P4 vs. 2nd Grade

This morning it was hard for Vivian to wake up, which is understandable. Her body clock hasn't completely adjusted and she's been in a heightened state of excitement for about a week.

We did homework last night and I noticed some similarities and differences between P4 at Victoria and 2nd Grade at Mahoning.

Similarities:
~Students have a week to get through homework. This is wonderful because about a month ago, Vivian made a huge leap of understanding and it would have proven detrimental to learning to keep moving forward. Instead, we needed to cement her learning in that moment to ensure retention.

Differences:
~Students in her class are on their 4 times tables. Viv has a week to get up to speed. Eep!
~Swimming!

It was raining the whole walk to school, but there wasn't wind so it was fine -- not cold and bitter and like little teeny needles jabbing into my face (I'm looking at you, Pennsylvania). When it's rainy, the girls wait in what looks to be their gym rather than on the playground. Right away, Vivi was swarmed by P4 girls and they started telling us when their birthdays are and how old they are and how old their mums are. (hee!)

From the school drop-off, I went back to the apartment and did a bit of reading for my inquiry project, then Fulbright Friend Lauren and her Awesome Mom Diane (that's Diane's full name) picked me up for a jaunt to a charity shop and IKEA. I've got to say: the people here are fantastic, but somehow Fulbright matched me with exactly the right person; Lauren and Diane are people who make one feel instantly comfortable and like family and they're funny and easy going and spontaneous and positive and supportive. They don't know it yet, but we'll be spending loads more time together. 😀

At the charity shop I scored big time on throw pillows and my gosh, what a difference. These couches are like new pieces of furniture. And the pillows are the squishy-feel-good-soft-I-want-to-nap-on-them kind of pillows and I love them and Viv bounced around, happy to have something soft on these hard, hard slabs of furniture.

Lauren found sweet teddy bears and we three debated which to get, so I got both. Rationale: Viv left pretty much all her toys at home and I told her we'd get some here that we'd then give to a chartity shop.

Then...IKEA. For so little money, so much can change in apartment. It really does feel like home now. Some throw blankets for snuggling (already used), some kitcheny things, like a colander. A colander! It changes everything! You want spaghetti, Vivi? Can do!

Lauren and I feel like this is a metaphor. Discuss. 

 

Diane and Lauren drove us back to the apartment and let me pause for a moment for you to realize that they are magnificent. They spoil me rotten. They drive me hither and yon, push IKEA carts around despite the fact that those carts sometimes go sideways and frontways and always at once, and carry bags to the sliding glass door. For real: those girls are the ultimate.

 

Then off to pick up Viv at school and I tried to figure out my wifi hotspot app, to no avail because I HAD NO WIFI WITH WHICH TO DO IT. Plus, who cares about anything else when Vivi the Kid comes running out of school, all smiles, having had a great day?

She needs a swim cap and goggles so I did what any normal person does (sarcasm - students: that's verbal irony) and stopped random girls wearing Victoria uniforms. So nice! They told me there's a place on Stranmillis so after I drop off Viv tomorrow, that'll be one of my stops.

We came back to the apartment and Viv was overjoyed about the stuffed animals. But then she really was over the moon when the neighbor boy, who is five, came over and played for a while. It was fantastic! They played, I listened to music and danced and put things away, then the boy's mom and dad found a frog outside and we all invenstigated, then the kids played more and I put more things away, then I looked at the time and OH NO, WE HAVE HOMEWORK. I mean, Viv has homework. Viv! Not Cristi! (but it feels like I have it) Since they are learing 4 times tables, I figure we'll hold off on the math until Viv has more sleep under her belt and is a bit better adjusted. There's not sense throwing new concepts at her just yet. Her language homework is really fun and I love how it's set up like a book. If you want to see it, let me know and I'll take pictures.

Homework. Laundry. Bath. Hang laundry. Bed. How does the day go so quickly??

I got the automated call that Lehighton had an early dismissal; hopefully everyone got home safely.

Give me some suggestions of what you'd like to know/see/hear/do via the blog! There's got to be a good reason to figure out the Wifi hotspots, right? Send me on some iPhone missions!

Now...goodnight!

First day of school Part II

 

 

When I picked up Vivian from school, she came out of the doors smiling and waving -- what could be better? My heart soared, seeing her talking and laughing with new friends, clearly comfortable in her new surroundings.

Skipping along the sidewalk of Cranmore Park North, she told me she was nervous this morning, but as soon as she sat down at the table with the other kids, she felt fine and wasn't nervous at all.

We celebrated by going to a Spar (sort of a mini-mart) where I finally found a hair brush, then a coffee shop where Little Miss had a hot chocolate and a gingerbread man named Gino (he came with the name).

 
 

Vivian said she wanted to do a video for the blog so I told her she should tell me the questions to ask her at the start of each clip. I did not suggest questions, suggest answers, or in any way sway her. The answers surprise me more than you, I guarantee.

