First Day of School- Kind of...

School in Norway starts with first grade for six year olds...and last week was the beginning, kind of...

First graders go to school for half days, and the transition from 9 hour day care to a school program of 3 hours just doesn't work with most families.  Therefore, the school system has a nine hour program to supplement the school day, including school free days.  This is the program that started at the beginning of August.  It was like going to school for the first time. Only it was two weeks before the first classroom day. Our daughter tries to make transitions seamless, so they moved to this neighborhood two years ago, and immediately showed interest in the school by using the playground weekly for its equipment and biking area.  City living doesn't always have wide expanses of bike training areas, besides city streets in Bergen are predictably uphill or down.  We were all used to the walk to the school and the playground area (which was at least half of the time spent those first weeks) so it was really an introduction to the inside of the school.

New lunch box-- check!

Mama and papa bravely faced the impending first day...

The short walk up the hill (5 minutes)... Mama carried extra clothing meant to be used on the playground in every sort of weather, but mostly rain.

Grandma gets to go, too!

Inside and...

Outside... with first day treat!

The only drama was lunch time when "fishcakes" were served as the hot meal of the day.  "Fishcakes" is exactly what it sounds like.  I can imagine that served as a hamburger with condiments would be ok, but meat/fish among many other things have never made it to this little girl's lips.  The first of many dramas, I suspect.