Hopper's Last Day of Voor (Pre) School

School finishes less a week after we get back from Japan, so we decided, along with his teachers, that Hopper's last day would be just before we left at the end of March. So he had a Last-Day-Almost-4-Years-Old party and said good bye. I think it was more emotional for me than for him. He had such a lovely time there and made a couple of great friends. Thanks Dikkie Dik, Judith, Ursula, Denise, and Zainib. And a special shout out to Viggo who left a few months ago, and to Nizar his current bestie.

I know, I know, I'm getting to all things Japanese. I just had to get this out there first.

making brownies, mama bought a Betty Crocker brownies in a box. can't beat it. not when you need to stealth pack

aw, Nizar. we worried when Viggo left, but all for naught

besties

they would share toys, and Hopper would sometimes insist that i kiss both of them goodbye when i dropped him off

not always happy being center of attention

birthdays mean counting pieces of cake according to age. so 4 pieces please!

like father like son

the teachers present a folder with photos from the years and art work and such. Hopper's was quite empty as he often refuses to do a lot of art work. guess he gets enough at home. ^_^

oooooh, ahhhhhh

handing them out

blowing kisses

The Reluctant Art Project

Every 5 or 6 weeks there is a different theme at Hopper's Montessori preschool. Since the beginning of the year it's been art. So they've been talking about different artists and playing with varying sorts of arts supplies. 

Since Nik is an artist they asked if he would have time to come in and talk to the kids. Of course he was happy to oblige and brought his recent article in an interiors magazine (Eigen Huis & Interieur) and some of his inks and brushes. Hopper was noticeably excited beforehand (which we suspect was more the idea that daddy was going to stay at school with him) but was a bit of a stinker during the whole thing when he got a little possessive and wanted to do the painting himself. But all in all, it was great fun. The kids got to try their hand at sumi ink, and some of Nik's little animal paintings have decorated the classroom ever since.

The icing on the ole cake was that the Montessori peeps got together with the school and planned a little exhibition at the neighborhood's community center. Kids ages 3-6 made work and there was an opening this past Friday. Of course Hopper was only interested in the plates of snacks. I could barely get a photo of him with his painting, which we tricked him into by saying we were all going to get drinks then Oh hey here's your painting. <snap> Dude wouldn't even look at the camera.

(The behind the scenes story is that Hopper, one stubborn little nugget, had been refusing for weeks to make a painting. FInally one of the teachers made a deal with him that he had to do it after the weekend or he wouldn't have anything to hang for the exhibition. He finally acquiesced, because he's into the "deals", and voila his one painting made it onto the wall.)

Hopper's at center- greens, red, black squiggles

proud mama, indifferent nugget, yummy kaas stengel

Hopper & the First Day of Preschool

Hopper officially started Dikkie Dik voor- (pre) school this week. The group is 16 kids and somewhat multinational and his good buddy Viggo is there. In fact, he was the reason we decided on this particular school, they were fast friends at the creche so it was an easy decision. And it turns out Viggo was also really excited Hopper was joining in, he talked about it to his parents and the teachers. And watching them play from moment one was just the sweetest. Toddlers can be so fussy but good friendships can be easy and instantaneous.

We decided to take advantage of the government's willingness for kids from non-Dutch speaking families to have free schooling, with the concentration that they get language skills before going to real school at age 4. Hopper's Dutch really picked up the last month, but being in Japan for those 3 months certainly stunted his progress in that arena. There is of course is no worry, but Nik and I agreed that he could benefit from the daily Dutch exposure and get used to a slightly more controlled environment.

The class meets Monday to Thursday from 9-12 noon. The facilities are great, lots of toys, books, a fully equipped kiddy kitchen, and a big wooden castle with a slide. The kids get to choose what to do in a day, it's still just basically a playgroup. There are only 2 differences. One is that toys stay in their designated areas so they learn organization, and the teachers engage them by talking about what they're doing. They also spend some time sitting in a circle, waiting to be called to take a seat, and talk about different things depending on if it's someone's birthday or the seasons or just to sing songs.

So Hopper is super excited and wakes up talking about it and I'm so super duper proud that he's enjoying it and getting along with the other kids and being a good opruimer. (cleaner upper) The teachers have already said that he's melding in well and the city controller who visits once or twice a month said he's smart and observant and enjoys himself.

My biggest concern now is how I'm going to handle our new schedule. Now I'm responsible for lunch and naps and only get a couple hours in the morning to get things done. So we'll see how sane this mama is in a couple months.

                                                                      - - -

We went to get Hopper his first school bag and at the shop he picked the girly-est My Pretty Pony lavender, this was after the salesman referred to him as 'her'. And since we get that nearly everyday, I dissuaded him by offering a more Lightening McQueen-red color. (I had to clandestinely call Nik from the store and conspire to change his mind.) I felt a little bad, since I wanted him to pick out his own bag, but to be out and about with a lavender bag is only begging for more 'daughter' comments and let's face it, in a year and a half he won't want it anyway.

3 musketeers, was 4th birthday of girl on right so it's her last day

this is darling Viggo! he loves this "king" dress and wears it every day (on&off 20 times)