Nahhh... Ready to eat some rice with blue chalk dust on her face.
Monday, March 29, 2010
POTD: Calla Wallace?
Nahhh... Ready to eat some rice with blue chalk dust on her face.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Art by Calla
pictures with the free version of the Fingerpaint app, but somehow
Calla saved a few on my phone.
Here's an electronic "jrawing" by Calla.
Preschools
Note: We will fix these links when we can get to a computer, but if you're insanely curious, you can copy/paste the URLs into your preferred web browser.
If you are curious about Montessori and Reggio Emilia schools, here is a link to a somewhat superficial comparison that will give you a general idea. There is also information on Waldorf schools, which are interesting, but there are no Waldorf schools in Memphis.
http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/choosing-a-preschool_2.html?seeAll=true#comments
Personally, of the three types discussed, I had been leaning toward Montessori, but as I learn more about Reggio Emilia, I'm becoming less certain. School visits will help us decide.
Here are links to the schools we will be visiting and considering for Calla:
Montessori Schools
Maria Montessori (Harbortown/Downtown): http://www.mariamontessorischool.org/
Evergreen Montessori (Evergreen/Midtown): http://evergreen-montessori.org/
Reggio Emilia
Natural Learning School (Cooper-Young/Midtown): http://www.naturallearningschool.com/index.htm
Traditional Style Schools
Evergreen Playschool (Evergreen/Midtown): http://www.evergreenplayschool.com/
Grace - St. Luke's PDO (Central Gardens/Midtown): http://www.gracestlukes.org/parents-day-out/
Here's a link to FLICC, a Spanish language immersion preschool I'd also consider if they had a part-time or half days option (but they don't, so it's too cost prohibitive for us to seriously consider). Many of our friends were very pleased with this preschool for their children.
FLICC: http://flicckidsmemphis.com/
If you are curious about Montessori and Reggio Emilia schools, here is a link to a somewhat superficial comparison that will give you a general idea. There is also information on Waldorf schools, which are interesting, but there are no Waldorf schools in Memphis.
http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/choosing-a-preschool_2.html?seeAll=true#comments
Personally, of the three types discussed, I had been leaning toward Montessori, but as I learn more about Reggio Emilia, I'm becoming less certain. School visits will help us decide.
Here are links to the schools we will be visiting and considering for Calla:
Montessori Schools
Maria Montessori (Harbortown/Downtown): http://www.mariamontessorischool.org/
Evergreen Montessori (Evergreen/Midtown): http://evergreen-montessori.org/
Reggio Emilia
Natural Learning School (Cooper-Young/Midtown): http://www.naturallearningschool.com/index.htm
Traditional Style Schools
Evergreen Playschool (Evergreen/Midtown): http://www.evergreenplayschool.com/
Grace - St. Luke's PDO (Central Gardens/Midtown): http://www.gracestlukes.org/parents-day-out/
Here's a link to FLICC, a Spanish language immersion preschool I'd also consider if they had a part-time or half days option (but they don't, so it's too cost prohibitive for us to seriously consider). Many of our friends were very pleased with this preschool for their children.
FLICC: http://flicckidsmemphis.com/
Thursday, March 25, 2010
POTD: Jrawing
both in a better mood today. :)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
POTD: Hi, Horsey!
Calla made a few friends there. :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
VOTD: Wacky Calla and Megan the Puppet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCjFtFwPhcQ
We had fun later at the zoo with Aunt Stacy, Uncle Kent, Josh, Lauren,
and Sara.
Sent from my iPhone.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Seventeen Months!
Wow! Calla is seventeen months old today. Already?!
She's getting to be such a big girl now. It's quite a joy watching her grow. Calla is learning so much at this stage; the sponge analogy for children this age is so apt! She's now capable of recognizing nearly all of the alphabet, and she likes to do her own mumbly rendition of the alphabet song. Her newest interest is counting. She recognizes some numbers, and likes to "count" items, like this: "One! Ten! Ten! Ten!!! Yaaaay!!!" She is beginning to recognize colors and shapes. Never misses an opportunity to practice climbing.
