

Lest you or any of the people who read our funny little blog think you are permanently gorgeous, Tigs, I must add that you were very cross with Woo the other day and when I asked why, you told me you could because you were "Pontius Pilate". Oh my goodness! What a spiritual and faithful little man you are! Even if you take it somewhat literally and out of context.

You bring me joy of joy, my beautiful, loving, clever boy.
Wow!
 Your forever loving Mummy X

whacky-woo

She's such a dot that she fits neatly inside my basket. She was being a baby (with a dolly's bottle), and wearing her gorgeous frilly pinny (she wears it all the time - just like her Mummy), her stripy top, "just like Mama's" and her polka dot knickers (such a shame that I don't have some!). Too cute.

 And then she asked me if she was going to kindy-creche, "Today?". "Not today Darling" I reassured her - she's really not digging it. "Tomorrow?" "No not tomorrow either." "To-yesterday?" I giggled at her cuteness, "No you didn't go yesterday either, my love." And just so I remember some of her 'funny little sayings'. She came to me with our old dog, Jessie's lead and told me with great excitement that she found a, "puppy handle". Love you Woo! Thanks for coming over to my blog to day, it's always nice to have you here. E x