Astros Game

The Etter Family attended the Astros game on Friday night - along w/ other St. Martha Catholic School families.  The school was being recognized so we were there early and enjoyed visiting w/ others - can't say that we watched any of the game (but we did win!).  The girls loved the ballgame food!

The Space Shuttle & a 6 Year Old

Since 1981, NASA space shuttles have been rocketing into orbit. The 5 orbiters - Columnbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - have flown more than 130 times, carrying over 350 people into space. The shuttle was the 1st launch vehicle to lift off like a rocket, orbit the Earth as a spacecraft and then land as a glider. In addition to its many triumphs, the space shuttle made an impact with its tragedies. In 1986, the Challenger exploded on takeoff. All 7 passengers, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, were killed (a memorable 8th grade event for me!). In 2003, the shuttle Columbia exploded on its return home.

NASA ended its 30-year shuttle program in July 2011. Endeavour made its final flight last week. It will become a museum piece, along with Discovery and Atlantis. So, why am I writing this - you ask?

Because last Thursday, Regan's 1st grade class waited outside to watch the shuttle fly overhead.  They never saw it - as it left Houston's Ellington airport and headed West. But, as I later reflected, what does the shuttle actually mean to Regan? It is a puzzle piece on her transportation puzzle.

So, I Sip The Montessori Water...

I've always said that I don't "drink the water" of the Montessori approach - unlike "them", I do live in a "Sippy Cup World" & believe in "regular" classroom learning! Perhaps I'll revise my approach to "sip"!

Last night, I visited the Primary Classroom (3-6 yr olds) in prep for Morgan's transition (now planned for Jan 2013). I have to admit that their teaching methods are very interesting (everything has a purpose) - and am disappointed that Regan only had the "day care" experience from 18 mos-3 yrs.

There are 5 curriculums in Primary:  Science, Math, Geography, Language and Sensory.  Of course, my question for each was: "What will my 3 year old be doing?"  I took pictures of some example work.To give us an example of a geography "lesson", she read us a wildlife animal story and picked up the toy animals and globe to provide further understanding as she went along.Interesting note on the 1st pic below. A 3 yr old will be asked to place the blocks from thickest to thinnest (l to r) - they want children's eyes prepared for reading & writing - from left to rt!

Labor Day Weekend - Blanco 2012!

Recording the latest height measurement...

Outside play...Cousin playtime...Cooling off...(in their colorful hoodies made by Gigi)The weekend project (for the guys) - the zip line platform (starting point and base) The Guinea Pig - my husband.  The zip line worked perfectly, but stopped short of the "finish line"; he had to pull himself to the end. We all enjoyed a few laughs until the kinks were finally worked out.More zip line testers...Pops, Gigi, Uncle David, and me!Regan begged to give it a try; she had no fear & loved each trip down the line! The zip line is a hit - and Regan is the number one fan!!