Hello, Mr. Chips?

The past couple of months have been busy, but there really is no excuse not to update here. Since our trip out to SoCal, everything has kicked into high gear. Controlled chaos abounds! Kindermusik, gymnastics, snow storms, freezing rain, house floodings, re-plastering, puppy training, illness, interviewing at schools, family stuff, it all adds up.

This past fall, we began the (incredibly competetive) process of applying for pre-schools here. Sadly, the public schools, as our neighbor who teaches in them will attest, are sorely lacking with the exception of one or two high schools, so we decided that it would be in the J-Dawg's best interest to scout out private and parochial options. The first thing we learned was that neither parochial, nor public programs offer anything earlier than kindergarten, with the exception of daycare or a few Head Start programs, which nixed that idea. I then began to look into Waldorf programs, but there don't appear to be any nearby, so we turned toward Montessori. Both William and I really believe that the Montessori method of education is wonderful so we began to sort out our options (there are a few different Montessori schools here).

Of course, we fell in love with a school in the Back Bay, and so we submitted an application and began taking the steps necessary to (hopefully) get J-Dawg accepted. The whole process is involved, especially when you consider it's for a two-year old - definitely worse than any university, I applied to or attended!

So the first hurdle after submitting the application, was to meet with the Director of Admissions without J-Man, so we could get the history and philosophy of the school, take a tour, and basically determine how or if we wanted to proceed. As I said before, we both fell in love, so not proceeding didn't even really occur to us.

The school is housed, partly, in a large mansion on Commonwealth Avenue. Because of this, it has a magical quality - there are finnials on the stairs carved to look like frogs and lizards, there are multiple staircases, and huge fireplaces that are surrounded by elaborate mantles made of wood and marble, the ceilings soar and the windows are enormous. It is bright and cheerful and the energy there cannot be beat. The two teachers in the toddler room are fantastic, and best of all, once accepted, children are able to attend through the sixth grade.

After we met with the Director of Admissions, we were invited to attend a Prospective Parents Open House, where we listened to a couple of presentations about the school in general, and then spent time in the toddler room with the teachers, learning more about what will happen on a day-to-day basis if everything works out. It was fascinating to see how well adjusted the children in the current class are (we were able to watch a movie that Ms. M took for the prospective parents to watch). Honestly, the best word to define it is incredible.

The next step was for Jasper and I to go in and spend about 30 minutes in the class with other prospective students so that Ms. M and Ms. R could observe. If this were a college application, this step would essentially be the interview. Unfortunately, the day that the observation was set, happened to be right after we returned from our SoCal trip and J-Dawg was sick with a capital S. We got there at the prescribed time and as soon as we got in the door, he began to scream and cry. He spent the entire 30 minutes banging on the door to leave and was so stressed. It was terrible and I felt so bad for him, poor little guy. Ms. M was wonderful though, and she told me she'd arrange for him to come back another day so that they could meet the 'real' boy. Whew!



A week or so passed, and we went back, but this time it was with the kids who are currently in the class. J-Man was a completely different kid from the first time we attempted the observation step! He was totally his 'normal' self, ran right in and engaged with the electric piano. After that, he got into the animal flashcards, and the play kitchen. He was funny and cheerful and outgoing - it was such a difference! When we left we were told to expect an answer within the next two weeks, and I am happy to report that a week ago Saturday, we got an acceptance letter!



Jasper is going to school in the fall!!!!! It is unreal to think that he is old enough to be doing this, but wow, he really is! Both of us really think that he will benefit greatly from this program, and are certain that this school will help pave the way for his academic future. We are SO excited (and a little sad that our baby is becoming a big boy)! We will be attending a parents night for newly accepted students in a couple of weeks, and are very much looking forward to it - I think it will make this whole thing more real.