Today was a big day – we start with a Welcome Ceremony at the Education Center, where the kids will be in school every day from 8:45-3:15. The program is founded in Montessori “experiential” principles, and encourages self-driven exploration. We tour the classrooms and meet 1:1 with the teachers to learn more about the day-to-day activities and topics the kids will cover.

Guille’s Explorers class has 16 students, all 4-5 years old. The classroom is HUGE, and the photos below show just a snippet, to avoid the crowd of parents and students during our intro. Vivi will be in the Lower Explorers class for 1.5-3yo, which has 8 students. There are books and toys the kids are familiar with, from Guille’s Montessori school in Portland, and stuff we have at home. The school provides 2 snacks and lunch daily, loads of outdoor time, and nap time for Vivi’s class. The kids even get branded backpacks and a water bottle!

After the school intro, the group heads over to the Boundless Hub, about a 5min walk away. The Hub is where community activities (like today’s Welcome brunch) and activities for adults (like Italian lessons) take place, and where parents can plug-in to work. There’s a bunch of kids’ toys like bikes and scooters, and Vivi hops on one as soon as she’s done with lunch.

After nap/quiet time, we decide to explore central Pistoia a bit and head to what we now call “the everything store,” in search of random items we haven’t found at the grocery store – flip-flops, kids’ forks, a screwdriver, and cuticle scissors. The kids aren’t happy with how long we take to walk the narrow aisles, but no doubt we will be back here again for more random sundries.

It’s early evening, and we decide to pick-up something to eat on our way home…except restaurants don’t open until 7 (if punctual), and many don’t seem to do takeaway! We’re not used to this pace yet. Luckily, we find a deli with great options, and while Guillermo shops, the kids chase pigeons and run around the piazza. And we capture a great photo of Vivi turning 23 months!

Guille’s favorite part of today: school!
Vivi’s favorite part of today: chasing pigeons