School

Yesterday we started school. Yep, its that time of year again. Last year I taught the boys, and their cousin Thomas two days a week. Nothing too exciting, just trying to get them familiar with sitting still for half and hour and their letters. This year we are sending the boys to the local preschool and I am going to do an english preschool, everyday for a few hours. So, yesterday they started both. We started out our morning with our new calendar board. I have seen this idea on multiple websites and I remember doing something like this when I was younger. Since we're still overseas I haven't had a chance to laminate and finalize the calendar board, but for now it is great. The boys' favorite part is getting to look out the window each morning and figure out what the weather is like.

After we walked through the calendar board we got out our new letter and number puzzles that I found in the local market. They are great puzzles, there was even one with Arabic letters which I didn't get, but might go back and get it now that I know just how cool these puzzles are. They love them. 

After doing English preschool it was time to go to Arabic preschool. They were so excited, and a bit nervous. Both boys understand a little bit of Arabic, but are really shy about speaking it.  

The school is small, and has just a couple rooms. This is the preschool, there are other schools in the city we live in that would be like our elementary school, middle school and high school. I am honestly not sure what all the do in school. Josiah said they read a book and played, but that's all we know. They were both SO nervous and SO cute, I almost died!

The day ended with a discovery that the alphabet and number puzzles stick to the side of the wall in the bathroom. That was probably their favorite part of the day. I can't believe my little guys are getting so big and going off to school. I am so proud of them for going to a school where they don't know the language or anyone else. They are brave little men, I am so thankful to get the chance to know them and watch them grow! We are looking forward to what the rest of this year holds and what new friends we're going to make!

England!

One week ago today we were making our way back from visiting our good friends Tom & Caitlyn in England.  It was a great week!

We took the train from Nador to Marrakesh. On the way down we took our time, stopping for two nights in different cities. On the way home we did the 15 hour train ride all in one trip. Lucky for us our kids LOVE to travel!

Our first stop was in Fez, where they have a McDonalds, and our new friend Ronald. Anytime we passed a McDonalds after that Benson would say "hey, there's our friend!" 

They couldn't get enough of looking out the window and taking in the sights. Like I said, they LOVE to travel.

William didn't mind it so much either. Traveling is easy when you're strapped to mom.

Part of our time in England was spent in the south with Tom's parents Uncle Paul and Auntie Allison. We were so spoiled while there - hot tub, clotted cream and fresh scones, and yummy English tea!

We also got to go down to the Beach. And what a Beach it was - the very best kind. A bit stormy, crashing waves, tide pools, not an ounce of sunshine. It made me think of home!

It was a really great trip. We were so blessed to see our dear friends and enjoy their hospitality. Now we're back home missing them and looking forward to when we'll all be together again!