This is a conversation between Tamara and Hannah that Tamara told me about a few weeks ago:
Just got Hannah's Report Card. She got a 1 (which is an A) in English. The teacher wrote, that Hannah can understand words and Sentences as well as Speak words and Sentences. It made me laugh. I said out loud, "I sure hope so". Then I asked Hannah if her English Teacher knows she is American. Hannah did not think so. That made me laugh even more.
Hannah's response is....she knows English well enough she could BE the teacher. :)
Tamara informed me later that the teacher is certainly aware of Hannah's ability and naturally proposed that Hannah not worry about such comparisons between her and the teacher.
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, November 6, 2009
Shantal Learning about English and Love
Shantal saw the post about Spencer learning English today and said. Hey, why didn't you write about my English test? I said I didn't write about it because you just got it back this week, silly!
She did well on her test, but the children still made fun of her for getting a B+. One translation was as follows:
Ich habe einen Hund.
I have got a dog.
I told her she could leave the "got" out of the sentence. She said, no I can't. The teacher said I must use got. She then said - it sounds a little funny to me, but that's what I have to do. I'm guessing it's British, but I don't no much about that version of English.
Oh, and Shantal told me she got a note from a boy today. It turned out to be her first love letter. A boy gave her a note with the words "I heart you" on it. She seemed impressed, but not like she wanted to return the affection. I was glad about that.
She did well on her test, but the children still made fun of her for getting a B+. One translation was as follows:
Ich habe einen Hund.
I have got a dog.
I told her she could leave the "got" out of the sentence. She said, no I can't. The teacher said I must use got. She then said - it sounds a little funny to me, but that's what I have to do. I'm guessing it's British, but I don't no much about that version of English.
Oh, and Shantal told me she got a note from a boy today. It turned out to be her first love letter. A boy gave her a note with the words "I heart you" on it. She seemed impressed, but not like she wanted to return the affection. I was glad about that.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Emma's big plans
I had a fun experience with Emma today. She is just about to turn 4, but going on 14 at least. She strives for independence in all that she does. It is challenging for dad and daughter I believe.
Today I took Emma to Kindergarten (pre-school in English) and on the drive over there I missed the first turn off. We usually take the first turn off in order to avoid waiting at the the traffic light at the 2nd possible turn off point.
She exclaimed "Dad you forgot to turn!" I responded "I was thinking of something else. Thanks for telling me. I was about to take you all the way to work with me!" and smiled.
Emma then went to explain that she did not want to go to work with dad. She needed to be in Kindergarten. Johanna needed Emma so she had someone to play with and the Little Pia needs Emma in case the Little Pia cries (there are two girls named Pia who attend Emma's pre-school). "And besides, dad", she gently reminded me, "I've already been to your work. I need to be in Kindergarten."
What a wonderful experience.
Today I took Emma to Kindergarten (pre-school in English) and on the drive over there I missed the first turn off. We usually take the first turn off in order to avoid waiting at the the traffic light at the 2nd possible turn off point.
She exclaimed "Dad you forgot to turn!" I responded "I was thinking of something else. Thanks for telling me. I was about to take you all the way to work with me!" and smiled.
Emma then went to explain that she did not want to go to work with dad. She needed to be in Kindergarten. Johanna needed Emma so she had someone to play with and the Little Pia needs Emma in case the Little Pia cries (there are two girls named Pia who attend Emma's pre-school). "And besides, dad", she gently reminded me, "I've already been to your work. I need to be in Kindergarten."
What a wonderful experience.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Something for the Girls
Well We've finally put something together for the girls in Shantal and Spencer's class. Shantal and hopefully 5-6 other girls (there are 8 other girls in the class) will be baking chocolate chip cookies one week from tomorrow.
Tamara will naturally be running the show, but I can babysit the other kids quite nicely, so I'll do my part. Below is the invitation (in German naturally).
Tamara will naturally be running the show, but I can babysit the other kids quite nicely, so I'll do my part. Below is the invitation (in German naturally).
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Football Pics
Hi all. Sorry for being so neglectful lately. I had big plans, honestly I did.
