School--Day One

Day One is in the books, and Cora came home from school on Cloud Nine. What a contrast to the stereotypical scene of children kicking and screaming as they are dumped at the school door against their will. Abintra is such a home away from home for Cora now after three full years. Her teachers have all been wonderful, and the staff really seem to have a special place in their hearts for Cora.

When she was two and in the Toddler room, one morning she breezed into the classroom and said to her teacher, "Casey, I'm going to make you angry now." Cora walked past Casey, climbed on top of one of the schoolroom tables (a verboten act), turned and smiled at her. Casey handled it beautifully I'm sure, and saw it as a clear indicator of Cora's intelligence and resourcefulness. Supposedly Cora was way ahead of the developmental curve in her premeditated efforts at pissing off authority figures.

The love and acceptance that Cora has received year in and year out was so evident this morning as she jumped out of the car with hardly a goodbye on her first day back after several months away. She has such trust in her teachers and the school itself, and for good reason. They have earned her trust over several years, and she is flourishing there.

Oliver, meanwhile, pined away for his sister all day. When he went to sleep at naptime the last thing he said was "Cowa." When he woke up, "Cowa." He starts school tomorrow with Kate--she'll be working with a few younger kids and he gets to come along. I think Oliver will love the Montessori environment as much as Cora has.