Language

Language is on my mind again. The Little Man is doing well and trying to talk up a storm. But I was filling out the preschool medical forms today. I know, I'm a bit early, the forms are not due til September, but I thought I would fill out what I could before I put it in the "to do" pile, as I'll have to make the doctor appointment soon to get a "well kid" visit before September!

It was interesting;
State of Birth: China, its really a country not a state. Unless you mean parental state which was likely 'surprised and confused'.
Significant Family History: Unknown, maybe, we just don't have access. But will family history be significant going forward, you bet, just like it was in the past, but this time we will know about it.
Birth Weight: Unknown, frankly he was a little guy and he's bigger now. He's likely a little guy by genetics.
Birth History, choose one; Normal, High Risk or Problems: This question just pissed me off. I think it was Normal, by the information we have of him on finding. But it was a surprise that he had cleft lip/palette. A surprise that created a problem which his birth parents couldn't address. That exact problem, I don't know. But it was big enough they couldn't address it. But it wasn't a problem for the orphanage, foster parents, or me. So 'surprise' is the best word to fit our scenario if I'm forced to pick one word.
Developmental Observations: first off I just crossed out the 'by 6, 12 and 18 months' and wrote unknown. But the 'by 2 years', which is just when we came together is a downer.

• Kicks ball forward - Nope, could barely walk
• Combines 2 words - No, but wasn't really given a lot of opportunity
• Strangers understand half child's speech - Not even in China
• Points to 6 named body parts (nose, eyes, etc) - Nope
• Takes off clothing (other than hat) - Nope
• Persistent rocking - yeah, no
• Headbanging - No
• Hand flapping - No

The things not on the list that I didn't volunteer:

• Biting, pinching, kicking, blowing snot when mad, tantrums beyond belief, and grieving of family loss.

Then there is the 'by 3 Year old' column, and the jury is still out:

• Can hold a 2-3 sentence conversation - No, but I'm thrilled we are moving into 2-3 word sentences
• Names 4 animal pictures - YES!
• Knows 2 animal actions; what flies, etc - kind of, he growls for lions/bears, meows for cat, but not actions, I think we can master this one before the form goes in
• Understands what to do when tired, cold or hungry - Yes, scream until someone takes care of him!
• Imitates a vertical line - yes, he stands up?!
• Washes and dries hands - YES! always happy to play in the water!

And; no longer biting, pinching, kicking, blowing snot when mad, no tantrums beyond belief, and loves his new family.

So, is he ready? I don't know, but I know he wants to go! He is actually excited when I tell him next year he goes to the Big Boy's school. He wants to try everything! I know the growing pains of getting to this point. I hope the teachers can handle the growing pains of getting to the routine, but the therapist have done wonders in those regards. We still have the summer to teach him a few more things to check off those boxes!

The Joy of Mondays

Today we are home.  But I am posting a few more beach photos as I wish it were still 80 degrees rather than the current 35 degrees.  When we arrived on Saturday night it was actually snowing in the city.  What a contrast!

The boys did not want to leave the beach but on Sunday they really spent the day basking in the comfort of the apartment, their familiar surroundings and their toys.  As usual, DH and I treated the weekend as suspension of any other life and continued to focus on the boys.  However, after they were in bed, DH commented that he was looking forward to getting back to work.  It was a comment that sounded so familiar.  In all my years on the Street, I have heard almost all my male colleagues at least once comment that the reason they secretly loved Mondays, was because being around the kids all weekend was too exhausting.

Well, its Monday, and I'm not going back to the job.  I'm working, but my own work, and its exciting.  It is also interesting to work from home.  The "office" is not set up, I have too many other important things to get done before sorting out a desk.  I had the opportunity to make eggs and bacon for the boys before they started their day.  I had a cup of tea before opening emails.  But I got a lot done.  I created a website today for my consulting business!  Also I got to see the kids at lunch time, and DS1 even "tried" to take a nap in my office while I worked.  

This afternoon DS2 had his preschool interview, which went well although he was the only non-verbal child there.  Wednesday is his ENT appointment for the hearing test - I still think his hearing is fine.  Also next week is the meeting for early intervention services.  I received their summary of findings; it was heart breaking.  He's significantly behind on speech and in their opinion on following directions well on multi-step tasks.  But this is all good as this implies more therapy rather than less.  But I hate to see that he is behind, but it was also in my face at the preschool visit amongst 5 other 2 year olds, which is why it may be so present on my mind at the moment.

