The video below she started off doing some princess. She attempted a winged eyeliner look that she saw on a youtube video…not quite in the right spot but concept is there! Anyway, she finished saying she was actually a cappuccini…i have no idea what that is.

“Today I’m going to school and this is my first time. I’m so excited. Soooo i’m going to run along”.

Yup, that was Pook’s attitude for her very first full day at school. We told her that she could tell Ashley to call us at anytime if she wanted to come home…she didn’t. She hung out the whole day (9:00am-2:30pm). I packed her lunch and put a little surprise heart note inside and Ashley said Sophie was so excited and proud- sweet thing.

Her first day of school was Friday fun day so the kids did a little learning, then had a DJ come in to teach them how to DJ, then they hiked up small hill to go swimming at an ocean view hotel, then back down for some lunch followed by making banana ice cream splits, a little chalk coloring outside and just some good ole fun! Pooks came home so tired she passed out at 5pm for an hour and half. What an amazing first day of school for our amazing little peanut.

She is so super lucky, again just feeling so grateful for this opportunity. Speaking of grateful, when we pulled up to drop her off a little girl named Gaia was making her gratitude list and the number 5 thing she was grateful for was SOPHIE! She wrote that she was thankful to have Sophie come to school. Ugh, what a cool little crew she gets to hang with. It is such a positive environment full of love. Her teacher had chill music playing in the background during the day. The kids get to lounge on couches and look at the ocean while learning. Their outdoor time is not limited to a 1/2 hour of recess. Ooooh it is just fantastic!

As tired as Pooks was she did not hesitate for a minute when I asked if she wanted to go again. She said YES! She is super excited to go for the full day this Thursday and learn all about crystals from an energy healer in town. She is going to go for her private lesson with Ashley up at the school on Sunday and then Ashley is going to come her for another private on Monday. Then we are going to try the full day again on Thursday. If that goes well we will give her the option of full or half day friday, and if that goes well we will see about adjusting the schedule with Ashley and figuring out how many days works for everyone. Super thankful that her teacher is so flexible and even more so that she encourages it. Anyway, enough gushing for the moment, here are some pics from Pooks big day! I will take more pics of the school on sunday when i drop her off at her private lesson. I didnt want to embarrass her by taking a bunch of pics while all the kids were there ;).

Heading off to school!!

Walking into school for first time :). Officially called “THE NOMADIC DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL OF AWESOMENESS”. Which is of course…awesome!

My attempt to sneak some pics on my phone

Again, I’ll take more pics on sunday with detail photos of all their amazing projects, etc. So while this was a huge day for Sophie, we can’t forget the equally huge milestone for Sabsy. This was the first time she was away from her sissy for more than and hour and a half. We made sure to spoil her and take her on her own little adventure. We went to the bakery and got her a special smoothie and chocolate croissant, then rode to the beach and went swimming, saw some lizards, stopped to try and pet a horse, came home played some blocks, read some books, and then before we knew it we were off to get her big sissy! She was a champ all day and unfortunately for us…didn’t even nap. Luckily, she was in a great mood and it was really fun to watch her in the little spotlight for an afternoon. Still she was so happy and excited to get to pick up her sissy and wanted to play with her as soon as we walked in the door.

and this was 5pm…fun filled day 🙂

Oh my goodness, how blessed are we?! I just can’t even believe how beautifully this has turned out. I am so, so, so very thankful!!!

I was chatting with a few moms in town and kept hearing great things about a teacher named Ashley from Canada. She has started a little group in town for kids whose parents were looking for something a little different than what is offered here. She teaches through doing rather than just showing. She gets the children involved in activities working together, puts a strong focus on art and allowing the kids to learn in a way that is interesting to them individually. Ugh, just everything about her and this concept is exactly what we were looking for!

Anyway, after hearing all about it, I contacted her when we got back from NY and we set up a time to all meet. Sophie was super stoked!

I went to Ashely’s FB page to see if I could find out more about her, and her old students from Canada had left a bunch of messages on her wall saying how they miss her and she was their favorite teacher, etc. Parents wrote this on her wall as well. Always a good sign!

