Feb. 20, 2008 - Hanging in there
It has been another long week (and my Dad just unnecessarily reminded me that it is only Wednesday today), but we're hanging in there. I really do want to keep up with this blog, but it seems that my days are getting shorter (although they feel so much longer!). The boys have been extremely antsy lately. I think we're all getting a bit of cabin fever as we haven't left the compound here in quite some time. C has been away for the past almost 2 weeks (he's freezing in Canada) and we've really been feeling it.
And I have been kept extremely busy with the newest addition to our family:
She is a purebred Maltese puppy. She was my gift from my hubby almost 3 weeks ago. He bought her from a guy selling puppies on the side of the road (she's fully Mexican - the bows were hot-glued to her fur!). I guess he was unaware that I prefer chocolate. ;) I have struggled quite a bit with adjusting to this as I've never had a puppy before (both of our previous dogs were close to a year old when we got them) and I've never had a small dog before. We are limited when it comes to living space and I am already limited in the hours I sleep (Charlie still doesn't sleep through the night), so the additional work and 1-2 hours less sleep per night have been a battle for me, but I think we're finally starting to work out a bit of a routine and get used to each other.
We named her Chica and the boys love her, but are constantly terrorizing her - the poor thing! They want to hold her and carry her and play with her, but don't quite know how to be gentle with one so little. She has learned to hide quickly when she sees little feet coming! She has, however, developed a special relationship this past week with my sister-in-law's dog Lucy (who is Much larger and a couple of years old). It seems Lucy has decided to take the roll of her mother so she is becoming quite protective of her and loves to groom and play with her. This is a bit of a relief for me as it gives Chica some joy (which unfortunately, the boys haven't been so good at just yet!)
As for school, we are plugging away. I'm still experimenting as usual, but am really starting to learn what works and what doesn't work. Last week we spent a couple of days creating Valentine's Day Lapbooks. I hope to get pictures posted soon (I haven't got around to taking them yet). It was a really fun way to celebrate and learn about St. Valentine's Day. C was still away then so I spent the day with the boys and my sister-in-law and the 6 students (all girls) that are living here right now. It was probably one of the most fun Valentine's Days I've ever had.
We are still working through the creation story, but have added other Bible stories along the way. Today we read a few different versions of David and Goliath, then the boys had a blast choosing their armor and props and re-enacting the story in the yard. I wish I'd had my camera out!! It was very fun.
I am blown away by how quickly Caleb (5) and Christian (3) are flying through their Math-U-See curriculum. I think we're going to have them completed before the end of the year. I should start saving now for the next levels! Christian is halfway through lesson 17 of 30 in the Primer book and Caleb is on lesson 11 of 30 in the Beta book. We only purchased these in November and might not have received them until December (can't remember the dates at all now!). I have not regretted purchasing this curriculum for even a minute! I am blown away by how easy the boys catch on to the concepts and how simply they are laid out for them. Once again I highly recommend this curriculum to anyone!!
I am still reading through other homeschooling blogs for more inspiration and trying to do some planning ahead for next year so I'm not doing so much searching on a weekly basis. It would really help if I had things a little better planned out since I have few resources here in Mexico to take advantage of (I soooo miss having a library! Even a bookstore would be nice!!).
Life in Mexico continues to be an adventure, but one that we are thoroughly enjoying. We are really building friendships with the family next door and I am really enjoying the time I spend with Angelina (the mama). We have been trading foods recently (she bakes tortillas for us, I bake bread for her, etc.). She and her mother showed me how they make their corn tortillas (a skill I have been trying to perfect for a while!), and they promised to have me over next time they make tomales so I can learn too. I am studying Spanish daily now (which is very time consuming!), but am getting more and more comfortable speaking it when I'm out. I am able to say enough to kind of get what I need when shopping, eating out, etc., but do not yet know enough to have a good conversation with someone who doesn't understand any English. I am finding that I am understanding more and more though which is exciting! Prior to moving here, I had little understanding of Spanish. I have come such a long way! But I have soooo much farther to go!!
Thank-you for sticking with me and my blog - even though I haven't been doing a very good job of keeping it up! I really appreciate all of you - all of your comments and advice and friendship! You are all such blessings to me!
I will leave you with a few recent pictures of our life in Mexico:
Beach Sunset
More
Charlie, loving the beach!
Christian, trying to keep his ocean-filled underpants on while he runs back to the water!
Our favorite local restaurant
Carolina and Raphael play on their new beds (the first time they'll have their own!) in their new room (our latest house-build)
Augustin unlocks the door to his new home
Alberta, the mama, moved to tears at the house dedication
Las casas de la familia (the house they were living in in front of their new home)
The family's gift to us: 2 quail
The rooster, eyeing up someone's luggage (wondering if he would survive a trip to Canada I think)
Caleb adoring Chica
Christian working on the motorbike with Daddy
Comments
Feb. 22, 2008 - Hello!
Posted by Anonymous
Hi, I stumbled onto your blog and was curious at where you are in Mexico. My family and I live in south Mexico (Oaxaca) and work with a church here. We also homeschool. What organization does your husband work with? God bless!
Tex-Mex Mommy.blogspot.com
Feb. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Hi!! Nice to meet another homeschooler from Mexico! That doesn't happen often. :) We live in the Baja. We're about 4 hrs. from San Diego - 2 from Ensenada. We'd love to go down south one day. We actually work mainly with the Oaxacan people here. I'd love to hear more from you! Feel free to send me an email sometime. Take care.
Feb. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mamatee
Sorry, I thought I was logged in when I posted that. :)
Mar. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by http://maccarthaigh.blogspot.com
Like the photos and really like the restaurant!!!
God bless.
Ruth