"What would you like the first question to be?"

"Ask me my name."

So be it.

"Make sure you speak the questions clearly, Mommy."

"Noted."

"Ask me what I think of my family."

Shudder. "Okay."

Awwwww. She wants to talk about her friends.

"Maybe people don't know what it's like to travel."

"You stopped too soon, didn't you?"

"yes."

Takeoff and landing are my favorites, too.

"They'll want to know what it's like here."

Young woman??? You're SEVEN.

Aww. Poppy is really nice.

small differences in schools

What's that noise!

Get back to business, mom.

Double decker! Like the Night Bus in Harry Potter!

Winterfell

Miss Waugh is really nice!

This kid really does talk to a lot of people. In the coffee shop today, she walked right up to a girl wearing a uniform and struck up a conversation about their schools. At the Spar store, she walked up to a younger child and made her laugh by doing silly walks.

First day of school

Today is the day! It's Vivian's first day of school all over again. She got a great night's sleep last night so she woke up, had some breakfast, and we started putting on her uniform in the correct order -- including the tie.

She was feeling scholarly in her uniform.

"Let me take a picture of the two of us!"

 

As we walked to school, we saw lots of kids wearing uniforms for different school and there was a vibrant energy about the morning commute.

We went to the main campus, realized that wasn't right one, went to another campus, realized that wasn't the right one, then followed a lovely Victoria girl toward the Prep building. There is a playground to the left of the building and girls were running and playing. Over the fence we met Sharon Fallon, the aide in Vivian's class, P4, and she couldn't have been nicer. She directed us to the main entrance and a herd of girls ran over, smiling and eager to make friends. As we went along the pathway to the main door, I heard a girl say, "I'm going to play with Vivian!" I asked Viv if she heard that and she shook her head, but smiled a big smile.

A woman greeted us and immediately called Vivian by her name and welcomed her, then brought us to the P4 room to meet Miss Waugh, Vivian's teacher.

What a classroom! Mrs. Boyle would be happy to see Vivian walk into an environment that is like her Mahoning classroom - bright, airy, welcoming, and full of smiles.

Miss Waugh told us that Vivian will have swimming tomorrow! Wow! And next week is a field trip to Castle Ward where the girls will be able to dress in period clothes and act out roles from World War II.

This is Castle Ward:

If you are a Game of Thrones® fan, Castle Ward’s historic farmyard is the location of Winterfell, the backdrop for the series pilot and much of season one. It’s also where you will find the Whispering Wood and key scenes including Robb Stark’s Camp, the Baelor battle and when Brienne confronts the Stark men. 

HBO's Game of Thrones® spent eight weeks at Castle Ward building the set of Winterfell ahead of the pilot episode and hundreds of actors and crew worked on the filming here.

After Vivian headed over to her desk, I scooted out the door and took a couple pictures so you can see what her playground is like:

 

 

 

 

And I wanted you to see what part of the walk back to the apartment is like so I took a few videos:

This is the local fire station:

 Their Head Start is different from our Head Start. :)

 

Now I'm back at the apartment; I want to be here when the person comes to fix the radiator so I can see if there's something I need to do if it happens again. It's a good day to get some work done.

Caroline! I finally got to charge the phones!

 

Here's some information about Vivi's class:

Prep 4 Class Information

Prep 4 is the second and final year of Key Stage 1 and we aim to continue the development of the concepts, knowledge and skills acquired in P1, P2 and P3, while building each pupil’s confidence to enable her to become an increasingly independent worker. Continued emphasis is placed on personal, social and emotional development as well as specific skills in Communication, Using Mathematics, Using ICT and Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. Lessons are carefully planned to provide worthwhile, challenging and enjoyable learning experiences. Our  areas of learning are as follows:

Language and Literacy - the essential points of reading and writing including phonics, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, reading and expressive skills are consolidated and developed further, while the pupil’s oral communication skills are enhanced through connected talking and listening lessons. ICT skills are incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum.

Numeracy - Pupils develop knowledge, understanding and skills in Number, Shape and Space, Measure, Handling Data and Processes in Mathematics. The aim is to develop and consolidate an understanding of mathematical processes and abstract concepts through practical activities, application and practice while procuring a sense of enjoyment.

World Around Us - Topics studied throughout the year include Journeys and France, Houses and Homes, World War 2, Mighty Me and Forces and Energy.

The Arts -  

• Art and Craft-  Art and Craft activities are inspired by class topics
• Drama- Specialist  teacher provides a wide range of experiences
• Music- Pupils learn to play the recorder and enjoy specialist teaching. In addition, Prep 4  pupils also have the opportunity to receive specialist music tuition from external music tutors in a wide range of musical instruments.

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding - Pupils enjoy activities which encourage them to investigate issues for themselves, to suggest solutions and to make decisions based on what they have learned.

Physical Development and Movement - Our specialist P.E. teacher delivers the curriculum which includes Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics and Swimming.

