¡Rulemanes!

Cuando tu hijo se pone a sacarle el polvo acumulado al ventilador y se transforma en un proyecto más complejo... 🤔

Y entonces aprende qué son y cómo funcionan los rulemanes... 🤩

Cuando se entera la hermana, se pone a cantar el jingle más conocido en el Estadio Centenario... 😄

(Sospecho que solo los uruguayos más fanáticos de nuestro fútbol entenderán todo esto...) 💙🇺🇾⚽️

Culture!

Multiple cultural experiences this week...

The Lord of the Rings by Johan de Meij, performed by Montevideo’s Symphonic Band at the Teatro Solís on Wednesday evening!

The Tempest by William Shakespeare, performed by the Classic Players and shared via livestream by Bob Jones University yesterday evening! (E & DJ found out today that their cousin Marcos was the stunt double for the jester!) 🤡😉

📷: screenshots from bju web

(And we’d rather not talk about the rather painful sports event on Tuesday evening...) 🤐

But at least there was pop to enjoy...

“International Son’s Day!”

So, now I’m seeing that today was International Son’s Day (at least in English-speaking nations).

And we’re thankful for our DJ.

He’s typically working on studying several topics at once these days...

And drawing maps...

And learning history and geographical names in two languages...

Just because... 😄

SO thankful! 💙

School’s Out!

Often I meditate on Psalm 90 at the beginning of a new calendar year, and I echo the psalmist’s prayer. Today, at the end of what has perhaps been the most challenging academic year yet, these thoughts – penned by the psalmist centuries ago – seem especially fitting reminders...

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that all our life we will sing with joy. For days and years you have afflicted us, you have made us suffer; give us back that time in joy now! Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to our children! May the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. Establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

(Psalm 90:14-17)

Although both E and DJ finished the academic year with top grades, the life lessons learned – those “extracurriculars” that were not specified in the scope and sequence way back in March and the ones we wouldn’t necessarily have chosen for our lives’ curricula – have become themes of our ongoing praise!

And we are humbly thankful...

Un dibujo escolar...

Ilustración de la vida de los indígenas del Uruguay... 🥰

[por un alumno de segundo que reside en mi casa]

Tokens of love...

From my elementary EFL students... 💛

[Not pictured: All the hugs I get every single time I teach...] 😊

[Also not recorded: The complaining from students who don’t yet appreciate my philosophy of immersing them in the language...] 😉

Paseo a la Granja

Disfrutamos un hermoso paseo didáctico con el colegio el lunes pasado.

Este simpático nos dio la bienvenida... 😉

Y fútbol… ¡Siempre fútbol! ⚽

¡Re-agradecidos por la oportunidad!

Beware of Fallacies!

I shared the following anecdote in September 2017:

Shortly after waking up this morning, DJ remarked to me:

Better late than never! is a false disjunction – because people could arrive on time! 😉

. . .

This year, I’m more thankful than ever that both keep thinking...

A recent opportunity for E occurred in the classroom, when a professor, talking about those who hold religious beliefs/convictions, said:

It’s one thing to believe. It’s another to think.

E later told me: That’s a false disjunction: I believe because I think. 😉

En clase hoy...

–Teacher, ya falta poco para que te vayas.–

–¡¿Eh?!–


Y con mucho drama le dibujé en la pizarra blanca: 💔

. . .

Al ratito empecé a sacar “mis trucos” de la mochila:

Y luego cuando sí me tenía que ir, el mismo alumno me dice:

–Ay, Teacher, no te vayas todavía.–

😊😎😉

#TeacherSmarts  #RainyDayTricks  #SpecialTreats  #LittleJoys  #EFL

Just for Fun!

We went downtown to turn in “Un Cuento Celeste” for E (and one of my EFL students who actually took me up on the challenge of participating this year).

Here’s an effort to recreate the snapshot we took five years ago at AUF when the writing contest first began!

It’ll be even more fun to take another picture next year when DJ will actually be the age E was in the original picture...

😜😉

Helpers!

What’s on the menu during the class “recess” tonight?!

Cinnamon Coffee Cake, made with help from one of the best!

His favorite part (not pictured!) is doing the math required to double the recipe! Seriously! 😉

#LifeLongLearning

Some of what I’ve been doing with my time as I’ve been recovering from the worst case of flu I’ve had in years...

(But I’m not really a Math Person...) 😉

“Crazy Cake!”

Both E and DJ enjoy helping to make the weekly “coffee cake” for students in JM’s evening class. E took a turn this week and made “Crazy Cake” – a favorite extended family recipe!

It was declared a success!

And we all agreed that she needs to practice more – on us!

Helpers!

Both E and DJ enjoy helping to make the weekly “coffee cake” for students in JM’s evening class. (E was on deck for the clean-up work at the time of this photo opp!)

We use one of my mom’s favorite recipes: “Busy Day Cake!”

We often like to “spice up” the recipe!

These were an early b-day gift for DJ’s teacher!

(The photo angle was E’s idea!)

Celebrating Mother’s Day...

I love these two (not-so-Little) People!

I love their creativity!

DJ and I both got to participate in his school program this year!

Look carefully to see DJ’s eyes peering over his letter card!

E and DJ both earned top grades on their first report cards for this 2019 school year, a fact we do not take lightly on our family’s multi-cultural educational journey!

I’m thankful – once again, more than ever – for my own dear mother and for treasured memories...

I’m thankful for the many ways her love still shines! 💛

Back again...

When I asked DJ tonight how his first day back to school went (after the scheduled 10-day break), he answered (quite matter-of-factly):

“It was good to be actually back to school.”

Then he added: “Because of the work. And the cursive writing.”

Those who have been following our family’s educational journey (and its specific challenges) can appreciate how wonderful it was (and is!) to hear these words!

Waiting at the second bus stop of the morning

Reading The Chronicles of Narnia, perennial favorites!

We ♥ School!

The academic year began on March 11. We’re thankful for our Loving Shepherd and His faithful guidance and provision during this first month of both teaching and learning, new locations, and additional opportunities for our family.

We leave the house shortly after 6:00 a.m. to catch the first of two or even three buses with DJ; on the other hand, most of E’s classes are in the afternoons, here in the neighborhood.

First day of school!

Watching DJ mature and love being at school has been nothing less than a hug from our Loving Shepherd!

Acting as chaperone on field trips has been a highlight for me!

We’re keeping busy – and we’re thankful for these opportunities!

“El pizarrón y las flores”

Hace un mes empezó las clases; hace una semana creó este cuento solito en clase. Tenía que elegir entre escribir enunciados para cada una de las palabras siguientes o escribir un cuento.

pizarrón
sacapuntas
dientes
mesas
flores

(Los que conocen lo que ha sido su saga escolar, sabrán apreciar lo que significa esto para nosotros...)

♥♥♥

Beginning Another Academic Year!

So many emotions! A new academic year begins today with teaching and (hopefully!) learning opportunities on multiple levels, including bilingual primary and secondary as well as tertiary levels...

Hear my cry, O God;

Give heed to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a refuge for me,

A tower of strength against the enemy...

(Psalm 61)

¡Mi barrio! 💙

Home again! Home again!

Inspired by recent adventures, DJ invested time on the plane reading The Horse and His Boy.

Reading The Horse and His Boy – for the 2nd time!

We flew in over Montevideo, angling in from the northwest, enjoying great views of its natural harbor:

And THE Stadium is always the favorite landmark as we fly in! 💙

The roof of “The Mission House” is in the upper left corner!