Chicken!

That's me I'm referring to -- as in chicken with her head cut off. I am running around like crazy!!! Frantic - stressed - overwhelmed - anxious - exhausted - confused - nervous - spent!!!

I can not believe all the details. And yes, I should be doing them instead of blogging but I have to record all the drama so it's all there for my future book/movie deal. I swear, all of the details and stress, albeit self-imposed, are a sight to see. If my life pans out the way I'm planning it could be interesting reading.

So what kinds of things am I doing and why don't I have someone helping me? Trust me when I tell you I WOULD IF I COULD but, well, most of it isn't the type of stuff I can delegate. I have to be the one filling out forms and notarizing and sorting through stuff to pack. If I had a husband he could split packing or paperwork but friends and family really cannot.

Just in the last two days I have had to run to FedXKinkoz to get some paperwork printed and scanned. My printer at home ran out of ink and it doesn't have a scanner so it's in the Goodwill box. I printed paperwork from the movers and scanned my tax form from the IRS. I reviewed documents required, made phone calls, sent numerous emails, applied for an EIN number, hired a management company and got our passport photos done. Most of the time Almi is at school but she had to go with me to get her picture taken. We had to wait for them to be processed and trimmed so of course my curious bambino wanted to climb and touch. She was better behaved than she has been in the past - at least she didn't run off ! - but it was naughty enough for three people to comment on it including the especially rude and cranky elderly woman standing next to me at the self check-out. How did she put it? Oh yes, I remember: "Someone needs some home training." Being equally cranky and rude I responded with, "Someone needs to mind her own business." Ok, not my best moment but come on, really? She's three. She wasn't throwing a tantrum or screaming or running around wild. She was being curious and ignoring my requests to stop touching. The nicer comment came from a kind woman about my age. She said, "She is just like my daughter. It's the age." Thank you sweet woman. You made my day.

What else? I went down to vital records to pick up her DC birth certificate but the person in charge of adoptions wasn't there. Come back tomorrow I was told. I tried to make an appointment to get her expedited passport but you have to be traveling within 14 days. "I am," I implored but was informed they don't count the day of travel and to call back the next day. I went to the post office to pick up the passport application and discuss my PO Box. While talking to the clerk about my options, someone rudely shouted out, "THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN LINE HERE!!" Must be the heat.

What else? I went to the thrift store to find a white t-shirt for Almi to tie dye at school on Friday. Found a pair of Capris for me and two pairs of cute shorts there for her as well. I made a list of what needs fixing and scheduled the handyman to come on Saturday. I ordered some metal straws and a book on Unschooling online. And I figured out my 6-year plan. Most people do a 5-year plan but since international teaching contracts typically have 2 year commitments I did a 6-year plan (more on that later). I baked some chicken in my Crock and did laundry. I watched a couple of episodes of House Hunters International (I know, I know! I don't have time but I am addicted!! But no more until after the movers come)... and the movers. Oh the movers... That is what is taking up an inordinate amount of time as well as you can imagine. They are packing me but I need to remove from each room what I don't want them to pack. I was told since they get paid by weight they may not be terribly careful to leave behind the things that are supposed to stay in DC. I was told by some international travel types to put everything I want to remain in one room. That sh!t takes time!!!

The movers had originally told me they were coming today and then they said they'd let me know. Thing is, they didn't-- that is until they called late Wednesday afternoon that they would in fact be here Thursday at 8am. Um, no, please! I begged them for one extra day but that day was booked but Monday it is so I must get back to packing!!!!!!

This moving overseas thing as a disorganized, single mom with a house full of stuff and an adopted child is a sure test of wills! Oh, speaking of wills I need to do one of those, too. And fill out my insurance forms, authenticate our birth certificates, and set up online bill pay, and change Almi's name on her social security card and buy some probiotics and toiletries and purchase travel insurance and sell my car and, and, and....

Breathe. Two weeks is a really long time, right?
Tell me it is.

Pray for My New Nanny

A good friend of mine is heading out of the country this week to do contract work in the Middle East so we got together tonight to say good-bye. We headed down to the waterfront to enjoy the water and grab some Mexican food. The weather was perfect and although Almi was super, duper, wild out of control energetic we still somehow managed to have a great time. Barely.