Religious Education

Using ICT - ICT skills are developed and incorporated throughout the curriculum and in Prep 4, pupils have the opportunity to complete specialised ICT tasks which assess and recognise their attainment.

French - Pupils have the opportunity to begin learning French and participate in a range of enjoyable activities including singing, drama, games and role play.

Special Events include:

• Class trips - Trips are linked to class topics and include visits to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, Castle Ward and Tayto Castle.
• Nativity and school production
• Swimming Gala
• Sports Day

Beep! Beep!

I forgot to put in yesterday's post that on our walk home from the visit with Chris, we ambled along our street and we're almost back to the building when we had our first hello honk from Anna and Niall! So fun! Beep! Beep!

Sunday Funday Part II

Hi.

I'm like a bull in a china shop.

~segue~

I met our neighbors!

Tess and her husband, Taylor, live next door with their super cute kids. Over the past few months, Tess and I messaged and emailed and I was completely excited to meet her and Vivian was thrilled there would be kids right next door.

This morning Tess messaged me they were up and about and I was overjoyed about the prospect of meeting them. Quandry: Viv was conked out on the couch. What to do. What to do. Ah! I'll prop open the door and scoot next door!

So I skipped next door, met Tess (who is just as lovely as I'd anticipated) and her sweet baby girl (who melts the heart with her smile) and thought I'd better check on Viv. So I ran down the hallway and prepared to do a 'round-the-corner-skid when "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!" THERE'S TAYLOR WHO JUST WALKED IN THE APARTMENT! I yelped and jumped up and down, apparently trying to bounce back in time, then the baby waddled by, saw the chaos, fell on the radiator, bumped her head, got swept into her mother's arms, then the son came in, saw the chaos, and looked like he's seen an alien, and I realized this is not an out of the ordinary introduction to Cristi.

Sigh.

People of Lehighton: I'll try not to embarrass you any more.

Tess and Taylor: I'll get a box of Bandaids just in case.

The good news is that Viv got to meet their kids and she's really happy they live next door and looks forward to playing with them.

They headed off to a park; Vivi and I headed up to Queen's University to meet Chris, an old friend I haven't seen in over a decade. The last place we saw each other was at The Players Club and I still have crystal memories of standing on the balcony with him looking at the moon and twinkling lights of New York City.

Yesterday Vivi wanted to hear the story of Romeo and Juliet (that was yesterday, right? I'm having a hard time keeping the days straight. Maybe I haven't yet adjusted to the time difference.); today she wanted to hear her about what she was like as a baby in my belly. So the whole walk up to Queen's, I told her The Vivian Marchetti Creation Story.

I wonder what people thought as we passed by and heard me saying things like, "while I was pregnant with you, Mrs. Meowzers liked to sleep on my belly."

The best part of the conversation was when we got to Queen's and sat on the low wall by the main gate waiting for Chris.  You know what?  I'll let you hear it for yourself:

And then we saw him! Chris! CHRIS! It'd been so long! Too long! We hugged it out and I kept my jumping up and down to a minimum (I think).

 

There's a gorgeous museum right next to Queen's so we headed over there for some art and catching up.

First! Coffee. Two coffees and a hot chocolate with marshmallows and I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! There are Fifteens! Fulbright Friend Lauren had told me about Fifteens and they sounded like everything I love in a dessert. 

 

Mmmmmmmmm...exactly as good as I'd hoped.

 

A wee shortbread for Viv to dip in her hot chocolate!

 

 

We saw a ton of beautiful art and some cool sights I never thought I'd see, like a stuffed Irish Wolfhound. 

 

Huge, right??

(I'll put the other museum pictures at the bottom of the post in case you don't want to scroll through them. Note: there is one of a toilet. I was amazed by how artistic the flush mechanism is.)

Viv started getting a little gretzy (Pennsylvania Dutchies: did I spell that right??), which was understandable because she didn't sleep last night, we walked up to Queen's, we walked around a museum, and grown ups are boring. So we ambled over to The Wellington Hotel for a bite to eat and Chris' introduction to Slime. 

 
 
I had Fish and Chips! They're grand. I love smashed peas. 

 
Viv had Breaded Chicken Goujons - Chicken breast in golden breadcrumbs served with chips. Chris had fancy Chicken Goujons.

 
 
Vivi met two kids and they played and played and played and their mother is lovely and she went to Victoria! She told Vivi that it'll be a fantastic experience and she'll love the girls there -- and that she'll love the uniform. Everyone we've met has been friendly and warm.

 

We said goodbye to Chris and headed down Malone Road toward home (how quickly we started calling it that!) and guess what! A person asked us for directions! And we were able to give the directions! Whoop!

At the apartment we packed Vivi's school bag, I made her lunch, and off to bed she went. (I just checked on her about an hour later -- she appears to be asleep.)

First day of school for Vivi tomorrow!

Ulster Museum: