Quiz Question: Which one of our kids could be described as being 'Off With the Fairies'? Read below to see your answer...
In response to Jill's comment (last post), because our kids go to an Australian school (which is co-ed and very 'normal' by our standards) and because I work in one of the most conservative institutions in the area, the kids don't necessarily experience some of the really different customs that I do. You do see completely covered women all over town, often surrounded by blondes like me in short sleeves. But after no more than the first week when the kids were asking 'why do the ladies look like nuns and cover their faces?' they have settled in and the seem to 'get it', that there is another religion here making life different from home. They are adaptable little people our kids, moreso than me in fact.
Putting off Thanksgiving for a couple of weeks, for example, in order to 'celebrate right' when I have a few days off and time to linger over pie, indeed made me funky last week, but the kids could have cared less. And sitting stuck in traffic, which makes me long for Colorado roads, sits well with the kids as long as we're allowing them to play with their game boys in the back seat. (But don't y'all get excited Aunties and Uncles, Video games for the home continue to sit on our 'Banned - DO NOT BUY' list, lest we fry their brains).
Even Liam, who has shown more signs of homesickness than the others, succeeded in organizing his own play date at the park, by dragging Billy there to see his pals after school last week. Though his teacher says he is oftentimes 'off with the fairies' (read: Australian slang for 'spaced out'), she said he doesn't miss a thing and that he loves a good laugh. And to confirm that he is truly at home in the Australian school environment, he spelled snake on his Christmas list just like an Australian would say it: SNIKE
And Rosie seems least affected by our move. She soaks it up when restaurant workers try to chit chat, and her best pal at school is a local little girl named Meera.
Alas Brady continues to remind us, when we get a little goofy and yodel along with the prayer caller at the mosque behind our house, that it is not good manners to make fun of someone's religion. Irreverent parents, are we?
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5 comments:
Christina (and family),
I just want you to know how much I look forward to all of your posts. We misses you all at Bernie's party! But have fun with Janell and John and Merry Christmas. And for Thanksgiving, I am grateful that you are all doing well! xoxo Katie
Your kids r great - & look back fondly at all that u n billy offer. i love hearing everything - & i had the same thoughts on bluetooth as u - funny.
Thanks for explaining further about the kids reaction to the cultural shift. I am amazed at how adaptable they are. It sounds like they are having fun though!
Ann
Christina - we wish you and Billy and those 3 beautiful children a Wonderful Thanksgiving no matter what day you have it (by the way, Turkey?) don't feel bad if you don't have it, my sister in law cooked a pork roast. What is that all about? It sounds like everyone is adapting well. We hope you are enjoying your visit with Janell & John. Ang is doing great with the kiddies. She never ceases to amaze me. I love reading all of your writings - so interesting!
Love, Connie
2nd graders here are studying Australia--love the snike comment, and of course my kids live life off with the fairies, and take that as a very good thing. Glad the kids are adjusting--but they always do better than we old folks with new stuff, right?
I miss you! Book club tonight won't be the same.
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