Anyhoo, here are some pics of our last football outing, thanks to grandpa. It was a great time.
It's a bit hard to recognize in the background, but the soccer goal in the far background indicates that we hijacked a soccer field in order to play football. In America this would be the other way around. Kids would be playing soccer on a traditional football field.
Now the action is getting started.
Now you can see the soccer goal much better. But more important - did you notice that awesome quarterback leading his team to victory. OK, there isn't much defense, and we really didn't keep score. But it is fun to play quarterback and teach the kids the game, how to call plays, go long, button hook (what was that in german again?), three step drop, etc. Great group of boys.
Giving one of the boys the chance to quarterback the team. They do really well.
Anyhoo, here are some pics of our last football outing, thanks to grandpa. It was a great time.
It's a bit hard to recognize in the background, but the soccer goal in the far background indicates that we hijacked a soccer field in order to play football. In America this would be the other way around. Kids would be playing soccer on a traditional football field.
Now the action is getting started.
Now you can see the soccer goal much better. But more important - did you notice that awesome quarterback leading his team to victory. OK, there isn't much defense, and we really didn't keep score. But it is fun to play quarterback and teach the kids the game, how to call plays, go long, button hook (what was that in german again?), three step drop, etc. Great group of boys.
Giving one of the boys the chance to quarterback the team. They do really well.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Long Overdue Update
Hi All,
From what I can tell I last wrote when Tamara was recovering from her surgery in February. And so, first of all I must thank so many of you for writing and wishing us well at that time, and keeping us in your prayers. We were truly blessed during that time.
I neglected sending an update for some time now. I feel like our lives are so normal. But, I have received a few requests to send out an update on our family. I will now attempt to do so. As always, if your email inbox is already too full, or you prefer to simply read updates on the blog, just let me know and I'll gladly stop including you on the updates.
It is a good time for an update since Ian's B-day is tomorrow. In Germany it is considered bad luck to talk about such an event before it happens, but since I am still an American and it's almost midnight now, I will break with the German tradition and take the risk. Ian will be 2 years old, which means, as you probably know - we have been in Germany for almost 2 years. Ian was three weeks old when we left the U.S. Ian's age helps us keep track of how long we have been here.
We will have a little barbecue and B-day celebration with some friends from our congregation tomorrow. The couple we invited have been great friends to our family since arriving in Germany. They are definitely like surrogate parents to us and grandparents to our children. The wife has taken care of Ian during church services for most Sundays for the past 18 months. When she prayed last week in church, Ian was totally excited to see her come down from the stand. Her taking Ian eases our burden during the church services immensely, especially since I serve about once a month as a translator for the English speaking members of the congregation during the service and am unable to sit with the family on those weeks.
Catching up on our family. I would like to start by mentioning that Tamara is doing fabulous. She is still taking iron tablets every day and B12 shots once a week, but has tremendous amounts of energy. It is wonderful to see her full of energy and able to do things. In fact, she was doing so well that after Emma started going to pre-school last May (called Kindergarten here in Germany), Tamara started walking Emma to pre-school almost every day. She combined this with a change in diet to lose some weight before her trip to America this summer. She did a great job and still gets compliments on her new look. Tamara was able to take Shantal with her to America for 2.5 weeks. They had a good time. Tamara came back refreshed and full of even more energy. It was great to see.
With Tamara away I took time off of work and was able to be a "full-time" dad for the 2.5 weeks. Wow, that was a great experience. I almost cried when I was back at work I missed the kids so much. It was hard, but tremendous to be with them. I realized that Tamara does a tremendous job with the kids, and was grateful for her return. Spencer was also profoundly grateful. After her arrival, Spencer thanked Tamara for cooked meals for about four days in a row. He never does this. I guess the joy at having nice meals again was just so overwhelming that the gratitude just couldn't be contained.
