I have been meaning to post but if I would have written earlier- it would have said something different each day. In our efforts to be on top of things we have been thinking that our little Sarah needs to meet other 8 yr old girls. So we began to think of our options... We started thinking this because at home she will at times act like a 2 yr old (copying Anna). I think she does not know how 8 yr olds act so I we visited the local Catholic school but decided against it because they did not offer special classes to fill Sarah's needs- ELL, reading specialist, etc. Then I stopped at the local public school, they were very receptive and it looked like Sarah was going to be able to be in her ELL friends class and attend 1/2 day 2nd grade. Today I found out that class is full. Sarah would be in another classroom where she does not know anybody, she speaks english but only at about 50% proficiency (that's a guess). She would show up at lunch time without a friend to connect with and she supposed to blend in? I don't think so. Plus the teacher is PG and that means a sub when she has her baby- hmmm, not sounding good again. The other issue is our sweet daughter is enamored with babies in tummies. She happens to know more than the average 8 yr old, on that subject (due to older kids at the orphanage) and she may just sit down with her teacher and discuss the babies birth... 3 strikes were out.
HS is going great. Sarah is making steady progress! We were just thinking if we could combine the 2- that she would also benefit from the peer interaction. In preparation we told Sarah that if she went to school she would have to put on her own snowsuit, boots, mittens and jacket- the teacher does not do that... She was shocked and commented "bad teacher". Of course they did not do that in China either but I think she likes the extra TLC. We do not mind doing these things but we are trying to figure out at what point do you encourage the her to do age appropriate tasks? She is incredibly capable and often does these things but sometimes I do have a 55 lbs 2 yr old.
Some friend have offered one on one playgroups with other kids around her age but I do not think she is ready. She gets uncomfortable and plays by herself (parallel play)- this is a skill she needs to learn- with time it will happen but should we be encouraging it or not rushing it?
I do have to say I have put way to much time thinking about this and not enough time praying about it. Since she is progressing so nicely I need to just be patient and prayerful.
Sarah is taking gymnastic lessons, playing soccer and taking swimming lessons. She also does ELL and speech- so she is doing enough! It is just that none of these are actual opportunities to build a friend relationship. We have not put her in our christian ed classes yet- we were planning to start in the fall. I think I may need to reread my friend Sally's post again. I am not in control- God is in control- be peaceful and trusting in the Lord (and repeat as often as necessary)!
Here are pics of the girls helping me make brownies! Yes, they are from a box!
Our niece Emily is getting married this weekend! All the kids will be home except for Mark. Katie is currently stuck in Iowa city with strep throat- she is on antibiotics and on the mend. She will head home tomorrow! We are excited to have almost everyone home and to go to the wedding!
