Inspired...

This morning I was surfing my favorite blogs and I was inspired.

Over on "Down the Garden Path" are our dear friends. E's mom posted lovely photos of her and E. They are so beautiful, so thought evoking that I became inspired. You gotta check them out. Right now, before you go any further. A mother's love is a beautiful thing...

K, now I only have one and it's not of me. It's of Miss Grace and her Daddy.

There's something about photos of kiddo's lovin' on their Mommy and Daddy that just grips your heart. The emotions are palpable aren't they?

Oh, sigh. I could just stare at them forever. SO GLAD they are locked in time on film. These are the one's you pull out when you're having a bad day. Thanks Deb for sharing the joy and for the inspiration.

Kisses Sweeter'n Honey

He's gonna hate me but I'm gonna post this anyway...

...besides he never reads my blog, it's not COOL. Are you kidding me?!

Don't anyone tell him, OK?

So two weekends ago was the Adirondack Balloon Festival and it was a lovely weekend. Weather wise it was warm, sunny and ...

a little windy ;(

Even a "little" windy = no balloons.
No balloons = bored teenagers
Bored teenagers = silliness
Silliness = Mom grabbing the camera
Mom grabbing the camera USUALLY = teenage boys scattering like someone is trying to steal their iphones

But not this time.

Why you ask?

Cuz' Miss Grace had the camera.

They thought she wouldn't REALLY be able to catch them on film.

Wrong-o!!

Lovin' My Lil' Photo Partner. Whatever it takes to get the shot, right?

Still chuckling,

~ Kate-Lyn~

A New Day Has Dawned...

...for our little one, that is. This week has been almost tear-free every morning and night time has been good too. Only an occasional mentioning of her old school. Thank. You. God. And thanks for everyone's prayers.

I've found out another secret too. If she has a mission to carry out then she's SO much more ready to face the day. I think it shifts her focus from the newness of everything to her being needed.

Her (did I mention very capable and effervescent?) teacher has given her the job of helping another child in her class who does not speak English very well. I guess they are paired up and Miss Grace is helping him learn words that are commonly used in the classroom. They are all learning sign language too, which helps with this childs language gap. I am so impressed with how the teachers are managing this truly multi-cultural class, it can't be easy. Plus, we are learning the sign language too, it's fun!

Praise you Lord, that you love this child even more than I do and that you hold each one in the palm of your hand.

Feeling sunny even on this rainy day ~ Kate-Lyn

Well...it went fine after all.

I am SO glad that we met with Miss Grace's teacher! She gave us such valuable feedback and several great suggestions. I wanted to share them as I know E!'s Mom and Dad are in the same dilemma as we are.

She suggested that we make a few playdates with the girls that Miss Grace enjoys playing with. The goal being to forge a bond beyond the walls of school. So, when it's time to be away from us, she has several friends (comrades) to feel connected with.

Secondly, she said that we should put little notes, pictures or symbols of our love in Ju-lie's lunch box. This way when she's getting tired and overdone half way through the day, she'll have a reminder of our love for her. A laminated photo for her lunch box would be good too she said.

Lastly, since Ju-lie has a handmade blanket from me, she suggested that I modify it by adding a photo to it. She said the local pharmacy's photo department has a special printer that transfers photos to material.

I am so impressed that this young (did I mention that she is positively effervesent?!) teacher has taken the time to lovingly lay out a plan for our Grace. She is truly a blessing to the children in her care.

As a side note: We were immensely relieved to hear that Ju-lie has not once exhibited any of the behaviors in class that we have seen as of late at home. WHEW! In fact, she said that Ju-lie is her little helper and shadows her all day.

This was no surprise to me as on our frequent trips to the playground when she wants to play school, she IS Ms. Murdock. From the tone of her voice to the expressions she uses. I have a unique insight into the Pre-K classroom as a result. Too funny some days!

We are hoping that Monday brings a positive start to week number three with no tears, no clinging to my leg and no bedtime sobbing. Thanks for your prayers, I can see that they are working.

Oh, and one funny story to share from her teacher.

Yesterday they read a story in class about chameleons and how they use their tongues to taste and explore. Well, I guess two of the boys decided that they were going to try that too. Imagine the look on poor Ms. Murdock's face when she looked and saw the boys licking each other's faces in the classroom! Wish I'da been a fly on the wall for that one. E-E-W-W!!!!

I'm afraid it's time for a meeting with the teacher...

Yeah, I didn't want to do it but I'm afraid things have gone from bad to worse. Last weekend we were away at a very fun annual family event. But, Miss Grace, was having some serious behavior issues. I'll spare her reputation by simply giving only a few details. Somewhere no more Nickelodeon or Disney Channels are allowed in our house, this child has learned to be quite sassy. For example, on Sunday when asked to get her shoes on she stated with quite an attitude, "No, and you can't make me!" Or the one that really got me was telling her brother in a moment of anger "Mommy doesn't love you!" Sigh...where did my sweet child go I ask?!

So today we are meeting with the teacher to ask for suggestions. After parenting two sons for nearly 20 years, (reasonably successfully I'd say in no bragging manner) and one of us with a degree in Early Childhood Education we're throwing in the towel and seeking help. Almost humorously, it's from someone nearly 20 years younger than us I'd estimate!!! Sigh...where did my parenting skills go I ask?!

I'll post more later after our meeting. Double sigh...

On a positive note I should add that, very subtly, we've seen signs of acceptance and a generalized sense of acclimating. Oh, and she did offer a truly heartfelt apology for her "mean boice". Translated that is "mean voice". But...there is a lot of room for improvement.

Awaiting 4:15 pm...

~Kate-Lyn~

"...my life is different now."

Yup. That's what she said on the way to school today. In a quiet, serene tone that I've only known since the day she began school.

Then, when I got out of the car to open her door and walk her in the building...

...there were these big, silent, crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks.

This is killing me.

Any suggestions?

Pitifully Regretful,

~Kate-Lyn~

Miss Grace's First Day at MTA

It was a momentous day in our little one's life on Wednesday. We thought long and hard on this one. Letting her "go" did not come easy to me. It was only yesterday that I was rocking her to sleep with a bottle wasn't it?

Today she became a student at MTA. Yes it's a Pre-K Program but it's SO much more and that's why we did it. I'm hoping and praying we made the right decision. She's learning Spanish, she's learning the piano, she goes to Chapel everyday, she's in school full-time five days a week,  she has homework every night. Sigh...

Here she is outside with her BFF, don't they look happy?

Notice how they are holding hands for moral support? Too dang cute fur words...

Here she is inside after entering the classroom for the first time. Doesn't that look say it all?

So...it's been two days of mixed emotions. She misses her "old school" and her friends and teachers there. But she enjoys doing her homework and in off-moments we hear parts of her day which tell me she is doing OK. Please keep our little one in your prayers (and her Mom and Dad too).

Pensively~ Kate-Lyn