To school....

It is only 2 weeks until my daughter starts school and we are ready. Matilda has been ready for sometime and I marvel at her readiness. Socially she has demonstrated her ability to get on with a wide range of people and seems popular with a range of people during our prep play catch ups. Toward the end of last year I did not have any apprehension to her finishing kinder and heading to school although I did worry that she would be bullied a little as she did not stand up for what she really believed. After a few months of her knowing she is off to school that is no longer a problem....

The hope I have for Matilda is that she finds school enriching for her socially and academically. School will be a safe place for her to develop relationships with her peers and adult educators. The stuff they do at school is incidental yet knowing the schools program I know she will be challenged as well as finding success in what she does.

The "mean girl" thing is a worry. Unlike boys girls are social centric and have the vocab which is capable of hurting more than a punch or tussle. I feel that Matilda will have the self belief and confidence to deal well with this but might need some help along the way.

So I look back at the little girl I met five and a half year ago and smile for our time together has been dynamic, refreshing, challenging but most of all a pure enjoyment.

School Report and Holiday time

Having studied VEL's (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/)during my Dip-Ed and using them report on my students last year I find it amusing to see my own child's school report. As a parent you instinctively know (or hopefully do) the personality, learning type and intelligence of your child. But does his/her teacher? In the Steiner system (state and private) children have the same teacher from class 1-8. Some schools will do a split (1-3/4, 4/5-8) if a teacher has a particular strength of understanding for junior or middle school years. SO at the start of this year when introduced to Felix's teacher I naturally sussed her out. I felt reassured by her academic understanding and found she was more math confident than most primary school teachers which was refreshing. She was honest and did not presume to know everything but her openness to learn was outstanding. I have always believed that learning how to learn is a skill children need to see for themselves through experience and example.
But would this new teacher really understanding Felix?
His school report has expressed Felix perfectly. A team leader, confident, a wild imagination which is contagious, puts in 100% effort and wonderful behaviour. Felix's VEL's levels at at the standard or above the standard required for a year 1 student. This is Felix to a tee. Felix is my "easy" go lucky child. My Matilda on the other hand is hard work but her character is wonderful. She is tenacious, strong and more intelligent academically than me (& Felix). This for a 4 year old can be hard work to keep your emotions and self in check socially. She reminds me so much of my brother who unfortunately had a rocky time at school and I know that the sussing out of her teachers in the years to come will be incredibly important to ensure that she is guided and not squeezed into conforming with school. My confidence in the school is strong for the primary school years and our plan is for the children to move into other schools at class 5, 7 or 9 level depending on their needs. Now for some school holiday adventures to enrich imagination, refuel the bodies and bond as family unit once again.

Muffins

Step 1 add dry ingredients

Step 2 crack in egg and remove shell
Step 3 appologies to brother after hitting him with the wooden spoon
Step 4 try not to lick the spoon when mum is not watching
Step 5 fill all muffin cases with mixture leaving lots in the bowl so that licking the bowl will fill me up
Step 6 pop muffins in oven clean up and go play

ay.

Matilda March 2011 Art

1. Splatter Art completed at Felix's aftercare. Matilda wanted to join in.

2. Water colour Red apple done at Home

3. Muddled Headed Wombat drawn by Michael painted by Matilda using water colours. Inspired by a favourite book.

Tilda rides out

I want to ride my peddle bike Matilda announced twi weeks ago. I was dubious but true to form Tilda got on the bike first go and rode around the block no training wheels no falls. I thought Felix was quick to learn but tilda even faster!

Dinner time

GeoTagged, [S37.78037, W144.99711]

Matilda won the competition and chose where we were to eat. Denn at Westgarth we go. A disavantage to confident children they don't understand the table booking system. They march past the waiter and straight to their favourite table occupied by 2 of the 6 party. I found them happily talking to these people who look somewhat bemused. Fortunately there is one table left and a reasonable consolation prize it is up stairs!!!

Teachers Play

Our schoool puts on a nativity play by the teachers at the end of each year. I was asked to be Mary but with Term 4 being really full I decided to miss the play and just watch with Felix and Matilda. But two days before the play I was asked to step in as an Inn keeper. Why Not?! So I learnt my lines and knew who to follow! Felix and Tilda were dropped off and quickly sat down to enjoy the nativity play. They smiled and waved and then where captivated by Mary and Joseph. I had written my lines on my hand just in case and I didn't need them I remembered- pretty good for a pregnant tired person. I was the Bad Inn keep and turned Mary and Joseph away from my Inn. Relieved I sat down and took a few deep breaths. A moment or two later I felt a familar tug on my arm- Tilda has waled up to the side of the stage and whispered:

"Why were you so mean? You are supposed to give Mary and "Jofess" the stable to stay in."

Sorry I answered a little take back. Matilda expressed her annoyance with me after the play and made me promise to never be a bad Inn keeper again.

Tragic Death Hits Household

Sunday ended sadly when Matilda's guinea pig Charlott Rose was savaged to death by a local Jack Russell off its lead. Matilda and Felix were heart broken and openly cried about the situation. Being a guinea pig with a particularly fun character, Charotte was very vocal and loved to "popcorn" around. Michael dug a grave in the front garden and we took it in turns saying some last goodbye messages and lay her to rest with a stick of celery and a carrot.
"my heart is broken and is hurting so much"
Felix cried.

Matilda woke this morning to crying "I want to hold my guinea"

Children show such raw emotion and I am proud that they express their sorrow so openly.

Thank you Charlotte fo being a faithful, fun-filled and loving friend to Matilda.

