Update on life, by Jodi
We started the kids at a new school about 2 weeks ago and they seem to really like it. We decided on the private school that's right next door to us. I went and toured both schools and there just wasn't much comparison between the 2 options. The school by the beach we love just didn't have the staff or the facilities to really be a viable option. And we weren't sure we wanted to move again, especially to such a remote location. The roads to that area are mostly gravel, and it takes a good 20 minutes to get to any paved roads. There aren't any grocery stores nearby or other amenities, except for a few small restaurants. Plus, they've been making some really good improvements to our condo complex, like adding lounge chairs by the pool and a playground in the common area. So, we went with the convenient, more established option.
We also just found out that all the Costa Rica public schools have been closed for the last two weeks and are staying closed indefinitely. Apparently, there's no money to pay the teachers. It's very suspicious given that their country Presidency changed at the same time that the money ran out. We wonder if the former President decided he needed a little bonus as he left. So glad we pulled the kids out when we did.
Their new school is great, but not at the same level of challenge as they were getting at their school in Utah. We took for granted how good we had it there. Tessa went to her preschool class for a couple of days before they called and said she needed to be in Kindergarten because she knew too much. She's started reading really basic beginner reading books, which at our old school would have had her right on track for starting Kindergarten. But, here, she's going to spend these two months in Kindergarten and start 1st grade in September. Crazy. I'm guessing we'll put her back in the right grade when we go back to the U.S.
Spanish is still really challenging though. In Autumn's class, there's only one other kid that's a native English speaker. So the Spanish teacher doesn't take it easy on her at all. She says it's really hard to pay attention for so long without zoning out. I also love that they get an hour for lunch and recess. I felt like their school in Utah really rushed them through any down time so they could get back to learning. And I think adequate down time is really important for kids so they don't burn out.
We've got a family in our ward that lives nearby who's parents are both out of work. Since it's now low season, there aren't a lot of jobs available. They've got 5 kids and it sounds like they've been running out of food pretty regularly lately. We usually have one of their older kids ride to church with us since we have an extra seat and they don't have a car. This last Sunday, Kevin tried to ask their oldest (Junior, who's 14) really subtly if they had food. He replied that they didn't, so we ran by our house on the way home and grabbed some rice and beans and eggs to send home with him. He was so grateful and in his hilarious accent told us that we are "really excellent people." His English is awesome because he tries so incredibly hard with the most humble spirit, but every time he tries to pronounce something, it comes out so funny. Jack was trying to teach him "snake" and every time Jack would pronounce it for him, he'd reply with "eh-snay-kay." He's the absolute coolest kid. Kevin worked with him in Young Men's and now I have his sister in Young Women's and they are seriously the kindest, must humble and gracious kids I've ever met. We told them that they were welcome to come over anytime, and with school out this week, we've gotten texts twice this week telling us they're bored and wondering if we can come grab them. When we go, they pile in with all their younger siblings, except for the baby and come over and swim and eat, and eat, and eat some more. It genuinely seems like bears stocking up for winter. We offer them food as soon as they get there and then another meal or 2 before they leave. And they always thank us over and over and make sure they don't take too much until everyone's had some and they wash all their dishes before they leave. I feel like it's really good for my kids to see how much we're blessed with. I felt like where we lived in Utah, they were constantly seeing their friends with so much and felt like they never had enough unless they had everything that everyone else had. But here, they're pretty acutely aware of just how incredibly blessed we are and what it really looks like to not have enough.
We also just found out that all the Costa Rica public schools have been closed for the last two weeks and are staying closed indefinitely. Apparently, there's no money to pay the teachers. It's very suspicious given that their country Presidency changed at the same time that the money ran out. We wonder if the former President decided he needed a little bonus as he left. So glad we pulled the kids out when we did.
Their new school is great, but not at the same level of challenge as they were getting at their school in Utah. We took for granted how good we had it there. Tessa went to her preschool class for a couple of days before they called and said she needed to be in Kindergarten because she knew too much. She's started reading really basic beginner reading books, which at our old school would have had her right on track for starting Kindergarten. But, here, she's going to spend these two months in Kindergarten and start 1st grade in September. Crazy. I'm guessing we'll put her back in the right grade when we go back to the U.S.
Spanish is still really challenging though. In Autumn's class, there's only one other kid that's a native English speaker. So the Spanish teacher doesn't take it easy on her at all. She says it's really hard to pay attention for so long without zoning out. I also love that they get an hour for lunch and recess. I felt like their school in Utah really rushed them through any down time so they could get back to learning. And I think adequate down time is really important for kids so they don't burn out.
We've got a family in our ward that lives nearby who's parents are both out of work. Since it's now low season, there aren't a lot of jobs available. They've got 5 kids and it sounds like they've been running out of food pretty regularly lately. We usually have one of their older kids ride to church with us since we have an extra seat and they don't have a car. This last Sunday, Kevin tried to ask their oldest (Junior, who's 14) really subtly if they had food. He replied that they didn't, so we ran by our house on the way home and grabbed some rice and beans and eggs to send home with him. He was so grateful and in his hilarious accent told us that we are "really excellent people." His English is awesome because he tries so incredibly hard with the most humble spirit, but every time he tries to pronounce something, it comes out so funny. Jack was trying to teach him "snake" and every time Jack would pronounce it for him, he'd reply with "eh-snay-kay." He's the absolute coolest kid. Kevin worked with him in Young Men's and now I have his sister in Young Women's and they are seriously the kindest, must humble and gracious kids I've ever met. We told them that they were welcome to come over anytime, and with school out this week, we've gotten texts twice this week telling us they're bored and wondering if we can come grab them. When we go, they pile in with all their younger siblings, except for the baby and come over and swim and eat, and eat, and eat some more. It genuinely seems like bears stocking up for winter. We offer them food as soon as they get there and then another meal or 2 before they leave. And they always thank us over and over and make sure they don't take too much until everyone's had some and they wash all their dishes before they leave. I feel like it's really good for my kids to see how much we're blessed with. I felt like where we lived in Utah, they were constantly seeing their friends with so much and felt like they never had enough unless they had everything that everyone else had. But here, they're pretty acutely aware of just how incredibly blessed we are and what it really looks like to not have enough.
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