I love DC weather this time of year. Hot, humid days means the nights are perfect. No need for a jacket (though I never leave home without one because of air conditioning) and soft, warm breezes. It was a gorgeous evening and it should have been lovely and relaxing but my kiddo makes most evenings anything but. Tonight was no different. Almi loves the water so we walked down to the dock to look at the boats before dinner. She enjoyed looking at them but she was very disappointed that we couldn't go on one. If we have time I may try to rent a paddle boat and take her out on the Potomac before we leave. She would really love that, but it would make me nervous the entire time. You see, Almi is a thrill seeking, curious, independent-minded, obstinate child. Don't get me wrong, these can be great characteristics when channeled the right way, but telling her not to do something is the sure fire way to peek her interest and have her do it. These personality characteristics are amazing, frustrating, awe-inspiring, annoying and downright terrifying sometimes. You have to watch this child like a hawk every, single moment because she wants to know what everything tastes like, she wants to experience everything and she has absolutely no fear. Her new thing is to give me a seconds notice before she jumps off of something into my arms. Luckily I have caught her each time. I have great reflexes and I'm strong. Tonight I grabbed her off an elevator before the door shut behind her, I snatched her before she ran into the street and my friend grabbed the candy she found on the street out of her hand before she deposited it into her mouth.

Walking down the dock seemed like a good idea. It was quite a long stretch and I knew she needed to expend some energy. It wasn't until we got down there, though, that I realized only one side had a fence. The other side was a sudden drop several feet down to the dark, murky water. As you can imagine, she wanted nothing more than to get close to the edge. Nearly gave me a heart attack as you can imagine.

Thankfully, we made it up the dock and back unscathed. We were happy to be seated at the best outdoor table available for our Mexican dinner and quite frankly we deserved it. She really scares me! I can manage her and I know her teachers here can, too, but I gotta tell you it keeps me up at night worrying if her new nanny will be as quick on her feet. She came highly recommended and she used to work for a family with five kids so I imagine she can handle one but it's hard since I have never met her. Ordinarily I wouldn't hire someone to care for my child sight unseen (obviously!) but in this situation I could only do what was recommended: hire your nanny before you arrive. This way you have someone there from day one. My nanny will be live-in at first as well. Frankly, it would be next to impossible to try to hire someone when I get there, because I start work five days after I arrive. I need time to settle in and get acclimated and rest before starting a new job. I don't have time to interview people, hire and get to know them. Having her there from day one is really the only way for them to get to each other and for me and Almi to gain some comfort level with her before I have to leave them alone. She came very highly recommended. Her current employers say she is kind and trustworthy and a great cook. And she has worked with several families with children. All of them were pleased. Sounds good. I just hope she can also run fast and has eyes in the back of her head!!!!


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P.S. I got all your comments on the post about my new blog, I just haven't published them yet. Thank you!!!

Good Job

I am amazed at all that was taught at Almi's daycare. She knows so much for her age, especially being a second language learner. I can definitely praise them for this. I am so proud of her. Here she is entertaining herself one afternoon with an old calendar:



I do think, though, that the focus on academics meant they didn't get enough time to play. Play is so important for children this age. Play is their work. In play, children can develop their social skills, their language and their imaginations. They can learn how to solve problems, negotiate and reason. Through play they can explore, manipulate, experiment and create. In her current daycare, their outdoor play time amounted to about an hour a day and with everything she has learned I imagine a large chunk of their day was focused on sitting and learning. As happy as I am with all she has learned, I know there is a lot of room for growth and development. She hasn't had enough opportunities to discover things on her own and she doesn't get enough time to be active. As a parent, I could have certainly filled in these gaps, but being a busy-single-impatient-over extended-exhausted-preparing-to-move-overseas parent, I haven't had the time to provide this for her and I feel badly about that. I am also 100% positive with more physical activity and a more diverse daily schedule her behavior will also improve. (By the way, no one looked at me sideways when they saw me Monday morning and when I brought it up to a few people they all said it was totally normal toddler behavior and that they didn't even really notice. Ha! That was nice of them. But in retrospect I do think that she was just having fun and it got out of control. And that I need to not be so uptight).

On my end I am going to enroll her in sports in the fall. I don't know what's available but I am leaning towards soccer, gymnastics and swimming. In addition, we will be at the pool and beach a lot and out walking around and exploring our new surrounding together. It will be good for both of us. Meanwhile, her new school subscribes to a play-based philosophy so she will be exposed to so many new things. I am thrilled! Included in her weekly schedule are the following activities:

clay & dough
drawing
collage
painting
blocks
role play/drama
reading/books
singing
dance
water play
sand play
physical play

I am beyond ready to get her into a different school environment and I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity. I hope this new schedule will help with her behavior and with her sleep. She has decided that going to sleep is no fun and is now getting only about 9 or 10 hours (including nap) down from 12 or 13. I am sure the need for sleep is an integral factor. Next week starts the summer program at the daycare where there are field trips and more creative activities and outdoor play. It will be interesting to see if this new schedule helps.

What kind of school setting do you (or did you) have your three year old in? Do you think it impacted his/her behavior or sleep? Do you use Melatonin or can you recommend a natural sleep aid?

Well, It Seemed Like it Was Going to be Fun

Part 1

Last night was her awards ceremony. I figured there would be a performance. I was looking forward to it all week. Her teachers said to dress her in a white dress and party shoes. She didn't have a white dress so my mom and I did a quick run to the thrift store and found a new dress with the tags still on it for $10. It had some pink on it but hoped it would be fine. I dropped it off at school with her party shoes and some white socks.

