Happy Halloween
7 years ago
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Pleasantly Surprised
We've decided to moved Cooper out of day care to attend a private Episcopal school starting in August.
He'll attend their Bridge Program then next year will go to Kindergarten at the same school.
They require a Brigance Screening to attend the school, so he spent one day there last week while they observed him and did the screening.
It was a huge difference than sending him to his day care for the first time.
Since he now understands English, I was able to prepare him and explain to him that he was going to a big boy school just for one day then back to his regular 'school'. I also took him for a tour of the school the day before to give him the respect of not just dropping him off to a new and foreign place. Also, since he's totally attached and trusts us wholly, it was really a nice drop off.
At first, he held my hand tightly and wanted to sit in my lap. We sat there in the back of the class (of 7 kids, 1 teacher, 1 aide) for about 10 minutes. Then they wanted to show him where his cubby would be for that day and that they had put some special books in his cubby for rest time. (no naps here, just a 15 minute rest time - this is a topic for another post). He got up to see it and look at the books. Then he went over to where some boys were sitting and told them that he likes batman (!). Another boy said that he likes batman too. Then the teacher called him over to look at some animals they were playing with and putting into groups of families... that was it. I said, I've got to go to work buddy, I'll pick you up around 3, ok? He said Bye Mommy and gave me a kiss... SO EASY!
They said they would call me if they needed to, but no news is good news so don't expect a call. They didn't! He did great - they said he sat at circle time, interacted with the other kids and the teachers, listened well and was an all-around joy to be around! I was so proud.
The Brigance Screen showed that he is developmentally at 4 years and 3 months - just a few months behind his chronological age of 4 years and 10 months. He's perfect for the Bridge Program - the program between PreK 4 and KG. We're very happy and satisfied with our decision to send him to this school... now if they only had space for our Karagirl... Their PreK 3 program is full right now - she's doing great at her school for now anyway.
He'll attend their Bridge Program then next year will go to Kindergarten at the same school.
They require a Brigance Screening to attend the school, so he spent one day there last week while they observed him and did the screening.
It was a huge difference than sending him to his day care for the first time.
Since he now understands English, I was able to prepare him and explain to him that he was going to a big boy school just for one day then back to his regular 'school'. I also took him for a tour of the school the day before to give him the respect of not just dropping him off to a new and foreign place. Also, since he's totally attached and trusts us wholly, it was really a nice drop off.
At first, he held my hand tightly and wanted to sit in my lap. We sat there in the back of the class (of 7 kids, 1 teacher, 1 aide) for about 10 minutes. Then they wanted to show him where his cubby would be for that day and that they had put some special books in his cubby for rest time. (no naps here, just a 15 minute rest time - this is a topic for another post). He got up to see it and look at the books. Then he went over to where some boys were sitting and told them that he likes batman (!). Another boy said that he likes batman too. Then the teacher called him over to look at some animals they were playing with and putting into groups of families... that was it. I said, I've got to go to work buddy, I'll pick you up around 3, ok? He said Bye Mommy and gave me a kiss... SO EASY!
They said they would call me if they needed to, but no news is good news so don't expect a call. They didn't! He did great - they said he sat at circle time, interacted with the other kids and the teachers, listened well and was an all-around joy to be around! I was so proud.
The Brigance Screen showed that he is developmentally at 4 years and 3 months - just a few months behind his chronological age of 4 years and 10 months. He's perfect for the Bridge Program - the program between PreK 4 and KG. We're very happy and satisfied with our decision to send him to this school... now if they only had space for our Karagirl... Their PreK 3 program is full right now - she's doing great at her school for now anyway.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sweet Hubby...!
Jim went to the day care to have lunch with Cooper today - so sweet right?
He just got back and this is his email to me: (The names have been altered to protect the innocent)
Just got back from lunch with Cooper. 20 kids in a room, absolutely CRAZY! 20 minutes was the max I could take it. I bought Cooper a bag of Cheetos and opened it for him so he could eat it after he finished his meat balls and peaches. Then the crowd grew like a pack of Hyenas on a wounded antelope, looking to “score” some free Cheetos. One kid kept screaming “who's going to open them Cheetos!” over and over again! I got the hell out of there and let Cooper fend for himself with his bag of Cheetos, fighting off the vultures. Cooper did let everyone at his table know that the Cheetos were for “hims, Kara and Daddy only, no sharing!” Four kids (girls) also kept staring at me giving me the evil eye, maybe their Dads are F@rmers or @llstate agents or something. During lunch, Kara spotted me and came over and started eating my bag of Cheetos. Even though she just had lunch, she pulled up a chair to have lunch again with the four years olds. After 60 seconds of no second helpings, she went back to Miss Axxxxx to play with lincoln logs. I am now back in the office and need a beer. I have some on ice for my Wednesday picnic that I am very looking forward to at 3PM. No more lunch at Cxxxx!
