School Begins!

Ruby beside the huge baobab tree outside her classroom.

Ruby sporting her P.E. uniform before leaving for school.

Over a month ago, when school actually started here, I intended to post a 'first day' type of entry, then it was 'first week', and now I am surprised at the time lapse between my last post and now. So even as I listen to Rubygirl in the next room with Henry, threatening to put his egg in warning (the behavior motivation system used in her K class), we will do our best to give you the picture of this corner of our lives.

The night before Kindergarten, I was a mess. Couldn't sleep, trying to be cheerful and not anxious, maybe doing a decent job on the outside, but failing on the inside. We had visited the classroom that Sunday, as it is also the kids' Sunday school room. Ruby's too-large desk, ready to swallow her up on contact, stood in a small cluster of desks pushed in to each other near Mrs. Graham's modest desk. The names on the other desks made me smile: "Happiness, Timothy, Malik, Ge Gyung". Across the aisle, nearest of the next cluster of desks, was "Asia".

Some of the names were already familiar as well, from the playgroup we have attended weekly almost since we arrived six months ago. Some of the long-time mothers in the group pointed out how just a couple of years ago, there weren't many preschool-age expat children around the area; now we are many strong! Just one of the many provisions I am thankful for as we continue to settle in here. :)

So, back to that first day, we were two among many parents walking their Kindergartners up to class that day. As soon as we entered the room, Henry broke down sobbing. However, realizing that he has much more mommy time than ever, he has quickly recovered from his grief.

Henry with pals at playgroup

Ruby has done very well adjusting to school. She has gotten a good behavior sticker on her chart every day, and loves the daily 'extras' like swimming, P.E., Swahili, music, drama, computers and art. HOPAC's library has also been a huge blessing as Ruby is quickly learning to read and loves to read Barbie and princess books to us at bedtime.

These days, we sometimes walk Ruby up to her classroom, but sometimes we say goodbye at the sidewalk from the parking lot. Our girl is growing up!

One final story for this post - Ruby had her first school-friend playdate last week. It woud have been the week before, but that time Ruby asked her friend (Happiness) for a certain day, they had it all coordinated, told the teacher and their other friends...but didn't tell me. So after a review of playdate protocol, we tried it again Friday. It was precious to see Ruby and Happiness (who is Tanzanian) dressed up as princess fairies, drawing, reading and ordering the universe in their sparkly pink glory.