An introduction to fall

 Dave and I are a host family to three Chinese girls at Curtis, the school of music. Yesterday two of the girls were available to get out of Rittenhouse Square, see the suburbs and experience fall in America.

This is there second year at Curtis. Zitong (left) is only 14 years old, and Ying (in black shirt) is turning 16 next week.

 We packed all 6 of us into our car and headed out to Linvilla Orchards. The girls have never been out of the city, other than Ying spending 2 weeks in a suburb of Boston.
Sadly the drive along 95 and through Chester was not very pretty, but we took them through some neighborhoods near Linvilla to get an idea for what a suburban neighborhood looks like.
They went on their first hayride. Alex and Zitong covered Ying in hay at the end.

 The girls had the BEST time on the playground. Although they were slightly older than the recommended age, they sure acted like little kids. Dave and I were commenting how we felt like we had 4 kids.
A typical Chinese childhood does not involve a lot of play time. As soon as they start school children come home and do more school work beyond their homework. They are pushed very hard academically.
With Ying and Zitong studying piano at Curtis, this probably means that much of their childhood was also spent playing the piano most evenings. Curtis has a very high standard. In fact it is the top music school in the world. Only 160 students are selected to go there and they go for free. It is a very prestigious school, so you have to be the best to get in. Being the best comes with much hard work and perseverance.
I'm glad the girls had an afternoon to run around, play and enjoy themselves.

Alex initiated holding hands with Ying.

Alex's First Day of Preschool

 Alex will be four next month so when he goes to Kindergarten in two years he will be on the older side; which is better for boys.

Tuesday morning he started his first day at Overbrook Preschool. Miss Cathy is his teacher, whom Lilia had as well.

About 8:15 I had to wake up my sleepy head so we wouldn't be late. When I told him it was his first day of preschool he popped out of bed and immediately got dressed with excitement. Outside taking pictures instead of saying cheese he said, "school," all of his own accord.

 




I asked Alex if he wanted to leave Stinky Bear in the car, but he said, "I feel better with him." So Stinky bear came to preschool too.

His favorite first day activities were eating, and playing outside. Both are very normal responses, but funny to hear.

Alex did struggle with some separation issues, which I figured, but he was excited to play when he found this fire truck.

On Thursday, his second day of school, we forgot Stinky Bear and Alex really had a hard time staying. We prayed together, but he still clung to me crying. Miss Cathy is great about grabbing the kids and distracting them. After school when I picked him up, she said that he did fine. Whew! What a relief. I was praying for him most of the morning.

Lesson learned: Don't forget Stinky Bear!

Ballet Class

      I've been checking Living Social and Groupon for deals on kids ballet class. I found one in South Philly, 4 classes for $30!
Tonight was her first time. She loved it. It was fun to watch from behind the screen as she followed the teachers moves from stretching, to pointing her toes, to leaping.
      I was reminiscent of ballet class as a kid. I loved it as it felt very natural to me to point my toes, extend my legs, and spin gracefully. I quit because my teacher was too mean. (She was a former Russian ballerina who was in her 60's.)
   I'm thankful for an opportunity to expose Lilia to dance, and moving her body. She loves to be fancy already, so maybe this will inspire her in a new way.

Superheros at School

We dropped Lilia off at school on Thursday and Alex wanted to wear his cape. 

He asked, "Do you think everyone will know I'm a superhero?"

First Day of School

First grade! I have a first grader! She's that grown up, and I'm that old. Weird.
Yesterday was Lilia's first day back to Spruce Hill Christian School, now named The City School.
She had a half day, and today is her first full day. Dave said that yesterday as they rode off on the trailer bike she had it in the highest gear so they could get there as quickly as possible. I think Lilia's two highlights of her first day were seeing her BFF, Jarah, and hugging her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sanchez.

Last days of summer

 Summer is absolutely my favorite season. I know I am one of the few, but it is true. I would rather be hot any day over bundling up layer upon layer. Trips to the beach refresh my soul, as well as spending time outdoors.
We spent almost a week at my parents house. We needed time away from the city to fun in the grass, play in the yard, and just have fun!

 We also spent one of the days at Tony and Patti's. Lilia had the idea of making horse treats for Patti's four horses. They are a molasses, apple, carrot, and oat based "cookie." We made a batch and the horses went crazy!
We had a blast swimming, hiking with the dogs, and relaxing around the pool. Their one dog Star and Lilia are best buds. They followed each other most of the day.

Lilia admiring Crem (left) and Valen (right)