Evie had her first day at preschool on Friday. Yes, I realize that was almost a week ago, but what can I say? Here's the big girl all ready to go.
And with Evie, there has to be a glamor shot, too.
This is our first experience with formal preschool, so it's a new routine for all of us. I was involved in something like Joy School with Johnny and with Evie before we moved here, trading turns as host with other parents. We all loved the set-up, but that doesn't seem to be the thing here. We have Evie in an Indian preschool near our house, and I think it's going to be great for her. Two of her friends from the Consulate are in her class, so that's a little bit of familiarity. She's been having a hard time understanding her teachers through their accents, but I'm hoping she gets through that quickly. It's actually part of the reason we put her in the school.
And look who else is going to school!
Samuel and I are going to a Mommy and Me class at the same preschool. In January we might put him in the group for 2-year-olds, which meets for two hours every day, but for now he's getting used to the school with Mom at his side.
One of the great things about Mommy and Me is that I get to hang out with the Indian moms, dads, and grandparents who are bringing kids to the class. It makes me sympathetic to Evie's language concerns. On our first day, some of the moms were talking about how "smart" one of the little girls looked, and it took me several minutes to realize that they were talking about her dress!
Another thing I love about the class is the insight into local culture that comes through the lessons and songs. This week we were talking about community helpers. It included the expected: police officer, fire fighter, teacher. And it included the unexpected (for me): tailor, vegetable wallah, nanny, cobbler, sweeper.
We also sing a song that's similar to "Wheels on the Bus," but it's full of things you might see out the bus windows while driving down the streets of Chennai. There's the tailor stitching clothes. There's the man who presses Papa's shirts. There's the man who sharpens the knives. Yes. These things happen on the street. There are the autorickshaws. There are the cycles. There are the scooters. Oddly, there's no mention of cows, goats or dogs.
There's another song that's a version of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" that includes a verse on what to do if you see a crocodile as you're rowing down the river. (Scream for help, if you're wondering.)
I'm glad I decided to do the Mommy and Me class. It's been fun for me, and it's given Samuel something to do during the agonizing wait for Evie to come home from school. He's constantly asking "Where's Evie?" "Will Evie come home?" "When can Evie play?"
x
And with Evie, there has to be a glamor shot, too.
This is our first experience with formal preschool, so it's a new routine for all of us. I was involved in something like Joy School with Johnny and with Evie before we moved here, trading turns as host with other parents. We all loved the set-up, but that doesn't seem to be the thing here. We have Evie in an Indian preschool near our house, and I think it's going to be great for her. Two of her friends from the Consulate are in her class, so that's a little bit of familiarity. She's been having a hard time understanding her teachers through their accents, but I'm hoping she gets through that quickly. It's actually part of the reason we put her in the school.
And look who else is going to school!
Samuel and I are going to a Mommy and Me class at the same preschool. In January we might put him in the group for 2-year-olds, which meets for two hours every day, but for now he's getting used to the school with Mom at his side.
One of the great things about Mommy and Me is that I get to hang out with the Indian moms, dads, and grandparents who are bringing kids to the class. It makes me sympathetic to Evie's language concerns. On our first day, some of the moms were talking about how "smart" one of the little girls looked, and it took me several minutes to realize that they were talking about her dress!
Another thing I love about the class is the insight into local culture that comes through the lessons and songs. This week we were talking about community helpers. It included the expected: police officer, fire fighter, teacher. And it included the unexpected (for me): tailor, vegetable wallah, nanny, cobbler, sweeper.
We also sing a song that's similar to "Wheels on the Bus," but it's full of things you might see out the bus windows while driving down the streets of Chennai. There's the tailor stitching clothes. There's the man who presses Papa's shirts. There's the man who sharpens the knives. Yes. These things happen on the street. There are the autorickshaws. There are the cycles. There are the scooters. Oddly, there's no mention of cows, goats or dogs.
There's another song that's a version of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" that includes a verse on what to do if you see a crocodile as you're rowing down the river. (Scream for help, if you're wondering.)
I'm glad I decided to do the Mommy and Me class. It's been fun for me, and it's given Samuel something to do during the agonizing wait for Evie to come home from school. He's constantly asking "Where's Evie?" "Will Evie come home?" "When can Evie play?"
Scream for help! Oh man, hope you don't need to do that ever!!!
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