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. 

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:  

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

 

KIDS TALK

We've been spending a lot of time together the past month, who am I kidding the past year. I've fallen in love with the little moments with Tae and Elea. I love watching how they observe the world and make meaning of everything.  Here a few of my favorite things they've said recently: 

The other day at lunch (perk of online learning, getting to eat lunch as family) Tae said the prayer and just went into a conversation with God asking so many questions about different animals and then followed it up with, "I can't wait to ask you more when I see you in heaven." 

Elea: "The world is full of beautiful things. And handsome things too." 

We watched Happy Feet for movie night. It is such a great movie about kindness, acceptance, and being proud of who you are.  However, there was a sad part where Mumble was forced to leave his penguin crew and Tae was bawling over it.  He was so upset at how mean they were being to him.  It broke my mama heart while simultaneously making me proud of what a caring kid Tae is. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL--UNITED LISBON

 The first day of school is in the books.  Elea is in K3 and Tae is in Kindergarten.  They are in a multi-aged classroom, which helped make the first day back in a school building after 6 months a bit easier for both of them.  Their teachers are fantastic, we've really lucked out with so many wonderful teachers in their first years of school.  I'm excited to see how much they learn and how confident they feel in June! 

Elea loves: Picking her own outfits, coloring with crayons (castles, girls with high shoes, and shapes), Moana, and dancing 

Elea doesn't love: brushing her hair and staying in bed the whole night

Tae loves: drawing animals, learning about animals, creating animals with LEGO, numbers 

Tae doesn't love: not knowing how to "write something", 

It's my first year as principal and it's been a constant game of learning.  I figure if I can lead a start-up school in the middle of a pandemic than next year has to be easier, right?  In all honesty, I feel so thankful for this opportunity and that my kids get to go to such a great school.  Not many parents get to give their kids hugs throughout the day.

SCHOOL PICTURES 2019

Another fall has come and gone and I have fallen victim to school photos again.  This year we have the added bonus of Elea joining the fun. How are both my babies old enough for school?!? 

Carrying on the tradition of interviewing the kids is a must. 

  

Elea 

Class: Nursery 

Teachers: Miss Jenny, Miss Betty, Miss Michelle 

Favorite Food: Green stuff (just like her brother) 

Favorite Place to Go: Her room and the playground 

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A: Not bigger, little

Best Friend: Max, only one friend

Favorite Book: Poop

Favorite Toy: All of they

My Favorite Thing About School Is: Ride a bike

What I Don't Like About School Is: 

Tae 

Class: Super Bats 

Teachers: Mr. O'Shea and Miss Jan

Favorite Food: Green stuff, spinach 

Favorite Place to Go: Into my room 

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A: Ninja 

Best Friend: Tomer and Atti 

Favorite Book: Ninja Lego 

Favorite Toy: Draw

My Favorite Thing About School Is: Going outside 

What I Don't Like About School Is: Eating lunch, just joking, ummmm playing at the playground in the afternoon because there is no one with me because I don't have no friends

TAE TAZWELL LATELY

Tae continues to grow and learn so much.  He is still our little rule follower and is a sweet heart. He loves the Lord and always asks me to read him his Bible, I pray he continues to learn more about God's love.  Tae loves school this year, especially his teacher Mr. O'Shea.  He has become fascinated with bugs and loves to be outside.  Here's a few more things happening with Tae...

Tae and the rest of the Super Bats  

Happily playing with his animals (dinosaurs, people, and legos) 

He found out what worm poop looks like...

Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with ice cream mooncakes 

Whistle pops, still going strong 30 years later 

Fresh cut for the Tae Bug 

Happy climber 

He won the lottery at movie night! 

Our proud author, here is one of his books 

Field trip fun!