Rita was ready to go to school today from the minute she woke up. We got dressed, had breakfast (Cheerios), reviewed her snack and lunch items, and reminded her what is in her pencil case to use during class. She also has our business cards in her lunch box, backpack and pencil case and is instructed to give one to a teacher if she needs to call home.

Rita was running out the door, into the car, and couldn't wait for us to let her onto the playground. We have some of that on video, and if I ever learn how to make a movie I'll try to post it. Rita hung her backpack with the others, said "hello" to her teacher & lingering classmates, showed her teacher her lunch and our business cards ("telephone for mama and papa" she said in Russian).

We went to find the bathrooms again ... and came back just before she had to line up to go into the classroom. That's went she froze - she wouldn't join the line and very shyly walked (with me coaching/pushing) into the classroom with the other children.

Michael and I both waved bye with (nervous) smiles, hung out for a couple minutes outside her room, and then went to the car. We considered camping out in the parking lot all day.

The house is so quiet. And we are thinking "now what?"