Fiona’s First Day of School and Other Stuff

Fiona’s first day of school was Tuesday the 18th. She did not get the teacher she wanted or that we thought she was going to get. She is a little sad but I think she will be ok. She wore a dress and headband we bought in France and the sandals she got when we went to my friend’s wedding in May (we call them the wedding sandals). It was so nice to be able to walk to school and home. It’s also nice for me during pick-up time because it takes me five minutes to get to the school. Fiona’s class currently has 20 students, 10 girls and 10 boys. In California, that is considered a smaller class. She doesn’t know everyone’s name but she is learning. A lot of things are the same as they were in preschool: cubbies, a rug for sitting, singing songs, even some of the books are the same. She has a folder for papers in her backpack and a Frozen lunchbox. There are at least two other girls in her class with Frozen backpacks (different designs though) so I’m glad I wrote her name on hers. On the walk home, Fiona told me what she did in class, sang me a song she learned, and told me about the playgrounds. I think she had a good day, even though she says she doesn’t want to go back because she felt very hot and also it was a long day. I told her that the day is the same length as it was at her preschool but I don’t think she believes me. We discussed clothing options to help her stay cooler.

The only negative incident happened at some point when another girl in class hit and kicked Fiona. Fiona told me the story very matter-of-factly. It didn’t bother her that much. She told the girl to stop and the girl walked away. I was so very very proud of her for asserting herself and using her words. She didn’t tell the teacher so we talked about doing that next time. Then we speculated on the girl’s motivations and what the girl should have done differently depending on what she wanted. I REALLY REALLY hope she has a good year and that this incident, while seemingly not great, is a sign that she is ready to handle school and other students. Last year was very challenging for a long time and I feel like we can use a break. I don’t want her to dislike school or have a bad experience and I want the class to help Fiona reach her full potential.

In other news, we went to the fair twice. The first time was on Thursday. The whole family went: John, Fiona, Victoria, my parents, and me. We enjoyed looking at the animals, going on rides, eating fair food and ice cream, and we went to a concert. We saw the B52s. It was a good show, though a little late (the went on stage 20 minutes later than they were supposed to, which to me is a big deal considering the concert is only supposed to be an hour and there were A LOT of kids in the audience). I like fair concerts because they don’t cost anything other than admission to the fair, they are open seating so you don’t have to worry about not getting in, and you can go close to the stage if you want, though I did not. Victoria fell asleep and Fiona said she wanted to sleep too, but “the music disturbs me.” We waited to hear “Love Shack” which was the next song, then left. No “Rock Lobster” for us. The musicians who perform know everyone is there just to hear all the greatest hits, so they perform those songs and nothing else. It’s really nice.

I wonder if this pig won any ribbons:

I know who I would give the blue ribbon for Cutest Baby to:

I love how skeptical she looks in the first photos.

Fiona on a ride with some other girls:

Fiona layering because it turned a little cold in the evening:

Concert photos:

Fiona loved the slide the most this time:

 

My parents at the fair:

The annual tradition of Fiona riding a pony in a circle:

My dad with Victoria:

 

 

I will not lie, I think my dad is one of Victoria’s favorite people. She gets so happy when ever she sees him.

Fiona on John’s shoulders:

There were several other little girls on dads’ shoulders that night.

Fiona with my mom, one of her favorite people:

They never stop moving so it is difficult to get a good picture of them together.

I think this concert was our last late night. It started late, we got home late, Fiona was a grouch the next day, I was a grouch the next day, only Victoria was fine, having slept through the night for some reason. I think we are damaging her somehow by doing these sorts of things. I never would have taken 8-month-old Fiona to a concert at the fair if there was a fair at that time of year, and not just because she was a preemie. We had a set bedtime and that was that. But we expose Victoria to all sorts of things because Fiona is at an age when she can enjoy places like Disneyland or a fair concert and what are we to do with Victoria? So we declared “No more late night or loud happenings” for a long long time.

We went back to the fair on closing day in order to ride more rides and eat more fair food.

The first thing we did was ride the big ferris wheel:

 

 

Catching ducks on the midway (and winning a small prize that already disappeared):

A mini coaster:

Fiona absolutely loved the bumper boats:

Playing with gizmos at the Youth Expo:

I went on this swing ride with Fiona on our previous visit and can attest that it is actually really fun!

Getting her face painted:

Driving some big trucks:

 

Wearing her new hat:

Victoria sleeping in the car seat:

Fiona hugs Victoria a lot and plays with her:

Practicing pulling to a stand and then taking a break:

SuperFi getting ready to race with John:

The cape is actually an old maternity dress of mine, the red one I wore in the last photo of my pregnancy with her. She sometimes wears it as a princess dress and lately, it is a cape.

Guess who is really into the shoes, just like her sister before her?

Fiona took it upon herself to stack all the shoes on the bench, then we gave Victoria shoes that Fiona hasn’t worn yet because they are still too big. That way, she can safely chew on them without us worrying about where we walked.

Here are some old photos of Fiona from when she was 10 months (8 months adjusted), playing with the shoes:

It’s amazing to me how similar some of their development is. When I look at photos of Fiona when she was the same age adjusted that Victoria is now, she was doing a lot of the same things, including pushing up with her feet in a Downward Facing Dog position, the way she was sitting and eating, when she started standing. So many similarities. Victoria got her first tooth about a week ago. Fiona got hers at the same age actual. They are definitely sisters.

For some reason, Victoria decided to pull this toy away from the chair against which it usually sits:

Fiona got new car seats in John’s car and my car. The one in my car is pink the one in John’s car is green. The model in his car comes in pink too and is called “Fiona” but it was not available when we bought it. She still falls asleep, with the snack bag. I think it is just because she often snacks in the car so the bag is on her lap. I still think it’s cute. This photo was taken not long after leaving the fair.

 

I will likely not post for a while (but who knows) because I’m putting nose to the grindstone for next few months to get some things taken care of in my PhD program. I’m hoping to be ABD by this time next year. This has dragged on too long and I am behind schedule by a year, a schedule that is set assuming I am a full time graduate student with no job or family (but mostly no other job) so I really need to concentrate. I’m in the process of looking for a nanny for Victoria so I can work during the day. I am just too tired at night to do the kind of reading and writing I need to do. It’s been a memorable and very tiring summer to say the least. Wish me luck!