Elsa Goes to Preschool

Our sweet Elsie has left the nest! Well, just in the mornings, but I can't even explain how much I miss her spark and energy already. Our mornings just won't be the same without her around but every party of me knows that she is absolutely ready to be out learning. No looking back, no cries, no butterflies-she is loving it. 

Her first day of preschool went really well. I was a bit worried if she was going to be able to bring it down a few notches and be able to mesh with a group in a controlled environment. She is an absolute sweetheart but she kinda runs the show around here and isn't a bit shy to express her needs. I just hoped her teacher was ready for the big personality that is Elsa.

The teacher reported that Elsa is all I had explained and more. And laughed that the class "bully" (I guess?) had finally met her match in Elsa. Elsa didn't take one ounce of the little girls antics for one minute. Oh boy, she's an island girls for sure. Don't let her size fool you.

She went to bed asking for school and ran into her teacher's arms first thing this morning. I think this just might work out (I keep telling myself).

And so her life of learning begins.

The Three Of Us

The things we do while Nyah is away.


In the morning.

Play

Chew

Fix boo boos

Do tricks

And after nap.

Play hide-n-seek

Jump on the bed

Everything is different when Nyah is away. The energy, the dynamic, and the way they play is a little quieter, a little calmer. Elsa seems to just be trying to pass the time until her sister gets home again. We miss her so much when she is away. And soon Elsa will join Nyah at the ol' preschool. Not sure what I'll do then. 

I Can't Believe I am Writing This

As I dropped Nyah off to school one morning last week, her teacher rushed out and started picking through her hair with absolutely no warning. I was a little taken aback but before I had time to ask questions she broke the news to me. Another student's mother had just called and revealed that the boy had... lice. 


As in head lice. 


As in bugs crawling around in his hair and reproducing. So she was checking each kid before letting them enter school and I thought that was that. Thought she was nippin' the bugs in the butt and avoiding an epidemic of grossness.


Jump to yesterday afternoon, as we entered school to pick Nyah up. The teacher breezed by me and nonchalantly just happened to mention to me that she wasn't sure if I knew, but five kids now have lice now, no big deal. 

Um, what? FIVE?! Which at this point means bugs must live in the school and could be taking up residence on us as we speak? 

I immediately wanted to grab my children, pick them up under my arms and run the heck out of there. I am not sure what shocked me more, the thought of my children having lice or the fact that she had no doubt we would have to cut the girls' hair if they contracted the little problem.

I'm itching as I type this.


Can you even imagine if either of our girls got lice? Do you realize how much hair they have? I mean, it's a struggle to comb Elsa's hair with a regular comb, let alone a fine tooth one. When I say that washing hair and combing night is a big in our house, I mean its a huge, has to be scheduled in advanced and takes a good hour of our lives to complete. Combing our girls' hair with a fine tooth comb would result in WWIII & WWIV up in here and is not a battle I ever,ever want to wage. 

So I don't know if I should take this as a sign that the over priced preschool is dirty or just roll with it as one of those things that happens in schools and a part of childhood. And for the record, the school is great and I am sure the teacher is living out one of her greatest nightmares that could ever occur in her sweet school. 


The teachers explained that this was the first "outbreak" in nine years and the best thing to do to avoid the problems was to put product in the girls' hair because the bugs do not like dirty hair. And at that point, even the teachers and the assistants were in the restroom showing off their sprays and products to me which they apply each morning as some sort of defence. 


So I just said a little thank you to myself, as we bolted out of there, that our girls have the hair they do which can't be washed more than once a week (you think we're weird now) unless really dirty. Because I am convinced Nyah's only defense against infestation (I don't even like that word) are her dirty curls. 


And you better believe she left for school this morning with her hair completely loaded with lotion, serum, oil and hairspray in hopes that she doesn't bring any little friends home. And I thought we just moved away from all the bugs I could ever want in my life.

She asked what I was doing as I obsessively drenched her hair in any and everything I could get my hands on. My reply was something along the lines of, "Bugs. Don't want to let the bugs get in your hair." I can't wait to see how she repeats this information as her imagination runs wild with it all day.

And I can't believe I am writing this because our family that is en route to our house for the holidays suddenly just realized that something has come up and they won't be able to make it. 


Seriously guys, no issues here. I promise. Please, don't turn around.

Back to School

It was back to school for this one last week. Better late than never. I feel like she has been waiting all summer for this moment, bored out of her mind with all of the baby stuff going on. 


I stayed awake late into the night on the eve of her first day with anxiety. Was it too much to send her so soon after the move? Would it be as inspiring as her old school? Did I pack everything she needed in her lunch box? 


