A post mostly of pictures
Posted on | May 12, 2006 |
Carefully pressed into the small nooks of my mind are thoughts waiting to be shaken out, like sheets after a winter’s storage in cedar scented drawers. I’m aching to tell you about a painting I’ve finished, to let down my hair and write wildly, with gusto. But not today. Today, my mind feels like the fine shards of slate that sheer away from the main piece, exposing layers of mineral color; patterns variegated and delicate. Too much in too little time, still. Every moment at the house, now often with Bean in tow (and like the trooper he is, he plays with wrenches and ratchets in the Pack&Play, narrating to himself softly in babblespeak.)
Yesterday, the rollercoaster of sheer delight: the job. A first grade position at a school very near my house; abundant with professional development, resources, support. I can see this next transition—shifting back into the mode of teacher, but with the newly gained clarity, patience, organization, and rest that this year off has afforded me. I can imagine loving the daily challenge, the vibrancy of full-force ahead involvement, the laughter and camaraderie of colleagues. And graduate classes. Finally.
But today dawned drenched with rain and dark, and with the weather came other somber thoughts: finding Bean a just right morning daycare program (DH can pick him up at noon every day) looms now more daunting than any job search ever did. How do I do this? What should I look for? Ask? Say? (Advice please.)
Sunday I’ll get to write, and finish another painting—but tomorrow, it’s all day at the house again. We’re painting, and during our breaks, we saunter about inspecting the wild thicket of green and blossoms everywhere. Here, I’ve kept you in suspense long enough. Some pictures:
Oh–and and I absolutely HEART you all for all the sweetness of last post’s comments.
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19 Responses to “A post mostly of pictures”
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May 13th, 2006 @ 12:09 am
Congratulations on all the progress! Can’t wait to hear more.
The best piece of daycare-hunting advice I got came from a friend of mine: Pay attention to how you feel when you walk into the room. Is it light, pleasant, organized, welcoming? Realize that your reaction will likely mirror your child’s, though he might not be able to express it.
I found this to be a much more useful barometer than all of the checklists I’d seen.
Good luck.
May 13th, 2006 @ 12:18 am
Congratulations on the teaching position. =)
May 13th, 2006 @ 4:15 am
My sense of a good daycare was always the personnel. Were they playing with the kids when you walk in? Were they actively caring for them? Did they look happy to see a new child arriving?
I’m so thrilled for all the good things happening for you! And I’m so struck by all the GREEN in the photos
Yay Spring!
May 13th, 2006 @ 6:17 am
From one first grade teacher to another: it’s he hardest work you’ll ever love, and sometimes there isn’t much left of you at the end of the day for your own family. If you find ways to balance your energy let me know.
For day care we had the kids in someone’s home until they were three and went to preschool. Where we live the turn over in centers is high, and for us a home environment seemed better suited to their nature. You are incredibly lucky to have your husband pick up at noon. My kids have spend some LONG days in other people’s care.
If you haven’t already, I recommend reading Teaching First Grade by Min Hong, Thinking, Learning Together by Bobbi Fisher and the Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins this summer. They’re full of great ideas that will get you even more excited. Your future class is lucky to get such an incredibly talented and positive teacher.
Many blessings!
May 13th, 2006 @ 7:35 am
I love all the photos, especially the slate (that is what I see isn’t it?) slowly climbing the wall. And of course Bean is always a delight to see.
I had to put my 3 month old in daycare so I could finish school/clinic and it freaked me right out.
She’s been in 2 places ~ first the daycare and now her preschool and both places, I found fairly quickly and have been lucky/happy with both. The advice of the feeling you get when you enter is huge ~ both places were efficient and safe and seemed to have a low teacher/child ratio. I watched the kids; to see if they were happy playing, learning and with the teachers. I chose to have my girl in a daycare center rather than someone’s home. I felt that there was more security and more professionalism than the home care centers I visited although I have friends that have loved that set-up for their kids.
I don’t think I’ve said one thing of advice here but you can’t go wrong with what your intuition tells you; even if it doesn’t seem sound, just go with it and I know you and DH will make the right choice. Congratulations again and the house is coming along beautifully!!
