a KING day

happy martin luther king day. this year he has a special place in our home & hearts. beyond what great works he did for society, but for the great works he continues to inspire in our children.

across the street from us is the dr. martin luther king open elementary school. recently, we have started attending a "structured" playgroup on thursday afternoons there... ruby & i come too, but its really for lucas to learn about how to listen and follow along in a structured learning environment. (free play, activity*, handwashing & snack, and circle time where we sing songs and say our names) its great for me to be able to see how he might respond when we ship him off to preschool 3 mornings a week this september (!) and also enables me to help guide him in the transition to more structure.

he is intellectually ready, to start learning his abc's 123's, colors and shapes.. and indeed has already started! in both languages - he counts to 3, knows circles from squares, and the color red. he knows about the alphabet, and often points out letters to me in the street, and asks which ones they are. he also understands that they go together to make the words we use, but hasnt learned any specific letters yet.

so, back to my story, for the day's activity, he colored a picture of MLK for me. and has been really proud of what he made. he points to it taped on the pantry door and says, "luh-ca made it self! king!" (lucas made it by himself! a dr. king picture!)