First Days of School

We have arrived safely back in Italy after an uneventful but very long couple of days of traveling.  The kids held up well and each trip seems to get a bit easier for us to travel with them.  At least there are no strollers and car seats to juggle and for the most part they can carry their own backpacks.  We all slept amazingly the first night back turning in about 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each.  The next few nights, however, were not so great as it was extremely hard for everyone to get to sleep before 1am.  Some Benadryl for the kids helped a bit.  Now that we have been having to wake up early for school this week it seems that our bodies are finally getting slightly more adjusted.

The first day of school was Monday.  Samuel and Emma both were very excited about going to school.  However, both were a little concerned as to what they would do in first grade and second grade.  We told Samuel he would have his same teachers, same classmates, same room and continue to do the same things he did in first grade with his different subjects.  Due to all those factors his first day of school was a smooth and good start for him.

First Day of 2nd Grade - 13 September 2010

On the other hand, Emma was nervous to not know what to expect or that she would not know how to do something in first grade.  We did our best to prepare her and excite her but in the end the jitters won over.

First Day of 1st Grade - 13 September 2010

As soon as she reached her class she started to back peddle and became very clingy.  The parents were in the room for an hour while the teachers gave out papers to sign, supply lists, and take information as to whether each child would need pre/after school care, take the bus, eat at school, participate in optional afternoon classes on Thursdays and Fridays, take religion class etc.  

One brief moment of smiling as she sat down at her desk.

Emma's two primary teachers.

Emma was holding my hand just about the entire time and when it came to say our goodbyes she broke down in tears.  It was a very hard goodbye that first day, but thankfully she has been doing better the past two mornings.  She comes home each day saying she enjoyed her day, so that is good.  She is still reluctant in the mornings to go but no tears shed since day one.  She has a small class of 14 and we think she will do well in the long run.

Such a tender moment as Jonathan gives Emma comfort and reassurance.

Still struggling to let go, the teacher was able to interest Emma in drawing a picture.

Scuola Tedeschi: A small elementary school, grades 1-5.  This is the hallway
looking from Emma's class.  Samuel's class is the first door on the left.

View from the outside

Luca began preschool on Tuesday.  He was so excited to go to school!  He knows the preschool well having taken his siblings there for the past 3 years.  He ran in with nothing but smiles and enthusiasm.  He was placed with the same teacher that Samuel had, Vittoria.  She was excited to have him and it is nice that she knows our family and understands our situation.  Her comment after picking Luca up yesterday was that he does what he wants to do and is "hard headed".  She said the same thing about Samuel when he started, but really when a child does not understand a word you say, of course they are going to be hard to get through.  She might be thankful that he will only attend in the mornings this year.  Apparently he is chatty in English and hopefully he will pick up Italian quickly.

First Day of preschool - 14 September 2010

Entrance to Luca's school.  We had to stop him running to get this picture.

The classroom

Jumping right in to play with toys

All the kids have half days this week so that has been helpful with getting over jet lag and adjusting to a new schedule for them.  Thanks for your continued prayers for our children.