We said goodbye to Mazatlan, a city that we’ve really grown to love these past few months. Ouest had her last day of school which I had been a little worried about, but she seemed almost not to care. I think that probably has more to do with her not really understanding that it wasn’t the last day of school for everyone than her being glad to be done with school. She’s still young enough that it’s just sort of like, “Okay, goodbye. Papa, why is the cleaning lady giving me a hug?”
That is Ouest’s friend Elvira. When we were saying goodbye to her she came up to me and rattled off a thirty second monologue in a very sincere voice. I didn’t catch much, or any of it, but one look at her mom and the teacher (Maestra Everly) standing behind her told me everything I needed to know. Both of them were mouthing, “Awwwwwww.” How sweet.
I have to say that us putting her in school for these past few months turned out to be about the best parenting decision we’ve made. A decision that was really made by Ouest. It turned out great. She learned so much in such a short time. Basic stuff like letters and numbers, but also how to become more comfortable and outgoing with other kids, and how to interact 100% in a second language. That’s really the most amazing part to me—the language. Vocabulary is easy, I’ve got a huge Spanish vocabulary and use it as often as I can with the kids, but for her to be able to listen to native speakers going full bore and to understand them is pretty incredible. It’s the skill that I myself can’t seem to overcome. Though I’m sure if I sat in a classroom day after day with a teacher and seven other students all speaking Spanish I’d probably come a long way too. Anyway, I’m really proud of how well she did in school.
Also, I think it’s worth mentioning how amazing everybody at the school was with her. Her teacher was incredibly kind and always smiling. The kids clearly adored her. All the other teachers and administrators were equally sweet to Ouest. But the part that blew my mind every day was how kind and considerate all the kids—across every age group—were with her. It’s a small school, maybe sixty kids or so from age 3 to 14, and every single one of them knew her name, said hola to her as she walked by, gave her high fives and fist bumps, pushed her on the swing set, shared their candy, and just generally made her feel like one of the gang. Which, I guess, is exactly what she is to them.
Anyway, it’s an experience that we’ll certainly give both the kids again in the future.
Lowe’s nanny Karla also came over to say goodbye. She’s got three young kids of her own so we were able to unload a big pile of toys and clothes on her. She was a sweet girl and Lowe really loved her. We only had her over six hours a week, wanting Lowe to get some one-on-one interaction with a Spanish speaker as well, and it worked great. The second that doorbell rang he would get all “dancy” (which totally should be a word, because if you’ve ever had a kid you know what that means), and when she left he’d plant a big kiss on her. Karla will forever be his first crush.
As for the travel day, well, those always suck. We loaded up into two taxis, cruised through the check-in, discovered right before our plane was boarding that we’d forgotten a stack of boarding passes back at the check-in desk, ran back and got them, had a smooth first flight, landed, got grief from customs agents because of those damn fruit-sniffing dogs and our kids’ snacks of grapes and blackberries, sprinted across the entire length of Phoenix airport thinking we were going to miss our connection only to find out upon our arrival at the gate that the plane was thirty minutes late, and finally arrived in Minnesota two hours past bedtime.
And yet the kids didn’t give us even one bad act. Wish I could say the same for me and Ali. The kids travel better than we do.
It is, of course, winter in Minnesota. Hard-core winter. Our kids have no memory of snow, so this was pretty exciting for them. This morning they both woke up ready to go outside. “Peez, Mama? Peez?” Lowe cried. We couldn’t go out until noon when the sun finally comes up around here, and when we did they loved it. Unfortunately. I mean I would have been happy to say, “What? Oh, you’re too cold? Do you want to go inside?” Instead I got pummeled with at least a thousand snow balls. Eventually their bright red cheeks and snotty noses drove us back into the house where they went and stood by the window and said, “Peez, Mama? Peez, ‘side?”
12 Comments on “In the States Again”
that is awesome that you guys are back in Minnesota. Excited to keep following your adventures. If you go back to Portland, and end up with a window of time, let me know. I am always heading down there.
Had the same experience with our little blondies decades ago in Taiwan: theirs are beautiful people all over the world, and they all love children.
It’s amazing how adaptive the kids are…from one climate to the next…one country to the next. All they really care is that mamma and daddy are with them and taking care of them.
Brrrrrr! It’s amazing how kids adapt to the weather conditions. I come from a Minnesota pioneers & how they survived those freezing winters in beyond me. We lived there when our kids were small & they would play outside in below zero temps until I made them come inside for fear of frostbite! Enjoy your Christmas & family 🙂
Just loved this post. You guys are awesome! Love how your raising them. They will cherish these memories when they are older. Unlike some of your readers, I love your posts on the kids, they are so stinking cute and your stories make me laugh. Keep it up!
I wish my teachers looked like that 🙂
Mark
Mark and Cindy
Always love your posts. Why can’t we all remain children? The world would be a better place for sure. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
We have commented a few times, you guys are such an inspiration. We just wanted to encourage you on your new course. One of the hardest things to do in life is leave a path you are on after you have invested time, money, or both. Not that you need our opinion, but we were impressed with your choice. You are doing an amazing job as parents. Thank you so much for continuing to share your lives with us. Have fun and good luck.
Matt, Kristin, Jack, and Jill s/v Grace
Just as I thought you would back in Alaska, you two make terrific parents. Good travels in your new adventure! Happy holidays and a Happy New Year to you all.
we have had the same experience here in (private) schools. all the kids from prepa to primaria interact lovingly (for the most part) with each other. They all work together (again, for the most part, some kids are jerks and some kids are PITAs) regardless of age. I’m not sure that is normal in the US, at least the US-cousins seem to be shocked that teens are playing with the primaria kids and working with them on festivals, etc.
Mexico to Minnesota! What an adventure! Although, I am really, really sad that there will be no more pictures of cutey Ouest in her school uniform with one sock up and one sock down. How could I be miserable about the holidays when YOUR KIDS ARE SO CUTE?! You have interrupted my misery. 😛
Just saw this: http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=153822
Might want to check what’s going on down there….