We've done it- we've survived the introduction into the Czech school system- & it appears to have been a success. Yeah! Okay, so they've only spent two hours in their new schools, with their new classmates & their new teachers, but they came home relieved & somewhat pleased, so I'd have to say it's a good start (even if I'm forced to recognize that we have many {many} battles ahead).
Yesterday, things were not looking so good. We stopped by the schools (found Antonin's) & met Zdenek's mother for lunch. The children were all so miserable & ill-behaved that I didn't believe we'd survive the day, let alone the next one. One of the catalysts for said atrocious behavior, at least for the older two (Antonin couldn't care less), was the knowlege that they were going to be required to wear some sort of slipper/ indoor shoe at school. Yes, they have to change out of their "going-to-school" shoes & into "at-school" shoes, they will be, interestingly enough, kept at school. I'm surprised that they were able to rise from their beds this morning, with the home-shoe horror that awaited them. (It did take a long game of Cities & Knights & some generous portions of Medovnk to decompress from our difficult day...)
Antonin's building is almost ten minutes away (depending on which leaden weight one is dragging beside) from the main school building- & every day they each get out at different times & we can't quite figure out what time is lunch & we know they will have Czech classes twice a week after school, but aren't quite sure how they'll all be doing it together if they all get out at different times. Hmm. I assume we'll sort this puzzle out in time. For now, I'm just thankful the first day went smoothly.
AND we now seem to have two quite viable options for our gym space (hopefully to be decided upon this week).
AND as of today Lily & Nikolaj both decided to relent; after school we stopped & they picked out their very own psuedo-Crocs-kept-at-school-slippers.
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that it went well (even though they have to wear slippers at school. . .). :)
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you guys & wondering how it had gone today. Good job getting these photos up so fast!
I bet the shoe thing is to prepare for all those wet and snowy boots.
ReplyDeleteThe schools look beautiful, good job you guys. Love Granda
I am wondering how they will ever remember their schedules. Lily's in particular is hardly ever the same from day to day.
ReplyDeleteThe schools are amazingly clean. Is it the school shoes or an obsession of the administration's? I hope the environment is not suffocating for your kids. The supply list for art would seem to suggest otherwise.
Is this a private school or do all schools look so wonderful?
Tell Lily that the first two days of school here in La Conner were totally uneventful...boring might be the appropriate word. She is so fortunate to be facing a whole new experience in such a wonderful country. What a great adventure!
Still no baby girl!!! She is ten days late and we are totally in the yes, no, maybe mode. Allyson has had false labor every other night during the last ten days. Her midwife says this is normal for a third baby. Allyson does not seem worried and is not complaining at all (which is totally amazing)but I know she will be happy to end this chapter in her life.
Love to all,
Toni
So enjoying your blog Keri! TY!
ReplyDeleteThis must be a bit easier than trying to answer all of our emails and Skype calls....
How wonderful that the kids survived their first day at school, unscathed and slightly pleased? (And lot's of art! How cool is that?!!!)
Yes!
Very good news, indeed! :)
The schools do look very nice. I will have to show Marina tomorrow. I do so hope that one of the new spaces for the gym pan out for all of you as well.
Marina is loving 7th grade, so far, even though she was placed in Mr. Adam's class and is not with any of her other female friends.
She is with Matt Finnley however, and several other of her guy pals.
I have to say, that I'm not too sure if this is a good thing, or not.
Ms. Keith (her social studies teacher) and Ms. Thermond (her health teacher) both straegicaly placed her, no doubt, between Jacob A and Nathaniel in their classes, of which she is appalled, but, such is life....
She says she copes by looking straight ahead.
:)
I presume this will mean that she will be paying attention to the teachers in these classes. (I'm sure Lily is laughing right about now.... ;-)
At the least you could reason that this could have been her (Lily) instead of Marina's fate...
:)
We have been all trying to catch up on our sleep here at the cabin. Things have been hopping around here with the new baby queens presence. Nicole, my daughter-in-law, had her baby (my 4th grandchild) in our bathtub early the morning of the 31st. Life, as we know it, has not been the same since. :)
Mom and baby are both doing well.
Marina witnessed the birth, a very rare and beautiful opportunity for her. She was completely mezmerized, certainly a day we will never forget...
We too, will attempt to post pictures on FB soon. Having only one working computer here has been a challenge with 3 adults and Marina all wanting online at the same time, thus my late night rendezvous here in cyberspace.
(((((Hug's)))))
Laurie