Today when Rainer and I went to Georgia's school for her end of year party, we were greeted by...an empty room! We quickly realized the kids were out on the playground though and when we went out I took my time strolling over because I have to tell you...I LOVE SEEING GEORGIA DO THINGS WHEN SHE DOESN'T KNOW I AM THERE.
LOVE!
When she did finally notice us she came running over with her goofy grin and gave me a big hug. (Side note: this past weekend was the second weekend trip away for the inclusion leadership series I am taking a part of and although I was only gone one night, when I returned on Saturday evening I got a reception from the two kids unlike any I have ever received in my entire life. It absolutely filled me up and I have been floating on that feeling since it happened. Rainer came over and gave me a big hug, and Georgia's face just completely lit up when she popped her head around the corner to see what all the hubbub was about and she ran over to give me the biggest hugs as well. Neither of them wanted me to let them down and before I set foot past the kitchen the three of us were engaged in a big hug fest that turned into a dance party while Alex played the banjo. PURE JOY!)
Where was I?
Oh. Right. So after Georgia got a hug a couple of her friends wanted hugs as well so I obliged. Then Georgia showed me how she walked up the "big steps" all on her own and she had this air about her that came across just like how I remember it feeling when MY mom would come to MY school when I was a kid. She also seemed to want to show off her brother. Rainer, as usual, acted interested, but shy. (Not so shy that he didn't climb the equipment with the other kids though!)
When we went back inside it was circle time and it was a true delight for me to see Georgia participating the way she did. She did all the hand motions and even sang some "la la la". She danced and she answered questions in her way. She laughed. And she kept turning around to check on Rainer and I and to make sure we saw what she was doing. I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face the whole time I am sure!
After circle time she did have a mini breakdown when the kids were transitioning to the snack area for cupcakes, but it was short-lived and she shunned her cupcake (no surprise there), but gratefully ate up her sour cream and onion potato chips. Rainer, who couldn't wait to get his hands on a certain shape sorter occupied himself with that and soon Georgia was helping him with it. When she realized the other kids had gotten up for "one last dance party" however, she took off like a shot and joined them.
Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by things like this. Perhaps I should expect them to be "normal", but regardless, seeing her over there jumping and dancing and participating just...it just. You know? It just just! She was copying the other kids' moves in her own gangly funny way, and laughing, and smiling, and saying "jump! jump! jump!" And when the freeze song came on she just CRACKED me up! The music would play and then stop and they would all shout "Freeze!" and throw their hands up into the air. Georgia included.
And I guess that was the gist of today. Georgia included. It was lovely.
(And we've been playing the freeze game all afternoon.)
Now what to do until summer school???
Today when Rainer and I went to Georgia's school for her end of year party, we were greeted by...an empty room! We quickly realized the kids were out on the playground though and when we went out I took my time strolling over because I have to tell you...I LOVE SEEING GEORGIA DO THINGS WHEN SHE DOESN'T KNOW I AM THERE.
LOVE!
When she did finally notice us she came running over with her goofy grin and gave me a big hug. (Side note: this past weekend was the second weekend trip away for the inclusion leadership series I am taking a part of and although I was only gone one night, when I returned on Saturday evening I got a reception from the two kids unlike any I have ever received in my entire life. It absolutely filled me up and I have been floating on that feeling since it happened. Rainer came over and gave me a big hug, and Georgia's face just completely lit up when she popped her head around the corner to see what all the hubbub was about and she ran over to give me the biggest hugs as well. Neither of them wanted me to let them down and before I set foot past the kitchen the three of us were engaged in a big hug fest that turned into a dance party while Alex played the banjo. PURE JOY!)
Where was I?
Oh. Right. So after Georgia got a hug a couple of her friends wanted hugs as well so I obliged. Then Georgia showed me how she walked up the "big steps" all on her own and she had this air about her that came across just like how I remember it feeling when MY mom would come to MY school when I was a kid. She also seemed to want to show off her brother. Rainer, as usual, acted interested, but shy. (Not so shy that he didn't climb the equipment with the other kids though!)
When we went back inside it was circle time and it was a true delight for me to see Georgia participating the way she did. She did all the hand motions and even sang some "la la la". She danced and she answered questions in her way. She laughed. And she kept turning around to check on Rainer and I and to make sure we saw what she was doing. I had the biggest goofiest smile on my face the whole time I am sure!
After circle time she did have a mini breakdown when the kids were transitioning to the snack area for cupcakes, but it was short-lived and she shunned her cupcake (no surprise there), but gratefully ate up her sour cream and onion potato chips. Rainer, who couldn't wait to get his hands on a certain shape sorter occupied himself with that and soon Georgia was helping him with it. When she realized the other kids had gotten up for "one last dance party" however, she took off like a shot and joined them.
Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by things like this. Perhaps I should expect them to be "normal", but regardless, seeing her over there jumping and dancing and participating just...it just. You know? It just just! She was copying the other kids' moves in her own gangly funny way, and laughing, and smiling, and saying "jump! jump! jump!" And when the freeze song came on she just CRACKED me up! The music would play and then stop and they would all shout "Freeze!" and throw their hands up into the air. Georgia included.
And I guess that was the gist of today. Georgia included. It was lovely.
(And we've been playing the freeze game all afternoon.)
Now what to do until summer school???