Now that Tamara is feeling better, I can start to be sick***. I have been seeing the doctor for some stomach/digestive track issues as I have trouble digesting milk products or too much meat. The problems could be related to the pancreas (in German the word for pancreas is very cool: die Bauchspeicheldrüse. It means- stomach spittle gland). It could be the thyroid. I have started receiving vitamin shots, and the doctor is doing blood work to test more stuff. I recently felt quite aged when I ran out of my antacid medication (related to potential pancreas problems I take these) - I can't live without my prescription!
***By the way, it is totally normal to talk about one's health problems here in Germany. I seem to recall it being a bit taboo in the U.S. But, I like talking about health problems, b/c it detaches the problem from the person and makes the problem less personal, less hidden and scary. So, if you are grossed out, sorry - it was a German moment.
We seem to have a "normal" life now here in Germany. School is back in session. Hannah is back in gymnastics and has set a goal to be on the medal stand at the next meet in November and really enjoyed gymnastics during the Olympic Games. She was in the paper today for being in the gymnastics program last year. Spencer has returned to playing soccer and is playing well. He was complimented by the coach twice this week on his play. He plans to join the Boy Scouts starting tomorrow and seems to have found peace in the school. Shantal is struggling in school. She feels like all of the kids (especially the girls) are mean to her right now - some of course more than others. We are working on that one with the other parents (especially with the parents of the extra mean kids), but it is slow going. On a positive note, Shantal will be in a play on Saturday - she went to a theater day camp in the summer and we are excited for the performance this coming Saturday. She is very artistically skilled and seemed to have really enjoyed the theater camp.
A big decision is coming up for Shantal and Spencer this year - we must pick a new school for them for next year. This is the last year of grade school and they start secondary school next year. The teacher makes a recommendation regarding what type of school they should attend. This is where the teachers assign the kids to a school system that will lead down one of three career paths - essentially, blue collar, mixed, white collar. Having never done this before we will be asking our friends a lot of questions and praying quite a bit.
Emma is very excited to be in pre-school. She even went to a B-day party all by herself a few weeks back. This was a very bid step for her. She used to cry when being dropped off at friend's houses. Now she is excited. Ian is growing up. He is doing everything a two year old does - except talking. The doctor is concerned and gave us some tips for helping him progress - mainly reading with him. The doctor will check in six months and see how it it going. We are not too concerned - he comprehends wonderfully, and Hannah approached speaking in a similar manner.
One last note. I had a wonderful opportunity to see one of my former scouts a few weeks back. He was visiting Germany as part of a school exchange program. His family will host a young man from Germany later this fall for a few weeks. What a great experience to walk around the Ems river with him and my two boys and talk about life, how things have changed since we left, and what his plans for the future are. When we first started working together 5 years ago in Wisconsin, me as scoutmaster and the scout as a young teenager, who would have imagined such a moment.
We often think of friends back home and miss our associations with you. May the Lord's finest blessings flow into your lives.
Cheers,
Gardner
From what I can tell I last wrote when Tamara was recovering from her surgery in February. And so, first of all I must thank so many of you for writing and wishing us well at that time, and keeping us in your prayers. We were truly blessed during that time.
I neglected sending an update for some time now. I feel like our lives are so normal. But, I have received a few requests to send out an update on our family. I will now attempt to do so. As always, if your email inbox is already too full, or you prefer to simply read updates on the blog, just let me know and I'll gladly stop including you on the updates.
It is a good time for an update since Ian's B-day is tomorrow. In Germany it is considered bad luck to talk about such an event before it happens, but since I am still an American and it's almost midnight now, I will break with the German tradition and take the risk. Ian will be 2 years old, which means, as you probably know - we have been in Germany for almost 2 years. Ian was three weeks old when we left the U.S. Ian's age helps us keep track of how long we have been here.
We will have a little barbecue and B-day celebration with some friends from our congregation tomorrow. The couple we invited have been great friends to our family since arriving in Germany. They are definitely like surrogate parents to us and grandparents to our children. The wife has taken care of Ian during church services for most Sundays for the past 18 months. When she prayed last week in church, Ian was totally excited to see her come down from the stand. Her taking Ian eases our burden during the church services immensely, especially since I serve about once a month as a translator for the English speaking members of the congregation during the service and am unable to sit with the family on those weeks.
