the real world, preschool style

I hated school for a long time.  I think until 6th grade.  I cried until 3rd grade.  When very young I was the kid grabbing her mom's knees, screaming piteously, terrified to be separated.  In elementary school it was more a quiet sob with pools of tears filling up my eyes, three or four spilling down my cheeks.  

Our boys' love and enthusiasm for school is a welcome surprise, thank goodness.  They LOVE school, always have, have never cried.  Lire clung a bit last year, but not too much, and he was always able to eventually let me take my leave.  

I was also a goodie-two-shoes whose only negative mention on the report card was that I was too shy.  The boys do NOT have that problem.  Their negative mentions involve disruption and inability to follow rules (H) and interrupting and talking in an "outdoor" voice at all times (L).  Mostly, they are doing great, loving the social life at school, soaking up knowledge like sea sponges.  

Lire is one of the stars of a preschool psycho-drama taking place in his classroom.  He is absolutely and totally enamored of a little girl I shall call Ingrid.  

L:  Mommy, why Ingrid no sit next me?

L:  Mommy, I make present Ingrid.  She still no sit next me."

L:  Mommy, Ingrid come my house.  She sleep in my bed.  Not Habtam's bed.  

L:  Mommy, I not Ingrid's favorite friend.  Molly is.  

And on, and on.  We are awaiting Ingrid's mom's call so she can come over and play one day soon.  Now every time I'm on the phone L asks if it is I's mother.  

Habtam's best friends at school are girls, too.  This interests me because he has told me many times that he prefers boys, boys are faster, smarter, etc.  One of the girls attacked him on Halloween and tried to kiss him!  He turned as red as he could and his eyes opened very, very wide.  He allowed her to hold onto his sleeve and pull him about from store to store to trick-or-treat.  He told me later:  "Mommy, I did not run.  Maggie was a princess.  I don't want her to fall."  

There is hope for the macho Habtam, after all.  

As for my previous request about the thank you to my in-laws.  I decided to send the boys' note sans the light catcher (they have not fared well with time), but with a bunch of photos and a note discussing the photos but with no mention of the Inquisition/witch trial.  I haven't heard a peep, though I know Al has spoken to them regularly.  

I have a part-time gig teaching math (!) at a local alternative school in the 'hood.  Today was my first day.  Did you know that they are doing math differently than they were when I was a young'un?  I have to brush up on it, keep a step ahead of the kids, etc.  No carrying ones to the ten's column, thank you very much.  Wish me luck!  

Below are the boys' birthday cakes, btw.  The first is H's -- it was his choice, if you're curious.  The second is L's, also his choice.  I couldn't find any ballerinas, but he seems to have forgotten about them.

Comments

[Julie]

Where do the ones go if you can't carry them to the tens?

[beck]

You must be talking about everyday math - seems cool, and yet... the poor ones get left behind.

Just catching up here, I've been quite short on time since #2 came home, I know you know what 2 boys are so I don't have to tell you. Hope all is well.