Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go

Reid was reluctant to leave when I returned to her classroom at 11:00 Tuesday. She smiled when I came in but continued playing. I told her we needed to go but she thought I was wrong. The returning students were able to stay for the full day and Reid wanted to do the same. Natalie said that Reid had had a “fabulous morning” and that she had participated in all activities. Those 3+ years in day care paid off, I guess.

Reid told me that they sang “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” with only 3 animals, played outside and had bagels and apple sauce for snack. She didn’t remember any of the kids’ names and couldn’t tell us any French words that she had learned, although she said that she had learned one new word. Reid said Natalie is nice and so is the teacher’s aide, Kevin, but she didn’t remember his name either. I did see her playing near the other kids, though.

Reid is very fond of one of the toys that were set out – a set of graduated “blocks” that start with a small diamond and then move to hollow squares. Fully assembled, the blocks make a pyramid. When we first arrived, Reid played with play dough for a bit and then moved to the blocks and she was there again when I picked her up. They’re more challenging to stack than traditional blocks and the results are interesting. Reid may also associate them with being a big kid as Melissa’s kids have them, too.

The classroom is very bright and open. There are windows along one wall that overlook a garden with flowers and hedges, a strip of grass and then the parking lot. There were 3 or 4 tables, each set with a different activity and then blocks on the carpet where circle is held and a little book nook. Reid’s cubby is in an alcove where there is also a sink. The cubby set up is similar to what Reid had at day care, though the alcove is small enough that is will loud and crowded while they’re getting they’re snow gear on this winter. I won’t be there for that part, though, thank goodness! The kids go down the hall to the bathrooms that are also shared with the rest of the recreation complex. At the official “bathroom times”, they post a sign that keeps the general public away and otherwise the children are accompanied as needed. Outdoor play takes place in a little courtyard bordered by the library, hall to the classrooms and the pool (all are connected). I snuck down the hall to the library yesterday morning, past the windows looking onto the courtyard but when I went to leave the library, I realized Reid couldn’t help but see me through yet another wall of windows. I got quite a few chances to see her as I peeked around the bookshelves waiting for outside play to end so that I could get back to the cafe where the other parents were waiting.

We spoke briefly with Dylan, Zachary, Melissa and even Roy (him briefest of all) last night. Dylan seemed interested in Reid’s first day since he had yet to take the plunge but he got only a laconic, “It was good.” Some day, they’ll be able to exchange better information but probably not until they’re old enough to dial the phone themselves, I guess.  

We owe a few phone calls to kind folks who have called recently (this means you, Uncle Roger and Aunt Karin) but by the time dinner is over we’re already late for our going to bed routine. I’m glad Reid is going to bed earlier but we’ve developed slow and bad habits to fill the time she used to stay up. We’ll call, soon. At least I hope I can get things better-organized soon. I have Grandma Joyce and Aunt Pam helping me this week and if I can’t do it with them here, Reid and I will be in for a world of hurt or at least many tearful mornings after too-short nights.

When Pam took Reid to school on Wednesday morning – I can’t take her and get to my school on time – Reid walked away while Pam was signing her in. Natalie told Pam that she didn’t need to stay at the complex, as was written on the integration instruction sheet, because Reid wasn’t going to need her. Pam said she felt a bit lost as she walked away. She had brought a book, knitting an MP3 player to help her pass the 4 hours that she had expected to wait at the complex. Having spent less than half that long in the hard chairs Tuesday, I am sure her bum was much happier.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 6:32 am and is filed under Barbara's family, Dylan, School, Zachary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.