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| Indian Valley Campus May 2013 |
Happy Summer :-) Ahhh.... So, here it is -- 'el primero' posting. We are looking forward to sharing our lives and milestones (more consistantly) with you through our Bamboo Tribe blog!
Big news!!
We've hit a milestone!!! Maple & Havana have graduated from the Early Head Start Program. Early Head Start (EHS) teaches children from birth to age three. Their time in EHS was absolutely amazing and the benefits are measurable.
EHS works to prepare its' students for preschool and the CA Primary School Entrance Exam. In order to enter primary school all CA children are required to know their shapes, colors, numbers, and letters! The green rectangle story is a perfect example of a preschooler integrating both math and language. Go Havana! Thank you Early Head Start!
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| College of Marin Organic Farm May 2013 |
I must add - Head Start also works with parents to teach the children the social / emotional component of intelligence.
The girls really miss their fellow classmates, teachers and staff. It was a teary graduation. Maple was especially upset and cried almost the whole time because she was so sad and agry to be leaving her beloved teacher Padma and classmates. Actually, she's still upset. All-in-all, they had the cutest graduation complete with caps and diplomas.
It was a big day for all of us and at the end, Davi was the last man standing - LOL!
Post graduation...Maple and Havana continue to learn through play at home until they go to Preschool at the end of August. They are learning math, science, art, and language and it's amazing to witness.
Havana is an amazing scribe and actress. She literally gets lost in a book or movie and journeys to another world. She is witty and a natural caregiver.
Maple is a talented orchestrator and fearless leader of the pack. She lays down the law and usually inspires the rest to cooperate. She is Mama's helper.
The girls are learning to use scissors (oh my!) and cook.
| Spotlight: Photos from graduation day - EHS Indian Valley Campus Site (5/30/2013): | |
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| Jolene, William, Havana and Teacher Padma |
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| Maple & Havana |
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| Jolene, William, Maple and Teacher Padma |
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| Davi: Last Man Standing |
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| May / June Maple 2013 |
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| May / June Havana 2013 |
The boys are doing GREAT! Bodhi had a hard time at school the first couple of weeks of June. After all, his sisters and two friends (Melany and Chloe) left his classroom. But now, he is making four new friends and keeping in touch with the old. Having his teacher Bantwan to aid him through the transition was helpful. The children stay with their teacher until they graduate and Bodhi will graduate May 2014.
Throughout it all Bodhi is growing like a bamboo shoot ;p He is looking tall and trim like his Papa! Bodhi is very sensible and always takes his naps and eats & drinks well. He is the first to wake up -- every day. He's smart and gets his solo time with Mama. He speaks full sentences and has for about 6 months now.
Bodhi is the clown of his siblings and Maple and Havana often say, 'Mama Bodhi is FUNNY'! And, they are right. Bodhi keeps us all smiling.
Davi is 13 months old! He is a walking, talking, singing and dancing extrovert. It's official. Davi is a toddler in training and in full swing. He feeds himself with a spoon, drinks from an open cup or water bottle and says hi and bye and bath and ball in addition to the standard cuter-than-words-can-say babytalk.
Davi is a star! Anywhere and everywhere, he has fans. It's like he's done this before - LOL. This kids gonna be OK no matter what :-) He is eternally HAPPY. And, Davi is a neat freak. He is constantly picking up! What a blessing :-) It's sometimes very humorous where he puts things away or what he throws into the trash.
Davi is starting Early Head Start tomorrow! But, this is not his first rodeo; he has spent many a time playing in the classroom with Bodhi, Maple, and Havana. So, he already has friends there.
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| May / June Bodhi |
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| May / June Davi 2013 |
As for Mama and Papa?
Well, ladies first. Mama is taking a break from classes for the summer and staying home with the girls full-time. Papa has cut back his work schedule to attend to the children this summer and work in acting and music. Currently, we are splitting the school shuttling and general ENDLESS duties involved with taking care of 'four-under-four'!
Mama and Papa were each asked to, 'Continue to shine your light!' for working with the 2012 - 2013 Marin Head Start Policy Council Board. We plan to continue working with the Policy Council Board throughout 2013 and also work with Marin Parent Voices on the Children's Investment Initiative.
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| Continue to Shine Your Light: Marin Head Start Policy Council 2012-2013 |
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| Mama & Bodhi June 2013 |
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| Mama & Davi June 2013 |
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| Papa & Davi June 2013 |
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| Papa & Bodhi June 2013 |
Your blog comments and messages will be read to Maple, Havana, Bodhi, and Davi! Thanks for sharing in our joy! Lots of love.
Peace,
Jolene, William, Maple, Havana, Bodhi, and Davi
XOX
