In the Swing of Things...

The preschool is coming along! My Relief Society presidency stopped by last night and they were super awesome and didn't judge the state of my house- I told them a preschool is in the works and my house should be ready to go by Thursday OPEN HOUSE DAY! I am just PRAYING my materials make it here in time for it! I am VERY nervous about that. Anyhow, I just had to update all you faithful blog readers and tell you about the progress.

I have recieved AMAZING support from some friends! I was able to get all of my mats, trays, tweezers, tongs, spoons and other accesories from a donation through one awesome friend (again, praying PRAYING they get here by Wednesday!)

Others have donated books, games, art supplies, and some other materials that will greatly benefit these children (thank you thank you thank you!)

Yesterday I even got an amazing easel! I have been itching for an easel, but $200 for an easel right now. Simply impossible. One of my former parents who I ran into the other day donated an amazing easel her kids no longer use along with books, tactile letters, math counting games and some langauge building materials. I was dancing I was so excited- seriously! This is such a HUGE releif!

I still have a few donations to pick up as well, including two table desk witing tops that are going to be amazing, more art supplies, and various other things. I am SO grateful to everyone for their generosity, love and support as I carry out this ambitious task of opening a preschool, singlehandedly, with no money, while my husband is insanely busy- is it crazy? yes, slightly- but who would I be if I didn't do something 'crazy'- after all- Einstein was considered slightly crazy too- but I'm far from Einstein:) So all you donaters (yes you get a tax break;) are also enablers-aiding in my madness- and I am forever grateful to have such wonderful people who love and care about me (and this school) THANK YOU!

The standard Montessori classroom typically costs at LEAST $7000 to set up. I am setting it up for maybe 1/10 of that- and that's even a stretch right now. I've been counting on people's generosity and thier need to 'clean out the closets' or donate $5, $10, $20 ect here and there- it makes a huge difference! There are still some things the school needs and if you have them in your home or are willing or able to donate anything listed below please let me know. Your generosity is greatly GREATLY appreciated. We still need:

2 square ziploc tupperware containers
a tub of brown modeling clay
washable paint in a variety of colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple)
paintbrushes
watercolors
crayons
markers
gluesticks
colored pencils
writing pencils
electric pencil sharpener
construction paper in a variety of colors (red, blue, orange, black, green, purple, yellow, pink, ect.)
art supplies: paper plates, googly eyes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, glitter, sequence, gemstones, beads, mini bells
Tissue paper
books
games (hi ho cherry-o, candyland ect. for after school activites)
puzzles

Please let me know if you are willing to donate any of these items to the school. Again,I greatly appreciate all the support and generosity you guys have shown me! Thank you!

PS I will post pictures soon of the classroom, as soon as my materials arrive!