Update on the Kids

At the request of several people we will be trying to give more updates on the kids and their daily activities as well. Monday, August 25 Reed started his first day of school at Academia Los Pinares. The Christian school started in the mid 1970's as a school for missionary children. Currently it functions primarily as a school for Honduran children, with a few missionary children mixed in. We hadn't worked school into our budget, but we made a few adjustments to try and make it work. We also prayed that the school board would understand our financial situation as missionaries here and help us out a little. There is a $1000 onetime enrollment fee that is charged, that we could not afford. God answered our prayers and we found out yesterday that the board would wave our admission fee. We are so thankful as Reed loves school so much and really craves the social interaction with other kids his age.

Reed joins one other North American boy, Samuel, and lots of spanish speaking Honduran children in Pre-Kinder about 2 miles from our house. We were quite suprized to find out that the Pre-K kids go to school from 7:30am-2:30pm Monday through Friday. It seems like a lot for 4 year olds, but Reed is a huge fan (minus nap time in the afternoons). Reed's favorite parts about school are wearing a uniform (like Grandpa does at work), recess (big time favorite), and bringing his own snack ("First Lunch") and lunch ("Second Lunch").

Our first week of getting up and ready at 6:30 was a little bit rough on both Reed and Mommy, however, this week Reed was waking us up between 5:30 and 6:15. We're pretty sure he's adjusted! Ryan is used to it from getting up for brigades. I, however, am still getting used to my new wake up time. It's not so fun with having to get up to use the bathroom 3 times every night. What will we do when the baby comes? I have a feeling the mommy zombie will be returning. Beware!

So, you may be wondering how Ella feels about her playmate and best friend being in school all day. At first she insisted, "I'm four," so she could go to school as well, but she seems to be enjoying a little more one on one time with mommy and daddy. We have been enjoying art projects and workbooks, games, working in the pharmacy, running errands in town (with the occasional stop for doughnuts), and playing catch. This week Ella has some fun events planned. On Monday we have a playdate with another 2 1/2 year old little girl who lives here on El Hatillo and on Tuesday Ella will be joining me for Women's Bible Study and she's very excited to be able to spend some extra time in the nursery, her favorite Sunday morning hang-out.
Ella became very disappointed last Friday as we said goodbye to WGO's Government Liason, Armondo (aka "Mondo"), who is Ella and Reed's lollipop supplier. Ella still has her favorite mission house cooks (Magda, Alba, and Diana) who she charms into giving her "Sula," a brand of orange juice and Ella's favorite thing in Honduras.

And Baby #3, he or she is growing just fine, 29 weeks gestation Monday. My ribs have now become Baby's favorite hot spot! My belly must be growing well because Reed said to me, "Mommy, I think one day your belly is just going to POP!" I sure hope not. Ella loves to give the baby raspberries and Reed likes to see if the baby will kick his hands. The poor babe had hiccups a lot one day and Reed and Ella tried to cure them by putting coins all over my belly. It didn't work. My favorite chiropractor has been doing a great job taking care of the back pain daily. I'm very blessed to have that kind of care and such sweet kids.