School started last week, bringing more lessons about how to live in this Eastern European culture, and not appear so "foreign"...maybe some day we'll be successful at that! So, first day of school, we sent Jayce and Tate off to school with their backpacks full of books, notebooks, and supplies. I was pretty proud of the fact that we had found everything on the supply list at the local grocery store. There were a few posterboards that they had to carry, as they wouldn't fit into their bags. Jayce was a bit apprehensive, not of going to school, but of carrying that posterboard...something like feeling dumb...but I told him that since it was on the supply list, everyone would be carrying it. So, just for posterity, I am going to include in this blog the lessons I learned...meaning, I need to remember these facts for next year's first day of school.
#1 On the first day of school, do NOT send backpacks with the kids, as no one else brings them, including extra-big posterboard that doesn't fit into the backpacks.
#2 On the first day of school, DO send flowers for the kids' teachers, as everyone else brings those!!!
We all enjoyed hearing Jayce and Tate's rendition of how silly they felt walking in that day, with no flowers to give their teachers, and then bringing home their full backpacks as they wouldn't be using them until the next day. The teacher did, however, allow them to leave the posterboard in the classroom!! Whew!!!
Jaylin and Gage also began their first days at the preschool. After a few tears by Jaylin on day 1, and by Gage on day 3, we're off to a great start! Their teachers speak no English, but that doesn't bother Jaylin much, she just talks and talks to her teacher anyway, who told that to Ed, laughing! Surprise, surprise. And Gage is doing better than I thought, especially being without Jaylin in his class. They do get to play together at recess, which is a highlight for both of them.
These unusually quiet mornings at the Rumbold house have given Ed and I more time to study...this and the fact that all 4 kids are in Slovak schools, should ensure that we will all be fluent by Christmas!!! :-)
4 comments:
Great post!!! We'll both be like that pioneer women soon:)!
Wendi,
I love reading your blog. Your stories are great. The kids look so cute. We miss you folks and think of you often. Chris
well, the kids will all be fluent by Christmas at least :) Glad to hear they're all adjusting to school. I know how hard it is to send them with no native language skills, especially the little ones, but I'm sure they'll do great!!
Great post, Wendy. I bet it was tramatic for Jayce, but he will blend in well. My dad would say, "It builds character!"
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