Weekly Update: Playschool, Grande Case

Another week come and gone. Some week go so fast and other weeks drag on. This week flew right past. Which is a good thing as it's block week, meaning we see very little of Josh as he is trying to cram as much study time before his block exams on Monday. 

Here's a few of the thing that we did this week to stay busy on this island:

 We started attending a preschool group thats on Monday, Wednesday and Friday form 9-11am. I like it as it gives Lincoln time to socialize with other children. Lincoln has really been enjoying it. This preschool group is put on by a bunch of moms. Each mom takes a turn teaching a lesson. We will still be doing our own letters and number at home each week. I think this preschool group will be a life saver  for our last 4 months as we will be loosing 4 of Lincoln's friends at the end of this term.

 We meet a bunch on friends at Friars Bay this week. It was our second time to this beach. We had lots of fun, we even got to see a donkey and some cows on this beach. We had a great time... I will do a separate post in more detail about this beach visit.

 We  also checked out a new beach this week Grande Case. It's located on the french side and a 20 min drive north east of Cole Bay.  It was amazing!!! The picture above is of a old cement pier at this beach. The kids had so much fun playing under it and also jumping off of it into the ocean. I will be doing a separate post of this beach also, more pictures to come.


 We also went to Maho beach to watch the planes fly over. It's been a HOT week so we are in the water more then normal. Plus we've been in the pool everyday... This little girl loves the beach. She's practically has grown up on the beach. We moved here when she was 7 months and she has learn that eating sand isn't the best thing to do. She can sit and play in the sand for hours and then go run into the ocean by herself ( with her puddle jumper). Salt water in her eyes doesn't phase her any more. Lacey is a happy girl when she's at the beach.

Sorting rocks and shells into different buckets.

Letter V- Volcanoes, vacuum vase.


I taught Lincoln more about our senses. Heres a little worksheet we did.

Instead of a nature walk, we did the work sheet for "our walk on the beach". 

 I see.... a donkey. I smell.... monkey poop. I feel... rocks. I hear.... the waves.

 Lacey loves having baths out side in the back yard. Yes I know this sounds weird. But instead of having our red bath tub in the shower we bring it outside at times. It's hot out, so why not. Plus it's the perfect way to cool off.

 Lacey is obsessed with goggles. If she finds a pair of goggles laying around while we are at home, she has to wear them. She gets mad when she can't put them on by her self, but she doesn't want help. She will usually give in and let me help her.  After wearing them she tries to take them off but they usually gets mad as they get caught in her hair pretties... Silly girl!

Heres two students that are in his class, Joe and Rohith. They are both from Edmonton, Alberta. Crazy how there are three students from Alberta Canada in the same class in a Caribbean school.... Lacey has a crush on Joe (far left).

Father's day was kept simple as it was on the day before block exams. So Josh as studying like mad, meaning we really didn't see him. But we were still able to let him sleep in a bit (7:30am), yes thats a sleep in around here, the kids gave him their presents for him and we made him his favorite breakfast... We will celebrate more once Josh is done his block exams. It was a great Father's Day! I'm so grateful to have such an amazing father for our kids.

I was surprised the branch didn't do anything for the dads. Well I am and I'm not. Church is so different here, then back home. Yes we teach the same lessons. But the church isn't very strong here.   Most islander families don't consist of a mom, dad and kids. Your luckly if there is just one parent in  a family. In alot of families the kids live with their grandparents. So Father's Day isn't celebrated like it is back in Canada..... I love this quote that was given in a talk at church today "The greatest thing a FATHER can do to his children, is to love their mother."

Here's a few of the difference of living on a small island compared to back home:

1. You literally CANNOT get ready. No matter how hard you try. You can't wear pants because it's too hot. When you put make up on, it melts right off. You can't wear heels because of all the pot holes, sand, uneven gravel. You can't blow dry your hair because if you did, right after you'd need to take another shower from sweating so much. I miss be able to get ready. So we live in our swim suits :)
2. Cell phones here are pay as you go. Your minutes are called Chippie Minutes. We've learn to not use our phones so $10 Chippie will last us at least 2 months. It's awesome.... I can't believe how much money we wasted on cell phone plans back home. We've learn to only use  the internet and texting when you have wifi, so at home or at the university.
3. At the beaches, tops are optional on the dutch side. Clothing is optional on the french side. I've seen my share of  topless people. It's getting pretty normal now. 
4. It's hard to find a fountain drink here. Gas stations, fast food and convenience store don't have them. No where... Actually Subway does and the pop tastes horrible. There's a reason why they only sell pop in a can here.
5. Within minutes of putting ice in a glass it is melted. I never have to wait for the eggs or butter to be at room temperature when making cookies. I can get everything out and by the time I'm creaming the butter and sugar, it's already soft. 
6. The World Cup is HUGE out here.  I have seen brazil flags, france, netherlands, spain, ghana ... everything except USA actually. Most restraurants and bars have the games on.
7. Church is the same, but at the same time VERY different. Same lessons taught. But mothers lounge, no comfortable chairs, no huge nursery with tons of toys for the kids. I think the whole building has seven rooms (tiny rooms) and one air conditioning window unit.

Another great quote that I love! No need to compare your self to others. 

Just try to be better than you were yesterday.