This time of year

First Day of School

This time of year can be hard for parents and kids alike. As I have already shared Madgette left the nest this week to begin kindergarten. Not just a normal kindergarten, but a dual language one. Her homeroom teacher is the Spanish part of the duo- so she has spoken to them in mostly Spanish this week. According to Madgette she has not understood most of what her teacher has said this week. She is only able to tell us about what the other teachers in the building have told her. However, she loves her teacher and has complete faith that she will be learning Spanish. I have already noticed that she has mastered some Spanish formal greeting elements that she did not have a week ago.

Madgette was able to stay on green every day this week and was rewarded by a trip into the much coveted treasure box. She was able to secure herself a completely glittered orange pencil and some M&M's. That made all the effort of being obedient and quiet worth it.

Julie has had her own totally different struggles this week. After the first day of school I am pretty sure she thought she had made a major mistake by coming here. She was a little sad by the lack of friends, and thought several of her classes were way to easy. We have jumped through the hoops and gotten 2 of her classes changed, and she has made more and more friends every day. The first update I get every afternoon when I ask how her day has been is that she "made more friends." I am very happy for her, and will be glad when she gets settled into a routine.

Thursday some boy walked up to her, tapped her on the shoulder, handed her a note and walked away. When she opened it she was very suprised- it was a love note! Complete with illustrations, and a phone number for her to call. Luckily, she told her sister about it first and her sister told her NOT to call them. I was able to reinforce what her big sister told her.

So this weekend Julie has gone to spend the night with some friends from our church youth group, and Madgette has gotten us all to herself for the first time in several weeks. However, we do have some very sad news to report- 2 of the kittens have passed away this weekend. The other 2 are eating and doing very well.

Nerves

Does anyone else find it hard to believe that my baby is old enough to start kindergarten? I am struggling with my professional knowledge that her teachers are well trained individuals who specialize in 5 year old children, and my mother side that says she is my baby and that I can't let her go.

I know we have to do this, and I am glad I have a full teaching load so I will be distracted all day. What if she doesn't know what they are asking her to do when they speak to her in Spanish? There are so many "what if's" that make me nervous. I know I have done everything I can to get her ready for this milestone, so I guess that is why she is perfectly happy and excited about her big day. That is probably why I am nervous and she is OK.

Pray for us this week-

Update

So here is a quick update on the going-ons around the Madge and half home.

The little kittens are eating quite regularly, and a getting the hang of eating from a bottle. The one we have named "big mouth" might be the first one evicted from the kitten sibling box. All the kittens will be sound asleep, and big mouth will start meowing. Within moments he will awaken all his siblings. We might have our own version of Big Brother soon!

Julie and Madgette have spent a little to much time together this week since I have gone back to work. They are acting like real sisters- fussing and then playing together. We took Madgette to kindergarten orientation tonight and she got to see her classroom and meet her teacher. Fun, fun! We have to go this weekend and finish her school supply shopping.

The Razorback will also start back to school on Monday. So Monday our entire family will be starting a new school year in one way or another, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Our latest fiasco

Tonight we came home from dinner with our good friends Momma Pug, The Aggie, Catfish, and Phruitz to an unusual sound in our shed. It was the sound of one very hungry kitten, and the silence of three other kittens who were to weak to make much noise.

We gathered them all up and then made a Wal-Mart run to pick up kitten formula and rushed back home. We attempted to feed them all. Julie and I had the most luck getting some of the kittens to eat. We have named one of them "Big Mouth" which is the noisy little guy who alerted us to their presence. Julie has named the black kitten "Hug" because she/he/it loves to cuddle. The other two remain nameless for the time being.

Did I mention their mom died 2 days ago? She joined our family because she jumped into my engine and rode home with me almost a year ago- but she never did let us touch her- just let us feed her. She always stayed at least 3 feet away from us at all times. We knew she was dead when we were able to walk right up to her. We had not told Madgette about the death in hopes that we could just avoid the topic all together. So guess what other conversation we were lucky enough to have tonight?

Now I feel like we will be awake every few hours bottle feeding little babies. Wish us strength and luck- I think they are going to need it!

Shopping on Tax Free Weekend

We decided to go shopping for Julie's school clothes today, since it was tax-free weekend in Texas. After 2 stores we had gotten everything she needed and her backpack. She was not real enthused with dress code clothes and I cannot say that I blame her since she is a teenager.