The performance was to start at 3:45. I got there about ten minutes early and the room was already packed. I found a seat and sat down and started chatting with some of the parents when the director called me over. "Ms. E made a boo boo," she said "come out in the hallway so I can speak with you." Gulp. What did that mean? I nervously stepped into the hallway where she informed me that I was printed in the program as being a presenter of the academic awards. Um, excuse me? "Yeah, Ms. E forgot to tell you." Uh, yeah, she did. I was in jeans and a T shirt, no make up and my hair was having a field day with all the humidity!! A presenter?? I glanced at the program and was daunted by the last names on the program in front of me: Mulugeta? Bierne? Sarkozy-Banoczy??? I had no idea how to pronounce some of them! I went back to the room to find some of the parents to ask them how to say their children's names (didn't want to mispronounce it for all the videos that were being taken) and tried to smooth my hair down as best I could. Then a whole crop of new questions came up in my mind: Was I handing out awards? Where did they want me to stand? Did they want the applause held to the end? I stood up to go out and find the director but at that moment the 2 year old class came filing in. The program was ready to begin.

Part 2

So cute. The two year old class went first. They sang songs and were just adorable, of course. Almi sang a little bit.



But she also frowned. And talked. And ran around. And left her seat to come find me in the crowd. Several times. And I was OK with that. She is only 3 after all. But that was just the beginning... (and I don't know why they took off her white socks.. but that was the least of my concerns I discovered)

Then there were the awards. First I got up to give the awards for the three year old classroom (turns out all I had to do was read names and I think I avoided butchering most of them) and that was fine. Sure, she hopped out of her seat at the end and grabbed my leg but that was fine. Kind of cute, even. Then they recognized the parent volunteers. Then someone else stood up and gave awards to the two year old classroom. She got several!

She got awards for:

* I Know the Alphabet
* I Know How to Spell My Name
* I Know How to Count to Ten
* I Know How to Count in Spanish

Instead of sitting with all the other children though, she jumped up and down and made noises the whole time. She suddenly was not shy. In fact, she was front and center and in everyone's videos. Her teacher tried to get her to sit. I tried to get her to sit. She was having none of it.

Oh, what else, you ask? Let's see. She took the mike and started singing into it. She danced wildly while the other kids sat quietly. She and another child starting hitting each other.



At the end of the program the director of the whole school got up to thank the families and the teachers. This is a quiet, religious man and he always interjects God and faith and gratitude. Everyone was quiet and listening intently to his words... oh, everyone except Almi. She continued her antics. But this time it was very hard for everyone to hear. She was loud. She refused to sit in her chair. She refused to sit with Ms. E. She refused to sit with me. She wasn't listening to anything either of us said and it was hard for everyone to hear. "Please take your daughter on your lap," I heard her teacher say. I tried but she was squirmy. And then she started saying, "I want to get down!!" in a loud voice, so in respect of all the other families I threw my daughter over my shoulder and carried her out of the program kicking and screaming and crying.

Part 3

I was embarrassed. Yes, it was hot and yes she gets overwhelmed with crowds and being on center stage and she thinks she's being cute and funny. I know, I know, she's three and you can't predict or control toddler behavior all the time and to her she was just having fun for the most part. It was my turn I guess, but W.O.W. She sure chose a terrible time to do it! Did she have to do it in front of all those parents???!!! Man. I couldn't even go back into her classroom to face everyone. And I had whispered in her ear that she better settle down or we were leaving and I had to follow through. So we left. Didn't collect her awards, didn't have any cake, didn't celebrate with the families. Instead we went home. Later Ms. E called me on the phone. "What is going on with our girl?" she asked. "Ever since turning three she is not listening! I tried to get her to sit and she would not." "I know, I told her, me too. Sorry". We chatted for awhile and then she said that I left before the parent volunteer awards so I didn't get mine. "No, I was there for that," I told her. "Oh," she said, "well I guess we forgot to mention you but yours is here on the desk. You have been very involved, bringing things for the parties and at the Halloween parade and at the Christmas party. We wanted to recognize you." "Thanks," I told her and shortly afterwards we hung up. Wow, I didn't even get public recognition after that spectacle. Oh well.

The plan was for Almi to go to Chuck E. Cheese with a colleague that night so I could get some packing done but I told her I couldn't in good conscience send her out for pizza and games after her choices. I didn't want her to get mixed messages so instead we stayed home.

And there you have it. The Awards Ceremony. I sure hope this isn't foreshadowing for her entire third year!
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Please tell me what your children have done to embarrass you? Someone's gotta have a story to top mine! And what would you do at drop off on Monday? Apologize, laugh about it or pretend it didn't happen? Feel bad for me? Vote for my blog at Circle of Moms. Placing in the top 25 would make me feel better! :) Thanks!