School is winding down...

Hard to believe, but the 2017-2018 school year at ISL is coming to an end.  It's been a good year, not without its challenges and growing pains, but a good year of learning and growth nevertheless.  I wanted to capture the kids are in their last week of after school activities, Thomas' field trip, and friends.

Savvy has taken pottery on a wheel a few times this year.  She has really enjoyed it and has learned a lot.  We've all benefited from this class as she has given much of her pottery away as gifts!  She enjoyed taking the class with our friend Clark as well.

 This term, Savannah also took fencing!  This was a first, and another class she enjoyed.  The outfits are hot though, so she came home sweaty from the workout.
 It was fun to actually see her in action, keeping her posture and positioning as she was taught.One of Savvy's favorite teachers was Miss Berkman.  She taught math and science and Savannah just loved the way she taught.  She was fun and creative and young, so she related well to the kids.  She will miss her!

Thomas took a computer programming class where he learned about Python and other programs.  Right up his alley!

 I also got to go as a chaperon with Thomas' French class. Madame Ann asked if I would help, so I jumped at it.  I've never been able to go on a field trip with Thomas as there was always a conflict in scheduling.  Thomas has really enjoyed his French class, mostly this second semester, as he has improved a lot.  The first semester was frustrating, as he was a beginner with no prior French, in a class of all experienced French speakers.  He overcame the frustration though with a little extra weekly help from Madame Ann on Tuesdays after school.  He loves the language and wants to continue learning it!  Rhea and Savannah have enjoyed French as well this year.  (Briant and I feel helpless because neither of us has taken any French!)
 After getting a tour of the French Institute in Riga, the students had to video record their play performance of a French script they had been reading.  Thomas' part was helping with the set as well as being part of the chorus of voices when necessary.

 Rhea took a coding class.  This was the first class of its kind for Rhea, so I think she learned a lot.  And she enjoyed the challenge.Rhea also did the after school buddy program, arranged by the school counselor after months of her being a victim of bullying.  She was set up with a buddy from 10th grade who mentored her and was just simply a friend to her, one day a week after school.  Ironically, she ended up spending time with Gundega and her buddy.  A more peaceful ending to the school year...at least the last few weeks or so.  ;)

I also had to wind things down with my English teaching of Daniel and Angela.  I only had about three months, 4 days a week, with them before school got out, but some great improvement.  Mostly because they have such young and capable minds, and they're motivated to learn English!  I gave them certificates and a little gift to give closure to our efforts.

Here they are with their wonderfully supportive mom Sara, who was there for every session, helping to keep them focused and fed with yummy snacks.  I look forward to teaching them again next school year!

 A few weeks before school got out, we had the S and W families over to say goodbye.  Zeke and Carl were two of Thomas' best friends this year.  They were in the grade below him, but they loved a lot of the same things, like soccer.  Also, Zeke's dad Mr. S became Thomas' favorite science teacher.
 The W family, from the embassy.  Sammy, Celeste, Carl, Cece and dad Carl.
 Rhea and Celeste were friends in the same 4th grade class, not without the 4th grade drama, but nevertheless, still friends.  ;)

A few days later, the embassy hosted an end of school barbecue and a farewell party to those leaving.  Here's Thomas and Clark after a few tears were shed for Carl leaving.

The day after school got out, our family left on a three week European road trip.  Because we were buying the W family's trampoline, we decided to move it with their help before we left and before they left Latvia.  It was quite the challenge, but nothing too difficult for our muscles. ;)

Leaving their house:

 Luckily they lived around the corner on the next street over, so we carried it down the road to our street!
 Now at our house, trying to get it around the corner of the house to the backyard.  With all the trees and brush, as well as a rain chain in the way, we had to get creative.

Finally settling in and setting up the net with Carl's help.  Good guy--it would have taken a lot longer for us to try to figure that out!  I anticipate that we'll all say that this was the best $75 we've ever spent for some summer fun!