More of Girls and Boys

I volunteered today in Venice's classroom. They kids were working on their aquariums and terrariums. They were asked to figure out who had not had a chance to feed the animals yet and who's turn it should be today.

Venice said she hadn't gotten to feed the animals at all yet, but the other three at her table said she did. At this time, the girls bickered over who was lying, who wasn't being fair, who's not remembering, etc. Each time they would get quiet, and then the arguing would ensue, under breath, then loudly again. As girls fight. This went on for over 5 minutes.

As I'm trying to stay out of it, I look over at another table and two boys were deciding who was going to feed next and they did 2 out of 3 Ro Sham Bo. Simple. Done.

Meanwhile, long after the feeding of the animals, the girls were still issuing zingers under their breaths.

Venice's New School

Venice has settled into her new school nicely. It's been about two weeks and she's made some great friends already. She's gone on two field trips, participated on a school council, and learned some Spanish. Her attitude towards school is filled with positive energy. We are all happy about the change.

Good Day at School

I asked Xander how school was today.  He answered, "Great.  It was perfect!  I didn't kick anybody!"

Venice Starts First Grade

Venice has begun First Grade. Wow. The days leading up to school we talked a lot about all the old friends she would be seeing again. She seemed to be a bit nervous, but not too bad. We were all excited for a successful first day. And it was! She walked right into her classroom, found a seat and was great when we hugged and kissed goodbye. Yay!


















The next two days followed similarly. On Friday (school started on a Wednesday), I got a call from the school that she had a sore throat and wanted to come home. It was only a few hours before the end of school and I knew that Strep Throat was going around the classroom, so I didn't think anything about it. Picked her up, went to see the Dr. just in case. Enjoyed our weekend.


















Then, on Monday, I was across town and got a call just before lunch time, that Venice was in the office crying and wanting to come home. I think she was claiming her tooth coming in was hurting. I drove to the school in a huff, with mixed feelings. I realized that she was starting to manipulate the system, that she probably wasn't sick on Friday, that she's not really sick right now, that she just doesn't want to be at school. Here we go again.

So, I drove to school swearing into the air, frustrated, angry. I brought Motrin with me and found Venice in the office. I gave her the medicine, just in case her gums really did hurt. Then we proceeded to talk. I asked her what was really going on. I finally got her to confess that she's sad in school. She missed her Kindergarten teacher, wasn't used to her new teacher yet and didn't like to be away from Mom for so long. She just wanted to be at home. At this point, my anger was gone and I was heart broken. I was sad it was so hard for her.

We talked about several issues. One, that she got used to her Kindergarten teacher, and that she would get used to her First Grade teacher as well. That it's boring at home and she'll have lots of fun things to do at school. And that it's the law, she has to be in school. After many minutes of tears, and her saying through a brave front, "I don't know how to stop crying." and then to, "I guess I can try." I walked her to her classroom, handed her off to the teacher with encouraging words, and walked away from my crying daughter.

I drove home in tears, myself.

When I picked her up from school, she was fine. She had been a little sad for a few minutes after I left, but had picked herself up, cheered up and the afternoon volunteers never knew anything had happened in the morning.

Phew. One week under our belts. We've had a few additional bumps in the road, one involving an owie on the hand and chocolate bribes to get back to class, but for the most part it's been smooth sailing and she's enjoying school now. Phew.

Kindergarten: Day 7

The last few days, Venice has gotten out of bed very easily, without complaint. Getting to school has been great. She hasn't asked us to come in with her. Her attitude after class has been good as well.

Today, I took her by myself to and from school. On the drop off, there was a line to get into class. I wondered out loud if she could go around the line, since she didn't need breakfast. I assumed the line was for the free breakfast they offer the kids. She said, "No, I have to stay in line to tell them that I brought my lunch." They kids put the popsicle stick with their name on it into the "hot lunch" bin or the "cold lunch" bin. Clever. Also clever of my daughter to know this information so well!

When I picked her up, she was very happy and joyful. FYI - her BFF is on the outs, as she said he was rough with her a few times (kicking). So she has a new BFF and she wouldn't leave until she got to say goodbye to him, yes, another boy she blushes over.

