Getting Ready for School

Shopping Wednesday 4th of September

Sorry no picture, but just a little story about my wallet.  We went to an outdoor market near Madrid to do some school clothes shopping .  We were at the market for less than 10 minutes when a lady tried to take my wallet out of my purse, fortunately I caught it as she hurried and looked away.  About 10 minutes later, just after buying a pair of shoes for Kamree, she tried again successfully.  I felt like I had been stalked and was so mad at myself for not paying closer attention.  The day was ruined as we had no hidden backup cash in the car to continue with our shopping; therefore, we returned home praying that I would get at least my residence card and driver's license from Utah returned.   The next day the police showed up and said they had my wallet with everything less the money and food certificates.  We felt so lucky since we are sure that rarely happens. 

Madrid Zoo Saturday 7th of September

School was starting Monday and we wanted to do something fun before that so we made plans with a new Madrid Family from New York to go to the Madrid Zoo.  We had a great time and have added a few pictures of the highlights.

Unk lady, our 4 girls: Avery, Kamree, Hailey (Kamree's new BFF) & Kaiya watching the Orangutans. 

There was a lady tossing full apples and carrots to the bears when we walked up.  The bears would get right up to the edge either standing on their back legs or sitting with their arms up until she tossed them something that they would often catch in their mouths.  It was so much fun to watch. 

This one is raising his hand saying, "Me, Me!!!!"

This was one of our favorite exhibits. We later found some lost produce by some monkeys and we  returned to these bears to feed them ourselves. 

 

There were also lots of super cute babies there:

a Baby Orangutan

Baby Goats, with Hailey in the background,

a Baby Elephant

and a Baby Gorilla.

    Dolphin Show 

This was our favorite part of the zoo.  Constant, amazing tricks for 1/2 hour.

   After the Zoo 

For Dinner we met up with the only other American family that we know at Tierra Burrito Bar for Café Rio style burritos, yum yum! and then we went to a park for more playtime.  Here are Elizabeth, Daniel, Ryan, Morgan, unknown girl, Kaiya, Avery, Hailey, Kamree and Mason.


 First School Day Monday 9th of September

Yes Kamree truly was the most excited!  The older kids are asked to use roller bags because they have to carry several books back and forth everyday.   I'm not sure if all schools in Spain are the same, but our school the kids stay in the same classroom, with the same teacher and the same kids for two years and then they switch.  I suppose it was helpful for them to know who would all be in their classes, where to go and what to expect with their teachers.

After school, when I asked each of them about school I received very differing responses.  (The following are very old pictures)



Kamree asked before school what she would be doing in Kindergarten and I told her they would be teaching reading and a few other things.  When she walked out of school she said, "They didn't teach us to read, I don't think it's kindergarten." 

Mason came out of school with a huge smile saying, "I like school this year, because it's a lot shorter."  June and September school is shortened just an hour from 2:00 to 1:00.  Mason must have had so much fun that the time flew.



Morgan exited school looking quite upset and announced that both his teachers gave him homework on the first day and repeatedly cried, " What kind of teacher does that?"  As we checked his homework, one was just a list of supplies to bring in, and the other was asking the kids to bring their English books from last year.  What a hard way to start out the year!



Kaiya  was smiling when I first saw her after school and she explained that her picture was in the school agenda.  Last year they had an art contest for the school's theme this year "Magic of Reading".  All the kids entered and she apparently got third and therefore it was printed in each kids school agenda. 


Later After School

Elder Ward, Elder Lyman, and Elder Blanchard

 

Monday night we had the missionaries over for dinner and a message for our first time and it was so much fun.  They brought with them Elder Ward, the missionary that had been in the Spain train wreck.  He had been home for surgery and just got back to Spain last week.  He will be with the office missionaries for about 3 weeks while he takes it easy with his neck before going out to a full-time proselyting area.