Tuesday update

Today was day 5 of Spanish class. Seems like things keep changing- we had a few days of substitute teachers and yesterday we learned we have been assigned a new teacher. The first teacher was lovely, but moved very slowly. Our new one moves at a much faster pace, which is great. He's incredibly dynamic and I find myself engaged during the entire 2 hours. He's also Venezuelan, so I feel right at home listening to him (I was an exchange student in Vzla 20 years ago- hola amigos, si estan leyendo!).

Today a new student was added to our class, so there are now 6 of us. It's really too much for intensive language learning- there is a lot of waiting to speak. Last week, I asked the Spanish section to move me to a more challenging class, but I don't know yet whether they will (I will miss "my boys"- my 4 A-100 classmates- if they do!). I certainly don't speak perfectly, and I'm using this time to really work on my grammar and little mistakes that I didn't realize I frequently make. We haven't had much homework yet, so during my ~3 hours of lab time, I kind of jump around from grammar exercises to videos to news. I'm avoiding the literature stuff, which I will surely have to face if they move me up. Not my favorite!

I have to say again how wonderful the schedule is. I'm usually home by 445pm. I am out of the habit of cooking during the week, after years of arriving home at 6:30pm and rushing to feed the kids before packing them off to bed. I have had to remind myself that now I have the time. Of course, the kids want to eat immediately since they refuse to eat their lunch at school. But at least there is time to cook some pasta and vegetables or something simple (vs. frozen veggie burgers or leftovers). We have time to play on the playground. In the summer, I hope to fit in a quick swim after school. It's really a gift and I have to remember to enjoy it, as it won't last too long.

One thing I want to share about the FSI daycare for the parents out there: I never would have thought of this, but one of the best things about the FSI daycare is that all the kids are in the same boat. When we moved here, my son had no idea what was happening- he just knew he was moving to VA near his grandparents. Over the last two months, though, he slowly came to understand that all the kids are going somewhere. His teachers eagerly awaited the news on Flag Day so they could talk about it with him. He proudly tells people he's going to Kindergarten in the DR. He has learned to identify the DR on a map (such as the map carpet in his classroom- how cool is that!) and we talk about who's going where and what language they are going to learn. I can't imagine what this experience would be like w/o that help.

Here are some tidbits for the family. Little M has a new obsession- sharks.
We started off with a few paper sharks.

Here he is reading his new shark book from Grammy and Grandpa

But they are multiplying. Seriously, all he wants to do is draw sharks, talk about sharks, or read his shark book. We are amazed at his drawing skills, though. 2 months ago he was scribbling and didn't take much interest in art. Now he is making real pictures. His progress is incredible and so is his one-track-mindedness.

I have to share some of the names of these sharks. I swear I don't know where he gets them.
- Dido Racecar Shark
- Square-dom
- M-soap Water Juice
- Stripe Eye Grey
- Super Daddle Battle
- Crangill

In sibling news, L is potty training. We decided to stop waiting for her to show interest (no! I don't want use the big-girl potty!) and have upped the ante with m&ms and other incentives. So far, so good. No pics of that, though.

And here is a picture of the view from our window a few weeks ago. The kids enjoy watching the goings-on outside the window. We are very happy here.