New school.
New teachers.
New friends.
New ward/ church
New routine.
With the move the kids of course had to attend a new school. I think thats been the hardest adjustment so far. BUT they get to ride a bus that picks them up from just about 4 or 5 houses down the street, another new thing!
I love watching them walk down the street together, and I just wonder what they talk about.
Coming from an amazing school in Brighton, Colorado, we had high expectations. It was my first experience sending my child off to school at Foundations Academy. The teachers we WONDERFUL! It also helped that they adored my son Jackson, and his personality. Coming here to Albuquerque I had some inclination that the schools weren't great. However, I really wasn't prepared for this.
The first day of drop off (I drove them of course) I walked them both to meet their new teachers. So we walked to the front office to find out who their new teachers would be. Jackson was assigned to Ms. T. Garcia. And Daphne was assigned to Mrs. Westphal. We were given their room numbers and we were off! Daphne was so excited, yet nervous, and Jackson was anxious.
First was Daphne. The kindergarteners had their own playground so we all walked out there since her new teacher had morning duty.
We walked up to her and I said "Hi, are you Mrs. Westphal? I'm Heidi and this is my daughter Daphne. She's your new student."
She starred at me and replied "No, I don't have a new student."
I said, "I just came from the front office and they told me she was in your class."
She says, "They must have told you wrong. Leave her with me and I'm sure we'll figure it out."
Needless to say my first impression of her was NOT good. So I, very pregnant and emotional, had to walk away from Daphne with a new teacher that wasn't prepared for her.
Then onto Jackson's new teacher... The school bell had already rung, and we got to the classroom as she was already getting her day started. We walked into the classroom, and the teacher looks up, sees Jackson and says, "You must be the new student. Your seat it right there, and she'll tell you what to do." Then looks up and me, like she was wondering why I was still standing there in her classroom, and I said, "Yes, this is my son Jackson." Her reply, "okay, thanks." I gave Jackson a hug and was mentally shoved on my way out the door. It was NOT a good day!
The kids had some new friends they knew from our ward we had already seen at church. So i asked the kids if they made any new friends. "Nope" from Jackson. "not really" from Daphne. Jackson struggled making new friends in New Mexico, and a year later, he still sometimes struggles. Daphne however, is our little social butterfly. She was making new friends and would come home telling me all about her new friends she made that day.
When we got here in Albuquerque, it was the Balloon Fiesta weekend. We had no clue what that was. But we got into town late saturday night, and went to church that next morning. We found what time our new ward started, and we were on our way. It was not a smooth morning. I wasn't prepared to be heading out the door at 8:30 that morning. The kids were not happy & I was frustrated. But we made it, and the new ward was so welcoming. Once they heard we moved into the "Seville Neighborhood" it was a swarm of happiness and welcoming. We have about 8 families within a half mile radius in our little neighborhood. It's amazing!
And our new routine took some getting used to, in a good way. In Brighton our kids were out the door no later than 7:40 to get to school on time. And that was with me driving them to school. But with this new school, and new routine, the kids didn't need to be walking to the bus stop until 8:20. Which meant I could sleep a little later, and we wouldn't feel rushed every morning. But in return the kids aren't getting off the bus until 4:00. Which then means life after school is rushed. Homework, then dinner, showers, and it's time for bed. No time for playing with friends until Wednesday. Wednesdays in our new routine are pretty good. Every Wednesday is a half day, truly. The kids are getting off the bus at 12:30. And last year while Jackson was missing his old class, they got to Skype with Jackson when he was home early on Wednesdays while the kids in Colorado were still in school. It was so perfect!
All in all, new really isn't that bad. We are still adjusting in some aspects of life. But we love it!
