One of the things that I get an immense amount of comfort from is the fact that my kids all enjoy school.
Eva loves going to her little Montessori and looks forward to her Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
The boys both love school. Cam does very well academically and has a great group of friends.
Cuyler enjoys being with all the kids and he thrives on the schedule and routine that school provides for him.
He loves his teacher and his EA and he charms the rest of the staff.
So it really should come as no surprise that he acts out many aspects of his school day. I’ll hear him repeating conversations that have taken place between other kids at school, or he’ll repeat a kid being reprimanded by a teacher.
Much of what he does at home is recreating events that have taken place at school. It’s pretty neat and gives me a glimpse into his school day.
It did, however, come as a surprise when he began turning our home into his school.
I first noticed on his bedroom door:
I first noticed on his bedroom door:
Mr.C’s class (his teacher goes by last-name initial – now Cuyler does too)
Then on the kids bathroom door:
No Girls. Boys Washroom
(He even moved Eva’s potty seat and stool into another bathroom. See next photo)
No Girls. Boys Washroom (He even moved Eva’s potty seat and stool into another bathroom. See next photo)
And then I noticed on mine and Sean’s bathroom door:
Girls Washroom. No Boys
(This is where Eva’s potty seat and stool ended up)
(This is where Eva’s potty seat and stool ended up)
Then the next day I found this on the powder room door:
Staff Washroom
Oy. At least it was pencil. I washed that off no problem. I didn’t worry so much about the upstairs bathroom doors but wanted to keep the main floor looking graffiti free.
The next day – the staff washroom reappeared. Fine. I’ll leave it. It’s pencil and will come off eventually.
I did get a little pissed when I walked into his bedroom and found this on the wall. Printed with a green SHARPIE:
Classroom rules. I guess not writing on your bedroom wall with permanent marker doesn’t fall under the “keep your room tidy” rule.
Initially I was angry about the permanence of the writing, but when I got closer to it – all I could think of was “OMG how cute is the little running person??”
And “WOW – great visual for ‘stay in your seat’ and ‘no yelling’ “
The irony is that his room is always messy and he yells a lot.
As much as I hate that he is writing all over the house, I love that he can write.
That he can spell. That he is pretending.
And when people come over and see our staff washroom – it makes them smile.
I am also reminded of the fingerprint poem that kids do in kindergarten – about hand prints fading away.
One day my house will be quiet, tidy, free of toys and crumbs on the floor and writing on the walls.
One day my house will be quiet, tidy, free of toys and crumbs on the floor and writing on the walls.
And I will miss it.
Oh my goodness… a staff washroom. That. Is. Priceless.
It’s all tres adorable, but I think I’d have been a wee bit pissed by the Sharpie marker too. (Especially since we’re painting right now…) but it’s so great that he’s enjoying everything so much. Yes, I loved the running man too!!
Christine,
I love this post, especially the staff washroom. I’m so glad that Cuy likes school and that you get some insight through his art.
My girls are playing school all the time now and sometimes I think, Nooooooooo (because I’m pretty disillusioned right now) but it is so sweet.
Geeeeezus, Christine! The blog was adorable, but then the last 3 lines? Made my eyes well up so fast that I got an instant headache!
I think that I love Cuy too! I’ll come help you paint one of the walls in his bedroom with blackboard paint. I think it may just save you a lot of grief!
In love with Cuy, and with you. this post made me well up and really puts it all in perspective. Thanks for sharing, Christine!
I seriously am so in love with Cuy. Especially now that I know him so I can picture all of this writing – I love that he moved Eva’s potty too…
lovely notes and you have a brilliant attitude. Who wants quiet? not me.
xn