May 13th, 2006 @ 10:08 am
Oooh, I love that hallway with the slanting ceiling!
As for daycare I would say go with you gut feelings, drop by unexpected one day, and look at the caregiver to child ratio. I watch another child in my home and it works for his mum because she wants more of a homey atmosphere and I am not taking other children. (I also was a nanny for many years) She likes that he gets more one on one attention with me (since I just have my Jack and the little boy). How wonderful that your DH can pick him up at noon! I am sure you will find something to fit your situation perfectly. What a big year for your family!
May 13th, 2006 @ 11:16 am
Look at how cute he is with those bug boots!! Great pictures. Happy that things are moving along and going well for you all.
May 13th, 2006 @ 11:49 am
See the Bean explore his territory! (Those boots are terribly precious.)And your land - I am speechless. It’s so lush and verdant - and the pink flowers, what are they? I’ve never seen anything like them. Now I’m even more excited for you, to know how the landscape of your life will change - and graduate classes, oh yes, finally! I understand that feeling. (And hope that one day I’ll be saying the same thing.) It’s all so good, honey, and you are the queen of all such loveliness.
May 13th, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
Christina! I am so happy for you! What a change it will be. And you have some time to prepare.
Good luck with the daycare search. And your house is really coming together- all your hard work is paying off!
May 13th, 2006 @ 2:22 pm
Wow! You guys are setting a high standard for home completion! How will we ever work so fast?! It all looks so fantastic. Way to go!
I haven’t put our kids in day care. We had Ford in a Montessori down the road, but the costs overweighed the benefit. If I were to have a job outside the home, we would send him there again. The home-like arrangement, the delayed academics (I can’t believe the surge he will hit in kindergarten; our local schools have a very good reputation but they stress testing…homework for 5 year-olds?! Who’d have thought it possible?)
Good luck. You’ll find the right place. You have to listen to your gut, of course. Use his cues, too.
Congratulations!
*s
May 13th, 2006 @ 2:46 pm
I just awarded you the Friday Flip-up award!!! I know it’s Saturday…. Um anyways. You can Email me if you would like the code for the award.
Congrats again!! Love your blog!!
May 13th, 2006 @ 7:51 pm
Go with your gut! Trust your instincts! My girlfriend found childcare with fantastic references and although she didn’t have a good feeling about leaving her son there, she did. Nothing really bad happened except the childcare provider was short-tempered and always yelling at the children, putting two year-olds in timeout for hours. So if it feels wrong, cross it off your list no matter how good the references!!!
May 13th, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
Wow. I can’t believe how far along you all have gotten with the house already! It’s going to be gorgeous! Congrats!
May 13th, 2006 @ 11:08 pm
this is so wonderful…congratulations on the new job my dear! fantastic!
and i love this glimpse into how the house is going - just love it!
hope sunday brings a day of creativity and renewel…
May 14th, 2006 @ 9:20 am
Congratulations on the job and hope you have a happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 @ 2:36 pm
Synchronicity! I was just clicking on your blog when I saw your comment on mine.
Congrats on the job! I mostly wanted to stop by today to say “Happy Mother’s Day!” Bean’s very lucky that you’re his Mom.
May 14th, 2006 @ 10:41 pm
Congratulations on the job, Happy Mother’s Day, and about the daycare? You’ll know when you’re in a place that’s right. Go with your gut is my advice.
May 15th, 2006 @ 10:52 am
Am loving Bean’s little red waders! And the stone showing through on the walls — i’m a big believer of stone walls/exposed brick. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 16th, 2006 @ 12:25 pm
Those lucky students!! It sounds like a great job… congrats again!
The search for daycare… trust your instincts. Ask around for recommendations, decide what features are important, but most importantly visit the centers you are considering, get a feel for the atmosphere at each one, and go with the one that feels right. Best wishes!
Great progress on the house!! And I just love little Bean exploring in in his cute little red boots!! Precious!
Happy Mother’s Day, Christina!