It’s hard to believe that we are in week three of school. What’s even harder to believe is how nicely Lana has settled in. Yes, she still loves America & misses her family and friends, and yes, she would still love to be teleported back to her old school to be with her ‘girls.’ But she is doing well. Very well, actually.

We decided to come over to NZ at the last possible moment so that the kids (&I) could maximize on our time with our friends before we left Sydney. This decision is something I will never regret. We had just the most fantastic month EVAH! It did however make our arrival in NZ pretty manic. In a week I had to find us a home, buy two children their uniforms, get everything labeled, purchase all the right shoes and even get some things embroidered!

In the middle of that week I received an email from Lana’s teacher introducing herself and informing me that she had shared my email with a mother from our class whose daughter she had chosen to be Lana’s buddy. This little girl was new to the school last year so she felt she’d understand what Lana was going through. I was contacted immediately after by this mother, a Canadian, who invited Lana for a play date that weekend  before school started. My daughter was taken for tea, a movie and then over to their house for a play! It was perfect. Three days later when Lana went in for her first day in her new school her ‘buddy’ was awaiting her. This little girl made sure Lana was cared for until Lana got her bearings. Here we were worried about Lana’s transition and she was the one who hit the ground running.

So far we are quite pleased with the school. Because I did not come over to look at schools I did my research by speaking to principals here from Sydney last year. I absolutely LOVE the principal of this school. It was after speaking to her that I was left in tears. I am not a huge supporter of private schools, but I knew that Lana deserved to be in this school, if even for a year.

Besides a strong curriculum and a very good learning environment there is also a focus on sport. If you know my daughter, you know she will do just about anything to avoid physical activity. Well, I have to smile when I write that as this new and improved Lana Banana has taken to surfing and has now joined her school Flippa Ball team!!!

Flippa Ball is a children’s water polo. The kids can actually stand in the pool, but if they get the ball they must either throw it or they have to swim with it. I tell you, that is an impressive skill. Even though we did not want to give up our weekends for the kids’ sports as we did in Sydney, we just could not deny our daughter since this is her first time expressing an interest in a team sport.

Most of the girls in her class are on the team, so it’s a lovely way for her to further connect with her friends. But more than anything I am proud of her for trying something new. This risk taking is something she has always shied away from. I am not sure if it was Australia, or this new school or maybe she just would have gotten here on her own. But regardless, I couldn’t be happier for her.

Today both of my children started at a new school. For Nuno, it was his first ever day of “Big Boy School.” He is not, however going into Kindergarten because in New Zealand children starting school go to Year 1. With the timing of our move to Australia and now to New Zealand that’s two kids who skipped Kindergarten in this family!

My husband & I have always considered him a very resilient and easy going kid. That is why we were caught off guard last night when he got nervous about his first day. Lana has already had two plays with her friends (more on that later) and got to spend a few days with her ‘girl’ cousin. Because Nuno is all about his ‘mates’ this move has hit him harder than we expected.

Last night, as I went to check on him in bed, he told me that he didn’t have any friends in his class. I assured him he’d have heaps by the end of the day to which he replied, “I don’t remember how to make friends.” His sister overheard and came into his room saying the sweetest things to him. She told him how great he is and how easily he makes friends. She and I both then told him about The Kissing Hand.  As I kissed his right hand I saw what I thought was Lana laughing at us. When I asked her what was so funny she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I am thinking of when I was sad or nervous at school and I would want you and you were not there so I would hold MY hand to my cheek.” We all had a good cry and cuddle before going off to bed to rest up for their big day.

This morning I woke up early to pack their lunches and make sure we were all ready for our day. The reason we have selected the schools we have is because my husband is an “Old Boy.” For Americans that is pretty meaningless, but for Aussies, Kiwis & Poms it’s a big deal. So with that, I present my Old Boy & New Boy.