Catching up on our family. I would like to start by mentioning that Tamara is doing fabulous. She is still taking iron tablets every day and B12 shots once a week, but has tremendous amounts of energy. It is wonderful to see her full of energy and able to do things. In fact, she was doing so well that after Emma started going to pre-school last May (called Kindergarten here in Germany), Tamara started walking Emma to pre-school almost every day. She combined this with a change in diet to lose some weight before her trip to America this summer. She did a great job and still gets compliments on her new look. Tamara was able to take Shantal with her to America for 2.5 weeks. They had a good time. Tamara came back refreshed and full of even more energy. It was great to see.
With Tamara away I took time off of work and was able to be a "full-time" dad for the 2.5 weeks. Wow, that was a great experience. I almost cried when I was back at work I missed the kids so much. It was hard, but tremendous to be with them. I realized that Tamara does a tremendous job with the kids, and was grateful for her return. Spencer was also profoundly grateful. After her arrival, Spencer thanked Tamara for cooked meals for about four days in a row. He never does this. I guess the joy at having nice meals again was just so overwhelming that the gratitude just couldn't be contained.
Now that Tamara is feeling better, I can start to be sick***. I have been seeing the doctor for some stomach/digestive track issues as I have trouble digesting milk products or too much meat. The problems could be related to the pancreas (in German the word for pancreas is very cool: die Bauchspeicheldrüse. It means- stomach spittle gland). It could be the thyroid. I have started receiving vitamin shots, and the doctor is doing blood work to test more stuff. I recently felt quite aged when I ran out of my antacid medication (related to potential pancreas problems I take these) - I can't live without my prescription!
***By the way, it is totally normal to talk about one's health problems here in Germany. I seem to recall it being a bit taboo in the U.S. But, I like talking about health problems, b/c it detaches the problem from the person and makes the problem less personal, less hidden and scary. So, if you are grossed out, sorry - it was a German moment.
We seem to have a "normal" life now here in Germany. School is back in session. Hannah is back in gymnastics and has set a goal to be on the medal stand at the next meet in November and really enjoyed gymnastics during the Olympic Games. She was in the paper today for being in the gymnastics program last year. Spencer has returned to playing soccer and is playing well. He was complimented by the coach twice this week on his play. He plans to join the Boy Scouts starting tomorrow and seems to have found peace in the school. Shantal is struggling in school. She feels like all of the kids (especially the girls) are mean to her right now - some of course more than others. We are working on that one with the other parents (especially with the parents of the extra mean kids), but it is slow going. On a positive note, Shantal will be in a play on Saturday - she went to a theater day camp in the summer and we are excited for the performance this coming Saturday. She is very artistically skilled and seemed to have really enjoyed the theater camp.
A big decision is coming up for Shantal and Spencer this year - we must pick a new school for them for next year. This is the last year of grade school and they start secondary school next year. The teacher makes a recommendation regarding what type of school they should attend. This is where the teachers assign the kids to a school system that will lead down one of three career paths - essentially, blue collar, mixed, white collar. Having never done this before we will be asking our friends a lot of questions and praying quite a bit.
Emma is very excited to be in pre-school. She even went to a B-day party all by herself a few weeks back. This was a very bid step for her. She used to cry when being dropped off at friend's houses. Now she is excited. Ian is growing up. He is doing everything a two year old does - except talking. The doctor is concerned and gave us some tips for helping him progress - mainly reading with him. The doctor will check in six months and see how it it going. We are not too concerned - he comprehends wonderfully, and Hannah approached speaking in a similar manner.
One last note. I had a wonderful opportunity to see one of my former scouts a few weeks back. He was visiting Germany as part of a school exchange program. His family will host a young man from Germany later this fall for a few weeks. What a great experience to walk around the Ems river with him and my two boys and talk about life, how things have changed since we left, and what his plans for the future are. When we first started working together 5 years ago in Wisconsin, me as scoutmaster and the scout as a young teenager, who would have imagined such a moment.
We often think of friends back home and miss our associations with you. May the Lord's finest blessings flow into your lives.