When we got to the car, she said, "Mom. Tomorrow, I don't want you walk me in. I want you to drop me off at the corner like all the other kids." I replied, "Do you really think other kindergarteners go in without their parents." She thought for a micro second, "No. But I want to be the first one!" I told her that Daddy and I had to discuss it. She asked, "Why? What's there to discuss?" I replied that we had to talk about whether we felt safe about that or not. Oh boy. She's definitely getting into school now!

Kindergarten: Day 5

Today, when we picked Venice up from school, she said, "I want to stay at Kindergarten!" We convinced her to come home with us :)

Kindergarten: Day 4

Monday, the first day after a "too short" weekend. Venice woke up tired and said she didn't want to go to school. We mentioned seeing her new BFF and she replied, "He doesn't go to school on Mondays or Tuesdays." Hmmm. Seems like a lie. We encourage her to get ready and she does. This morning went by without any tears. At her classroom door, she asked if we could walk in with her. We said we couldn't and she seemed at peace with the decision. When we picked her up, she mentioned she had met a new friend on the playground, this one a girl. I think she's happy to find a girl to be friends with too. Yay, Venice!

Kindergarten: Reflection

I'm definitely missing her (hello, 6.5 hours a day to not see someone I've been with 24/7 for 5.5 years is a bit weird!) and so is Xander. We're not quite sure what to do with ourselves! With summer over and fall here, we just don't know what to do. Not to mention, I'm a bit nervous to just hang out at home, I think I'd just be waiting for the phone to ring with news about Venice. So I have to get out.

Poor Xander, he's alone at the park with no one to play with (Mommy isn't as much of a playmate as Venice... just not as energetic :) And so... we've gone shopping a bit (a habit I don't want to start, but the retail therapy has been good). So, we have to figure out our new routine as a "Half empty nest". I'm hoping to get Xander into Gymboree classes, or art classes or something to help keep us busy!

Kindergarten: Day 3

So, waking up today was VERY difficult. Venice was very tired. When I opened her curtains, she complained as to how bright it was. When I turned on the light, she said it was burning her like the sun. Um... dramatic much? We were basically forced to pull the covers off of her, she did not want to get out of bed. She kept saying, "I'm not going to school today." "I'm never going again." "You can't make me go!" This back and forth ended up in a crying fest. She was sobbing and not really cooperating in getting dressed for the day. Oh yeah, it's also picture day today. Can you say "puffy eyes"?

We finally got her dressed and her hair done pretty for picture day. She calmed down in her room alone while we made her breakfast and she actually ate a decent breakfast. A miracle. Then off to school. She was great leaving the house, in the car, and walking to class. At her classroom door, we saw her table-mate crying. I showed Venice and mentioned how she was sad to come to school too and how Venice was sad that morning, that it is ok, many kids feel this way. I'm not sure Venice heard a word I said, she was "in the zone" ready to charge right into the classroom. Not to mention, her new BFF had arrived and had walked up to her and waved. Venice turned to me, pointing to him and whispering, "That's him!" So, after a horrible morning, dropping her off was somewhat of a non issue.

While we were dropping her off, BFF's dad was there asking us what Venice's name was. He said his son talked about her all day yesterday. So, the feelings are mutual :)

When we picked her up. The first words out of her mouth were, "You have to meet BFF's parents!" I asked why and she replied, "So we can have stay-overs!"

So, it was a successful day. She reported about her day. It sounds like there were no crying episodes at school today. She took her photo nicely. She ate some lunch, which is good to know as we are worried she won't be getting food into her body with out us hounding her :) And she was in pretty good spirits after we got home. Much more lively than she was yesterday when she came home (she was pretty quiet and just played computer games all afternoon yesterday). She played puzzles, talked to us, and was jovial. She still wasn't the nicest to brother Xander, but hey, we're thinking we're doing pretty good here!

It's the weekend now. Yay! We'll see how Monday goes, but we won't think about that until Sunday night!

Kindergarten: Day 2 Part 2

After picking up Venice from school, we walked to the car. As we neared the car, I asked her if I could open her door for her. She replied with gumption, "Let it fly, man!" We all had a good laugh.

Kindergarten: Day 2

Thursday, Day 2: First long day (about 6.5 hours). When we walked up to the classroom, the teacher had just started the class. So we told Venice that we couldn't go into the classroom. Venice turned to give Daddy a hug. I asked for a hug, she turned to me and waved, saying, "Goodbye." Then she walked into the classroom all ready to go. No looking back. Wow.

When we picked her up, she was playing with a new friend and was all smiles. We wondered out loud if we needed to pick up her notebook and she put up her hand and said, "No!" with tons of authority and confidence. "We don't get to take them home until Friday." She did, however, mention on the way out, that she did cry that day. I had noticed her special blanket and photo album had been removed from her backpack.

She told us of her day. She told us about her new friend who she mentioned looks like a friend for our old town. Venice said that he was her boyfriend. She definitely seemed smitten.

Later that day, Venice noticed that she went to pre-school for two ages, age 3 and age 4. She wanted to know why you only go to kindergarten for one age, age 5. I mentioned that first grade comes next and she said, "NO! I only want to go to kindergarten!" Then she said she'd ask her new friend what he was going to do and she'd give us an answer the next day. She certainly has a new BFF!

Hopefully this means that Day 3, 4, 5, etc. will be successful.

Kindergarten: Day 1

September 5th. Today is a short school day (only 4 hours). Venice was in good spirits up to the last 5 minutes we were with her. Then you could see the panic rising in her. Her face scrunched up and tears welled. Then the sobs came. We left her with a special blanket and a photo album of the people who love her. Then we walked out of the classroom. Note: At her table, the three boys were quiet and the three girls were crying quietly, tears streaming down their faces. It was all I could do to keep my own tears on hold until I was out of the classroom. When we picked Venice up, she was, again, in good spirits. The teacher said she did a good job. Venice was happy to tell us about her day.

She told us they went to the gym, but didn't do anything there, it was, "BORING!" We found out later that this was the school assembly. She said her favorite part of school was that they got two recesses. On the way out the door, she pointed to a boy she had lunch with. She told us of the book the teacher read to them, "The Kissing Hand" and that she sang one song for them. The school mascot is the Wolf Pack, so the kindergarten class are called the "Wolf Pups" and the teacher sang them a song about the "Wolf Pups". So Venice was open to talking about her day and seemingly fine about it all.

To see pictures, go to:
http://baileynagai.com/bnfamily/photos_2007/photos_jul_-_sept_07/
click on the Kindergarten page.

School's Starting Soon

Venice starts Kindergarten in 2 days. She's very anxious about being away from home, Mommy and Daddy and "the known". But, mixed in with the fear, is a bit of excitement. We gave her a new lunchbox today and we're about to fill her backpack will all her school supplies, which she's very excited to do.

Report Card

Today was our first parent/teacher conference. I was a bit nervous. Just hoping that the teachers have seen what a wonderful person Venice is turning out to be (and that she hasn't been treating her classmates as she has been treating her brother lately). The teacher was very complimentary about Venice. She participates, is excited about all things, is always keeping busy, plays well with the other kids and, as we already knew, is very bright. While some children don't know their colors, Venice knows all her letters, does well with her numbers and can write her name (although some letters are on a different line or backwards, very cute.) So it's great to hear that she is excelling at school and really doing well. Yay, Venice!

Venice update

So, here's some interesting updates on Venice...

Diana signed her up for preschool, which starts in the fall (we may pursue a summer session as well, but we'll see if a) there's room, and b) Venice is potty trained, etc.). This will be at the Rocklin Montessori Preschool, which is close by. Diana has visited and had the tour,etc., and it's really nice. Quiet, clean, fun, and an approach we like.

The interesting thing that came out of this is motivation for potty training. Venice was really excited by the school, but Di told her she couldn't go until she was potty trained. I can't recall the exact chain of events, but basically Venice got motivated,and wanted to try, so they went into the bathroom, and she went! Yea!

Venice has tried a few times since as well, and we're excited that this is hopefully the start of potty training. Venice has been wearing "pull-ups" diapers for a couple weeks now (only during the day as they don't stay on as well), which she loves, and I think they help too (she knows how to put them on and take them off).