When she "jraws" now, her scribbles have taken on a more sophisticated appearance, with curves and swirls instead of the series of vertical lines she always drew just a few weeks ago. She also has an idea of what she's drawing. She announces, "A!" and draws a scribble, for example.
Her play has taken on a much more imagination-driven cast. Last night she had all her dollies and puppets introducing themselves to one another, "Hi! Dwagon." "Kuh-kee (Cookie Monster), HI!!"
She's also beginning to outsmart her mama. During bathtime yesterday, just after I wet her hair and before I began to shampoo (which she hates, by the way), she looked at me very gravely and said, "Potty." I asked if she needed to potty, did she have to poop, etc. and she stood up in the tub as if it was very urgent. Did she potty? No! Rascal. She just ran away, naked and free. Bathtime today, her hair is getting washed first thing!
I can't believe she's only one month away from being one and a half!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
She's getting to be such a big girl now. It's quite a joy watching her grow. Calla is learning so much at this stage; the sponge analogy for children this age is so apt! She's now capable of recognizing nearly all of the alphabet, and she likes to do her own mumbly rendition of the alphabet song. Her newest interest is counting. She recognizes some numbers, and likes to "count" items, like this: "One! Ten! Ten! Ten!!! Yaaaay!!!" She is beginning to recognize colors and shapes. Never misses an opportunity to practice climbing.
When she "jraws" now, her scribbles have taken on a more sophisticated appearance, with curves and swirls instead of the series of vertical lines she always drew just a few weeks ago. She also has an idea of what she's drawing. She announces, "A!" and draws a scribble, for example.
Her play has taken on a much more imagination-driven cast. Last night she had all her dollies and puppets introducing themselves to one another, "Hi! Dwagon." "Kuh-kee (Cookie Monster), HI!!"
She's also beginning to outsmart her mama. During bathtime yesterday, just after I wet her hair and before I began to shampoo (which she hates, by the way), she looked at me very gravely and said, "Potty." I asked if she needed to potty, did she have to poop, etc. and she stood up in the tub as if it was very urgent. Did she potty? No! Rascal. She just ran away, naked and free. Bathtime today, her hair is getting washed first thing!
I can't believe she's only one month away from being one and a half!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Cookies!
Calla has a new game lately. I gave her an empty do-si-dos box (You could have saved me at least one or two, Bill!) a few days ago. She loves to reach into the box and daintily pull out an imaginary "kuh-KEE" with her thumb and forefinger and nibble at it, complete with smacking sounds and emphatic mmmms. Then, she offers me the box, "Mommy. Kuh-KEEE?" When she's ready for another cookie, she usually will sign "please" and say, "Peeeez. Kuh-KEE? Kuh-KEE??" Flippin' adorable. Love seeing her imagination at work.
Thank goodness she isn't eating real cookies.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thank goodness she isn't eating real cookies.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
POTD: Wagon Ride
get in her eyes now...
Monday, March 8, 2010
Schoolin'
We are considering enrolling Calla in a part-time daycare, parents day out program, or pre-school in the coming months. There are a few reasons for this, one being that my helpers who come for a few hours three days a week and watch Calla while I tend to chores and occasionally run errands, won't be available indefinitely. One is pregnant, and the other is seeking more substantial employment. Another important reason is so Calla can be around other children. She really seems to relish opportunities to interact with other kids, such as when we go to the park, zoo, or to her Spanish class. Also, I know someday she will be going off to school, and I'd like that transition to be a gentle one (for both of us really), so I thought it best to start with a few half days a week and gradually increase the time apart over the next few years.
