Random thoughts

Why does a 6 year old's soccer game need to be so competitive?  Is it really necessary at 6 years of age, that the better kids play the entire game and the weaker kids sit most of the game?  Shouldn't the point be to encourage the kids to have fun and understand the concept of team sports?

We have started the HOW I ACT program at home, which Ji Ji uses in her class.  The kids each get a "shout" mark for good behavior (worth 2 points) and they get one of the letters for bad behavior (worth -1 point), ex. H is for "hearing", not listening to the parents when they ask you to do something.  At the end the points will be worth a treat.

Family Chinese
The kids all started Chinese school for one hour per week and they have gone 2 weeks now.  After the first week we moved Jiang Lei from the bilingual class to the all Chinese class.  This school is very close to our house and goes all year long on Sunday afternoon.  Mark is taking Beginning Chinese at the local university for credit.  I hope they all learn something before our trip to Shanghai next Spring!  I will probably take the 6 week Chinese evening class, not for credit.  I hope they teach shopping phrases.

Kid Update
Nora really wants to do a back handspring.  She talks about it all of the time.  She goes to gymnastics twice per week so I told her maybe by the end of the year.  Everyday is measured by how many more days until she can do a back handspring.

Ji Ji likes school but she says that it is too easy now, she knows everything already (years of Kumon math and reading).  She likes to participate in class.

We haven't heard anything about Jiang Lei's first 2 weeks of school, though we haven't gotten any notes sent home so that is good as well.  He likes taking the bus, that is about all I can get him to tell me.

First Day of School

Jiang Lei had his first day of school, ever, on Wednesday. Well, actually his first half day. He had his new back pack and his bag of supplies for the year.





















It wasn't a great start as the bus didn't show up - they had changed the time and didn't let us know. When he came home he didn't talk about school too much, except to say that he didn't like it and he didn't have any friends there. He did tell us that he didn't hit anyone at school - he was very proud. And he wouldn't let Dad look at his school folder because his teacher told the class they should bring it home and give it to their mothers.

Day two - he likes it! They played some Monkey, Monkey game which he liked and he could partially recite when he got home. Plus he has a friend but he doesn't know his name. And he got to ride the bus home.

The girls started last Wednesday and so they have had one week back at school. My gosh, look at Nora - when did she turn into a teenager? And Ji Ji's hair has gotten so long. All of the sudden it has hit me - they are really growing up fast!

They are still excited about the new school year and both girls are getting homework. Ji Ji is now in the "big school" with Nora.

We are still getting used to being back in the US and it seems odd to me that the kids need to bring in so many of their own school supplies. When I was in school they provided scissors and glue, not to mention soap and water to clean up after projects. Now each child needs to bring in their own scissors, glue, kleenex, wet wipes, etc. Holy cow! And notice of the first fund raising project has already reached home. Here we go for another 12 years!