During our stay in the glorious country of India, the girls will be enrolled at Stonehill International School. http://stonehill.in
Today was the 'dreaded' first day. Prior to today, the girls were excited one minute and nervously sick the next. The night prior, Olivia was 'suddenly sick.' We knew that it was her nerves and she needed to overcome them. (Toughen up kid!) She has been so nervous as to what her peers would think of her and her orthotics that she wears daily. (as a reminder - our Olivia has cerebral palsy) We kept telling her that she would be 'fine.' We kept telling her that if she shows kindness - kindness would be returned. This was something that was hard for a 9 year old, with CP, to accept. After all the hum drum of talking to her and easing her nerves. . .we finally told her. .'if you are so worried what people are going to think - talk about it and answer their questions.' So, brave Olivia faced her giant. She cautiously arrived at school and while the nurse and her teacher met her - Olivia said. . .'Can we talk about my braces with the class so if they have any questions - they can ask. That way I can get it all over with!' WOW! The teacher was impressed. This 9 yr old wanted to have open dialogue. . .
I saw her walk in the classroom after that. . .and all of her 10 classmates were so welcoming! (I think that it helps that all these kids are in the same shoe. . .they have moved to India for a parents work.) I can only hope that when the next new kids comes to Stonehill - that Olivia will be just as welcoming.
My Pazzie was also shy. (who are these kids?!) She was doing the small stride walk. . .you know the walk. . .the one where they hold your hand and are walking with the smallest gate/stride. She had the grip of death on my hand!
We arrived to her class. It helped that the previous weeks, the teachers were gearing up the class for Paz's arrival. There was also an email from the 'room mom' to all the parents in welcoming our arrival. How cute was that! By the time Paz was in the vacinity of the classroom - all the kids stood behind the teacher waving their sweet 5/6 yr old hands and welcomed her into their fold.
It was so sweet to pick them up after school. I first saw Paz. She was walking with her two assigned buddies for the day. Or, as she called them. . .'My body guards.' She quickly told me that she made 5 new friends that day and one of them was her 'body guard' from Sweden. I was thinking in my head. .'There are only 10 kids in your class. .half way there kiddo!' She had a great day. She told me all about it! Snack/breakfast was good. Lunch was good. She played and made new friends. In 6 yr old language that equates to a pretty awesome day.
I was waiting on the side line for Olivia. Everyone at the school was so nervous and excited for her. Stonehill has never had a student with her abilities. . .so it was great when I arrived on campus that she was doing great. I knew she would be. I knew they would be really watching her today and I know that they were impressed and their apprehensions were eased.
I then saw Olivia walking down the stairs . . in full conversation with the teacher (I like to call Olivia an old soul). . . .eating a doughnut. The Stonehill moons have aligned! She was so happy. She gave me a hug (for those that know her - she hates PDA's) and told me that she had a great day. She made new friends. . . .and a friend from Japan. I personally think that it is awesome that they are meeting people from all over the world. I would have died to have this opportunity as a child!!!
Their days are longer for them than in the States. School starts at 7:40. Bus pick up is at 6:20. It isn't like my 5 minute commute back at Washington Township. They have an hour commute in the morning and 1.5 hours in the evening. School gets out Mon, Weds and Friday at 3 pm. Tuesday and Thursday they get out at 4:30. There is no such thing as after school activities, they incorporate them in the day - resulting in the two long day. So my kids won't be home until 4:30pm and 6pm. This is a change of pace in my life. Before, I was the car pool van. I would pick up the neighbor kids after school and any other kid when parents needed help. Now I am just waiting for them at a bus stop. I am told, that while I am here, I should find a hobby to do - since I will bored. Taking suggestions. . . .
Desires
Hubby: missing Calvary Church
Karen: My front door have a normal door knob/lock
Girls: they are sleeping already . . .
Today was the 'dreaded' first day. Prior to today, the girls were excited one minute and nervously sick the next. The night prior, Olivia was 'suddenly sick.' We knew that it was her nerves and she needed to overcome them. (Toughen up kid!) She has been so nervous as to what her peers would think of her and her orthotics that she wears daily. (as a reminder - our Olivia has cerebral palsy) We kept telling her that she would be 'fine.' We kept telling her that if she shows kindness - kindness would be returned. This was something that was hard for a 9 year old, with CP, to accept. After all the hum drum of talking to her and easing her nerves. . .we finally told her. .'if you are so worried what people are going to think - talk about it and answer their questions.' So, brave Olivia faced her giant. She cautiously arrived at school and while the nurse and her teacher met her - Olivia said. . .'Can we talk about my braces with the class so if they have any questions - they can ask. That way I can get it all over with!' WOW! The teacher was impressed. This 9 yr old wanted to have open dialogue. . .
I saw her walk in the classroom after that. . .and all of her 10 classmates were so welcoming! (I think that it helps that all these kids are in the same shoe. . .they have moved to India for a parents work.) I can only hope that when the next new kids comes to Stonehill - that Olivia will be just as welcoming.
My Pazzie was also shy. (who are these kids?!) She was doing the small stride walk. . .you know the walk. . .the one where they hold your hand and are walking with the smallest gate/stride. She had the grip of death on my hand!
We arrived to her class. It helped that the previous weeks, the teachers were gearing up the class for Paz's arrival. There was also an email from the 'room mom' to all the parents in welcoming our arrival. How cute was that! By the time Paz was in the vacinity of the classroom - all the kids stood behind the teacher waving their sweet 5/6 yr old hands and welcomed her into their fold.
 |
| Nervous and excited! |
 |
| Nervous and excited!! |
 |
| Argh!!!! |
It was so sweet to pick them up after school. I first saw Paz. She was walking with her two assigned buddies for the day. Or, as she called them. . .'My body guards.' She quickly told me that she made 5 new friends that day and one of them was her 'body guard' from Sweden. I was thinking in my head. .'There are only 10 kids in your class. .half way there kiddo!' She had a great day. She told me all about it! Snack/breakfast was good. Lunch was good. She played and made new friends. In 6 yr old language that equates to a pretty awesome day.
I was waiting on the side line for Olivia. Everyone at the school was so nervous and excited for her. Stonehill has never had a student with her abilities. . .so it was great when I arrived on campus that she was doing great. I knew she would be. I knew they would be really watching her today and I know that they were impressed and their apprehensions were eased.
I then saw Olivia walking down the stairs . . in full conversation with the teacher (I like to call Olivia an old soul). . . .eating a doughnut. The Stonehill moons have aligned! She was so happy. She gave me a hug (for those that know her - she hates PDA's) and told me that she had a great day. She made new friends. . . .and a friend from Japan. I personally think that it is awesome that they are meeting people from all over the world. I would have died to have this opportunity as a child!!!
Their days are longer for them than in the States. School starts at 7:40. Bus pick up is at 6:20. It isn't like my 5 minute commute back at Washington Township. They have an hour commute in the morning and 1.5 hours in the evening. School gets out Mon, Weds and Friday at 3 pm. Tuesday and Thursday they get out at 4:30. There is no such thing as after school activities, they incorporate them in the day - resulting in the two long day. So my kids won't be home until 4:30pm and 6pm. This is a change of pace in my life. Before, I was the car pool van. I would pick up the neighbor kids after school and any other kid when parents needed help. Now I am just waiting for them at a bus stop. I am told, that while I am here, I should find a hobby to do - since I will bored. Taking suggestions. . . .
 |
| Done. . .Tired . . .zzzz |
 |
| zzzzzz |
Desires
Hubby: missing Calvary Church
Karen: My front door have a normal door knob/lock
Girls: they are sleeping already . . .
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