Love or wrestling? 

See what a difference 15 years makes. 

Bethany and Mara--the best of friends. 

Mara's birthday celebration at school

We went to Mara's school for her birthday celebration. The pictures are in reverse order, so scroll down and work your way up to get the story.


Saying good-bye after a fun celebration. Mara stayed for class, and we went to work.

Mara showed me the classroom gerbil. The rule is "hands behind your back" to look at the gerbil, that way, they don't touch his cage and frighten him. See how obedient! 

Mara's enjoying her fruit cup. 

Mara and I passed out the fruit cups we made. 

Nana and Mara passed out napkins. 

Afterwards, they sang to Mara, and she got to blow out the candle. 

Mara took pictures of herself at 0, 1, 2, and 3 years of age and showed the pictures to the class. Then, they lit a candle in the middle of the circle, and Mara walked around it as many times as the earth has gone around the sun since she was born. Ms. Margaret held up a number indicating the year represented in that revolution. 

Three looks good on her, don't you think? 

Happy Birthday Mara! Here's my big three-year-old, ready to go to school. 

Mara's First Day of School!

Breakfast with Mara on her big day--The first day of school! This day as been long awaited, much anticipated, and probably extremely over-hyped. Mara was great at school, diligently working and learning the ropes of her new classroom. Her teachers are amazing, and Ms. Margaret has several years experience as a Montessori teacher. I'm sure this school and this class will be a good fit for Mara.

This morning, we all sat down and had breakfast together. It was a nice start to a bid day! 

Pre-school jitters? 

Mara ready to go to school. Me, trying to waste time because we were early! 

Mara's first-day-of-school outfit. Isn't she cute! 

All ready for school! 

Mara smiling on the way to school, holding tight to her snack bag. (No lunch box because today was a short orientation for new students.) Mara is responsible for helping to pack her lunch the evening before. We will also try to pick out an outfit for her to wear every evening before bedtime.  

Ms. Shelly is the teacher's assistant in Mara's class. Here's she's showing Mara how to do this work. Mara also learned how to clean up a work area, return the work to its proper place, and push in her chair. Respect for works is a major emphasis in the beginning of a Montessori school year, as are courtesy and grace in all classroom dealings.