Last night, Maia and I were talking about today and what she would be doing at Kindergarten Orientation. I told her that probably she'd get to meet her teacher and some new friends, maybe hear a story and draw some pictures. She asked me what I'd get to do. I told her that probably I'd not have any where near as much fun as she would--I would only get to meet the teacher and some of the other parents. Says Maia,
"You and all the grown-ups will just go blah, blah, blah, blah?"
Yes, Maia, that was it exactly!
Of course, now that today was a school day, the kids seemed to somehow know it (though Tristyn's radar got messed up or something because he didn't have school today) and didn't want to wake up. Normally they are up at about 7 a.m. Today, I had to pry them out of bed at 7:45. Maia made the mistake of leaving evidence behind---She apparently was up late coloring, cutting and glueing papers! There were crayons, gluesticks and paper scattered all through her bed with her and on the floor. Luckily the kid-scissors had fallen to the floor.
I made Tristyn an English Muffin and Maia cinnamon toast for breakfast, but before too long Maia came upstairs and told me she only ate one bite because her "tummy was feeling a little bit funny. I think I'm a bit nervous, Mummy." She was very dedicated to getting ready. Maia put lotion on her legs (she 'stole' my bottle of cherry blossoms), got dressed and asked me to paint her nails hot pink. Then, we went outside to say goodbye to Tristyn and Rick as they left for the office and take some pictures.
Maia just can't resist the camera. My friend, Jon, just pointed out to me that I focused on the sidewalk and not her. =( Well yeah, now that he pointed that out, that's almost all I notice about this picture now! I had the camera set on 'automatic' -- there are too many options for focusing and they are all denoted by a little teeny tiny picture that means absolutely nothing to me as a way of differentiating them. Sigh. One day, I will have perfect photo taking skills.
Orientation went well. Upon signing in and getting Maia's packet, we walked over to a desk where there were all of these little green leaves spread out. Maia had to find the one with her name on it and take it with her until it was explained what is to be done with it. The way attendance is taken everyday is by each child finding their leaf and putting it on the tree. It's also a way to teach them responsibility as it's one of their 'tasks' they do every day when first arriving at school. Other tasks include putting your coat/backback on the peg, putting your lunch (if one was brought from home) in the proper spot, and taking your folder (that will be presented to each child on wednesday) and placing it in the proper place.
The children were given two pieces of paper and we went to sit down at a little table. The classroom does not have desks; the children sit at little round tables that have seating for 4-8 people. (Not sure how many will be sitting at each because children AND parents were sitting at them today) On one piece of paper, Maia had to write her name and draw a picture of herself on it. On the other piece, she had to draw a picture of her family and write their names too. Maia can write 'Mummy, Dad, and about half of Tristyn from memory. I helped her with the rest. I must say I felt a little silly writing all of these names: Riley, Bob, Layla, Eddie, Mole (turtle), red fish(tristyn's beta) and tinkerbelle (maia's beta). Her picture was very crowded; we have quite the zoo! I feel bad saying this but I was glad she ran out of time before she could draw a picture of Nicki (our sometimes dog) or draw a picture of the ant she stuck in a bottle yesterday for a pet because I was getting a little embarrassed. It seemed all the other children only had one or MAYBE two pets at most. =S I don't see what the fun is in only having one, but hey, to each his or her own.
I got to fill out all of the boring stuff. Emergency care cards and the like. And I had to listen to the teacher talk about stuff that was....boring. Like how the snack calendar works. Or how to send in a note from home. I kept trying to help Maia color in her picture but she wouldn't let me!
After all of this talk, us parents were given the boot and made to go to the cafeteria for more....BORING TALK. We had to listen to the principle, the nurse, the guidance counselor and even the PTO President talk. And talk. And talk.
Guess what Maia got to do. Listen to a story! Sing a song! Have a snack! Get a free book!
On the way home, Maia was very excited. She made a new friend. Conversation is as follows:
Maia: I made a new friend Mummy!
Me: Ooooh...Did you?? What is their name?
Maia: Can't remember. (wrinkles nose in thought)
Me: Well, was it a boy or a girl?
Maia: A girl. And, Mummy! She had a butterfly on her front.
Me: A butterfly! Wow! Was it that little girl who had on a pink dress?
Maia: No....
Me: The little girl who said hello when we first came in?
Maia: Yes, yes, yes!! That's her. Do you know her name?
Me: Yup, it was Julie.
Maia: Yeah, that's it. (looks bored, as if she knew this all along)
Me: Oh okay. She looks very nice. I bet you'll be good friends with her. And on Wednesday, you can make friends with everyone else.
Maia: No, I can't.
Me: Yes, you can.
Maia: No, I can't.
Me: Yes, you can.
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-This goes on for a little while because we are being silly and giggling.
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Me: Yes, you can.
Maia: No, I can't.
Me: Well why can't you?
Maia: BECAUSE BOYS ARE YUCKY!
Duh. How could I have not seen this one coming?