The policy in NYC is that if you have one child in a preschool, the second is grandfathered in, such that you really only go through the motions of applying.  However, if DS2 is not ready, I may have to delay him by a year.  But by the time school starts, he will have had 8 months of early intervention services, so I am hopeful I can keep him with his age appropriate peers.  But time will tell.  The orphanage took care of him and got him to me, which I am thankful for.  But on days where I see the delays, I really went get disappointed at his early care and wish the system could be changed.

At Preschool for a Day

Last week, I was the "cookie" lady at DS1's preschool. I got to tell you, it was an amazingly awesome experience.

Here's the gig, I like to bake. DS1 likes to bake. I thought his class might get into it. I emailed the teacher and volunteered to bring in pre-made cookies, but have the kids mix the frosting and then frost the cookies. I gave her a few dates and she took me up on it.

Here's the fears. DS2 is in a class of 12 kids, they call it a cluster. They are in a huge room they share with another cluster of 12 kids, so in all, I'd have 24 children with which to deal. Each cluster has two teachers. In NY State, to teach preschool you have to have a master's degree in early education. Basically, to me, the novice at this stuff (kids, not baking) the numbers are intimidating, but I figured the teachers would know what to do. Also I wasn't sure how DS1 would feel about having me in the room.

The reality; it was awesome! When I arrived, the kids were out of the room at "theater movement" class, or as they told me when they arrived "te-a-ta movement". I thought that was totally cool, something I would do now, but never had the exposure as a kid. I was given the table by the sink, and told I would have 5-6 kids at a time. When they came it, they immediately eyed me a bit suspiciously. I was surprised to learn I was the first visiting mommie so far this year.

The teacher, who I now think is a miracle worker, said, "This is DS1's mommie, she's here to decorate cookies with you". These simple words totally defused their anxiety. The kids were instructed to go wash their hands before coming over to me. DS2 was in the first group and quickly organized his buddies into the first group. They all wore aprons I brought along, which was hilarious. These were a handful of my adult-sized aprons that I just tied up around their arm pits, and two of DS2's small ones.

They helped mix the food color into the frosting. I did one big bowl of orange, which they took turns with (dropping in color and mixing, there was so much color, that I had never seen orange so bright1), and zip lock baggies of yellow, green and pink, which they mixed by just squeezing the bags. The cookies (eggless, substituted buttermilk for regular milk) were pumpkin shaped. I had little spatula's with me, so they spread their own orange frosting, then added any decorations they liked. I had little m&ms, candy corns and sugar sprinkles. The kids were amazing! They concentrated, were totally into it, and even asked permission to eat the candy at the table.

After the first group got started, all the kids wanted in on the action. To be swarmed by 24 kids, even though they are all only about 3 ft tall, was intimidating! But we were organized and to keep things moving, the teacher designated a separate table as the "eating table", which the kids moved to once their cookie was done.

DS1 moved to eat, but then came back. He wanted to stay with me. I wasn't sure what to do, but the teacher came over and said loudly, "We all need to remember to say thank you to DS1 for sharing his mommie, as that is a special treat for all of us. He's her special helper today." Then I gave him a towel and he cleaned up each seat as the kids moved to the eating table. DS1 was happy I was there, but also a bit proud. I think he thought it was cool we could do this thing that he and I do together fairly often with all his friends. As the kids came to join us, he introduced each one; all 23 kids! Even I don't have that grace under pressure and I've known my friends much longer!

Again, I was so impressed by these kids. They were nice, polite, overall amazingly well behaved. And, they were into it. They wanted to eat their cookies, but they weren't stuffing their faces with the candy; they really wanted to decorate first. Also they were taking their time, showing effort and trying out all the tools I had brought along. They were chatting with me, and helping one another. It was very cool. An hour flew by in 2 minutes!

I had planned on having them do three cookies each, but after decorating one, they were ready to eat, so plans changed. I put two undecorated cookies in a bag for each kid to take home. They helped me with their names and put the cookies on the hooks with their coats.

At the very end, the teacher asked me to read a story book. That was awesome. The book was a silly Halloween story, which rhymed just a bit. The kids caught on quickly and helped me with the rhyme. They were attentive and stayed with the story. Then, it was time to go.

I left the school on cloud nine. My son was proud of me - and I know there is likely to be few of these precious moments. I am glad I'm not a preschool teacher, but I think those who are should be applauded! So, now I'm wondering if we should do gingerbread people, or if I should wait for Valentine hear cookies to volunteer again.