Mama Feelgood: Fall

Miles has had a busy Fall season so far full of changes, new interests, and new routines. He pretty much traded his privileged game cube hours for checkers and chess.

Miles also picked up weekly ukelele lessons with Iz' nephew, Izzy. After his first lesson, Miles got to choose his very own uke so that the vintage uke from Uncle Gary can stay home. Thursdays are long days for Miles with his Uke lesson after school. By the time he's home, he's physically and mentally exhausted. But he does enjoy learning the uke and hopes to be able to play it at NVLA when he has a choice of an instrument.

Speaking of NVLA, Miles is going on his 3rd week tomorrow. So far, his transition has been as good as it can be. I mean, he literally was thrown in there like a kid thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim! Sink or swim! I've realized three major things:
1) In order for Miles to succeed in this Spanish immersion school, Justin and I need to become fluent in Spanish too (we got homework to do).
2) Going to NVLA is a huge commitment for the family. But that should be the case with education period, right!? In other words, no lazy parenting allowed. Haha!
3) Not only will we be working with Miles at home, but we will need to have steady communication with his teachers as well as communication with the other parents.
NVLA pretty much feels like a co-op, which is something we appreciate about it. There is definitely a sense of community there.
Things I miss about Napa Junction:
1) Understanding his homework off the bat, without needing translation.
2) The short distance from home. As we drive to NVLA, a 20 minute drive away with traffic, I have to tell myself, "This is a good school! This is a good school!"

Since Miles has missed the first 2.5 months of class at NVLA, we have been playing catch up at home, learning vowels, alphabets, and counting in Spanish. I found some great teaching resources at the educational store in Vallejo, The Bookworm.

Socially, Miles has made new friends but also misses his Napa Junction friends especially Ace, Angel, Josh, and Adrian. One morning on our way to NVLA, as we passed by the street that takes us to his old school, Miles said, "I wonder if my old classmates miss me." That made me feel sad for the kid. It's been tough for him not being able to see them. But Adrian has called him to talk a few times! Pretty funny listening to their conversations. Miles was happy to visit his old class and see Mrs. C last week. At his new class, he has found some friends that match up to his temperament, including a new buddy, Grayson and Gigi. All in all, Miles has had a smoother time adjusting than I anticipated. But thank God I was wrong. At home, it has been great hearing Darrien & Miles speak the few sentences they know in Spanish to each other, including counting together, and reciting the colors!

Justin and I have been getting involved by volunteering at NVLA. We helped with the sound during kinder's first fundraiser movie night (which was a success!). And I got to spend a morning and afternoon with Miles' class. It was fun but exhausting! I must have fell asleep by 9pm that night. I have so much respect for kindergarten teachers! How do they do it?! This past Friday, Justin and I volunteered (along with 10 other parents!) to chaperone their first field trip to Stanly Lane's Pumpkin Patch. We enjoyed it!