Here's Nathan asking my approval of Reni's "going home" outfit from the orphanage I wasn't intending to post anything today, but I've gotten so many questions about Ellie's first day of school (including one from my sister just a minute ago), that I felt I should stick something up on the blog real quick.
I got Ellie on the bus and avoided jumping in the shower for the next hour just to make sure I wasn't called in to come pick her up or try to come in and calm her down. The phone remained silent so I went about the rest of my morning. I even enjoyed the special treat of a lunch out with my friend, Amy Kinnell.
Amy and her husband, Matt, are parents to two of Ellie's best friends: Chloe and Essie. Our families are bonded over adoption and parenting little girls. Amy and I happen to be in a unique club this week: both of us have husbands across the Atlantic Ocean working to bring boys home AND we both sent our girls off to Kindergarten this morning at JELV (in fact, our girls are in the same pod). I mentioned at our adoption group Monday night that while in Albania I had been craving the Bonzai burger from Red Robin (which she had originally recommended to me) and she suggested we go out for lunch. While at lunch she got a text from Matt that the boys were really struggling their first night with him (many tears) and then Nathan called me via Skype to let me know that Reni's passport was delayed and he was going to have to mentally rev himself up for yet another night in the hotel. It was kind of a helpless feeling that we couldn't do anything but offer moral support...while trying to enjoy a good burger. Maybe we should have waited for that lunch until they were back? After discussing schedules (which include many post-adoption medical appointments), I think it may have been a while before we could have found the time to do something like that any time soon.
Before I knew it, it was time to pick Ellie up from school. I joined a group of other parents waiting in the school's cafeteria. It wasn't long before Ellie's class walked in (she was at the head of the line). She looked a little pale, but otherwise her usual self. When she started talking I noticed she was hoarse. I asked her if she cried. She said, "No" (which I knew wasn't true).
Then she said (VERBATIM) in a tone of voice that indicated she wanted to elicit a smile or a laugh, "But I tried to throw my shoes out the window!"
The teacher nodded with her eyes down. I wanted to crawl under that tiny cafeteria table or click my heels and turn back time to start the day over.
Somehow I still found myself asking a question I already knew the answer to: "How was today?"
Her teacher responded, "It was rough. It was very rough."
She went on to say that the bus was VERY warm and Ellie arrived at school soaked with sweat. Then the day went on with good moments and difficult moments periodically. She said that a lot of time was spent on identifying boundaries -- which accounted for Ellie's comment that the teacher told her, "Don't touch the papers!"
One positive aspect was that Ellie brought home a paper with a poem telling about the book they read, "The Kissing Hand" --which just happened to be the book that Nonna and sent Ellie the day before school started. It's about a little raccoon starting school and how his momma prepared him to be brave for something so new and foreign. I had read it to Ellie on Tuesday night and she LOVED it. It looks like Nonna and Mrs. B are on the same wavelength when it comes to children's literature. Very cool!
This morning Ellie and I got up without too much difficulty and I dressed her in a tank top and shorts, hoping that it might be much cooler for the school bus. From what I could tell through the windows, she looked like she was struggling to keep her composure, but brightened when I remembered Nathan's little sign of encouragement that she liked (giving her two wiggling thumbs up). I felt a little goofy with a line of cars waiting in either direction, but then I didn't really care. It was definitely a lot better than yesterday!
After some discussion on Skype last night with Nathan, I think we're going to try driving her to school in the morning and letting her ride the bus home, if the ride's not too long. Okay -- I need to hustle. Lots to do to prepare for a family reunion coming to Wilmore this weekend! Yay! Can't wait to see my family!
3 comments:
I'm sorry to hear Ellie had a hard first day. I promise (as a former K teacher) it does get better. The fact that she can joke a little about it is a positive sign and her teacher seems very helpful. Keep up the routine. Fingers crossed that David'd passport goes through soon.
Melissa
Cydil, thank you so much for sharing about Ellie. She will get used to the schedule in a few days. It sounds like she was a trooper. The part aabout her trying to throw her shoes out the window is FUNNY!! God love her sweet heart. Praying blessings on all 4 of you. Loved seeing the picture of Nathan asking if the outfit was OK to bring Reni home in!!! I was praying at 7 AM and we asked others to pray then also for the court papers to be signed and in order. Love and Prayers,
Sorry to hear Ellie had a bit of a rough start - but it is so new and so foreign and takes some getting used to and I am sure she will be fine in a few days. The good part is it seems as if she has a very good teacher - kind and patient so it will all come together in the end. The part about trying to throw her shoes out the window reminded me so much of my grandson Braiden - sadly when he gets frustrated because he can't do something that is how he reacts he just does not know what else to do - but it is funny.
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