the Perfect Present

My father has never been one to give extravagant gifts. To some, this might sound unfortunate, but it actually works out rather well for him, as my mother has never been one to receive them very gracefully. So it was pretty surprising when, last Christmas, after 27 years of marriage, Dad produced an expensive gift which he had picked out himself. It was a ring that he thought was "pretty cool," and visited the jeweler several times to admire before he actually bought it. It went over well.

This year, perhaps bolstered by the success of last year's gift, Dad is at it again. Only this time, he doesn't want to be bothered to go shopping. So he's enlisted the help of my sister, Alex. The following is a text message conversation between us. I'll admit, after the first message from Aal, I was mildly horrified and worried that the gift he was sending her out for was something from Victoria's Secret...ew. Imagine my relief when she revealed what he actually had in mind.


Aal: Dad said sucha bro thing to me the other day. He told me he knows what he wants to get mom, but I have to go to the store and get it. he also said he has no idea how much it costs, maybe $20, maybe $200. I asked why I had to go get it, and he just said "you know I don't go shopping"

Me: oohhhhhhh my god

where do you need to go?

/do YOU know what it is?

Aal: yes it's a foot massager from bed bath and beyond

Hahahaha

Me: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I am dying

Aal: Haha. I know!


For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting my parents, I'll tell you that my mother often asks for foot massages from my father, only to end up frustrated and telling him "THAT HURTS!!" I guess Dad is hoping that a little gadget like this might get him off the hook. I sure hope he's right.

I cannot WAIT to see that foot massager under the tree. You go, Dad!

it's the most brain-dead time of the year.

Okay.


So, I have graduate finals this week AND next week, there are both stomach AND throat viruses abound at school, and I have fallen behind in my handmade holiday/general housekeeping. Basically, my house and my brain both look like a bomb has gone off. And then a meteor has crashed into the exact same site. At least there are Christmas songs (like THIS one, my very fave) to keep me entertained while I try and get my stockings in a row.

That, and this photo of Colin Firth in a Christmas sweater.




Never gets old.

Essay-In-Progress. Sorry Folks!

When I was in my first semester of graduate school, I completed an observation at a local Montessori school. The school's director, who remains to this day, one of the nicest and most genuine people I have come across as a graduate observer, took me into her office and provided me with an opportunity to ask questions about Montessori eduction. “you know,” she told me as she handed me a few copies of Tomorrow's Child, a Montessori publication, “the philosophy of Montessori is that we do not teach. The children LEARN.”

Well, being a very naive and inexperienced teacher, I found this pretty insulting. How could any self-respecting reacher, particularly one who had sought their master's, as I was, take a position in a school which did not RESPECT their profession. The very idea! Teachers don't teach. PLEASE.

It is now six months later. Much has changed since then, and I will be the first to admit- I was such an idiot.

I've emerged from my second experience as a HUGE advocate for Montessori Education. It is absolutely fascinating to watch the children choose the work that they will do, and to watch the teachers work with them to ensure that they are getting the most that they can out of an activity. It is a calm and cooperative atmosphere. It is an environment of patience and respect. Each child knows what is expected of them, and because of these expectations, makes appropriate choices. I could go on, but I can feel all of your eyes glazing over from here.

I still disagree with the philosophy, to some extent. Montessori teachers do not teach. In the manner that is typically expected of early childhood educators, but they ARE helping the children to learn. They model appropriate behaviors, they include children in discussions about their actions and thoughts, and they encourage them to make decisions and draw conclusions. If this is not teaching, then it is certainly facilitating the learning which is taking place which, in some ways, is even better.