First week report

The first week of school was crazy but somehow we managed to survive it! Getting up at 6:15 in the morning was the hardest part, followed by all the little tasks that had to be done by 7:25 when we had to leave for school. Heating-up the thermos and  heating up the food to go into the thermos were two of those.

I guess being a mother of a child with food allergies has made me into a bit of crazy person! Or maybe my own craze for eating healthy and balanced, or I don't know what I else has contributed... But ever since Ella was old enough to start solids, I ALWAYS made sure that her meals included one or two veggies, protein, grains, and a piece of fruit. And this awareness and desire to feed her the best that I could have increased when she turned nine months old and tested positive for dairy, milk, peanut and treenut allergies. Food allergies add a lot of stress to life. Really the stress comes in when you know your child does not really have any options (like choosing one of the lunch caffeteria menu items) but most importantly, when you realize they may not be safe at school. That's been my biggest stress, my biggest crazy-thing-to-worry-about on this first week of school.  My sweetheart made it easy on me though by constantly telling me that she would never eat or share food with/from anyone because she doesn't want to have a reaction or use the safety thing (that is the Epi-pen), how she calls it. [She is so aware and careful that sometimes I feel I can see through her little body, the mature and adult spirit she brings from heaven.] The school teacher, nurse, and all the staff have been really wonderful about this so far.

I think I even figured out how much she will eat in the 15-30 mins lunch break they get at 10:30 am!!!! Yes, that's when the have lunch.  On the first few days she would bring back almost all the food untouched saying she didnt' have enough time to eat. Poor thing, lots of changes thrown at her and at all children of her age starting school.

So we survived first week, yeay!!

Sweetie pie with her 3-D peacock. (She worked so hard to carefully color all the tail feathers and then put it together with daddy's help.)

Sweetie pie in a swim make-up class. Two or three levels up. She did a good job though trying to keep pace with the seven and eight year olds in the class. (I threw in a couple of other by-the-pool pictures as that's Ella's and my favorite past time when we can fit it in.)

And while I'm at it, I think a quick update on our backyard project is in order!

Can't wait for it all to be finished! It will be really pretty.

Driven

To be driven: that's what I was taught by my good parents in my early elementary school years, and later on, tried to emulate on my own. Having the drive to work hard at things no matter how bad the odds look, no matter what everyone else thinks or says. It started in elementary school when I learned that an "ok" completed homework assignment was really not ok or acceptable. Not (just) because we were sticklers for "A's" (ha-ha! :)) but simply because they knew that I could do better. And that's how I learned that I, and really anyone, can do better, that there's always room to improve and to elevate oneself past previous experiences, performances, etc., and do better and better every time.

And just like my parents worked hard to engrain this spirit and drive into my heart and brain, Hrishi and I are hoping to do the same for and with Ella. Maybe sometimes it feels like too much recognizing that she's only almost six but I think it starts early. 

A couple of days back we were at Target in the dollar section of the store (I love that part of the store, don't you?) where most of the time I find these awesome little gizmos, fun school and learning supplies, stationary and the such. Since I love flash cards, I grabbed quite a few on addition, subtraction, phonics, sight words, and world famous landmarks.  Knowing that Ella is tired at the end of her full-day of kindergarten, after-school and extra curriculars such as piano or ballet, I've been trying to figure out a way to squeeze in a bit of "home learning" into her already busy schedule, here and there. So last night, while she was playing in her toy den/closet, I went in, sat on the floor with her, flash cards, pen and paper in hand, and while we're playing dress-up with her stuffed animals, we're also doing additions and sight word reading. Pretty nice, I thought! She didn't seem to mind it too much, in fact when she realized she was getting it, wanted to do more.

And while Ella made progress with her addition skills, what I learned from all this is that I can always rely on the Spirit to teach me how to teach her, how to get creative and do the things which I know are right for her and for us, even with very little time on my hands.

Speaking of creativity, I remember some really neat stories told by my dad from when his dad, my grandfather, would have world geography lessons with him and his brother as young boys, using an imaginary map on their kitchen wall. He would teach and then drill them on major rivers, mountain chains, desserts, mineral riches, landmarks, or capital cities of the world. He was a wonderfully skilled man with his hands and an avid learner, mostly self-taught. He had a very rare love for learning and reading. (He even read Selections of the Book of Mormon before he passed away.) Needless to say that I share and treasure these stories a lot. But this is for another post.

It's not always easy to get motivated and stay driven amidst life's crazy ups and downs.... but it's probably the thing that helps us move forward and keeps life interesting and exciting. It has rewards. And speaking of rewards, I was very fortunate to be recognized for my work contributions yesterday with a BRAVO! company award. It's the first one in my seven-year tenure with the company, and so it means a lot to me. And although I know that my work is appreciated every day, a little official recognition doesn't hurt! :) It feels good, very good, in fact. The crazy thing is that I had a premonition the day before yesterday and all day yesterday that I would get it. I don't know why...maybe Hrishi is right: it's probably because I really really wanted it! :) (And Hrishi, even from out of town made a lot of funny jokes on me but I love him anyway! You see, for him this is a piece of cake since he's got quite a few BRAVO!'s and other awards under his belt.)

First! (day of school)

This morning went well, very well in fact! Hoping and praying the rest of this very first day of school will go well too!

The proud kindergartner was excited, happy, and anxious, and who knows what else was going on in her sweet little head or heart this morning! She got to work right away though and started coloring and eased mommy's anxiety. The classroom was neat and clean, well-organized, and just ready for all these cute "lady-bugs" to crawl in. It just dawned on me after dropping her off that this will be a great year, that she will learn lots, feel loved and protected in her kindergarten room, and grow together with her friends and teacher. It will all be good and well (even if I still worry... a bit!)

And I got my updates at pick-up time: everything went well, eating-her-own-lunch-in-the-cafeteria experience included. She did mention that school was a bit boring! Ha! Not surprised though as they're taking it easy this first week.

After gobbling down her dinner (boy, was she hungry?!), she asked for a yummy desert: brownie topped with (soy) vanilla and chocolate ice cream and a cherry on top! This girl knows what she wants! :)

(Cute, silly face but can't ask for more since she'd been in school for 9 hours at that point!)

This is what she made in after-school:

It was nice to be back in ballet last Thursday. It was a very small class too due to the "back-to-school" hoopla (some kids did not show up.)

(... please excuse the glare. My faithful DroidX camera is still doing the job though!)

We haven't taken a break from piano this summer. The only (welcomed) change there is that now Ms. Bell comes and teaches Ella at home. And they get a lot more done!