Well, she woke that morning, got herself dressed, jabbered all the way there then rushed into school and jumped right into her work like she never stopped, and even forgot to kiss me goodbye. That is the great thing about Montessori, the work (activities) are pretty much the same around the world. 


She came home that day walking a little taller, showing her little sister how to do a few more things, suddenly taking her duty as "big sister" very seriously. On the second day she asked me not to walk her in, though I made up some excuse so I could. And now school is like her second home, it is part of her, something all her own.


Elsa on the other hand cried during drop off for the first two days. Now she just takes her shoes off at school and makes every attempt to stay and join the class. She wonders around the house calling for, "Yaya?" and shrieks when it is time to pick her up. She misses her partner in crime and so do I.

This One's for Africa

The awesome place that is Nyah's preschool had a special African Week this week, part of a series in their studies of the continents. Luckily, her school is a miniature United Nations and many of the continents happen to be where the kids and/or their parents have once called home. Nyah's teacher hasn't requested any of my knowledge about Franklin, Indiana yet. Not quite sure why...

So this week was for Africa. The kids brought African treasures from home, ate African food, sang African songs, read African stories and did a million other great things, with one of the mom's from Ethiopia, which I know little about because Nyah only reports when I make my daily inquiry into what she did at school is that she did, "Work." 


This is the little beauty who greeted me at the door yesterday afternoon after George picked her up from school. I know I am her mother and think she is the best thing on Earth, ever, but sometimes I can't help it, she just takes my breath away. I am sure the screaming fit she threw when her teacher tried to take this African outfit off of her to return before leaving school wasn't breathtaking, but I wasn't there so George had the pleasure of handling that one. They ended up letting her keep the outfit anyway, thank goodness.

Of course, she had to show off her best African dance moves she had learned that day.

This afternoon the parents were invited for an African Celebration finale and I went, (George stayed home with our little marathon runner) thinking I would see the kids perform a little somethin' somethin', I would take some pics, sample some African treats, and find it absolutely perfect because I was watching my child. 


But oh no, this is what I found on this Friday. 



The African drums get me every time. The beat always manages to lure me into its trance. Amazing.

Typical, real typical. Seems I always learn as much as Nyah does from the events at her preschool. PRESCHOOL, I remind you. Should I be embarrassed by this? I just appreciate the diversity and culture she (and I) are exposed to on a daily basis at her little school, because, honestly, I will take all I can get. Guess its been worth every penny, right George?   

Nyah written in Amharic

The Lunch Situation

Each night after dinner as I put the left overs away and begin the meticulous process of cleaning the kitchen, I pack Nyah's lunch for school. George helps me clean the kitchen of course. He is the master of washing dishes and loves to remind me how much better he is at this task than me. I have to say, I totally agree with him. He can totally claim that one, spotless dishes every time. Remember dude, I grew up with this little invention called a dishwasher. Mind blowing, I know. I have told him on numerous occasions that since he is SO much better than me at washing that he can be totally, one hundred percent in charge of the task but he won't buy it. But I am thankful for whatever help I can get.


Since packing the lunch kit is such a part of my daily routine that I truly enjoy, and will probably be doing for a long, long time, (wow, I am really going to pack a lot of lunches in my life) I thought I would share what its all about.  So here's the lunch kit, in all of its glory:

We are highly discouraged from using plastic baggies, juice boxes and other disposable stuff at Nyah's school, in an attempt to keep waste to a minimum, something that has become habit in our daily lives. We are lucky that none of her classmates have any over the top peanut allergies so peanut butter sandwiches are a-okay. Nyah typically opens her lunch box to find a sandwich or left overs, always fruit, maybe pretzels and her all time favorite, yogurt. A serious treat for her. 

The containers are from some mega store, cold pack a gift given to Ny when she was a wee precious one from my dear friend Ashley, and the snack bag is courtesy of my sister and the rockin' toy store she works in.

Nyah stays hydrated through the school day and during lunch from a tiny glass full of water which she pours from a mini glass pitcher. Real glass? Three year olds? Really? Yes. All part of the process. Dropping and breaking glass and the reaction it elicits is all part of the process of learning to be careful, concentrate and handle things with care.

I pick Nyah up at twelve o'clock sharp each day and get the pleasure of spending some time with this little community of barefoot kids. 


Yesterday, one of the little cutties reached his tiny, short arms up to rub my belly and while peering at me from under my bump asked me so curiously, "Why is your belly so big?"


To which I replied, "Because there is a baby growing in there".


To which he bluntly blurted, with his best are you crazy lady look on his face, "AGAIN!?!".


I'm convinced picking Nyah up during lunch is the best part of Elsa's day. She gets such a kick out of making her grand entrance to meet the group of socializing children gathered and eating lunch at their chowkies on the open air porch of the beautiful school*, hoping to get a bite but always receiving a hug.  


