The Wheels on the Bus....

Taking care of a 4r old, even part-time, really eats up your day...plus, it's fall & nice for yard cleanup, plus, I've been subbing a bit at school--didn't think I would be holding out that option for those good long term jobs in spring, which will be plentiful w/lots of retirements on the horizon due to contracts changing due to our state new repub. governor's union busting efforts...don't get me started...    So, school is on my mind....and I promise Isla pics after this for a bit, since Isla is never off my mind & I uploaded new pics that have been on my camera forever...            so, one more school related post...

ShangHai school bus.... the actual characters are:     Shang hai Shi (city) Xiehe Guoji xuexiao

Astrid , granddaughter #3, looking out the window of her bus.  Sofi, granddaughter #1 asks why there are curtains on the bus (since hers has no curtains...)  neither, of course, have car seats...which makes one wonder...not in China though... and Sofi wonders why Astrid just can't come over to visit us on the bus.
I'm not sure when one develops a sense of world geography and distances.
On the other hand, she does know that to get to our place in Mexico (Isla), we have to take:
a car; a bus, a plane, another bus, a taxi, a ferry, and finally, a golf cart.   a fun series of things, to her...

Granddaughters #1 & #3 are enjoying their bus trips, maybe as much as their time at school...
who knew?

and here is Evie...granddaughter #2, at her Schlitz Audubon Nature Preschool in Milwaukee, WI
She looks equally happy with what is in store for her...    bug vs. bus is more like it....
looks like lots of trees, leaves & critters           and the classroom stuff is really innovative...global!

Evie breaking in her new rainsuit at school.

Evie celebrated her birthday at school - she carried a huge globe and walked around the sun 4 times. Pretty neat way to celebrate 4 years on Earth!

 

here is Sofi getting on her daily bus and getting some help with her backpack..
So there...
that takes care of the start of another school year....for another generation...
And again, it does seem like Sept is the beginning of the year and change for so many... I think in a place with seasons it is more pronounced.
Somehow, Jan here, the beginning of the calendar year...does not feel like a real change... whereas Jan. in Mexico does feel more like a beginning of a year...I wonder why that seems to be... just my own feelings...
But, whatever...it gives me the chance to have a new beginning, twice a year.  I'm liking that!
And it may be the case for Sofi also, if she gets to have some time in Mexico at school as well...we'll see...
If so, she'll be trading bus rides, for golf cart rides....all good!

Happy New Year, Happy School Year.... Sept 2012...

 It seems more like Sept, vs. Jan. is the beginning of the new year. 

So many new beginnings for so many kids, and guess we have all been there... 

This year, we have 3 granddaughters all beginning a new school program. 

Our eldest, Sofia, is beginning 4K, and starting today, is going to ride the school bus, getting on at our place.  (We will make some changes during her school year, which probably even includes her coming to Mexico with us and attending a primary school like she did once before.  She had so many wonderful experiences...I can't wait to for her to do it again...Yea! for Mexico...we were thrilled with the care and attention & friends she had at a local Isla primary school...

For myself...I am especially enjoying the beginning of the school calendar, with NOT working!!! 
It is my first year since 'retiring' since not taking on a job-share, long-term subbing or tutoring at the Sept. start of the school year... 

Yay..for freedom!!!!  

First day of School (4K) — 

Granddaughter No.2, Evie, (below, in a tree, is going to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Preschool in Milwaukee.  Hope to add more photos of her in the actual classroom..

We look forward to hearing some good nature stories from her.  Schlitz--Milwaukee..yes, the beer baron...but, glad to see they have branched out from beer to other endeavors...am sure beer paved the way...but, whatever.... I love that they are behind a nature based preschool 
here's Evie in a tree....at an open house, to check it out...and Violet is below, as always...an 'acolyte.'...

Granddaughter No. 3 is beginning preschool in Shanghai, China.  It seems she does like it, and is already learning Chinese very quickly.  Can't wait to follow her progress. Very soon she will pass my own Chinese ability, which has grown very rusty after over 20 years of non use.

Astrid Goes to School                              

1. July 25

   First day at school 

   

Astrid Goes to School