Laowai

We made cookies for Bea to take to school today – her last day of kindergarten. Wow – what a journey it has been. I took a ton of photos because I just love the kindergarten room and I want Bea to be able to look back and remember. This afternoon I will pick her up and help her bring all her stuff home. 

I love the organized, vibrant chaos of the room.

The kids keep their “work” in their binders:

The coat room – where they change into their slippers and hang up their orange vests.

Her teacher sends notes home in these recycled pringles containers – kinder post.

Here’s a t-shirt that the kids made for Bea:

Here’s Claire grinding some wheat into flour – they bake frequently.

Circle time:

Reading a penguin book just for Bea. Early on when Bea struggled at school she always took her stuffed penguin to school. She would say penguin (and nothing else). The penguin was her special way of communicating and playing with her teacher. The other kids would play with her penguin and say squank. Her teacher told me for all her life she will think of Bea when she sees a penguin.

The front door to the school. In winter her teacher puts votive candles and other little decorations on the table next to the door. It’s very welcoming on a dark cold morning.

A  couple views of Bea’s walk home from school:

Heavy hearts.