The ideal program would allow Calla to attend two half days, then increase to either two full days or additional half days, and be an educationally enriched environment for Calla. I'm particularly drawn to the Montessori schools in town because the more I learn about Montessori, the more it reminds me of my own approach to parenting, while also inspiring me as a parent. It really speaks to my instincts. I suspect Calla would thrive in that type of environment. Another place of interest is FLICC, a Spanish language immersion daycare, which several friends have recommended. Helping Calla acquire a second language early in life is a priority for us, obviously FLICC would be a tremendous help. We're open to considering other reputable daycare providers and parents day out programs, but it's important they be educational and, if run by a church (as most seem to be), I prefer they not engage in religious instruction/indoctrination. My personal opinion (and experience) is that it's best left to a child's family and/or church to instruct very young children in such matters. I'll leave it at that to avoid getting off topic.
Of course the cost (and value) is an important factor, as well. I'm looking at tuition prices and comparing them to how much we spend for our helpers. On a monthly basis, parents day out and part-time daycare are the same or less (not including the various fees, of course). Montessori, which has a minimum tuition for five half days a week (she can attend as few days a week as we wish, and increase over time, but must pay for five days) is a bit less than double what we spend now. FLICC is a bit more than double (and only offers fulltime tuition, without attendance requirements). This is good to know, but that cost alone cannot be the deciding factor.
I've begun to schedule a few tours. I'm sure that's going to help us decide for certain which place will work best. Wish us luck! I'm so excited for Calla, but very nervous - even though it's months away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The ideal program would allow Calla to attend two half days, then increase to either two full days or additional half days, and be an educationally enriched environment for Calla. I'm particularly drawn to the Montessori schools in town because the more I learn about Montessori, the more it reminds me of my own approach to parenting, while also inspiring me as a parent. It really speaks to my instincts. I suspect Calla would thrive in that type of environment. Another place of interest is FLICC, a Spanish language immersion daycare, which several friends have recommended. Helping Calla acquire a second language early in life is a priority for us, obviously FLICC would be a tremendous help. We're open to considering other reputable daycare providers and parents day out programs, but it's important they be educational and, if run by a church (as most seem to be), I prefer they not engage in religious instruction/indoctrination. My personal opinion (and experience) is that it's best left to a child's family and/or church to instruct very young children in such matters. I'll leave it at that to avoid getting off topic.
Of course the cost (and value) is an important factor, as well. I'm looking at tuition prices and comparing them to how much we spend for our helpers. On a monthly basis, parents day out and part-time daycare are the same or less (not including the various fees, of course). Montessori, which has a minimum tuition for five half days a week (she can attend as few days a week as we wish, and increase over time, but must pay for five days) is a bit less than double what we spend now. FLICC is a bit more than double (and only offers fulltime tuition, without attendance requirements). This is good to know, but that cost alone cannot be the deciding factor.
I've begun to schedule a few tours. I'm sure that's going to help us decide for certain which place will work best. Wish us luck! I'm so excited for Calla, but very nervous - even though it's months away.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, March 5, 2010
Baby Signs
Yesterday Calla insisted that her baby doll join us for lunch. Occasionally she would hold her cup or a piece of food to baby's lips. Then she would take it away, do our made up sign for burp, and say "buuup" loudly. Giggling ensued.
I made her baby do the burp sign a few times, which apparently gave Calla the idea to teach her baby some signs. She showed her baby how to sign "please" and "thank you" - such good manners! Repetition is key; we reviewed the signs for at least five minutes.
After lunch Calla "read" Mr. Brown Can Moo to her baby while I cleared the table. She showed the pictures to the baby and made sounds. It was so dang cute!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I made her baby do the burp sign a few times, which apparently gave Calla the idea to teach her baby some signs. She showed her baby how to sign "please" and "thank you" - such good manners! Repetition is key; we reviewed the signs for at least five minutes.
After lunch Calla "read" Mr. Brown Can Moo to her baby while I cleared the table. She showed the pictures to the baby and made sounds. It was so dang cute!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, March 4, 2010
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