Grace goes to Chinese School

Well as you know Grace is also now attending the local Chinese School. I wasn't sure what to expect. Grace really seemed excited earlier in the week when I told her. I thought this is good, going to go great! No problems.

See still full of smiles as we were preparing to leave at noon! Notice the smile in the car.

(ashlee gail, see how comfortable and safe looking she is)

Once we arrived I was not sure if we were in the right place or not, until I seen two other cars arrived and they were Chinese. I'm really not sure what I was expecting, really I'm not.

Once we got inside the church, there was not alot of direction as to where to go or what to do, and no one seemed interested in really helping. Looking yes, helping no. And I kinda expected English, again, I dont know why. Out of the 150 ish people/kids I saw, everyone was Chinese except four people, I felt like I was back in China. Now don't get me wrong, I love the people, my daughter is Chinese, I just felt a little out of place. Finally someone registered us, then told us to stand over there and she would take us to our class. Her English was semi understandable. The conversations by the adults were in all Chinese. Anyway, she passed me onto a man who then passed me on to another lady who took her to her class. Still no books at that point. At this point Grace has wrapped her little hands FIRMLY around my next, I'm not sure what she thought was going on. The teacher, Ping, was very nice, I really liked her. She allowed me to stay for the class so that Grace would be comfortable. However during the recess, she informed me the principle said I would not be able to stay after today in the classroom. I'm considering asking if I could pay and join the class, but that depends on me finding some more money. Its not very organized. There were six kids and one adult in the class. This is the beginner class and I discovered, some take this class 4 times. It is not just learning to speak Chinese. They were writing the numbers one through six and pronouncing the words, so she will (if she stays in the class) be able to speak, write and read Chinese. We'll have to see how that goes.

Two of the children and their family had just came from China and did not speak nor understand English. One little boy, was bored out of his mind and she had to keep getting on him.

I'm pretty sure that Grace understood some of what she was saying, which is a good sign I think.

Well class was not over until 330 and then we had to get groceries. I felt too bad to do it Friday or Saturday. Well it was nearly 7 by the time we got home.

Does she look a little tired to you?

Harper is coming Home!!!!!! Praise God, how wonderful for this little girl!
The family link is; http://jayscruggs.livejournal.com/

Deer Season

Don't worry I wont post the pictures.

As much as I don't like living in the woods, my dear hubby loves it here. He was a member of Yerby hunt club for years and sadly Mr. Yerby passed away this last year and unfortunately his family did not follow his wishes. Anyway, Paul has been hunting here since we moved a few years back. However this is the first year he did not join a club else where (which makes sense to me since he rarely went anyway). Hunting season started last weekend. He got a 6 point last week and this morning bright and early he got an 8 point, so I'd say NOT bad at all.

So at least we have meat in the freezer!

Happy Hunting to all you hunters out there.

Grace's First Wild Olive Tee

Grace got her first Wild Olive Teeshirt yesterday.

To get your verse on, go here!


The back of the shirt says this:
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession.

First Week of School

Well Grace had a Great First Week of School.

She got a sticker from her teacher everyday. By Tuesday, she knew her bible verse, it did take her a little longer to get the Book of the Bible, the chapter and verse number.

She has PE on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday is Library day, she was so hoping to get a book to check out. Maybe next week.

I know half her head is missing, but I loved the smile.

She had decided that she Loves Neli! This is a fact that does not make Paul Paul happy but oh well. She does want a small dog, maybe one day.

Poor Neli Girl, she takes whatever Grace may be doing to her. I'm sure it wont be long before she is dressing her up. She is just as sweet as she can be.

Thursday is Music Class. The girl came home signing a brand new song. She just amazes me. God has great plans for this child.

Friday is Cultural Arts. This class must not interest her at all, because I cant seem to get out of her what they did????

She had homework twice this week. She is learning all about Jesus and has had some really interesting questions. Sometimes I'm glad that Daddy picks her up, this means he gets the questions. She seems to be a sponge, she is just taking it all in.

Her teacher said she adapts well (in regards to her vision). She does look to the side, but she is able to answer questions and does not seem to have a problem. So again, thank God for that gift.

She starts Chinese school tomorrow. Once a week for 2 hours, and she seems to be really excited about it. Dance class starts on the first. Paul was wondering if maybe it might be too much. I reminded him, Idle minds!!!!! Lets keep her busy! Somewhere in there, we want her to learn the piano, we're hoping Santa will bring her a full size keyboard.

This weeks Bible Verse: Jesus said, Let the children come to me. Matthew 19:14

Her class is the busy bees, their theme:

Bee Safe, Bee Kind and Bee Responsible.

