Tae's 9th Birthday

I cannot believe Tae is nine. It feels like just yesterday that we were bringing him home to our place on Avenida Júlio de Mesquita. This age (similar to all the others) is so fun.  I love the conversations we get to have, the questions he asks, and the passion for sports he is developing.  He's such a tender-hearted kid, a true strength. He is kind and inclusive and often reflects, not just on how he feels but how others might have felt.   

His love for soccer is apparent, he can't go a day without touching a ball and looking up the Premiere League table. He spends hours playing on the field developing his footwork and shooting.  It's fun to watch him improve because I see the time he puts in.  So of course for his birthday he just wanted to play some footie with his friends. 

Elea Turns 7th!

 Elea is officially seven.  She is missing a plethora of teeth, which makes her that much cuter. She has grown so much in the past year. She loves to read and write, recently she's started a diary and a daily calendar where she writes down all her events and does a daily reflection.  She still is bursting with energy and creativity. She's such a leader and has a really big heart, she's friends with everyone. 

SCHOOL PICTURES: KINDER AND GRADE 2

Somehow my babies are growing up, it's hit me suddenly this past month as I've been solo parenting with Jess in the US for work.  All the little things they do seem so big now.  Reading. Family contributions. Their conversations and questions. How independent they are. Watching them play sports. Each day they blow my mind and I am eternally grateful I get to be there mom.  

As the tradition continues I sat down with each of them and asked them the same questions as I did in 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and last year in 2021-2022.

Elea: Kindergarten

Class: 

Teachers: 
Favorite Food:  
Favorite Place to Go: 
When I Grow Up I Want to Be A:
Best Friend: 
Favorite Book:
Favorite Toy: 
My Favorite Thing About School Is: 
What I Don't Like About School Is: 

Tae: Grade 2 

Class: 

Teachers: 

Favorite Food:  

Favorite Place to Go: 

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A:

Best Friend: 

Favorite Book:

Favorite Toy: 

My Favorite Thing About School Is: 

What I Don't Like About School Is:  

Christmas Trip to Vietnam

 For our winter holiday, we traveled throughout Vietnam with three other families.  The trip started off a bit rocky as the check-in agent denied us tickets because the kids' visas weren't accepted.  After a meltdown and lots of frustration, we ended up rushing visas for the kids and got on a plane three days later (with an unexpected 12-hour delay which meant sleeping in the airport).  It was a super bummer because we planned to go to Ho Chi Min as a family to see our dear friends Carlos and Ceci, but it was nice to not rush and have some time to just relax after a busy end to the semester. A bonus for Tae (and me!) was that we got to watch the World Cup finals at home. Once we got to Vietnam it was smooth sailing. We had the best time with the Guyers, Cloutiers, and Curreys exploring and relaxing.  I finally finished a little recap video to keep the memories. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2022-2023

 I don't know where the summer went, seriously. Between flying back to India to run the summer program midway through our Scott family beach vacation, COVID for the family (minus me!), a weird bacteria bout of throw-up for the kids, a canceled trip to Guatemala to see dear friends with my MIL, a surprise trip to Jamestown and Williamsburg with Mimi, and ending my time in the US with stitches for Elea.  This summer was surely eventful and also taught us not to cling too tightly to our plans since God's plan is best (even if I'm not happy about it!).  

Yesterday they went to meet their teachers (check out our awesome friend Scott with the photobomb)

Today is the first day of school for the kids, I've been back for some time, but today they woke up a  Kindergartener and 2nd grader.  The morning went smoothly with us having to wake them up, thankfully outfits were picked last night and the jitter glitter Elea's teacher gave her worked (in her mind) as she wasn't nervous and actually excited.  

I cannot believe I've been in education for 17 years. I am grateful for this craft and profession that has led to many adventures and now allows us the opportunity to live overseas and explore the world. I'm also a bit anxious for this year as I am in a new role (to me and to the school) so there is still a lot up in the air.  I've been studying Exodus and felt peace at how the Lord provided manna for the Israelites each morning, as I read that I immediately thought about how God will provide and doesn't want me to cling to past days or pile up for the future.  I need to trust and train my thoughts to trust in him. 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 

So here is to a year of leaning in and trusting the Lord to provide.  I can't wait to see how He does, it always blows my mind. I pray Tae and Elea are curious, kind, and risk takers this year. May they be leaders for Him and share their love and light openly! 

SCHOOL PICTURES 2021-22

It's school picture time again, which means the same old questions with different answers as our littles grow and change their minds.  It also means I buy a cute dang picture for the sake of memory and tradition.  

After I asked the kids the questions I showed them their old videos (check out the 2020-21 and 2019-20 videos) and they laughed hysterically.  It's funny how their little personalities showed so much in each 'interview'.  

Elea--PreK4 at AES New Delhi, India 

Class: Lions

Teachers: Ms Khanna, Ms. Marion, Ms. S, and Ms. Shivani

Favorite Food: Cake

Favorite Place to Go: Playground

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A: Artist

Closest Friend(s): Camila, Tea, Antonia, Noah, Raina, Almaya, Aubrey, Addy, Rainbow..and Maia, Nyla, Wren

Favorite Book: Pony Shine

Favorite Toy: Unicorn 

My Favorite Thing About School Is: I see God

What I Don't Like About School Is: It takes so long

Tae--Grade 1 at AES New Delhi, India 

Class: Sharks

Teachers: Ms Marcela and Mr. Himanshu

Favorite Food: Pizza and Pasta 

Favorite Place to Go: Playground

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A: Soccer Player 

Closest Friend(s): Zack, Sam, Ford, Oakes, Arihan

Favorite Book: Match of the Day and Soccer

Favorite Toy: Play soccer...Soccer Ball 

My Favorite Thing About School Is: that I get to play soccer 

What I Don't Like About School Is: I don't have anything

LUCKY 7 FOR TAE

 

Happy 5th Birthday Elea

 Our sweet and determined girl turned 5. I love watching her grow into herself, she is kind, creative, curious, and adventurous.  She loves being fancy (make up included) and changes about ten times a day. She's focused and loves a challenge-particularly monkey bars and perfecting a cartwheel. She shares her opinion freely and is learning when to push and when to give in, it's a fine line we are all learning.   She's happy in her room crafting, listening to music, and telling stories.  

She makes us laugh daily and we are delighted that we were chosen to guide her in life as her parents.  This year we had a small tea party with some friends, she felt so special and loved making our place "fancy". She has never had a party (thanks COVID) so she was super surprised that she got presents! Elea, never change.  Keep pushing the boundaries and walking in who God made you to be. 

Showing off her new leotard. 

And for posterity sake, a look back over past birthdays.  

4th birthday in Lisbon, Portugal (2021)

3rd Birthday in Phuket, Thailand (2020) 

2nd Birthday in Shenzhen, China (2019)

First birthday in Shenzhen, China (2018)

Welcome to the World in Campinas, Brazil (2017)