First Days of School

School is different in Poland. In the past, kids don't officially start school or Klasa 1 until they are 7. So last year Ella was in first class, which was kind of a repeat of first grade/kindergarten from the States. It was good since she needed to learn the language. Now they are changing to do away with "zero klasa" or kindergarten and starting Klasa 1 at age 6. And age is based on a calendar year rather than by September first. So Ella is now bumped back a year, which I am totally fine with, and next year Macie will start first class...kind of a year ahead of the States. So Ella and Macie went from being 4 grades apart in school to only 2 grades apart. All that is to say that Ella is in second class this year and Macie is in the 5 year old "pre-k" class. They are both attending the same schools but Ella's changed location. They have the same teachers and all the same friends. I am very thankful because I so loved both of their teachers.

Day 1 for Macie was easy as pie! She marched straight up to her classroom, gave all of us kisses on the stairs and pushed her way through everyone standing in the door before I could snap a picture. Oh well, glad she was happy. No worries there. Ella's first day was just an assembly and classroom meeting. No worries...or shouldn't have been. I was a wreck. And last night before bed I sobbed. I am so worried about Ella. I want her to speak Polish and have friends. I want her to feel like she belongs. She is such an easy kid and can find joy in anything but I can see hollow eyes that are faking a smile. Hopefully all will be fine. James and I prayed for her and with her last night and this morning. She will be good. God has called us here and hasn't left her alone. I have to claim that promise a lot...as well as remember that we have been here only 8 months and she has been in school about 6 of those months. A full year will be good for her. Ok...that is all my ramblings. Here are first day pics!

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