the eyes of her eyes are awake

I forgot how there is a whole new awareness when one learns to read. Just yesterday, Clara was reading a library book, one that they just picked out, one she was stoked to read. But then, it was dinner time, and she could NOT pull herself away. She was reading with this urgency and this hunger and then I went over and we stuck a scrap of newspaper in it for a bookmark. This was completely new to her. That you could pause your reading experience and come back to it. Totally revolutionary to her. I loved witnessing that realization.

Also, now she can read the titles of my books for school. She's like, "The Heart of a Serv. . . Servant Le-, Leader?" Mom is that what you have to read? "The Praying Li, Life? What do waves have to do with the praying life?" I can't tell if she approves or if she's intrigued. I'll let you know.

(The title of this post is a reference from one of e.e. cummings poems.)

I am her personal assistant.

"Mom, when IS Rosie's birthday 'cause I kinda HAVE TO be there?"

winter doldrums doings:

valentine-ing: We read about St. Valentine ":He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. "--Wikipedia

This year, all the children could read the conversation hearts. Calliope read, "MY BOY."

play-dating: I love baking with the kids friends. Eavesdropping while they play dress-up. Or washing dishes while they play the Wii. Manny and Owen playing/wrestling with Millie for an hour. Ellie saying, "Never mind' means changing your mind about talking." And, "Rihanna, Jello, wait, I mean J-Lo. And Lady Gaga. Those are my singers."

jumping in on workout classes: See Clara doing Zumba next to the Temple b-ball coach.

restoring; Manny says that he likes to go the the bathroom a school to "restore" himself. He says this consists of: "putting water on my face, stretching my legs a bit, and checking in the mirror."

notes from her progress report

One thing I will miss, that I always enjoy with laughter, tears, and gasps, is the progress report the teachers write at PMFS. They write these prose reports that always demonstrate how they seem to "get" our kids. Or if I don't agree with their interpretation, it is really clear that the child is one in a community of learners and this is how they perform in that setting. Sometimes, I get protective like, "Everyone struggles with bar graphs, you knuckleheads!" Or "Innovative? You say my kids not innovative? Well, I'm going to do some innovative vandalism to your car!"

But more than anything, I love to see these reports, to think about them solving spatial problems, pencil in hand. Or on the rug in circle, ideas blooming in their minds. Or in their little Quaker units, hearing about things that kindle their spirit and make a mark that they will always have.

Here are some excerpts from Clara's progress report:

"She is here to learn. Clara knows when it is time to play and when it is time to focus on teacher-directed activities."

"From Clara's first day of school, writing seemed to come easily for her. She never required any assistance, only direction. She is never at a loss for words or ideas for her stories. . . Clara is a very fluent writer, and is not afraid to take risks."

"Wow! What an amazing young girl. Clara is energetic, fun and full of joy. She performs beyond expectations and puts forth maximum energy in everything she does. She is a joy to have in class. . . She did an amazing job in our jump rope unit, watching , and then gradually she was able to do quite a few consecutive jumps."