The Kids are December babies. If they had not been born 2.5 months premature, their birthday would be in February.
Why is this important?
Based on their actual age, they were eligible to attend full-time school (in Ontario) this past September.
We didn’t send them.
One reason is their prematurity and the other is due to the fact that we travel four months of the school year. Canadian schools won’t allow this disruption to their schooling.
Mexico is not Canada.
Last winter, each day, around 11:30am we would pass by “the school with the seven dwarfs outside” and watch the students do gym in the front room.
The Kids wanted to go desperately.
Unfortunately, they needed to be three years old (they were) AND toilet trained (they weren’t).
This year, they met both requirements and told us they wanted to go. Ed and I were receptive to the idea because we really want them to know the local culture as well as learn to speak Spanish. They understand Spanish almost as well as English.
On Monday, January 6, after surviving two long weeks of anticipation (due to the holidays), Ed and I showed up at the school at 8:30am sharp.
Except school wasn’t open.
The next day, we figured we had nothing to lose so we came with positive (and adorable) reinforcements… The Kids. They were so excited and couldn’t stop telling us about all the things they were going to do.
Unfortunately, the school was full.
But, it is Mexico. And, The Kids would only be going for three months and maybe I could help some of the teachers with their English. Did I mention that it was Mexico…
The Director took our cell phone number and said that she would speak with her staff members regarding class sizes and get back to us in the afternoon.
We waited.
And waited.
In fact, we waited right until 8am on Wednesday morning.
Other people would have gotten the message. But, we’re stubborn. And The Kids really wanted to go. And, the next closest school was a 15 minute walk away.
So, at 8:30am on Wednesday morning, Ed and I headed out again. This time, we left The Kids at home (with Uncle Andrew) and prepared for the inevitable message of rejection. As for the Directors response,
Find Out What Happened Next…
Aaargh! I can’t wait to read the next chapter of this exciting adventure! Will you build a slide and easel at the house? Will you brave a 15 minute walk (gasp!) to attend the next closest school? Will your English-lesson bribery overcome all obstacles? The suspense is almost TOO MUCH! No, really…waiting on the edge of my seat here..
Yay sliding and painting and videos! Oooh, the suspense is gnawing at me, too! 🙂
That is the cutest most heartwarming little clip I have seen in a long time. They are so excited!
Good luck with the whole school thing… they should be able to slide and paint and slide and paint all they want!
Magnolia recently posted…Your Communication Style – A Guide for the Challenged
Yeah… leave me hangin’!!
Freda Mans recently posted…Sally Hansen #CSMTKO
Hello cutie pies! I love sliding and painting too. You should really try the two together. Loads of fun.
Can I say that I am so jealous that you can send your kids to school in Ontario at the age of 4? No such thing here ( unless your child has special needs). You either pay (and it’s not cheap) for preschool and/or daycare. If you are a work outside the home parent sending your little one to preschool means footing both a preschool AND daycare bill since preschool (and kindergarten the next year) are both part time. It’s a pretty big burden for a lot of people.
mommy oustide recently posted…Wordless Wednesday – Winter Fun w/linky
Two of our children didn’t start school until age 5, whereas middle child started at 4 only because she bugged and bugged us. I regretted sending her. Even though she was a summer child (June), 4 was still too young. Every child is different though, and you have to go with your gut, you know what is best for your child better than anyone else.
AlwaysARedhead recently posted…I just spent twenty of the past twenty-four hours sleeping
Awwww, what a cute video! How exciting too!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…In The Quiet Of The Morning
You can totally feel their excitement! Too cute!!