[Jim_in_PA]

Well...at about 8:50am, we dropped the girls off at school for the first time. Aside from a little nervous grumbling, the "hand-off" went fine. We visited there yesterday again so they could meet their teachers and some of their classmates and that probably helped a little...it was the third time that Alesya had been to the school and Nastia's second. Today is the real deal!

Both girls have male teachers, which we are quite happy about given most of their caretakers in the Internat were female. (Only the phys ed teacher was male, to the best of our knowledge) The school is really nice...only five years old...and they are excited to have Alesya and Anastasiya as new students. It's not the closest school...that one is only a mile away...but our large school district "clusters" services, so they will be attending this larger school about 8 miles away. We will be dropping off and picking up for a little while until they are fully integrated and then start using the transportation services that the school provides.

We'll keep this thread going for a bit and I'll also post some pictures later. I actually have to do "real work" for the "real job" today...it's been nearly two months since that happened, sorta, anyway...

And Alison and I are going out for Sushi for lunch...

[HollyB]

Jim,
I've been thinking about the girls and worrying they'd be nervous today. I hope they have a great day.
What really helped with my children is that the girls have morning recess together. It gives them a chance to "check in" with each other and then complete their day apart.
Have a good lunch!
Holly

[angelkisses0102]

Update us when you can...and enjoy lunch!!!!

[emjay]

A big day for all of you, indeed. I hope the girls enjoy their first day, and that you and Alison enjoy your sushi lunch, too!

- Maura

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by HollyB

What really helped with my children is that the girls have morning recess together. It gives them a chance to "check in" with each other and then complete their day apart.

In our case, they do not have anything together through the day and we are glad...it will help with independence for Alesya given the "dominance" issues she (and we) have been suffering through. We specifically requested that they also not have ESL at the same time for the same reason. Fortunately, the school is able to accommodate those things without any effort at all. First and Fourth grades are on very different schedules...other than start and stop for the day. Another family we know had to put their two boys (from the same Internat) in separate schools due to behavioral issues...that would be a hassle for us!

[crick]

Lunch???? You and Alison are having lunch together? Just the two of you??? WOWOWOWOW!

LOL! Glad the girls are starting school and hope they have a great first day!

[votemom]

i'll be interested to hear how this week goes - thanks for taking time to report!

[calikismet]

Hey Jim:

So excited that you posted about this today! I was thinking of you this AM and wondering how all went. Please do update, and enjoy your lunch!

[waitinginnj]

What an exciting day. I am sure school will not be uneventful, but will be helpful. Nothing to help align a little girl's attitude then a bunch of other little girls.

I hope that they both do really well.

Enjoy lunch.

[drazil65]

Keeping my fingers crossed that they both like being at school and it gives them a feeling of structure and routine. I am so happy to hear you guys are meeting for a more adult type of lunch and hopefully you will not fall into the same habits DH and I seem to get into when we are out for an adult time meal, talking about Adrian the entire time . Have fun!!!

[Vicki H]

Keep us posted , enjoy your couple time today.

Vicki

[pwnort64]

I'll be following your updates. Hope things go well for the girls and enjoy your lunch!

[SingleMama2B]

Hi Jim and Alison..... I remember the feelings of Anya's first 'real' day of school here. I too did the same as you did.... We visited, and Anya got to walk around the school, meet the front office staff, her teachers, and her classmates before she started. I did this a week before she started, and she gave all of her classmates little Matroyshka (sp?) dollie key chains. So the week before she started, the teacher talked to the kids alittle about Russia, etc. Anya was fine, I was the basket case!!! I drove Anya to and from school too last year! I had several concerns... She wouldn't understand instructions from the Bus Driver, Not knowing anyone on the bus, and the biggest.... Kids are CRUEL!!!! She is learning it this year (2nd grade) big time! Like, "You are 9!?!? What are you stupid?? You should be in 3rd grade!!!" and stuff like that. It seems like there are comments, and situations all of the time. We deal with each one as they come. My biggest fear is that since Anya is Immature for her age, that she will GLADY FOLLOW the kids, so that she fits in, and doesn't get cause and affect!!! So Jim.... Any suggestions for this one for me???? Along with the Stinky school system, I am stressed to the max!!!

I am soooo happy for you two! Enjoy your quiet times to re-generate!

A in NJ

[Kasey]

Hope the girls day goes really well and they come home excited with lots of stories for you!!
Enjoy your lunch together!!

[waiting4babies]

Hi Jim, I am sure your girls will do just fine. I think we worry more than they do.

We sent our four year old to pre-school today for the first time and I think I had a harder time leaving him than he had staying.

He was a real trooper and although he did ask me to stay, I kissed him goodbye and he sat down to play.

I am definitely going to call in a couple of hours just to see how he is doing.