Cheers,
Gardner
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A Huge Crush on Someone
Totally in love!
Wow, the kids are getting older. Over dinner tonight our school age children were talking about who was in love with whom among their school friends.
The subject came up because a boy was invited to a girl's B-day party that Hannah attended. Apparently that meant that the boy has a huge crush on the girl throwing the party. Hannah said, rather matter of fact, that wasn't the case. She knew this because the boy has a huge crush on someone else.
Then she said something really cute: I don't know who I should be "verknallt" in, using the German word in the middle of her English sentence. I rubbed her arm and said that's not to worry.
The great thing was she was so serious about it. She had said - this thing everyone is talking about - to have a crush on someone (verknallt) - hasn't happened to me. So, she decides to think about who she should have a crush on. Very adorable. Hannah has always had a gift for taking the complex things in life and making them simple. It reminds me of the conversation we had this summer about who Hannah should marry.
Wow, the kids are getting older. Over dinner tonight our school age children were talking about who was in love with whom among their school friends.
The subject came up because a boy was invited to a girl's B-day party that Hannah attended. Apparently that meant that the boy has a huge crush on the girl throwing the party. Hannah said, rather matter of fact, that wasn't the case. She knew this because the boy has a huge crush on someone else.
Then she said something really cute: I don't know who I should be "verknallt" in, using the German word in the middle of her English sentence. I rubbed her arm and said that's not to worry.
The great thing was she was so serious about it. She had said - this thing everyone is talking about - to have a crush on someone (verknallt) - hasn't happened to me. So, she decides to think about who she should have a crush on. Very adorable. Hannah has always had a gift for taking the complex things in life and making them simple. It reminds me of the conversation we had this summer about who Hannah should marry.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Spencer's Day Out
Spencer went to a day camp today. He complained yesterday that he didn't want to go and that it was unfair, and I was making him go, etc. I tried the nice way (he'd have to pay the 8 Euros back to me that I paid for the day camp, and if he doesn't think he's old enough, then maybe he doesn't want to go). That got him thinking, but I didn't feel I had enough time to wait and see if it would work, so later I told him he had to go and I didn't want to discuss it anymore. This caused us to get into a fight. He came to me later and apologized, and we had a decent conversation about the event at that point and he seemed positive about going. I also told him that the school psychologist had suggested as many summer camps as possible for Spencer. He seemed to be like that the suggestion was not just from mom and dad. When he woke up this morning, he was all business and got ready.
His report at the end of the day was as follows: he met some mean people and some nice people - one leader who hates Americans and all things from America (including Spencer apparently - I would have loved to hear the conversation). Several kids who were punks. But Spencer was good at Soccer )made a sweet goal and played goalie pretty well and at the Foosball table (kicker) he scored a sweet goal. He road a boat from Kaiserswerth to Düsseldorf, went to the top of the Düsseldorf Rhine Tower, made a 5 cent coin into a picture of the tower (1 € and 5 cents is what it cost). He said the kids center (meeting point for the day camp) was very cool. He is going there next week with Hannah for another day camp (not so exotic - just a nature hike).
Anyway, Spencer said he did not have enough water, but had a good time. I was getting a little bit nervous about him at 7:15 p.m., when he still wasn't home. I was expecting him at about 7:10 p.m. and since he left at 8:00 a.m., it had been a long day.
He also had one funny experience - his ice cream melted in his backpack. Some questions come to mind a) Why would ice cream be in a back pack long enough to melt, b) Why would one put ice cream in a back pack in the first place, c) How much damage does a melted ice cream sandwich do to a back pack?
In reverse order. c) Not much. The inside was a bit water proof, i.e., plastic, and washed right out. b) The other kids told Spencer that he couldn't buy anything and so he hid the ice cream in his back pack. a) why the trash or asking the leader wasn't better than the back pack - only experience can teach Spencer that. Plus on the school outing, Spencer got in trouble for buying something due to a confusion on our part - school letter said - do not bring money in such a fancy, elaborate, eloquent way as to confuse my wife into thinking the kids could bring money. There are no bullet points in communications from the school - all paragraphs, all the time. So, when Spencer bought something (thinking this was normal acceptable behavior), he got in trouble.