Oh, a chowki is a little table which originates from India (where Nyah's teacher, Ms. Jill received her Montessori training). Ms. Jill describes how the guards used to sit on the little tables outside of homes during a long watch, so I guess this would make them more like stools. 


Here is a photo of the Indian God, Ganesha, sitting on a chowki. Obviously, the one Nyah uses daily is made of wood and not nearly as ornate, but you get the idea.

The kids at StarApple Montessori use the chowkies as tables to do their "work" (a very serious matter if you have had the pleasure to be around a Montessorian) and also to eat on. The students take wonderful care of their little chowkies, the perfect sized work station and portable table for them to eat on.


So there you have it, the whole lunch routine from start to finish.


*I would love to include some photos of Nyah's amazing preschool (yes, I am so inspired by a preschool) but just don't feel right snapping photos of others children but maybe someday I will find the school empty. Until then I will leave it up to your imagination.

Stepping Up My Game

Wow, sorry for the momentary lapse in blogging. I have been sleeping. You think I am kidding? I wish I was. For a week straight I have been napping during my normal computer time (which is in the morning when Nyah is at school and Elsa is taking her morning nap). I don't really ever feel tired but the second I sit down, sleep calls my name. The breezes have been amazing here lately, especially up on our hill, requiring a blanket for warmth, which adds to my cozy sleep state. The increased need for sleep comes down to the fact that I am pregnant, oh yes I am, and it is suddenly obvious, little dude reminding me often and growing what seems like by the day. I am suddenly noticing all of my shirts are getting shorter and shorter as my belly is protruding. It happened, so suddenly, I am big and pregnant, so what am I to do but surrender.


Besides the sudden roundness of my abdomen many other surprising things have been going on around here lately. I am sure I have mentioned it before but one of my favorite parts of parenting and witnessing a child grow is when they bust out new knowledge, words, skills, or "tricks", (as Nyah informed me she was doing while walking up the steps to school this morning. I thought she was just lollygagging but no, she was doing "tricks"), making all that I was comfortable with them knowing before obsolete, like they are telling me to step up my game and get with their program.


Like when we were watching the local news last night, as we do every night, more for the entertainment purpose than staying informed about our community (which we also love). One of the reporters, Wes Small, is hilarious. I not sure if he actually qualifies as a reporter because most of his reports result in tangents, personal opinions, and feelings toward the person he is interviewing (if it is a woman, he usually ends up revealing how beautiful she is). 


If you are interested, he is a clip of Wes from our local news. Yes, this is real.




Well, last as we were finishing up dinner and the news was coming on Nyah said, "Look Mommy, its Wes Small!". What? I had no clue she was even watching the news all this time but she doesn't miss a beat. She then pointed to her National Georgraphic Kids magazine and matched all of the rhyming words perfectly in an activity. George and I just looked at each other with a "woah" look on our face.

Or when we spur of the moment went to the Dominican Republic Independance Parade on Saturday and Elsa wanted down out of George's lap. George and I looked at each other, bracing ourselves for the chase, knowing it wasn't a good idea to let her loose because we were so close to the road. When he finally gave in and put her down, she just stood by him and danced. And clapped to the music. And didn't run off. Like she knew exactly what was going on and the proper thing to do at a Caribbean parade... dance and shake it. She danced proudly by herself with no prompting or following of her her sister for the length of the parade, never once running off. It is becoming more obvious to me, as Elsa's Aunt often reminds me that she, "is a West Indian girl with St. Lucian blood" and I am quickly realizing this means she carries a lighthearted happiness, fondness for all, and the love of partying and music deep in her soul (like her dad and grandparents).


Nyah's teacher, Ms. Jill, reminded me just this morning another reason I need to get with the program, coming out to report to me that Nyah did beautiful work yesterday. Ms. Jill said she was giving a math lesson to some older kids and Nyah came over and picked it up right away even noticing counting blocks up to 1,000. 


What? My child? My child who you recently told me was too social and in fact you have never seen a child so social in all of your years of teaching (Ms. Jill isn't young)? Really? (By the way, if you are a teacher, try to refrain from using terms like, "I have never", and "in all my years", especially in a negative light because it can really send the parents for a loop, especially me). But she gets it and all this time I have been pushing letter sounds a writing when what she is really good at is math. Is this my child? And yes, I did raise my fist to my chest and pull down a silent, proud, and relieved, "Yessss".

Nyah before school this morning, showing off her necklace she made.

...and this little one was then begging for her picture too.

And finally, Elsa showed she knows more than I imagined this morning as I went into Nyah's room and found her lying on Nyah's pillow, just relaxing (when did she figure out how to climb up on the bed?) and when I went to wipe her snotty nose and she started blowing her nose. She actually knows how to blow her nose,  and did it at the right time and on cue. Really? Who taught her this and when? Where was I?


