Today was the first day at Iz’s new school. It’s a really amazing place with such wonderful teachers. I’m so glad the first day of school is here. Our move to Seattle has left us without a routine, and while I tried to maintain our old one as much as possible, it just wasn’t possible. And so frustrating. Iz not falling asleep until 2AM, me in tears trying to be patient (and not being so patient some of the time…ugh). She so tired that she’s back to biting and scratching and hitting (just me mind you…). I totally feel for her. Her whole life has changed, she’s waiting for Daddy and Cinnamon (the cat) to join us (you can see Rob’s progress on his blog or on Flickr), she hardly has any of her own stuff here (it’s all in boxes/storage, besides – there’s no room). She’s got a new “sister” – in the best friend way, and is totally missing her friends. (Gracie May, Henry, Ava Rose, Zosha, Emmett and Nate – we need to arrange a phone call!) But man, this is so hard. I know she’s ready for school, I’m just super eager for a routine again. Routines seem to make it all ok. (ps, Scooby and Stretchy Thingy stayed in the car today)
This is Amy, one of Iz’s teachers, Hi Amy! Amy is super crafty, I’m trying to get her to blog too. She makes such amazing clothes, bags, you name it.
This is Whitney, one of Iz’s teachers too. She’s way cool and has a degree in environmental education. I love that. She also hails from Massachusetts and is so glad to be in Seattle too.
Iz is making art. There are lots of art stations in her room and there is an open studio (pic below) that she spends the morning in. Who wouldn’t want to spend the morning in studio?
Iz’s bin that holds her water bottle, the ever famous change of clothes and stuff from the day. She made this picture for her bin, but insisted that we take it home at the end of the day.
Here’s Iz in the studio. Lots of color, paper, markers paint. YUM!
Iz’s name card. Little Miss Otter. (or is that a sea lion?)
Oh, and her lunch! I got her a Laptop Lunch Box, and it has to be the greatest thing ever! The containers really help me plan her lunch. (ok, I just did day 2, but seriously, the boxes really help me organize and you know how I LOVE that). Day one she got spinach quiche (the crustiest parts, I took the other half in my lunch), Chickpea Salad, almonds, seaweed wrapped rice crackers, apples, strawberries and cheddar cut into the shape of animals (I went to Uwajimaya and got the sweetest set!). We made her lunch bag out of a thrifted tennis skirt and thrifted sweaters that I felted for insulation (the lead-in-vinyl thirng freaked me out a bit). More pictures of that later.
I started my new job today. Just wonderful, but so strange since I’ve been focusing on Iz so much and all her first day stuff. It’s a lovely place with lovely things (oh my you should see these documents, just breathtaking….). I did get lost in the neighborhood trying to get back in time for pick-up and needless to say I was super late. But what wonderful people let me know it was all ok and that they were there for me and Iz if we needed them. All these friendly faces and warm places help to make Iz and my life a bit brighter, helping me realize that perhaps we are getting settled a bit, and soon, there won’t be biting, hitting, scratching, stomping, screaming.
Ok, so I’m going to write more about that those last few words…bear with me:
Let me first say that I completely understand that these changes are stressful and this is the end result. The frustration, anger and tears come pouring out. This is her exploding. While I consider myself patient, I didn’t flinch when she bit me, or hit me or scratched me and while I remained calm, at one moment I snapped and raised my voice (ever so slightly of course). I feel so bad, and so angry and so frustrated. I miss Rob and the cat too. I miss my old car (the Volvo now has a new owner – sniff sniff!), I miss my gardens, I miss friends. I totally get it, I haven’t been sleeping either which makes it all a bit hard. And then I think well if I’m in a good place she’ll be in a good place too. Right? Am I projecting all my stress on her? Is this just something we need to settle into and we’ll find our groove and rock on? I think so. We just need to get through the right now. At least lunch is made for tomorrow – have a look:
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