Sunday, September 27, 2009

getting married




Ieva turned 4 this week and we were invited to the party at a mall play area at the other end of Klaipeda. This is one we had not been to before. They have little side rooms for parties and there is a possibility to rent a "party leader" in costume. But since that would have been in Lithuanian and we are the only LT speakers of this group of expats, the kids just played on their own. And they had a great time with that. And then we had pizza and cupcakes.

Coming home Erik announced that when he gets bigger he is going to marry one of the girls there. They had played together and sat together- the first time we've seen that with a girl, after all it has only recently begun happening -the bonding with boys for Erik. Anyway, it seems that the girl asked him if he was going to marry her. David got on board too and said that when he gets older he is going to marry one of the little girls there too. He had in fact given her one of his favorite toys at the party- brooght it from home for her!

So of course we just smile.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

dance class- almost

The preschool usually offers a dance class for the young children led by an outside teacher. There was a sign for signups and today was to be the first day of dance. There had been a large group of children last year. Even though we did not manage to sign up, we expected to have David start today.

But, when I arrived at 4:30, little dance slippers in hand, because we had not found them in the morning, the teacher had not come. Not enough children signed up, and we do not know if there will be enough for next week or not. David was quite disappointed. When he gets his mind on something he is going to do it is hard to get him on to something else!

But eventually we got changed to go home. And I dropped both boys off at LCC with Gregg who walked with them home. He has been doing this 1/2 hour walk with them several days a week now, with a short stop at the store for a treat on the way.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

getting in the new rhythm




We are getting to gradually adjust to school schedule. Weather is still warm enough to enjoy outside activities. The last 2 Saturdays we were out as a family on the bike trail. Many things in our lives are beginning to feel normal again, after these 2 somewhat wild years with lots of adjustments.

We also picked up a game the boys like now- Frustration (like chase the rat or Trouble-not sure how many different names this kind of game has) and believe it or not it was the toy in the Happy Meal at McDonalds!

A few months ago, I was trying to guide my wandering tomato vines so they did not bend over in the balcony and break off. But one broke off in the process. I was going to throw it out, but I think it was David who said - you should stick in it water. We had just done that with a spring of another plant the day before. So I decided ok, it probably won't hurt. It became my science experiment! After a bit it started blooming. I was amazed to find a tomato formed. And now- it has turned red. It is quite small, and perhaps I could have replanted the now well rooted sprig, but instead I've just kept watering it.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

start of school


September 1 is a holiday- of sorts. Dress up and take flowers to teachers is the basic rule. (And Lithuania passed a law no selling alcohol on that day)




The tradition does not really carry on at LCC, but there are other traditions there and new ones beginning too with the start of a new president. We had convocation during the normal chapel hour and that was a dress up affair, and then after classes, games and BBQ. It was a little hard to know how to dress for the day :)
Gregg has decided to teach 4 sections of 20 or so rather than 3 of 30 this year, but it is still all on the same Tuesday/Thursday. And I will have part-time hours again Monday Wednesday Friday with occasional meetings at other times. I also hope to spend some of the afternoons with the boys, especially to give Erik some American Kindergarten level activity. (We would start 1st grade here at age 7)