Ayyam'i'Ha 2011

Happy Ayyam'i'Ha ("Days of Joy")! This is a special celebration in the Baha'i Faith, a time for service to others as well as fun parties and exchange of gifts. Ayyam'i'Ha stars Feb 26th, and goes until March 1st.

To celebrate this year, we made new decorations (garlands of yarn and beads), and hung our "pockets" -- banners that hang on the wall and hold small gifts for each other. I made these a few years back, my own design. There is a fifth pocket (for leap years) that folds under and snaps for hide-away on non-leap-years.

We also enjoyed a trip to an Amerk's hockey game (Malcolm's first time going to a game!). This was a gift from my brother, Darin, and his girlfriend, Pat (who we absolutely adore!!) Malcolm loved the hockey game, and has asked several times to go back. These requests seem to have absolutely nothing to do with hockey and sound like this: "Mom, remember when we went to the place with hot dogs and chicken fingers and french fries and sugar juice and ice cream? Let's do that again some time!" Or, "Dad, can we go to the place with the balloon animal clown lady again? That was really fun!" And "I miss the Really Big Moose! Can we go play at his house

again?"

We wrapped up Ayyam'i'Ha with a party at Malcolm's preschool. Sadly, Matthew had to work, but Malcolm's B-Ma (birthmom) was able to join in, and fun was had by all. The party included story time and a chat about "what makes us feel joyful," followed by a craft, a pinata and a snack time.

Pre Pre-school

As you may know, Matthew will start his medical technology internship in a few weeks. When he does, Malcolm will be in full time daycare/preschool. Malcolm is old enough to participate in the Universal Pre-K program, offered at a wonderful daycare across the street from our apartment complex. The preschool program, proper, doesn't start until September, but the summer program is in the same classroom, with the same teacher, curriculum, and classmates. Matthew and I decided to have Malcolm start a few weeks early, and go twice a week -- a chance to get used to the new routine, before attending five days a week in August.

Today was Malcolm's first day there. Since it's in preparation for attending the pre-K program, you could essentially call this "Pre Pre-School." As it turns out, Malcolm loved it! His new teachers appear to adore him, and he told me in the short car ride home all about the fun things he did at school. The marble maze, playground and teachers were among his favorites. He even took a nap (first time in over a year!) simply because that was what his classmates were doing! Looking forward to the weeks ahead!

First Day of School

School starts really early here, in Georgia.  The first day of school for most districts was August 11th!  Malcolm's new school, Scottdale Child Development Center, also started then.  In the month since, the whole family fell in love with our new school.  

As you can see from the pictures, his school includes uniforms!  Navy or khaki bottoms, and polo shirts in white, navy, or light blue.  In winter, he can wear turtlenecks in the same colors.  White socks, with black or brown shoes, complete the outfit.  Most schools down here have uniforms, at least through middle school, so all the stores carry uniform basics -- but not in itty-bitty Malcolm sizes!  We found shorts/pants for him, but ended up ordering shirts off the internet.

Malcolm has two main teachers, Miss Brown and Miss Malcolm, who take such loving care of him.  In addition to the important social skills (sharing toys, taking turns, playing with peers), and school readiness skills (following directions, sitting for circle time), he's also getting lots of daily practice with many skills -- eating with utensils, singing songs, the ABCs and counting.  They practice colors, shapes, puzzle . . .  I could go on and on.

His teachers even provide so many of the wonderful details that are usually so hard to come by in a school/daycare setting -- like having the kids wash hands before every meal, and after every diaper change.  They help Malcolm brush his teeth after lunch, and put on sunscreen and bug-spray everyday before playing outside.

Malcolm's not just learning, though  . . .   As most of our readers may know, we've been teaching Malcolm sign language (ASL) since birth.  He now uses about 150 signs (some more than others).  I recently heard from his teachers that he's teaching the other kids in his class to sign as well!  This week, he taught them the sign for "boy" (his current favorite sign).

Way to go, Professor Malcolm!