My children are passing me by, I think this is my clue to wake up and get with it. The are awesome unbelievable girls and I love every minute of watching them grow.  Thanks for keeping me fresh and on my toes girls.

The Morning Trek

We drive the same route through Christiansted each weekday morning as we make our trek to Star Apple Montessori. Same kids tunes in the back ground, same pot holes making us bounce along, same breeze blowing through the open windows. Everyone fresh as we start another day.  


We see these same buildings and signs each morning and each day we find something new, something lovely. So here is my attempt to capture the beauty. Garbage and dilapidated to many but beautiful to my eyes in the morning light.

The strong, the sturdy, the traditional, surviving the rough island life.

True colors shining through.

Field Trip

Elsa and I had the opportunity to accompany Nyah and her classmates on an outing this morning.  Nyah's school is located close to Christiansted so the class travels into town once a week to check out the sights and sounds. This was our first time to venture out with the class and what a wonderful morning we had. 

We walked to town two by two, holding hands and looking for new discoveries at every turn. We made it to the Fort in Christiansted and the kids finally, after the long walk of being on their best behavior, got to be themselves and run free. 

We then enjoyed a snack of peanut butter crackers and basil tea on the water front.

Elsa milled around the entire time. Elsa can draw quite a crowd when entering Nyah's school. The students have watched Elsa grow and always keep a watchful eye on her. The boys seem especially interested in Elsa, always touching her or hugging her at every chance, which caught me by surprise for some reason. 

The children ran up the hill...

...and they ran down the hill.

We then made our way back to school by way of the boardwalk. Two by two, chit chatting the whole way. We stopped once for a break and one red hot candy each.

We finally made it back to school with sweat dripping and rosy cheeks and the kids quickly devoured their lunches. Elsa then began terrorizing the classroom. Love that Elsa has the opportunity explore and get comfortable in the environment where she will someday spend so much time learning to be an independent and self motivated learner.


As I was walking and enjoying my morning with these little curious bundles of energy I was couldn't help but look back on my preschool experience. I remember my classmates, and I remember the mass chaos of playtime in the stinky church. I never recall my preschool teacher brewing tea for me from the freshly grown basil in the back yard which I helped grown, nor do I recall my teacher talking with such a loving voice or kissing me and telling me she loved me as I would left each day. 

I am so thankful Nyah is able to start her lifetime of learning in such a loving, diverse, warm and natural environment with a teacher that even I find inspiring. I love my visits to Star Apple Montessori and find myself wanting to linger in the peaceful environment Miss Jill has created.

Back to School

It's that time of the year again...

Nyah is just growing up before our eyes. Not only the physical changes but she is becoming the most sweet and caring little girl. She is really into brushing her teeth now and identifying who is a "boy" or "girl". This usually involves her going through a list in her head of I guess everyone she knows. She had her first day of school and she didn't want me to walk her up to the door and kiss her over the gate as we did last school year. Guess its on of those moments every mom talks about. It honestly makes me so happy that she is becoming independent and confident in herself. I still like to spy on her though...The teaching assistant told me she said "I don't miss my mommy anymore" and that she spends most of the day hammering. So sweet! This is Nyah nursing her baby!

Hurricane Earl passed us with no damage, just some wind and rain. We spend the evening before the storm at Cane Bay listening to some reggae and were blessed to witness this beautiful sunset!

 I wasn't feeling too hot the day of the storm so luckily George got to come home from work early and he did all the work for the storm and took care of the girls... with no electricity in the house. He's quite the guy! He and Nyah ate lots of KFC and played with Elsa. I stumbled out of the bedroom in the evening and found Nyah and George just lying on the bed in our living room together (yes, you read right, we use a mattress as a couch, classy I know) watching the candles and talking about life I guess. Sweetest sight ever. Nyah was so worried and constantly asking me "mommy, you feel better"?

Elsa is growing before our eyes and doing so much silly stuff. She is really into playing peek a boo, something she surprised me with but it is the funniest thing. She is really getting confident doing the coffee table shuffle but in our case its the mattress on the floor shuffle. I put her first pair of shoes on her today and she looked so old. George though he was going to cry. :) Elsa is just so amazing, she brightens my day every day. Since it is just her and I now in the mornings we are trying to get back into our routine. We usually go to the gym in the morning and she stays in the daycare with Ms. Georgie (who she loves). When I walk into get her after my workout I get the best greeting from her. Makes my day.

George is back in school also on Fridays. So we are just living and loving each day and anticipating the wedding and crossing our fingers more hurricanes don't come our way. 


Well, the girls are sleeping so I will attempt to get some house work done...until next time!