the two schools

And here we go. On Friday, August 26 my big girl officially became a kindergartner. She's been excited for MONTHS about home school. On our first day she said at least 15 times, "Mom can you believe that I am in home school now?" And here's my confession: I've been totally overwhelmed at the thought of being in charge of my child's formal education. OK, I know the following is true: I've been her educator since birth, she's smart as a whip, she loves to learn, and kindergarten is not rocket science. Still, somehow being in charge of her formal schooling has made me, well, nervous I might mess it up!

We are only 6 days in, but so far I am having more fun than I ever imagined. It helps that Grace is highly motivated and can't wait to "go to home school" each day. She is such a fun kid to teach!! In fact, she's already been sounding out words for a while and has begun to read, so knowing she's on target has made me relax a bit.

Our newest apartment is smaller than our last one, but what I love about it is that we have a huge balcony we enclosed with windows to make into a great home school spot. It's been fun getting Grace's "school room" together. My mom brought a little chalkboard over this summer, and Grace made sure I wrote "Mrs. Godin's kindergarten" on it. No, she still calls me Mom during school but it seemed fun at the time.

Grace is very proud of her desk and will give anyone who comes to our house a little tour of her home school spot.

We've been having class while Trinity naps in the afternoons. It works for us. Sometimes Sissy wakes up before we are done and wants to get in on the action.

And note to self: keep the school supplies away from my 2 year old. One afternoon when she was supposed to be napping and we hadn't started school yet, Trinity snuck into the home school area, found a white board marker and went to town.

We've still wanted Grace to be involved in Chinese kindergarten, so from 8:30-11:30 each morning she attends a very nice school a few minutes from our house. We are so thankful to have found a clean, professional-looking, clean, bright and happy, clean kindergarten. (Are we catching a theme here? The teachers actually wipe down tables and clean toys and disinfect every day. I almost fell over in my chair when I heard that!)

Schools here began on September 1st. Grace had a great first day! She didn't even really seem nervous although she had trouble sleeping the night before. She loves her teacher and had positive things to say about her "other school." (Yes, it was cold enough for a jacket that morning. So sorry to my TX and OK friends sweltering in that 100 degree heat.)

When we arrive we have to knock on the door and wait for a security guard to open it. (Since Grace eats breakfast at home we arrive a little later than the other kids.) On the first day the security guard just stared at me with his mouth open, and I promised him my child was enrolled and coming for class! Ha!

Here's the big open courtyard where the kids do morning exercises and have recess. I've seen Grace's classroom before but didn't get a picture that first day because the teacher walks out each morning and escorts Grace to class on the 3rd floor. And now you've seen Grace's two schools. And none of the classic first-day-of-kindergarten-tears were shed by Mom, one of the benefits of home school.