Celebrations Abundant!

Oh, how my life is getting busy…as I write this, I am sitting outside the school office perched on a low bench waiting for Mike to finish his last class as we are observing Michael and John in Kinder today at 1:30.  Their teachers have extended an open invitation to all the parents to observe their child/ren in class during the month of November, so we look forward to this opportunity today.  Between 12 noon; the time I arrived with the two boys and this very moment, I have had a fruitful conversation with my husband over lunch/recess, quickly debriefed yesterday’s Fundraising Committee meeting with Jude and spoken to Yuri in the School Office about t-shirts, stickers and other MFS products (which, as of yesterday’s fundraising meeting) is my ‘baby’.  I need to put together a plan by the 12/9 meeting with my vision as to how to better market the school’s products and get them more visible in the community…sounds fun, eh? Tomorrow, I again meet with Jude to further design and plan out the work we are doing in preparation for the Master Facility Plan/new building.  Did I mention, I have to run home and make another birthday cake this afternoon?…YES, Happy Birthday John Gustavo!  We celebrate his turning four today …and is it just coincidence or providential that for the first time in over a year, I did not have to wake up (several times) in the night to lead him to the bathroom to go pee pee and lay back down with him in his bed while he fidgets for another 90 minutes before falling back to sleep.  We finally purchased a night light in Santa Elena last weekend and with the help of our dear friend, Veronica, implemented some strategies to break this most tiring habit… hopefully we are on our way…So indeed, Happy Day John!

We are thrilled to be opening up our home Thanksgiving Day for a ‘pot-luck’ lunch for other expats and ‘misfits’ J who are staying local for the holiday.  Again, thanks to Veronica for being the catalyst for this!  We have ample space for all in our home, so to the Schaefer’s they will come.  We plan on making eggplant lasagna while other’s menu includes, mango pie, fried rice/vegetables, sweet potatoes, etc.  We are considering our vegetarian amigos and happy to forgo the turkey this year.  I hear through the grape vine that turkey purchased here at the SuperCompro can have quite the case of ‘freezer burn’. 

Veronica invited us to a meditation group Thanksgiving morning at Rio Shanti (the local boutique/spa/yoga facility).  It will be a nice way for Mike and I to do something together while Gaudy watches the boys and Veronica’s little one, Stuart as well. 

Friday we plan on taking a hike with Veronica and Stuart as we so enjoy their company. 

Saturday, perhaps dinner with Jude and Theo sin ninos or drop in on a 40th birthday party for a friend/5 year anniversary celebration of their local business (Santa Elena Pension)...both contingent upon finding a baby-sitter (we've got to jump on that)!

Sunday…sleep!

Well, I look up and see Mike standing before me, my watch reads 1:30 on the dot, so we are ready to head to the Kinder class…I am sure we will have quite a healthy dinner discussion tonight with the kids!

Post Script:

WOW, what an awesome experience today in the Kinder class, both Mike and I were simply amazed and proud parents!  We spent 90 minutes with the class and marveled at how busy these little minds are...working, working, working!  Both boys worked so independently and we smiled at eachother when we saw their focus and concentration kick in as they worked with the different materials.  Michael worked with thread and needle, making a Christmas ornament while, of course, chatting the entire time- so excited to have mom and dad with him, while John worked on the floor with many different materials and with water and flour.  They put back all their materials and grabbed for the sweeper and the dust pan to wipe up any flour that may have spilled onto the table.  Very impressed with all the kids and all their capabilities.  Kudos to Ms. Melody!

Finally, check out the pic of our tie dye shirts...first attempt, so not too bad for nubies.  We had three extremely stained, grimey white t-shirts and thought we could extend their longevity with some color.  We had fun creating our designs and luckily had the supplies on hand (marbles and rubber bands) and SuperCompro supplied the fabric tint!  Watch out Martha Stewart!

 

Signed:  S