Ashley came about 2 weeks ago to meet us and little Pooks and we all clicked straight away. That nervous feeling I thought I would have when Pooks started school was non existent. That nervous feeling Pooks thought she would have when starting school was no where to be found as well. It all felt right!

Since our first meeting, Ashely has come and taught Pookie twice, and we have taken Pooks up to her school to hang once too. This week Pooks is going to try her first full day up at the school and meet all the kiddos for the first time. She is excited, we are thankful!

The group is small and intimate, which is exactly where she functions best. Ashley starts each day off with the kids listing out 5 things they are thankful for…we try do this at night with our kiddos too, which just further illustrates how much we are all on the same page.

She is private tutoring Pooks twice a week. We started off once, and Pookie loved it so much the first week that we have already upped it to twice a week. By the second time Ashley came, Pookie was already putting on lip gloss for her big learning date and running downstairs all on her own to greet “her” teacher. It is truly magnificent! What a lucky girl, and what lucky parents.

There are so many times as a mom, and a parent in general that we doubt ourselves. We are our toughest critics, (never mind all the other outside sources that try to instill doubt, whether intentional or not). Pooks and sweet Sabs, if you read this as a mom please take away this…always, always trust yourself. Every child is different and no one will know your child as well as you. You both are the most well rounded, mindful, loving, happy, kind, intelligent girls i know. Other parents are always commenting how adorable, sweet and friendly you are not only to other children but also to each other. We have followed your guide and it has worked brilliantly for us. Never be afraid to pave your own path in life. Even if it is different from most that you know, it is yours.

The family unit we have created is so strong and magnificent. I really am so thankful each day for the life we get to live and for the adventure we are able to provide for you two. You have a kick ass dada who works magic to be able to provide the way he does while living in paradise. Continue to let your curiosity run wild, your mind run free, and your heart love fully.

I am so excited for this learning journey for my lil Pooks. The confidence she has at only 5 years of age is incredible. I will update as the journey continues. Friday is her first day to go and meet the whole crew. She is excited to bring a little backpack and lunch. She told me she is going to bring a toy to show everyone. I asked her what she was most excited about for her first day of school and she said “art and friendship”. Bless her sweet little genuine heart.

Here are some pics from her tutoring time. When we got home the other day we heard her belting out a song about the days of the week with Ashley. xoxoxo

It was Momma’s day in CR! We took a long quad ride. Lost a shoe along the way, back tracked and found it. Arrived at a beautiful beach. Ran around, played in the sand, played in the river, picked mangoes, stopped to see horses, cows and birds along the way. It was another perfect day. Counting my blessing…1, 2 and 3 below…love this crew!

Sabsy!!!! In the past two weeks we have had a few days of chilling with you solo. Instead of soaking in all the attention you spend most of the time repeating “Where Sissy? Want sissy?”, this is usually once you have finished your ice cream cone. I think you are getting a bit more used to it now, though the other day when we had to leave sissy you were grabbing her hand saying “lets go sissy. Come sissy” and didn’t want to leave without her. Pooks said, “Sabsssss, i have to learn. I’ll be done soon.” and explained it to you like I explain to her when I go to workout. It was super cute….just like you two. Super cute! Here are some pics from the other day while sissy was busy getting her learning on with Ashley.

Pooks was so excited when art class started again two weeks ago. Her little buddies are in France until October and I told her they wouldn’t be there but she was not deterred at all. She said she’ll just make some more friends, and that she did! When we went to pick her up after the first class she was running around chasing a little boy named Luca who she apparently befriended right away when she arrived at class. She is such a rock star!! Here are some pics from the last two classes that her teacher took. Last class she made a Mother’s day present for me b/c it was Mother’s day in CR this weekend. She was so, so, sooooo excited to have a surprise for me and kept it secret for one full day. It was a beautiful flower cut out she painted with Mama on it and her name. She also painted a sweet little card. I am the lucky one.