I'm still your baby

and you always will be Matilda!

Dancing

Matilda had her debute at the 45th Polonez Anniversary while Felix and Michael are at their 2 year at 17 year marks respectively. I find myself cringing when parents go on about how wonderful their children are but perhaps for once I might indulge. I actually had this warm gooey feeling of pride and thought that both Matilda and Felix were really cute on stage dancing. I will admit that I didn't watch anyone else when they were on stage :) Interestingly their motivation for dancing vary. Felix get extremley excited and nervous leading up to a concert. He loves to dance. He is very social and find the after polonez practice time very important. It is wonderful to see his confidence with senior as well as junior dancers back stage. Matilda does enjoy the social aspect too but it is not the dancing that motivates her, but rather the costumes and make-up. Dancing is just a nessasary part of the "dress up". I find myself being completely relaxed with the children both back stage and in the theatre. All our years of performacing supporting Michael, both in Oz and overseas has meant the children instinctively know when not to talk out load and keep quiet and are reliable and welcome backstage.

June 2010_School Holidays_day 1

What better way than to start the holidays than to acquire a piece of equipment that can generate freedom. With a 12.8kg old school steel bike, Felix has found riding a chore rather than the freedom to move, accelerate and weave. So we hit the bike shop in search for the BYK.
Felix undertook a test ride and had a wide excited smile, he was in love, while I thought he looked so comfortable so my mind was made up.
After a ride home (I could hardly keep up with the new machine and its boy) we heading out country to play with Sabina and burn a bonny. Heavy rain and two widely excited dogs greet us on our return. Day 1 of the holidays is over.

New Hair

Matilda has got a new hair style are visiting a "real" hairdresser. She almost fell asleep as they washed her hair and she thoroughly loved and soaked up the experience of it all. She is very happy with her hair cut and was dissapointed t hear that we will not visit next week but rather in a couple of months. After some deep thought she ask, "Mamma my hair is too short, can we go the hairdresser to cut it longer?"

I borned a baby

I am driving throught heavy traffic, doing the school run and hear, "Mamma, I borned my baby last night". "Really Matilda- you mean gave birth to your baby?", I replied. NO I BORNED IT" came an insistant and very sure responce.

My children listen to what I say and I realised in that moment that perhaps I have one more than one occasion mensioned I would like to have another baby or three in the future!

You know you have a strong willed 2 yr old when ..

your 4yr old's kinder teacher is helping you cope!

What a character- Tilda just know wha she wants. Last week at kinder i tried to help her blow out a candle and want bluntly told- "Mamma don't I do it myself". Our kinder teacher later noted that she hadn't met a 2 year so certain of herself.

I am two and love chocolate

Today is Tilda's second birthday- when did that happen? My baby is two and today upon returning from our weekling grocery shop there was suddenly silent. More than two minutes of silence and I know something is up. I look out the back and see Felix happily playing in the sandpit-alone. Where is my Tilda? I call her name and no responce- so I look out the front and sitting at the front gate is Tilda with an entire block of chocolate in her hands. A bite is taken and as I casually stroll up the driveway Tilda jumps up and runs for the trees to hide...

A comment of Tilda 22 months

Tilda is growing with confidence by the day. He bright bubbly personality captures people's attentions where ever we go. She is universally appealing cute and attractive. She is hard to live with at her understanding of what she wants outstrips her level of communications thus we have emotional outbursts on a daily occurrance. Everything is MINE MINE MINE. We am positive that this obsession with object will pass as she matures and i hope for her sake that objects will not be the central focus in the years to come. With her interpersonal skills obviously highly developed for 22 months I think she will be ok.

Am I doing the right thing?

It breaks my heart when I leave Tilda at creche. She will cry out. I am assured that it only lasts a few minutes. But the more I read about mental health, social intelligence, anxiety and childcare is only not ideal situation for children under 3. I know children who have not been int eh primary care of their mother or father and they do seem to have social adjustment issues, some children find the pressure of childcare so hard they can't go to the toilet, eat, sleep or relax when away from their parents. Some children even bite or hit when they don't get what they want. Fortunately Tilda does not suffer from these issues. I feel this is because the centre she goes to is based on steiner and Montessori's philosophies and the staff ratios exceed the state requirements. How childcare centers can run with 1/5 ratios for under 3 is beyond me. Most days I arrive there are carers sitting cuddling the children- something I have rarely seen at other centers. So I ask myself and will continue to do so: Am I doing the right thing?

Summer Tomatoes

Bright red delicious tomatoes are ready for picking in our garden. In my infinite wisdom I show Matilda the first ripe tomatoes for the season. It is quickly gobbled up. I notice 2 other in other part of the garden. A 5 minute phone call and I return to the children in the garden- The tomatoes are gone. Matilda plays happily with Felix in the sandpit.

Blackberry Delight

Giggles of delight are heard from behind. I pass another handful of organic wild blackberries over my shoulder. The berries are quickly grabbed and shoveled into Matilda's mouth. I push through the rapid upstream to the next blackberry bush. Matilda impatiently taps me on the shoulder, grunts for more and becomes annoyed as I leave blackberries behind. The blackberries taunt us- so ready to be picked but so high and unachievable to pick. Matilda's face and hands are covered in deep purple blackberry juice when I put her down from the carrier.

Babcia Berries

Blue Eyes, Blue Berries. Matilda grabs a fist full of Babcia Berries and shoves them into her mouth. The delight of summer fruits, more than you can eat- and even better they are hand picked and delivered by Babcia- love berries!