Notes for October 2008

Miranda has almost finished her first year at Preshil - the 3s - and seems to be thriving there. She likes all three of her teachers, but seems especially fond of Anne, who is only there on Thursdays.

She is very fond of singing and dancing, painting and drawing. She also has a real interest in games of all types - imaginary games with her brother but also all kinds of board or card games. Her favourite all-time hero right now is Cardcaptor Sakura. This time last year it was Nausicaa.

Orson is already doing orientation for the 6s & 7s, and is looking forward to spending more time with his classmate Nichaud's older brother Dante - a big Star Wars and Lego fan.

He has just started playing the violin on Monday mornings with the Arlington string group and also has lessons with Nichaud's dad Atilla on Tuesdays. As with all the things he likes, he approaches it with great focus and concentration. His great loves are electronics and Lego. He is becoming particularly fond of Star Wars Lego, and doubtless will become more so as he and Dante spend more time together playing imaginary Star Wars games (Dante is 8).

Miranda's party this year was a small affair with two invited guests: Amy, her best friend and her brother Leon.

Orson followed the lead of his classmates this year and had a substantial party with his whole class as invitees (plus siblings, plus Julian Blue Hat, his good friend from when he was in the 3s & 4s). Attendees: Nichaud, Dante, Leon, Amy, Jack, Lukas, Thomis, Allegra, Acorn, Will, Piao-Yi, Sarah, Max, Carmen, Julian, Sia. We chose a venue that had organised hands-on activities (mazes, building, dressing-up, etc.) for children and it turned out to be a great success. The venue was Taskworks, and I imagine we'll try to visit again during the Christmas break. It was that good.

Both children are learning to read. Orson's extraordinary teacher Meg sits the children on her lap and does "private reading" with them. When Orson started to feel he was not getting enough, Diane decided that private reading could continue at home too. And of course Miranda wants to do private reading too, and is making significant headway herself! They both read with Diane almost every day - Miranda often during the day and Orson just before bed - and they seem to really cherish the time they spend with Diane and be very proud and excited by the progress they are making. Orson has just begun Level 2 books. Miranda is making impressive headway through the very earliest books from the 5s classroom, with lots of repetition from page to page and clear hints in the accompanying pictures.

Images from Orson's 6th birthday