Phonics and Math this week: Letter I and Letter U short vowel sound. Math, how far can you count: She been counting around here all week. She can go to 100, but needs help here and there.

She got to go to the treasure box twice this week for being so good and following directions. She got to be line leader the first day. Her teacher said she is a joy and loves having her in her class. Well we love her teacher. So far I am so happy with the school. I hope that we will be able to keep Grace there and watch her grow and graduate in oh about 14 year. What is that, the class of 2024. Geeze, I'm old now, what will I be then.

Oh and did I mention, I have to find her a pair of shorts to wear under her dresses. She cant play on the slide unless she has something on. Paul said she needs to wear pants. I'm sorry, have you not seen her closet, it is mostly dresses.

First Day of School

Grace got to bed early last night, and her daddy went to get her up at 6 this morning. She was very quiet when she came down stairs, I was fixing her breakfast (my child loves to eat). Well she wouldnt eat, she got very clingy and wouldnt talk. This upset me more than I already was, she's only been home 16 months and now I"m sending her off to school for petes sake.

After brushing her teeth she was fine, back to being excited about school and ready to go. Her daddy and I took her together today. We got there early and hung out in the car. At 740 we took her in. We went in, she put away her bookbag and lunch box. She told me again about having my kiss in her hand and gave me a hug. We went over to her desk. She heard Ms Wendy say there was a coloring sheet on their desk to start with. I was kneeling next to her reminding her how everything would go today and about the after school program.

Here is mommy with tears in her eyes and my little girls leans over and gives me a kiss. She then says to us, Ya Can Go Now!!!! Well ok then. We were heading to the door and Ms Wendy asked if Grace was set, I said yes, she just told us to leave! She went over to talk to her and Grace started telling her about the Kissing Hand book we read the night before. Ms Wendy said well guess what, we are going to read that in class today.

http://www.frogsandfairydreams.com/

They can do any school. I sent her the school link and a week later I got the bow back. It looks great!

Chinese School

We finally got something from them. Classes are Sundays at 130 at a church on James Island. I think they are 2 hours long. She will be attending the fall classes which run August 23 through December 20 with 2 Sundays off. One in October for the Mid Autumn Festival and then in November for Thanksgiving week. I"m thinking I should take that week off, she has the whole week off with NO school.

Summer Ends and School Starts

Well Summer has come to an end, and 16 months after being home, my baby girl is ready to use her wings and fly off to school.


She loved staying with Ashlee Gail and it was a great adjustment for both of us. She spent the first 14 months with me, every day, and I think it was harder for me than for her.

Here she is last Friday at Dawsons birthday party with Cici (spelling???) they will both be in K4 at the same school, there are only two K4 classes and wouldn't you know they are in different classes. Isn't she cute as can be.

Grace had so much fun at the party, it was at the county park.
Her last week with Ashlee. Special Breakfast.

Making cupcakes.

Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes!




Their first picture together. My, how they have changed.

Well last Thursday we had meet the teacher night at school First, we were in Chapel, and let me say the Head Master is a Basketball Couch type, tall and loud. Grace knows you have to be still and quiet. After about 5 minutes of him talking she turns to me and says" He's giving me a headache" OH MY!

Back to the class. When Grace tested back the first of the year a K5 teacher tested her, and I loved her instantly. I love her heart, she seemed so nice to me and I thought it would be great if Grace got her. I love how God works, don't you know who Grace's teacher is, yes, Ms. Wendy is now a K4 teacher! It put me at ease, and I was good until tonight anyway. Well out of 16 kids in her class I think there are 4 girls. Grace sits right next to her teachers desk. Before we left one little girl and her parents came over to say hi. They asked Grace her name, then Grace asked her, her name. The little girl replied, Empress, I said, Oh that is such a pretty name! Do you know what my sweet little girl said to the girl and her parents, BUT NOT AS PRETTY AS MINE! Yep, wanted to crawl in a hole right there. But in her defense, she has needed reassurance from day one and I know that is where it comes from. She is such a sweet child and I explained we don't want to hurt anyone feelings, so lets hope that doesn't happen again.

Yesterday, we went with Lyndsay and my mom to see Lynds wedding dress and to order the flower girl dress. Sorry you cant see it until March, but oh they are both beautiful.

I bought Grace a special book for tonight. (this is also the first night she has gone to bed with no tv on) We read The Kissing Hand, its a wonderful book for a child who is starting school. I am just hoping to get through tomorrow morning without being a blubbering fool.