He just got back and this is his email to me: (The names have been altered to protect the innocent)
Just got back from lunch with Cooper. 20 kids in a room, absolutely CRAZY! 20 minutes was the max I could take it. I bought Cooper a bag of Cheetos and opened it for him so he could eat it after he finished his meat balls and peaches. Then the crowd grew like a pack of Hyenas on a wounded antelope, looking to “score” some free Cheetos. One kid kept screaming “who's going to open them Cheetos!” over and over again! I got the hell out of there and let Cooper fend for himself with his bag of Cheetos, fighting off the vultures. Cooper did let everyone at his table know that the Cheetos were for “hims, Kara and Daddy only, no sharing!” Four kids (girls) also kept staring at me giving me the evil eye, maybe their Dads are F@rmers or @llstate agents or something. During lunch, Kara spotted me and came over and started eating my bag of Cheetos. Even though she just had lunch, she pulled up a chair to have lunch again with the four years olds. After 60 seconds of no second helpings, she went back to Miss Axxxxx to play with lincoln logs. I am now back in the office and need a beer. I have some on ice for my Wednesday picnic that I am very looking forward to at 3PM. No more lunch at Cxxxx!
Monday, May 10, 2010
To Floatie or Not To Floatie...
THAT is the question!
I had a response from an anonymous reader that said to get rid of the water wings. I understand, I really do.
I was hesitant in getting them in the first place because I wanted the kids to learn to swim on their own, without any help (and because they end up relying on them).
Our kids were in the swimming pool for the first time in their lives last summer so we used floaties because they weren't as strong as non-orphanage-raised kids, and they needed the extra help. Also, they were a little unsure of themselves - the floaties gave them confidence.
We will start teaching them how to really swim this summer, then the floaties can be removed - until then, they will stay on.
Our rule is: if Jim nor I are in the pool with them, the floaties must be on.
Don't go worrying about the kids being unsupervised though, because they're not. We are literally a jump away.
They are so familiar with the water now, they both jump in freely, have tons of fun and are safe - that is our main concern.
Thanks for your comment though! Your advice is welcome on how to teach a child to swim!
I had a response from an anonymous reader that said to get rid of the water wings. I understand, I really do.
I was hesitant in getting them in the first place because I wanted the kids to learn to swim on their own, without any help (and because they end up relying on them).
Our kids were in the swimming pool for the first time in their lives last summer so we used floaties because they weren't as strong as non-orphanage-raised kids, and they needed the extra help. Also, they were a little unsure of themselves - the floaties gave them confidence.
We will start teaching them how to really swim this summer, then the floaties can be removed - until then, they will stay on.
Our rule is: if Jim nor I are in the pool with them, the floaties must be on.
Don't go worrying about the kids being unsupervised though, because they're not. We are literally a jump away.
They are so familiar with the water now, they both jump in freely, have tons of fun and are safe - that is our main concern.
Thanks for your comment though! Your advice is welcome on how to teach a child to swim!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!!
From our beautiful, smart, funny, crazy kids to all the mom's out there!
If you're waiting for your referral, or waiting to travel, or just waiting for God to make your dreams come true, we are here to tell you that IT'S WORTH THE WAIT!! Hang in there - it took us a long time to get our precious bundles of joy and it took some adjusting to but now everything is as it should be.
The kids are thriving in every way and life is indeed good - no GREAT!
Happy Mommy's Day everyone!
If you're waiting for your referral, or waiting to travel, or just waiting for God to make your dreams come true, we are here to tell you that IT'S WORTH THE WAIT!! Hang in there - it took us a long time to get our precious bundles of joy and it took some adjusting to but now everything is as it should be.
The kids are thriving in every way and life is indeed good - no GREAT!
Happy Mommy's Day everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
