Today was the last day of school, and the children and mom alike are absolutely
ecstatic. I won't feel guilty anymore (or at least for the
mere two months of summer vacation) for taking my kids out of school to explore this region. Of course, I'll have some sort of summer school for them, but mostly we are going to have fun.
To celebrate the end of the school year, Jefferson's class invited parents and siblings to participate in a fun party. Jefferson was very
adamant this morning in reminding me the time of the party and encouraging me to not be late. The parents were in charge of games and food. I offered to be the story teller, while the other parents organized indoor and outdoor games. Jefferson and James were inseparable the whole time.
While the children were playing different games outside, Gillian's class was having recess at the same time, and I was able to be with Gillian for a few minutes, as well as take a picture of Gillian with her teacher, Mrs. Barney. Mrs. Barney has been such a
wonderful teacher to Gillian. She has helped Gillian strengthen her confidence and has continuously encouraged her to work harder. I'm so grateful to her and teachers like her, who take their job seriously, and help our children succeed.
After the children were tired out from all the games and the bright sun, we had them go inside their classroom and eat some yummy pizza and cupcakes. All of the children had a wonderful time, but I have to say that James was in heaven just to be with his older brother. After lunch, some parents had brought their own entertainment, and later allowed the children to have a go with the instruments.
After school, I took the children to the library so they could fill their bags with books for the week. And they literally did. While we were checking out our books, the librarian notified us that we had
exceeded the one hundred limit. There were another ten or so books left, and they were Jefferson's. He was the one actually who had filled two enormous bags full of books. Jefferson is at an age when he can enjoy chapter books as much as picture books, so he had checked out a
variety of books and books-on tape. You should have seen his face when I told him we had to leave the rest for another time. He was very upset and told me and the librarian that he had already left many a books on the library table, and these were his favorites. The librarian, seeing that he was about to cry, told him that she would make an exception for such a valiant reader. Jefferson's face lightened up as tears stayed in his eyelashes. The librarian then turned to me and suggested I get individual cards for my kids. Good advice! As soon as we got home, a melodious hush spread throughout my living room, the soothing sound of pages turning. A "Do not disturb" sign floated in the air.
Tonight as an activity for Family Home Evening, Elijah had the kids help him clean his motorcycle, and then later harvest our garden. The children love to help Elijah with anything. As soon as he
mentions he needs help with something, the
children jump up with a desire to be part of their dad's work, even when it is just picking up sticks or weeding the garden. And they are happy when they do it, which is in total contrast with their sour faces when asked by their mother to finish up the laundry. I haven't figured out what the difference is, except that they don't see their father all day and they long to be with him. Or maybe Elijah is just better in diplomacy. I tend to believe the first.
One more thing for tonight. On Friday, I told my mother that I had bought some leeks and was planning to cook this particular Albanian dish that we all love and that she makes for us when she is here. She asked me "Didn't you buy some last week?" I responded that it was the same bunch. She then told me that she felt bad for Elijah who had a wife that didn't cook much. Of course she was teasing me. Elijah has a good cook for a wife, right Elijah? Well, just to prove her wrong, I made the dish that very day, and I took a picture of it, so she could believe me. When we talked on Sunday, she said she hadn't seen my picture and therefore she couldn't believe me. Teasing again. I was obliged to call Elijah to tell her the truth. She then asked if I had cooked it well, which in response Elijah said that it wasn't as good as hers, but it was a start. More teasing. The truth of the matter is that I am a good cook, when I cook. And we won't say how often I do.
Bon Appetit!
