Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A New School Year

Well...before September ends, I think I'll post about our first day of school that was back on September 3rd.  That's right, when all of America was celebrating Labor Day, with a day off of school, we were suiting up here for our new school year.  You might remember, and you might not, that the tradition here in Slovakia is for students to take flowers to their teachers on the first day of school.  Well, when we first discovered this tradition back in September of 2010, it was too late, as we were already at school with our backpacks of books and no flowers, while all of the other students were there with their flowers and NO backpacks of books.  So, the next year we wizened up (is that REALLY how you spell "wizened"??) and left the backpacks at home, but still weren't sure about the flowers...do we buy them that morning on the way to school?...and from where?...so, I baked cookies and they took plates of those September of 2011.

This year, we decided to go with the normal Slovak tradition, and went to buy 5 flowers the day before, put them in water overnight, and were ready to go the next morning.  This, I have decided, is the easiest option yet!  We also sent the kids' slippers to school with them that first morning this year.  Every day the school kids change out of their street shoes and wear their slippers throughout the school day and then change back to go home.  Every day, that is, except for the first!!!  Why???  Who knows??  So, yes, our kids were holding their slippers as they walked up to school, saw that no one else had them, so threw them to Ed as quick as they could.  I am constantly making mental notes about what I am learning here.  Maybe I should start writing more of these down, so that I can remember these details when I need them.  So, next September, we'll be ready.  We'll send all the kids out the door with their flowers and NO slippers!  Remind me next fall if I forget!

All five are in school this year.  The oldest four are at a primary school in town, and Shaylee goes to a separate preschool.  So far, so good for everyone.  We are very thankful for good teachers who take time to help our kids learn in a second language.  We are also thankful for our tutor, Bibka, who helps all of us understand better what we are learning!  







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