I think she was a little shocked at how much we spent to get 5 days worth of dress code clothes so we only have to wash once a week. She said it "cost lots of money" to which my reply was "Welcome to American back to school shopping"

This evening the Razorback cooked us some baked chicken breasts, mac & cheese, and a corn and butter bean mix. Poor Julie, all she would eat was the baked chicken breast. We have gone to the game closet and picked out several games. We have played Zingo which is an educational reading type of Bingo, Connect Four, and are getting ready to begin Monopoly. Julie loves to play games, which fits right into our family!

We are just having a wonderful weekend, spending time together and getting to know each other better. We are broke as all get out, but truly blessed, and extremely happy. Life just doesn't get much better than this!

A Day in the Life of an American Newcomer

Well folks, we are live from the great city of Houston, TX tonight with an update on Foreign Exchange 08-09. She arrived Sunday, and after many trips on the underground train and some horrible directions from airport staff we finally found her. Julie (names have been changed to protect the innocent) was exhausted but excited about being in the U.S.A. (can we blame her?) and Madgette was equally as excited to meet her "big sister."
We came home, she unpacked, and we ate an early dinner. The poor thing went to bed at 5 pm much to the dismay of Madgette who at her young age was quick to point out that it was still daylight. In her book that means we do not go to bed. Julie slept until 8 am this morning, and was still tired. We went out to lunch with my colleagues then one of my newest great friends, Tree, met us at the high school where I was supposed to be doing some training. She gave Julie the grand tour and showed her where all the things of importance were located. I think it was all a bit overwhelming for our exchange student who went back to the home of our friend Tree and took a nap.
Upon my arrival Madgette was quick to volunteer for the job of waking her slumbering big sister. After a quick update on the baby (which was all good) we headed towards home. Both girls slept all the way home, then came in and Julie went back to bed. We let her sleep for another 30 minutes and then woke her up to go to Taekwondo. After class was over, we made our thrice weekly trip next door to the Goodwill and I made my greatest discovery yet. I found a Gail Pittman pasta bowl in my pattern for $3.99. Those of you who are from Mississippi will understand the greatness of this find. For those of you not from MS, let me clue you in. This bowl was created, hand signed and originally at least $40. It was in perfect condition! Woo-hoo!

This evening we have watched a movie and both girls have had showers, hugs, and been sent off or tucked in bed. Now I guess it is time to clean up, and head to bed myself. Another successful day behind us!

A few pictures...

Dancing with Mr. G was worth some "knucks"

Proud parents and a happy kid

Nothin' like hanging with your cousin...

Anxiously awaiting school shots

No longer excited after getting five of them!

Yes, ice cream does help you recover-

Best friends ready for a little baseball

Let's go Astros!!!

Every good band needs a vocalist :-)

Waiting for instructions from the Master- note the white belt

"I really got it?" The Razorback was happy to tie her yellow belt!


Look Mom- it's the board I broke with my hand! By the way, my hand REALLY hurts.

I just wanted to share a few of our summer pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do, and be sure to leave us a comment!

Storm News

It would appear that we are about to have our first experience with a tropical storm named Edouard. Our cars are gased, water purchased, bathtub filled, and snacks ready. I have never been through a storm of this caliber, so I am a little anxious. The Razorback has an unhealthy attachment to "The Weather Channel" and Madgette just wants him to change the channel. At five you get really bored with bad weather-or in our house maybe it is just a girl thing.

The meterologist says we will get the worst part of the wind and rain in Houston because we are to the right side of the projected path. Great. This glorious storm is suposed to hit us about lunchtime. On the bright side, at least it won't be 110 degrees here tomorrow! I will be sure to keep you posted to what happens to the Madge...and a Half family.

Kindergarten...Here She Comes!

Today was a momentous day for our family. Kindergarten registration! We arrived at her school this morning to be greeted by a huge line. We stood surrounded by families of other pre-k and kindergarten children- most of whom spoke Spanish as their native language. We waited in all the lines, filled out all the paperwork, and succeeded in registering this small young lady.

This event has reminded me of how outgoing she is. Madgette has never met a stranger- (wonder where she gets that?) and will start a conversation with anyone she sees. While most of the little hispanic girls were staying close to their mothers and being shy, Madgette would walk right over to them and greet them with a very cheerful "Hola!"

How is it that she is old enough to start public school? She was just being born the other day- broken leg, messed up neck, crooked fingers, and all. The Razorback and I are very, very blessed to have a healthy, vibrant, intelligent daughter. She amazes us on a daily basis with something she does or says. Is she spoiled? Maybe. Is she loved? Tremendously and without a doubt!!!