So, Sam and school. I have been bleating recently about a trip to town, seeing our former foster son, and warming up to voicing the thoughts than played dodge-ball in my head while I visited the playground.

It's really hot this time of year, so sweat was a factor as I stood holding Cj, with Sam by my side and T goofing around, but that didn't matter a drop. It was a glorious moment! Having these three kids within hugging range all at the same time is a dream come true for me. Although I have no idea what T thinks really about the relationships or what he's been told, he shows ... along with a great deal of curiosity ... some affection for Sam in the short little doses he gets. (Cj gets ignored, as is proper when a boy of a certain age is confronted with a baby.)

When talk turned to Sam starting in the school in September, everyone was pleased. (Although I was the least pleased. For hints on why, see my previous blog.) T looked happy about the prospect of seeing all of us a bit more often, and Sam was totally jazzed at the idea of being in the same school as a kid as grown up and sophisticated as T. (Everyone over five looks grown up and sophisticated when you're three.)

The Head of Primary Education is a good friend, so she took Sam around and showed him the classroom he'll be in, the play area for Reception One ... his class ... the sand pit ... the play house. His word for it all? Wow!

I guess this means he'll be ready. Will I? That's a different matter.

Standing in the playground, watching a recess going full tilt, hearing the whistles and shouts and bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers and laughing, I wanted to smile and cry. My boy is growing up. Yikes!

But what an atmosphere to grow in!

The International School in Seychelles lives up to its name. Kids attending are from all over the world, of every race and many ethnic groups. Although the language of the school is English, there must be dozens of home-tongues represented. Within any given circle of, say, twenty feet of playground space, you'll see kids who's roots are in India, Africa, England, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, France ... you get the idea -- really international.

When cruising forums and web groups, I so often hear parents voice concerns about their 'kids of color' being singled out, different. That can't happen here. Race is such a non-issue that folks don't even notice that my kids look quite a bit different from me, as they're used to families so blended that skipping a generation in color or features is very common.

It's really nice, and I so wish the rest of the world would catch up with this little island.

Questions? Comments? Shy? E-mail me ... intladoptionblog@adoptionmail.com