Back to School Night 8/30/07

It was a fun night for Back To School Night at Yinghua Academy. Elizabeth and I met her teacher, Zhou Laoshi and the classroom aide. I'm sorry but I didn't write down her name. The teachers will only speak Chinese when there are children present so it was interesting. Elizabeth also found her cubby and assigned seat. She was very excited.

When we got there, the girls wanted to check out the playground. I thought that would be a good way to shake out the willies... I was wrong. We had some tense moments with both Elizabeth and Ella not wanting to listen to mom, but it all worked out in the end.

We ran into our friends Mary and her daughters Elizabeth and Mikela right away. The two Elizabeths are not in the same class though. But, they can do lunch and play time together so that is good.

After we went around and talked about the before and after care and uniforms as well as pick up and drop off options, the teachers held model classes. Elizabeth participated and was picking up on the Chinese already. All Ella wanted to do was play with the white board and the magnets so I diverted her attention with the play kitchen and tool bench in the back of the room.

Earlier in the day I got an emergency call from Daycare about Ella. She decided it was time to put a pebble in her ear. We had just been to the after PE Tube surgery checkup the day before so I couldn't believe it that she was messing with her ears. The little turd! I was able to leave work at 2:30 when I got the call and picked up Ella and Elizabeth and was able to get in to see her ENT Doctor. He had no problems getting the pebble out and asked if I wanted it. I think its still on my dresser. It was about the size of an apple seed. I couldn't believe it but one of my coworkers made a comment about me having to leave early again. The really funny part is she is 8 months pregnant with her first. So I just smiled and left to take care of my daughter.

After we were done at the school, we took the girls out to eat to Grandpa Tony's pizza in Highland. It was Mary and her two girls and me and my two girls. We laughed alot the whole time there. The two Elizabeths couldn't stop talking. Mary and I struggled to keep our laughter contained and could only wonder what is going to happen when they know Chinese and we don't. They were having a serious discussion about why its ok to call a bunk bed a loft bed... it has an upper part so that's why its ok.

The restaurant has old stadium seats from the old Wrigley Stadium and my Elizabeth was sitting on one. I told her she was sitting on a piece of history... she lifted her bottom to look under her butt and asked "What's history mom?" We laughed so hard we were almost crying. And Ella was not to be left out either. On the walls all over they have pictures of old movie stars and rock concerts. Ella pointed to a picture of a young Sophia Loren and said... MOMMMMMY. And I swear I didn't pay her.



I don't see the resemblance, but who am I to question it. :-)