There is no doubt in our minds that Grace is thriving at school. She has totally settled in and is loving being at school and engaging with everyone there. Now, when Donné goes to collect her, she keeps on playing as long as she possibly can and doesn't really want to leave. In so many ways she is an entirely different child, overflowing with confidence and wanting to engage with just about anyone who is willing.

Gramps is coming to visit this week and Grace was wondering why Gogo was not going to be coming with, so she thought it would be a good idea to call and find out why. We get Gogo on the phone and Grace asks, “Why are you going to stay in Jeffrey’s Bay, Gogo?” Gogo tells her a long story about how she needs to stay and look after the dogs and cats while Gramps is on his business trip while Grace listens intently. Once Gogo is done there is a brief pause and Grace says, “Why are you going to stay in Jeffrey’s Bay, Gogo?”

Grace went to watch a ballet lesson at school today (they have extra mural activities that happen in the general group/play time), and this afternoon it all came out. She started walking around saying, “Doing ba-ay,” and lifting her arms in the air. Then she wanted her ba-ay shoes….and then her ba-ay clothes……and then music so she could do ba-ay. Looks like we have our first extra-mural lined up.

Some dancing lessons for the pregnant fairy

balley_fairy.mp4
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One of the things Grace is learning from school is new ways to play from the other children, and today she learnt a good old favourite. And like so many other things she was on repeat.

At supper tonight I said, "Grace, will you please say thank you for the food for us?" (saying Grace, please say grace just doesn't really work). We hold hands and she says, "Father God, thank you this wonderful food, Amen." (with emphasis on the WONderful).

Grace is definitely learning things at school, and one of them is the month’s of the year. They sing the calendar song, and today it got stuck in her head. She was running around this afternoon singing, “January, February, March, April, Marry, June, July…” (yes, “Marry” not May, no matter how many times Donné corrects her….who knows). Over and over and over she sung, happily enjoying the song going around in her head.

Grace has been screaming quite a bit lately. Part (probably most) of it is definitely playing with sounds (not that it is more palatable that way, but at least she is learning), and part of it is frustration when we don't immediately understand what she is trying to communicate to us, and part of it is just plain tantrum.

This was Grace's first chat with the first friend she made at school (photo courtesy of her teacher)

The first words out of Grace's mouth this morning were, "It's weekend! Go to Diya's birthday party! Go to Isabelle's birthday party!" Yes, two birthday parties today….