Sick

And Gemma is out with a stomach bug. She went to school because she was feeling fine then, but by 5:00 she was crashed out on the couch. I hope she keeps sleeping, that's the best way to wait out a tummy ache.

Bathtub games

We don't have the same collection of bathtub toys as we did in Taiwan, so new games are required. In this game, Gemma fills all the little containers up with cold water from the tap, then dumps them on her head one at a time. It is like a gameshow:

"Which one should I do now? THaTS the coldest one!!! Ok, I need you to say, go Gemma go! A little louder! Come on, it's only fun if you're watching!!!"

And I always cringe because brrrr.... I can't stand cold water! And then she laughs even more because I am laughing.

Show and Tell

The redeeming factor for Gemma's Monday is that Monday is her day for show and tell. She chose to bring this pin she got from her ballet teacher last year because "it is my most special treasure, and Miss Tina is my most nicest and special teacher."

The rules for show and tell are:
1) it has to fit in your backpack
2) it can't be a toy

Since 90% of what Gemma owns is toy, I hope we don't run out of ideas. Any suggestions?

Shoes!

Gemma learned how to tie her shoes this week! I demonstrated it to her slowly (again) and it just clicked; she tried it and got it. Of course she doesn't get it everytime so there's lots of waiting and patience as we get ready.

I remember buying shoes for school when I was in kindergarten and my mom was adamantly against velcro shoes. She was convinced that if we had velcro shoes we'd never learn to tie shoes, and so I remember practicing over and over again. She even made a little cardboard practice board for me with two rows of holes punched in it like a shoe, and I would have to practice. My mom was tough about things like that, and I appreciate it now. (But I'm not tough on my own kids... I know I should be tougher but I'm not!)

Gemma prays

I posted recently how Guinness has been praying for us at meal times, but we asked Gemma to pray yesterday. You could tell she hasn't done it much since Taiwan because of her requests;

'Please help Daddy with all his meetings and work' (Chris has only just started working again, so its really only
his first week of being really busy)

'And help mommy with all her students, that they be good and listen well'

Ummm; I'm not teaching this year Gem! I've been home playing with you!!!!

Sweetheart.

First week of school

Ways that private school is different than public school:
1) in public school they have no idea how many children will show up for each grade on the first day. This would explain why the beginning of each day this week was a little crazy at Gemma's school, as they dealt with way more registrations than they expected. They planned for three grade 1 classes, but had more than 80 grade 1s show up. Yah; crazy.
2) private schools have to focus on the business aspect of things; service with a smile, pleasing customers, etc. Apparently public schools do not feel it necessary to make you feel welcome, or assure you of how great their programs are, or 'sell' the school in any way.

Maybe I am being a little harsh. But on the first full day (Wednesday), after meeting in the library for almost an hour, waiting for attendance for 80 kids, waiting for our name to be called (which it wasn't, despite registering a week prior and the day before in the gym) I was so worked up! I mean seriously???? They wanted me to leave my not quite 6 year old in a new place, with people I didn't know and who didn't know her, for the entire day?????? No one had introduced themselves, except for the grade 7 teacher they had filling in for that first hour (yes, the grade 7 teacher???). There was no tour, there was no daily schedule, just administrators and teachers popping in and out, trying to figure out what to do. I felt like a number, like we were an inconvenience to them for showing up at their school. I mean, yes we are new but we went to the school and registered the first day the office was open... What else should we have done?

Anyway.... It took me most of the day but I calmed down. And when I picked Gemma up she said she had the most fun day, and it was totally awesome. There were great toys in the classroom, and the teacher there was really good, visiting with her former students and stuff. Then I saw the name tags on the desk, and that made me feel 100%. Someone had taken the time to write everyone's names down, and the kids had colored them... at last I felt like there were professionals at work and they cared about us.

I know I just need to be more relaxed and gracious and patient... It was stressful for them too, and I know that support and cooperation is what they need, not criticism. I'm excited about the new year beginning and getting involved with volunteering and stuff.

The Jam

Gemma the chef (who fried her own egg for breakfast this morning, wow) wanted to make jam with the berries. And it turned out great!

http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/08/how-to-make-blackberry-or-raspberry-jam/

In case the link doesn't work, something like this:
2 cups crushed blackberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Cook together on high for 5 minutes. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes. It will thicken upon cooling.

First day of school is tomorrow!

Tomorrow Gemma will start grade 1.  Her principal and the secretary were really nice when we registered last week, and the first day will be a simple 1 hour assembly in the gym.  Shrug.  Not sure at all what to expect!

Don't know where her classroom is.
Don't know the teacher's name.
Don't know the music teacher, PE teacher, art teacher.
Will there be snack time?
When is recess?
Where will they eat lunch?
How often do they go to the library?
Will she be behind?

I am very hopeful that both of us will make new friends!