Macy

Have I mentioned how well Macy is doing in Kindergarten? Forgive me if I have, I've been telling everyone, so it's hard to remember. Anyway...she's doing GREAT! We were hesitant to put her in school only 3.5 months after she got here, but we knew that she really wanted to learn.

The child psychologist we met with at Children's Hospital's Adoption Clinic frowned when we told her Macy would be going to school. She thought it would be best if one of us could stay home with her for the first year. She also mentioned that we shouldn't be alarmed if Macy had a learning disability.

Well let's just say we're not exactly "alarmed" at this point!

A few weeks ago we met with Macy's teacher. They'd just done some routine testing on all of the kids. She said that something like 7 out of the 19 kids qualified for extra help (tutoring?) and Macy was not one of them. THAT is how well she's doing! Such a smart girl.

I almost can't believe how much she has changed since we met her in Ethiopia. I was seriously afraid of what we'd gotten into (there's something not many adoptive parents admit to!). She was sure that everything belonged to her and, if another child had what she wanted, she'd go take it from their hands. If she didn't get her way she would destroy things - walk up to a table and push everything off of it, start hitting other children...that sort of thing.

Now she's helpful, she shares, she's eager to please. That's not to say that she doesn't have her 5 year old moments! But she's such a different little girl these days.

First Day of School

Macy and Fletcher started school yesterday. Kindergarten and Preschool, respectively. They were both really excited to go.

We got there a little early, so Macy and I stayed with Fletcher on his Preschool playground for a few minutes. They have these sweet school bus bikes. Unfortunately neither Macy or Fletcher know how to really steer or stop. We live on a big hill with a dirt road, so we don't have a place to ride bikes. With Macy driving the school bus bike, they managed to lose control, run over some safety cones and crash into a fence. Yikes, all in the first 5 minutes of the first day of school.


Time for Macy and Fletch to say goodbye!


Then we headed to the other side of the building to Mrs. V's classroom...



I sat with Macy for a few minutes, explaining that she would be meeting other kids, playing, reading books, eating lunch, etc. All stuff we've talked about before, but I was afraid that we'd have a big freak out. Fortunately Macy turned to me and said "Mom - GO!" Gotta love that!

When I picked them up, I was greeted with smiles and stories. Macy's first words were "Mom, this is funny!" (Meaning "fun"...she still gets some words mixed up.)

Hooray for a successful first day!

Back-to-School Time

Back-to-School time is approaching rapidly. We got a call from Macy's teacher earlier this month asking if we'd like to come in and meet with her to discuss Macy, what she knows, what the Kindergarten plan will be for her, etc. We did that last Friday and it went well. Her teacher, Mrs. V., had taken an ESL course over the summer to help her prepare for having Macy in her class. Isn't that great? Mrs. V is very sweet and I think that Macy is going to love being in her class.

In addition to that private meeting, we also attended the official back-to-school night and ice cream social on Wednesday afternoon. Macy got to drop off her supplies, see her cubby and desk, and see Mrs. V again. Then we had ice cream on the playground!

This morning was Macy's assessment and her third time meeting her teacher. This was the first time that I left here there (although it was only for 20 minutes!). I'm glad that we're able to build this trust and relationship with the teacher, rather than having to throw Macy right into the fire.

Mrs. V said she can tell that Macy is "ready to learn". She evidently knew all of the letters on the computer keyboard, did well counting, spelled her name, then started spelling Fletcher's name too. I think she's going to do great, although she might have a small problem doing what the teacher wants her to do versus doing what SHE wants to do. Hopefully seeing all of the other kids sitting down, listening, will help to steer her in the right direction.

This afternoon, we go back to the school yet again. This time for Fletcher's meet-and-greet with his Preschool teachers. Which means I should go wake him up from his nap...