Live...laugh...love Life with 4 kids 6 and under. Our trip to pick up Tonito in China is: mid-March 2008 through April 12. Our trips to pick up Ricky in Ethiopia are in June and August of 2010.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Our first day at Camp

Monday was the kids' first day at camp! In Mexico they call it "curso de verano," like summer course" so the kids are calling it "school." To-may-to or to-mah-to, they had a good first day. For some reason they were put into separate groups, and we might try to get that changed. It is such a huge transition for them- to be thrown into this new atmosphere, all in Spanish, not knowing anyone... I'm worried if they will make friends, if they will try to fit in, if their Spanish will improve enough so that people can understand them, if they will have fun, if they will be teased... I guess all the parents worry about that, it's just that Tonito looks "different" than the other kids, and they both speak differently, etc. Tonio once told me that you're not a good mom if you don't worry, so I guess the sleepless night I had last night is worth something!?
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Anyway, so we dropped them off and watched our two cuties get smaller among the crowds of kids and teachers- each of them gripping the straps of their new princess and Lightning McQueen backpacks. Then we went back home to play with Maya and wait until noon, when we would return for the inauguration. The ceremony was spectacular- I have never seen anything like this in the US (haha, and I worked as a camp counselor for 7 years!). We were all in a huge auditorium, overlooking the kids parading in with their black t-shirts. Once they all found a seat we watched the show of acrobats and dancers (click on the pictures to make them bigger. Play where's waldo in the first picture by searching for Tonito waving in the top right and Vivi watching the show in the bottom right):

After the inauguration we took the kids home- when our eyes met amidst the crowds they were so happy (relieved?) to see us! I know this experience is going to be positive- it will help them with their Spanish and make them stronger, but it is always hard to watch your kids feel out of their comfort zone. After the show we came home and played with Inaki and relaxed. Phew, we survived day 1!




4 comments:

Laurie said...

Wow..that looks like so much fun for them. I know what you mean about having to leave them out of their comfort zone. We just left Cate in the church nursery for the first time and Tim and I just about knocked each other out racing down the stairs to go and get her at the end of the service. Parenting is hard!

Anonymous said...

So was Day 1 harder on Mom or the kids? Dad xxoo

Anonymous said...

I think the kids will adjust. Just give them a little time. There is always something to worry about with the ones you love1 Love, Mom

Tonio said...

I love the way you narrate all our adventures. It's so hard to be away, but I'm also hoping this will be a very positive experience for the kids... (and the Mami ;)