Good Ol' Kids Stuff

Butterfly Girl had a good day yesterday despite the heavy rains that kept everyone inside at School. I asked her how she felt about staying inside all day and she immediately responded "I felt mad."  I wanted to jump up and give her a hug, swing her around the room and plant kisses on top of her head. 

I knew it was a sign of Butterfly's growing emotional literacy.  She didn't hesitate when I asked her. She didn't yell "I don't want to talk about it!" She didn't stick her tongue out and stomp off. She immediately responded with an identified feeling...and knowing Butterfly she very likely was mad about it. However, because she could identify the feeling so quickly, I think she had identified her feelings early- possibly at school. 

That is probably why Butterfly ended up having a good day at school without incident despite being cooped up inside all day. That would not have happened before. Rainy days were always days we could count on a call from her old School. Rainy days always culminated in a physical expression of emotions often on a classmate or Brother. Yesterday was smooth sailing. Not only that, Butterfly was happy and relaxed.  

If we had had to put Butterfly on some kind of psychiatric medications and I was seeing the improvements I have been seeing, I would be a walking commercial for the med.  Instead, the School and the NVC have changed our lives. We still have ups and downs but there is a completely different vibe in the house.  There are no long "talks" on the way to school reminding Butterfly to walk away if someone is mean to her, to keep her hands to herself, to ask to draw if she needs space, to squeeze her lovey (stuffed toy) if she feels like hurting someone, to try not to make noises at circle time, to remember to sit on her square on the rug, on and on and on.  Now, we just talk about stuff in the mornings- good ol kids stuff- about the bugs, or the five-eyed monster or why cars have four wheels or why the Sun and Moon are out at the same time.  It is a miracle and I am so grateful. 

Butterfly chose her electives yesterday. There were many choices including art, poetry, bookmaking, sports, etc. Butterfly chose Music and Architecture. She had a very hard time making her choice. The Music teacher came and did a preview of his class- he sang Country Roads- and then told the students they must sing if they are in his class. Butterfly chose that one right away. Butterfly loves to sing- her favorite artist right now is Shakira and she sings her songs loudly in the car.  Then she chose Architecture - a local architect comes in and they build things with legos. I was a little surprised she chose that but I am glad she did. Most of her art experience has been with drawing, painting, etc and something more dimensional will be interesting for her. The elective classes are with students from every grade so Butterfly will have all the way to 8th grade in her daily elective classes. I think Butterfly will really enjoy that. I love this school.