We started the week by going to
school. Caedmon had his first day at a
local kindergarten on Monday. We decided to try sending Caedmon to a local school again, 2 years after the first try. This time he liked the idea, is sufficiently
fluent in the local language to communicate his needs, and has many
neighborhood friends starting school as well.
Though he has already completed kindergarten at home, we felt repeating
kindergarten at a local school would decrease at least one potential stressor: any academic challenges.
This also sets him up to be the oldest in his class and hopefully more
of a leader than follower. Thus far
Caedmon has been enjoying each day at school and is excited to return every
morning. I am especially impressed with this particular kindergarten as there is a very nice play area (meaning various play structures in decent condition), many play items and posters in the class rooms, and teeth brushing and hand washing are included in the curriculum (neither of which are not strengths in this culture). We hope to enrolled Whitman in the preschool portion as soon as enrollment actually opens. This apparently occurs after the kindergarteners finish their first week which seems to be mostly just orientation.
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| Whitman and Caedmon ready for school on the first day. |
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On the way to school.
We walk to the main road (100 yards to Caedmon's right), then catch a small public transportation vehicle to the city center, then walk two blocks to the school. |
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| Play area |
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| Caedmon |
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Whitman with our host family's daughter.
She just made the 4 year old cut off for the 1st year of kindergarten. If kids are able they usually attend two years of kindergarten. |
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Classrooms.
Upon arriving kids set their backpacks outside their classrooms then go play. |
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| After playing for about an hour, the kids all line up by class. This week has consisted of songs, snacks, and orientation in this area. |
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| Whitman has been playing during outside play time, then leaves with me until pick up time. Hopefully this will help him warm up to the idea of staying in his own class. School goes from 7:30 to 10am. |
On Wednesday Caedmon turned 6 years old.
We celebrated at home just the four of us and in the afternoon with a party and many friends.
After school we picked up Caedmon’s present of a bicycle.
It proved very interesting getting the bicycle home.
The way home is a very busy main street, so riding the bike was out of the question.
Thankfully it fit, just barely, into a small public transportation vehicle.
There were at least four adults on each side of this small bus like vehicle with the bicycle between all of our knees.
Half of the passengers had to unload just so the bike and us could get out as we were the first off.
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| Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Caedmon in his Wednesday uniform. |
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| Opening presents! |
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| Caedmon cutting his cake. It is tradition here for the birthday boy to cut the cake. |
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| We made a spider man head piñata and celebrated with neighbors, and many others who joined in. |
