Starting Up While Preparing to Leave

It is a weird feeling to have the girls starting the school year, while simultaneously orchestrating our departure.  I am getting materials lists (a donation of a ream of paper for a 2 year old who is leaving in three months?  That seems a bit much.) and planning on what to sell, all at the same time.

So far, things are going. . .well?  Miss M doesn't seem overly happy, but I think it's because we were quite lax over break, and her school is quite strict.  She got in trouble today when she hit a girl who had kicked her three times.  We are not, for the record, in favor of hitting, but the other child wasn't punished at all, which sort of bothers me.  I know sometimes the teachers are extra-strict with the American kids, because they are seen as undisciplined/spoiled (probably true, but doesn't justify unequal application of the rules, in my book).  Anyway, she was distraught that the music teacher made her sit out music as punishment, and then on top of it all, her best friend J wouldn't speak to her because she hit the other girl, so she had to apologize to both of them.  Which, in my mind, is a good lesson.  Actions have consequences beyond just the classroom teacher's punishment.  But, I also find the teacher's lack of equal treatment a bit vexing.  Miss M isn't a tattletale, but she also will readily admit what has transpired and why she misbehaved.  She has no guilt about street justice, and is rather matter of fact about it.  I recall all too well the unfairness of unequally applied rules during my childhood.  But anyway, we talked about the fact we expect her to use words, not hit, and I think she is fine with it all.

The teacher sent a note home asking if our school account is working.  I've been checking it religiously, without a single message appearing, so apparently it is not.  I can only imagine what she wants to send me a message about.  I tried to talk to her a few days ago at a school event, and she completely walked away from me, twice. 

SB seems to be doing well in preschool.  When I ask her how her day was, she earnestly reports that she "didn't hit anyone today in my school."  Which makes her a step ahead of her older sister on days like today.  The school inquired last week if we mind if they send her home in wet diapers.  It seems she has told them that only mommy, daddy, and our nanny can change her diaper, and pitches a giant fit if anyone there tries to do it.  For some reason, I find this endearing.  She doesn't like to have her diaper changed even by us (but is still steadfastly refusing to use the potty), but the fact she trusts only us for this most disliked of tasks is a testament to her tough, independent little personality.

And now she has woken up and come toddling out, asking that I come in and sleep in her bed with her "more and more and more."  And so I am off, to get her settled.  And I haven't even gotten to the part where I was going to write about preparing to leave.  But more on that soon.