Akvila's Birthday

In the middle of December was Akvila's Birthday.  Weeks before we asked her what she wanted to do.  All she would say was, uh nothing.  She didn't want a party or to go anywhere.  I think she didn't realize that if you invite people, they will bring you a gift.  We eventually talked her into a party at home, with a few freinds from school.  After pulling some teeth we found out she wanted a Spongebob themed birthday (what a surprise).

The day of the party arrived.  Peggy had planned a couple of games, she thought would be fun for all of the kids (6 kids including Akvila).  Since her birthday is so close to Christmas, one of the games was wrapping kids up in toilet paper and putting a red ribbon around the neck, with 3 black buttons.



Another game was called land shark; where you would cut up paper (that thin stuff used for packing presents; I forget the name) into shapes of sharks.  You would take a straw and suck to make the shark stick to the end and run a little obstacle course.

The last game we played was a dress up game.  There was 2 sets of clothes; 2 shirts that were Wayne's and a pair of sweats that were Peggy's.  You had to try and dress into these clothes and then sit in the chair and have your picture taken; done as a relay.  The kids seem excited at first, but as they tried to put on the oversized clothes, some got scared and didn't want to do it.





Then was was a chance for some free play while setting the table for cake and ice cream.

The day turned out pretty good.  Akvila was a good girl and behaved really well.  Now that the birthday is over; it is time to get ready for Christmas.



First trip to School "Phase in day" and after...

 

These top pictures in the stripped dress are Akvila first day of school (Phase in Day).  She only had to stay for part of the day and there was only 4 other kids in here class.  She was so nervous and shy.  She did not want us to leave.  The teacher told us afterwards that it took about 20 minutes to calm her down and she eventually got settled.

The first day of full school she was very excited!  She got up and dressed for school before daddy could even get out of bed.  When we got to school, she went into panic mode again.  She had the death grip on Peggy and did not want to let go.  Once again the teacher told us, after about 20 minutes she was better.  The first week of school we could walk her to the classroom.  We tried practicing in the house to get a routine of what was going to happen.  Practicing helped, until we got to the classroom and then the meltdowns would begin.  The following week Wayne would stay with her in the cafeteria until the Kindergarteners lined up.  She didn't want to leave without him, but she knew he couldn't go with her.  Wayne did the walking and staying in the cafeteria for 2 more weeks, then it was walking to the cafeteria and her going inside by herself.  This only lasted a week; because since that last time we have been able to just drive up to the cafeteria and let her get out.

As far school is going, she has been doing pretty good.  They have a system of "sticks". Green - good; yellow - not so good; red - bad; she gets something everyday, it is the easiest way for the teacher to let all the parents know how their child is doing.  We have had only a couple of red sticks; Yellow sticks have been coming a little more often (not following directions, pushing) and green sticks everyday.  Her English is coming along very good.  When we had the 1st Parent-Teacher conference they were in disbelief how quickly she is picking up English.  She is now starting to read simple words, and count to 100 (with an occasional miss).  The next report card will be out next month (January).

The Last Visitors for the Summer!

The last weekend in July brought us our last visitors to see Akvila.  Peggy's sister from Texas (with her family) came to our place for the week.  They have 2 kids; 12 yo boy and a 4 yo girl.  This was the first young boy that has come to us.  We were interested on how Akvila would react to him.  Once again it took a couple of days to warm up to them.  Before you knew it she was coloring and playing with her cousins.

On Sunday we went out to the State Park and the pool.  Wayne took a back way to the park and the youngest got car sick.  He will have to remember to be more careful on curvy roads.  When we got to the park it was a hot.  After getting adjusted we all got in the water; it was nice and relaxing.  We were out there for about 5 hours; and we also had a nice picnic while there, but we all forgot the camera's.  :-(

The start of the week was a little stressful for us.  Akvila had a "phase in" day for Kindergarten on Aug. 1st.  Peggy and I both took off from work to take her to school and to pick her up.  Since this was new to us, we wanted to know where to go and what to do.  I know you all are curious, but I will talk about the phase in day and the 1st full day of school on my next post.

Since Peggy and I had to work the rest of the week, we probably weren't the best company to our guests.  With everyone who has come and our international trip at the start of the year, we are running out of vacation days... FAST!  On Tuesday our guests went to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.  They spent the whole day in the city doing lots of fun things.  Peggy's sister offered to take our daughter with them, but this is some place neither of us have been, and wanted it to be a memorable first time (good or bad).