Immersion Time!

This week a spot finally opened up at Grænaborg Leikskoli (pre-school) and Haley began her journey into cultural assimilation.  She has been on a waiting list since September (they move quick around here).  On Tuesday I got to spend some time at the school getting a tour and meeting her teachers.  When we arrived, the kids all hovered around her, touching her face, showing off the few English phrases they knew (“Merry Christmas!!  one! two! three! four…..). The kids eventually all went outside on the playground and I was inside listening to her teacher as she explained the daily schedule to me.  As she was talking to me, my gaze shifted out the window where I could see Haley playing happily.  I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing as I watched Haley skipping along….with ELEVEN little Icelandic children skipping right behind her, following her every move.  I’m sure she won’t be a novelty forever, but for now she is livin’ the life of a rock star for sure.  All recess long, she sat in a wagon while the girls in her class each took turns giving her a ride.  She is the only American in her class and they are all fascinated with her.  I’m really proud of how brave Haley has been this week; she admits that it´s hard to not know what everyone is saying to her and she has been so wiped out by the end of the day.   She should be speaking Icelandic so soon now (Darcy should be off the waiting list March 1st).