Glad to report she fell asleep right away.

Here is the link to her prayers tonight.

Grace Gets Mail

This is the look on her face when I told her she has mail! She loves getting mail.

Grace was so excited to get a postcard from her new teacher! My little girl is so ready to learn and grow. I just want time to stop. I'm not ready for her to go to school. I may need some good medication to get through Monday morning.



We are are going to miss seeing Ashlee Gail everyday. She is such a sweet child. I hope my Grace turns out as well as she has. She is sweet, loving, and smart as a whip, her ONLY fault is (ok, its not really a fault) she is all about sports. She plays basketball and softball. I thought it was funny when I pulled up one day and she had Grace outside with a softball. Sorry, girl, I don't think so! We love you Ashlee Gail!


For those that are wondering, that is my mattress in the floor in the living room. Its too hot to sleep in my bedroom, I'm hoping the parts come in Soon to fix my AC!

Bring Harper Home

This is unbearable. This family traveled to China to bring their daughter home and had to leave her because a new rule in effect as of July 1. Please go here and read their story.

My heart just aches for this little girl. There is a link on the webpage that is 17 minutes long with the heart wrenching good bye. There is also a link for you to go and sign a petition regarding this new rule change.

If you know of anyone that can help get this little girl home, please forward this to them.

Please pray that that this family gets to bring this child home SOON!

Radom Stuff

I made a nice long post this morning only to realize I put it in the old blog. Does anyone know how to move from one blog to another.

Here is the link, if you'd like to read it.

http://ourbabygirlgracie.blogspot.com/2009/08/random-stuff.html

What a Beautiful Smile

Here is a pic of Teresa's (Continuing the Journey ) newest daughter. I'm so happy for them. I can not wait to see pictures of Meggie, Carson and Molly together.

A Great Big Congrats to two of my friends.

Teresa, whose Gotcha day was yesterday!!!! and to Carrie who FINALLY got her LOA today!

Dance

I got Grace signed up for Dance class today. She will be attending the Kinderdance class at The Classical Ballet Centre in Summerville.

Paul Ray was hoping when he said he didn't want Grace doing the hip hop stuff and that if she was going to dance she should just do ballet. Now, what he was saying was, I don't want her to dance, he just wouldn't come out and say it. Come on, he should know better. I would not push the hip hop, I can understand that, but dance, come on. All the years of wanting a little girl, I always saw her dancing.

Anyway, I learned a little today. The director who was as nice as she could be explained the kinderdance program, its for 4 and 5 year old. She said they are not mentally or physically ready to study ballet until they are at least 6. So for two semesters, September - December and January - April she will have fun learning the correct stretching and hopefully learn to love ballet.

This is from their website, it gives a little history on the director.

Terry-Ellen Shields received her training from Antony Nelle, American Ballet Theatre and the Ballet Russe in NYC. After a professional career in Boston, New York and St. Louis, Ms. Shields and her late husband, David Shields (The Royal Ballet), co-directed the Dancers Studio and the Boston Festival Ballet in Massachusetts.

Ms. Shields has served on the Dance Faculty at the Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston University, and the University of Alabama in Birmingham. During the 1988 and 1989 seasons, Ms. Shields was invited to teach at the internationally known Chautauqua Institution. Ms. Shields has also been a guest teacher at the Ridley Arts Educational School and the Southeast Theatre School in England.

In 1983, Ms. Shields came to Summerville, SC and established the Classical Ballet Centre and its performing company, The Classical Ballet Centre Dance Theatre (formerly the SC Children's Ballet Theatre). Since establishing the school, a number of students have gone on to distinguished careers: notably, Jenifer Ringer, Principal Dancer for the NYC Ballet; Amanda Miller, Pennsylvania Ballet and co-director of the Phrenic New Ballet; Christine Williamson and Kim Larvey, NC Dance Theatre; Andrew Kelley, soloist with the Netherlands Danse Theatre, to name a few.
During the past few years, fourteen students have been accepted into the SC Governors School of the Arts in Greenville, SC. Three students have been accepted into the year-round program at the North Carolina School of the Arts. One student was accepted to the Virginia School of the Arts and another student received a full scholarship to the Houston Ballet.

Ms. Shields' goal is to foster a love of ballet and its related arts and to help young people develop standards of personal excellence, self-discipline and responsibility in an atmosphere that is warm and encouraging.

Many of her students have gone on to study or dance professionally. There is no recital. She does have a production company that the students can choose to perform in, but they must be through at least beginner classes which is around age 8.

Classes start September 1st. I hope she enjoys it.