Reunions

On Tuesday afternoon, little A was reunited with her friend Mariah, who has returned from her family holiday to Lebanon.  The little ones had a great time catching up with one another and played the afternoon away.  I also enjoyed catching up with my friend Lina, who fed me until I (almost quite literally) burst.  For some reason (possibly I had consumed too much food?) once I got home I couldn't see straight, had to abdicate all my parental responsibilities and hit the bed-- HARD!!  Ooomph!  

Mariah is one of A's favourites from GEMS AA.  I am happy that they will be taking gymnastics and art classes together this year, and I am hoping their friendship will endure.  Mariah is a very sweet little girl, and helped little A through her 'transition' phase of kindergarten--when she would cry at drop-off time.  I remember coming to school and getting a little 'report' from Mariah, about how little A did that day:  how much or little she cried, and how she settled down.  Little A's first stories were about Mariah, and how they played "Lion King" on the playground (whatever that game involves).  It also helps a lot that it is really easy to spend time with Lina--she is a really good person.  Kind, generous and a FABULOUS cook!!

Also on Tuesday, Magoo finally managed to find a shopping car (minus the 't') at Lulu.  This made her day (as you can see).  I had to push the cart and pull a second rolling basket, to accommodate my grocery needs, but it was well worth it for all the fun she had.  

Also, the kitten (formerly known as:  Kitten, Lilly, Jasmine, Jewel, Street-cat Anu) returned home on Thursday morning, after a six day stay at the vet, after her spaying.  She now has a name (Niblets) and has settled right back into 'garden-cat' life.  She has had some unpleasant nocturnal visitors (other stray cats looking for food), but I am now removing her food at night and hope that this will end the night-time yowlings.  

Welcome home!

We had a lovely Friday dinner party with friends on Friday.  Team Kanda joined us for the afternoon, and the children had a blast.  A little later, Raquel and Izzy came over, and we started our dinner.  The food was only bested by the company and we all shared some good laughs.  Putting the kids to sleep was a bit later than usual (Pickle--usually the easiest--refused to sleep and we gave up and let him pass out on the sofa to some Baby Einstein).  Little A had her first 'mini-sleepover', where her friends were collected only when their parents left around 1 A.M.

I was blessed with a four hour nap today, to make up for the sleep I didn't get last night.  Magoo woke up repeatedly and asked me "Is Santa Claus coming tomorrow mommy?" and then told me how much she missed Arysha and Amalya.

 

Now, at 9:15, she is lying down on the floor beside me.  Time to go.

Back-to-school

Yesterday I sent Baby Sunshine off to nursery.  He was not super-excited, nor was he upset and crying.  He just accepted that he was going.  He had remembered most of his teacher's names (Ms. Lindsay, Ms. Jean, Ms. Sandy)...with a little help from Magoo.  We packed his lunch, and off he went.  There were so many new faces, and it was a treat to see two of the moms that helped pioneer the school when it opened last January.

Rachel Riley shirt from Marylebone High Street
(so a souvenir from our summer holiday)

At pick-up time, Sunshine's sisters came along, and it was sweet to hear him come running 'Mommy! Mommy!' and hug my knees with a fake whimper.  He obviously heard that a lot in the classroom, and thought that was protocol for when your mommy picks you up from school.  Then he said 'Let's go home!' and proceeded to usher us out of the classroom at top speed.

He had a great nap in the afternoon, and little A and I went over to Aunty Yang's, where we made DUMPLINGS (her favourite).  She was also very excited to get to spend some time with Fidelia, who I think she believes to be a really TALL kid.  We had a lot of fun, improved our dumpling folding skills, and nobody was more surprised than I to see little A practically polish off an entire plate of dumplings!  That was little A's special BACK-TO-SCHOOL activity.

The 'kids' rolling the dough

The eating machine...she finished that whole plate!

Peter and I attended a parent information evening at the school, where we got an overview of the IBPYP program, and what a school day will look like for little A.  I like that they incorporate a FRUIT SNACK break at 9 am (only fruits), and then have regular snack and lunch too.  I also like knowing what times these events take place.  Despite the tight quarters, they were better organized than GEMS AA, and that was one of my reasons for switching schools.

Taking little A to school this morning was bitter-sweet.  She was excited to wear her new uniform (she loves the gingham dress), and got herself ready on time.  The drop-off was difficult though, as she was 'nervous' and did cry...and that always makes me sad.  I wish that the school would allow little ones to start at 1/2 days...especially here, where 50% of the children (or more) in every class will be new to the school and/or country.

A new student to embrace at RIS

I was a little underwhelmed by Little A's teacher.  I was not pleased that she didn't introduce herself at the door, and greet the children (which is Teacher 101).  I had to ask for name-tags, which were lying on a table, and had to settle her in myself.  I managed to pull-over the aide (Ms. Rose), when I had to go, but really...there was a lot of 'me' happening there.  Based on how she feels at the end of the day, I am considering changing her to another class (if possible).

I met a lovely lady named Julia in the library (who I have always seen around and even spoken to in the past).  I am looking forward to getting to know her better over the year, as she seems to be a really gentle and kind person.

I opted to let Sunshine be late for nursery.  Despite the fact that he protested repeatedly that he did not want to go, he motored up the stairs, and opened the school door for himself.  Then he made his way up the inside stairs, and had already rounded the corner out of view, before the receptionist, Iva, managed to catch up to him.  Not even a backwards glance.

I met Asima, the newest coordinator of Redwood, and we were both very happy to meet a fellow Canadian.  She has only been here a little over a year, and has an 18 month old baby.  I look forward to getting to know her better, though she is a 'working mom' and in my experience, that doesn't leave a lot of time for morning visits.

In one hour I am looking forward to heading off to pick up little A and see how her day has been.  I hope that she will be smiling, and will have found a place for herself.  It is a big adjustment--not just a change in grade, but a change of schools also.

Magoo has found lots of ways to keep herself busy.  This morning she did a little painting, and as I type, she and Sunshine are busy playing with Little A's 'Littlest Pet-shop' set, something they are NOT allowed to do while their big sister is around.  Magoo will be starting Music Monkeys on Thursday mornings, in an effort to keep her stimulated and active.  I felt like last year, she got shafted a lot, and spent too much time sitting around the house, while Malou cleaned around her.