I am trying my best to keep up with all that's happening, in the order that it happens, but pictures and words don't always come out when you need them. It seems important to post the information about our teaching, so that you don't think we are just sitting in this pretty apartment all day, but I am waiting to get the pictures of the students and quotes from them. So what the hell, how about some more stunning pictures of our own kids.
The school that they attend has a big inauguration of the sports season. You would think it was the beginning of the Olympics with all the pomp and circumstance. There are two classes of every grade at CEDFI from preschool all the way through high school. There are a total of about 500 kids in the school. The school seems to be well respected here, because every time we tell people where the kids go, people know the school and tell us it is very good. After so many years of being at Bache Martin, it is a strange experience and Norm has not once picked up a paintbrush or drop cloth this year. For this event, each class picks a theme (one class was the Batmans, Lizzie's was Mummy Pigs, Julian's was Street Soccer) and they have mascots. Additionally, they choose a Madrina and Caballero for each class - these seem to be like homecoming king and queen at the class level. Both Lizzie and Julian were selected for their individual classes. Although princess already has quite a number of pretty dresses she could wear, she NEEEEDED to have another one. Julian has never owned a suit, but now has one. He believes with the suit and his proclivity for B.S., he is now equipped for the the legal or political professions. As we were downtown buying the suit, however, we saw the most amazing double rainbow I have ever seen.
The event was held in the same colosseum where we saw the President of Ecuador. 500 screaming students and even more screaming parents and families in the stands. The classes parade in and then some judging takes place for the best theme, best mascot, best cheering sections, etc. Then the torch is jogged around the colosseum and the larger torch is ignited. Something else caught on fire while they were doing it to add to the excitement, and then a few dance and cheerleading demonstrations were held. It was a lot of standing, screaming, and me whispering in another parent's ear to ask about what was happening next. I think Julian's favorite part was the female attention, holding his madrina's hand, having girls request kisses, etc. Lizzie also enjoyed the attention and looking like a princess. She will use any excuse to wear the dress. She wore it to a Halloween party we attended. She brought it out again last night when we had friends over...
Overall, we are pleased with the school. They really seem to care about the kids. Lizzie's teacher and other professionals there have called us in to talk to us about their concern with Lizzie's Spanish skills. (Yo teach, if you think hers are bad, you might want to consider slowing down during our meeting, because Mom and Dad aren't much better) They think it is impeding her learning and her happiness at school. We told them not to worry about her happiness at school, because basically, this is not a place where she is ever happy, no matter what country she is in. However, we are accommodating their interest by getting her some more tutoring in Spanish. The doctor at the school (yeah, it's a real doctor, not just a nurse.) is concerned about her because she has had two barfing incidents on the bus. First he gave her a prescription, and now he has requested that she get some tests done. We think it's just her motion sickness up the twisty roads to school, but we'll get the tests done anyway. The prescription, they can forget about.
Ok, we hope to get the teaching pictures up before the end of our cycle, which is in 3 weeks! Amazing how fast the time is flying.
