Old Hat

Mama and I are getting good at this Open House thing.  We skipped the principal's speech (been here, heard that; besides, if it's important, they send it home in a newsletter.  No disrespect to the principal, whom we really like, but it was crowded and warm with no place for me to pace in there) to chat with our friends the nurse and kindergarten teachers, as well as a few PTA moms.  It was good to see everyone after the summer, everyone exchanging hurricane stories.

We like the first-grade teacher.  She seems to really get kids--what to expect, how they develop, their funny foibles. (Mama Teacher, she seemed a slightly older version of you!) She gave a presentation, including classroom schedule, management, discipline, and curriculum, all of which was interesting (like why she has them do writer's workshop in felt tip pen--because they don't obsess about erasing or sharpened points!).  Afterwards, we cornered her--politely, when everyone else was done--and asked about twin-ness, left-handedness, homework frustrations, lunch tickets (sigh).

And she showed us the perfect twin thing:  today, Sis and Bud, without consulting each other, wrote the exact same story during writer's workshop!!  It was about how there had been a fly in the classroom and the teacher had written, as part of the rules, "There are no flies in first grade!!  Buzz Buzz Buzz!"  And then it left.  Really, what are the odds that they would write the same story?  Must be twin telepathy.

Waiting for the Bus

On our porch, rain falling on this overcast, even chilly, day.  Mama will be here soon to greet our first graders as they arrive home after what must have been for them, and as it seemed to me, a long day.