Oh well, it was a good day for Spencer to be out on his own and among other kids.
His report at the end of the day was as follows: he met some mean people and some nice people - one leader who hates Americans and all things from America (including Spencer apparently - I would have loved to hear the conversation). Several kids who were punks. But Spencer was good at Soccer )made a sweet goal and played goalie pretty well and at the Foosball table (kicker) he scored a sweet goal. He road a boat from Kaiserswerth to Düsseldorf, went to the top of the Düsseldorf Rhine Tower, made a 5 cent coin into a picture of the tower (1 € and 5 cents is what it cost). He said the kids center (meeting point for the day camp) was very cool. He is going there next week with Hannah for another day camp (not so exotic - just a nature hike).
Anyway, Spencer said he did not have enough water, but had a good time. I was getting a little bit nervous about him at 7:15 p.m., when he still wasn't home. I was expecting him at about 7:10 p.m. and since he left at 8:00 a.m., it had been a long day.
He also had one funny experience - his ice cream melted in his backpack. Some questions come to mind a) Why would ice cream be in a back pack long enough to melt, b) Why would one put ice cream in a back pack in the first place, c) How much damage does a melted ice cream sandwich do to a back pack?
In reverse order. c) Not much. The inside was a bit water proof, i.e., plastic, and washed right out. b) The other kids told Spencer that he couldn't buy anything and so he hid the ice cream in his back pack. a) why the trash or asking the leader wasn't better than the back pack - only experience can teach Spencer that. Plus on the school outing, Spencer got in trouble for buying something due to a confusion on our part - school letter said - do not bring money in such a fancy, elaborate, eloquent way as to confuse my wife into thinking the kids could bring money. There are no bullet points in communications from the school - all paragraphs, all the time. So, when Spencer bought something (thinking this was normal acceptable behavior), he got in trouble.
Oh well, it was a good day for Spencer to be out on his own and among other kids.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Little Fireplug
So I wake up this morning at 6:20 or so and think - I'm doing pretty good. I'm ahead of the kids and ready for a great day.
And, what do I find - Emma. Wandering around the 2nd floor doing whatever it is that she does at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. As soon as she saw me she started telling me something about Ian and planning this or that. I couldn't keep up with the whole affair. We then did something in the bathroom - putting an electric toothbrush away I think - which made a lot of noise and woke up Ian. This was O.K., because Spencer had to get up early for a day camp (hiking, a boat ride, more hiking) offered by the city.
Well, anyway, from that moment on Emma goes full bore throughout the entire day. Racing from one activity to the next. She seems to be in constant motion. I get dizzy just watching her.
Before pre-school (Kindergarten) I passed by the living room and Emma asked if she could put two blankets on Ian. They were watching the Baby sign language video together.
I turned around and went back upstairs and she was eating already (with Hannah). Every time she sees Ian do something she jumps up and has to start doing that very thing and tries to finish before Ian has even started. If it looks like only one person can do whatever it is Ian is doing, then she'll gladly take over for Ian. This causes tension between the two, because Ian also wants to do stuff by himself, or in peace. They still get along great about 80% of the time. This is pretty good percentage wise. Ian likes Emma's pony tails.
Then I take Emma to Kindergarten and she is running again. It is amazing. I can hardly keep up. She runs here and runs there. Takes Hannah with her where ever she goes (Hannah was back in Kindergarten again today). When I come back to pick her up she is running back and forth and runs up to see me.
She runs throughout the afternoon. And gets in front of Ian. Can't have Ian doing anything that she is not doing, or better yet, has not already done.
Then she goes to bed - usually screaming something like - leave the door open, or I didn't fix my blanket, or I want my sippy cup, or this or that - and passes out 2 seconds after I leave the room. Dead tired.
And, what do I find - Emma. Wandering around the 2nd floor doing whatever it is that she does at 6:00 a.m. in the morning. As soon as she saw me she started telling me something about Ian and planning this or that. I couldn't keep up with the whole affair. We then did something in the bathroom - putting an electric toothbrush away I think - which made a lot of noise and woke up Ian. This was O.K., because Spencer had to get up early for a day camp (hiking, a boat ride, more hiking) offered by the city.
