Friday, August 21, 2009

All is well with Team T.

It's interesting how life keeps happening and you can't spend too long worrying about one thing because something else will come along and changes circumstances somehow. All you can do is keep going and doing the best you can. And being thankful every step of the way. My husband may read this and snicker thinking that it sounds way more healthy and adjusted than I actually am.

As I was stewing and hurting for Brother about starting kindergarten at a school where he didn't know anyone we got a phone call that a spot had opened at a magnet school that we had applied for near his old preschool (where Little Bitty still goes). SO - we had a big decision to make on Wednesday. They gave us three hours to accept the spot or not. I grabbed Brother out of his third day of school at his new school to go visit the new new school. This is a Spanish Immersion public school that fills via lottery.

I am so proud of our little guy. I could tell he was hesitant to consider changing schools again, but I also was so impressed that he didn't get overwhelmed or panicked at the possibility. He was very quiet but took it all in as we visited, his eyes lit up as he saw some of his old friends from preschool, his ears perked up a bit as he listened to teachers conversing in Spanish, and I think when the librarian introduced him to her pet frog - he was sold. I think my husband and I both were hoping he would embrace the idea of changing to this new school. It's really a fantastic opportunity - but I stayed objective and tried to talk through the pros and cons and I acknowledged that the timing was frustrating because he was just starting to get used to his new class.

As we drove away from the school I told him we would have to decide soon but that we could go home and talk it over with Daddy. He replied that he was ok and thinking about it and would make a decision soon. About five minutes later he announced that he was going to the new school and would be learning to speak Spanish. His first day was yesterday and I don't think I'm imagining things when I say I feel like I got my little guy back. After seeing him be a little less than himself for the past week or so, he was so enthusiastic and talkative last night. We went to an ice cream social at his new school last night and he ran and played with both new friends and old. He jumped out of bed this morning and was dressed before he came downstairs. He was doing fine at the other school - he really was - but this feels different. And I am happy, happy.

Little Bitty is also doing GREAT in her new class. She is wearing her glasses all day. No kids have teased her or shunned her as she feared. And we had an exciting surprise yesterday when she got two new friends in her class - twins adopted from Guatemala! That makes FOUR Guatemalan born kids in her class of 16. How cool is that?! Her only issue in her new class is that she loves the centers so much (specifically the dollhouse center) that she doesn't want to stop to go to the bathroom. She has dirtied her britches two out of four days this week - and the girl is 100% potty trained, this doesn't usually happen. Ah well. We all transition in different ways. And really - I'm glad that it's her showing her adjusting by pooping her pants and not me. I'll stick to eating snickers and not sleeping well.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is all wonderful! I am so excited for all of you! Love you, Nikki

Heather said...

That new school sounds wonderful! Yay for brother making such a grown-up decision.

(I totally bribe mine to remember to potty at school with playground trips after school if he uses the potty when he needs to)

Kimpossible said...

YAY! I was hoping for an update like this! Can't wait to toast the occasion tonight (with water for me, of course).

Hugs,
k

Anonymous said...

The new school for your son sounds great. How awesome a spot opened up! And pre-K sounds great for Pilar.

I love your workshop blog, so inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like everyone is all settled in for a great year! Now Mom, relax!! Everyday is a new day!
Love you!
Grammy

Our Time said...

Melany, I totally know how you guys feel. We have had hard decsions to make with Rose and Lily's schooling. We have gone with our gut feeling and so far so good! Glad that all has worked out.

Leah said...

So glad the school thing worked out. We had a similar experience this year with Anne Grace and it felt so good to have her in a place that we all felt good about! Your kiddos are such cuties!

TheOilHippie said...

I am so excited for you. I wish so much that I could send my kids to a spanish immersion school but there is not one in Memphis.