First Days of School

Yes, I'm a little late to be posting about the first days of school (Sept 9 for Sydney, Sept 14 for Miranda). But we've been a little busy getting used to our new schedules and fitting in a few fun things that are new to us in the area. Not to mention the usual fights at nap time, which is my usual blogging time, along with unusually bad colds. Makes for some cranky kids and frankly, a cranky mom. But the good news is, Sydney and Miranda are both enjoying their new school, which is always a relief! Although besides a few details of her day, all I can get out of Sydney about her classmates so far, is that she plays with "two Jacks" in her class.

Here's the picture she drew on the first day of school. I thought it was awesome that she created a whole scene that went well together: sun, rain clouds, grass, flower. (I am ignoring the enormity of the flower, of course.) But I am so proud of her for attempting to write her name in freehand for the first time ever, instead of waiting for me to write it so she can trace it!

This is my favorite time of year, even before I had kids in school. So I'm hoping I'll be able to share some fun adventures with the girls even though Brian will be gone an awful lot, even missing all three of our birthdays. It's hard planning around his schedule, but we've managed to arrange some fun things to look forward to. Grammy and Grampy are coming from the Boston area to visit our home this week for the first time in more than 3 years. Then Nana's retiring at the end of this week and she and Grandpa will be able to visit more often, and they'll join us for an early birthday party for Sydney in 2 weeks.


And then there'll be a requisite fall trip to a pumpkin patch (and an apple orchard, per Sydney's request, if there is such a thing in this part of the country...although I don't think so...) And how about the annual VA wine festival in Norfolk, anyone?

Three Down...

Well, Brian's coming back from his third underway very soon. So far so good, although I know the Nassau will be stepping it up soon in terms of frequency and duration of the times at sea. We definitely miss him while he's gone, but I've also gotten the feeling I can swing it, especially now that preschool is starting next week.

Speaking of which, Sydney is nearly done being 3, but will still be in the 3-year-old class, 5 days a week due to her October birthday. I went to Parents' Night last night, and I've got to say Yokosuka Co-Op Preschool will be a tough act to follow. The girls' new preschool (Miranda will go one day a week) is supposed to be one of the better ones in the area by reputation. The teachers are very experienced and I know the girls will love it there. But having a comparison now, I really appreciate our Yokosuka experience--mainly in terms of the smaller intimate size of the school, great resources, and excellent communication.

Probably in part because I'm new to the school and relatively new to the area, I have felt a little in the dark. I feel somewhat better after receiving information at the Parents' Night. But to be honest, in new uncertain situations, I know me, and I sometimes tend to sit back, make my observations, assume some things for the worst, but hope I'm wrong.

So, I started sizing up some things during the Open House today. I was on a roll with mainly good or neutral observations. We were the first to arrive. Of course, Sydney impressed her teachers--using her good manners, recognizing her written name, and stunning them with her art (which they don't know, but has improved immensely over the past year). Some other observations: most of the kids in Sydney's class are boys, 7 out of 12 kids. And three out of a class of 12 kids have the name Jack, interestingly enough.

Then I couldn't help but notice one mom of a little boy (wearing that old-fashioned, or what I call "new country-club" wear, whose blond hair happened to be longer than any of the girls in the class). This mom arrived late decked out in a fancy pant suit and then monopolized the teacher with what I assume was a balanced mix of pride and flattery, interspersed with, "we like to do the Thomas the Train Edible Arrangement platters of fruit," when talking about what her snack contribution will be. OVER THE TOP, no?

I don't want to be like that. In fact, I can't help but put myself in the teachers' shoes and it almost makes me feel embarrassment on behalf of this mom. But...there's still this overwhelming sense of competition that people like that arise in me. It's part insecurity, in all honesty. But the other more productive part is wanting to be ambitious enough on behalf of my child--to advocate for her--so she will be recognized and get the attention she deserves.

Well, I only have "three down"--this is only preschool and the beginning of a long haul of wanting the best education for my children. I realize I will always have to stifle my insecurities and just be my plain, yet hopefully down-to-earth, self while some overzealous parents try to steal the show. It is at times like these when I can learn from my three-year old--who is outgoing, smart, and self-confident, with the perfect amount of eagerness to please. I know Sydney and Miranda will always be their own best advocates, making my anxiety a moot point, my job a lot easier, and my own pride bordering on obnoxious, I know.