Well, anyway, from that moment on Emma goes full bore throughout the entire day. Racing from one activity to the next. She seems to be in constant motion. I get dizzy just watching her.
Before pre-school (Kindergarten) I passed by the living room and Emma asked if she could put two blankets on Ian. They were watching the Baby sign language video together.
I turned around and went back upstairs and she was eating already (with Hannah). Every time she sees Ian do something she jumps up and has to start doing that very thing and tries to finish before Ian has even started. If it looks like only one person can do whatever it is Ian is doing, then she'll gladly take over for Ian. This causes tension between the two, because Ian also wants to do stuff by himself, or in peace. They still get along great about 80% of the time. This is pretty good percentage wise. Ian likes Emma's pony tails.
Then I take Emma to Kindergarten and she is running again. It is amazing. I can hardly keep up. She runs here and runs there. Takes Hannah with her where ever she goes (Hannah was back in Kindergarten again today). When I come back to pick her up she is running back and forth and runs up to see me.
She runs throughout the afternoon. And gets in front of Ian. Can't have Ian doing anything that she is not doing, or better yet, has not already done.
Then she goes to bed - usually screaming something like - leave the door open, or I didn't fix my blanket, or I want my sippy cup, or this or that - and passes out 2 seconds after I leave the room. Dead tired.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Square Dance Music
I finally found how to get some good country music in Germany. O.K., not sure about good, but it sure brought back some memories from Ricks College, when I was first introduced to such songs as Achy Breaky Heart, Boot Scootin Boogie, and No One Else On Earth. I got a CD with 40 songs (many of which I've heard before) from Amazon.de for only 6,68 € (roughly $10.50).
I ordered square dance music for an upcoming activity we are sponsoring with Shantal's class at school: a Daddy Daughter Dance at our house. This is a type of activity I miss from the states and from my congregation growing up. And since we have chosen life here in the German Democratic Republic for now, my only hope for having such an activity is to bring the activity here.
In order to make it unique or interesting for the German parents and kids, we've made square dancing the main attraction (we did a flag football superbowl in February for Spencer and boys in his class). This was a suggestion from one of the parents in the class and since all American children learn the dance in grade school, we thought it would be fit well.
I'm really looking forward to the activity with Shantal. We practiced some moves last night. I found some software that allows you to choreograph a dance routine (Face Corner, Allemande, Dosado, etc.). After choreographing the dance routine, the software will play the routine for you. This was extremely helpful, because I have not square danced since I was in grade school.
We are planning on inviting some friends over to practice - they have two boys and two girls in their family (mom, dad, boy, girl). That way we'll have nine people (eight dancers and a caller) and we can practice teaching someone other than our family and see what will and won't work.
It should be a good time. I hope several girls come. There are 10 girls (including Shantal) in the class.
I ordered square dance music for an upcoming activity we are sponsoring with Shantal's class at school: a Daddy Daughter Dance at our house. This is a type of activity I miss from the states and from my congregation growing up. And since we have chosen life here in the German Democratic Republic for now, my only hope for having such an activity is to bring the activity here.
In order to make it unique or interesting for the German parents and kids, we've made square dancing the main attraction (we did a flag football superbowl in February for Spencer and boys in his class). This was a suggestion from one of the parents in the class and since all American children learn the dance in grade school, we thought it would be fit well.
I'm really looking forward to the activity with Shantal. We practiced some moves last night. I found some software that allows you to choreograph a dance routine (Face Corner, Allemande, Dosado, etc.). After choreographing the dance routine, the software will play the routine for you. This was extremely helpful, because I have not square danced since I was in grade school.
We are planning on inviting some friends over to practice - they have two boys and two girls in their family (mom, dad, boy, girl). That way we'll have nine people (eight dancers and a caller) and we can practice teaching someone other than our family and see what will and won't work.
It should be a good time. I hope several girls come. There are 10 girls (including Shantal) in the class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
