Updates

We have been really busy and not posted photos lately.  So here is the recap:

E officially started Russian public school 1st grade on 1 September.  After a couple of weeks of difficulty, she is really doing very well.  How many 7 year olds do you know who can do homework independently in a foreign language?

Worst part is that the school never announces anything on paper unless its a form we have to sign.  Everything is told to the children verbally and they are expected to go home and tell their parents.  Parents of school children anywhere know that is a recipe for disaster.  Now try it in a foreign language.

K went back to her same preschool, same teachers, same set of kids on 1 September.  Well, they added a new teacher, but the other two are still there, plus all the kids are the same (maybe 1 new one?).  Welcome to Russia, where if they can keep a group together, they will.

(E's first grade class, for example, will sit in the same seats and have the same teacher and no student reshuffling for 4 years, until they go to the 5th grade.  This is not specific to her school. It's Russian government education. )

A (now officially 2 years old) started a preschool class mornings only on 2 September.  9 am to 12 noon.  It is technically the same preschool as K, but it's in the old building next door, so it doesn't "feel" like the same preschool, either to the kids or to the parents who have an extra drop off/pickup.  The first week, A was really not sure about this, and was a bit hesitant about being left, but never left.  She was ready for the adventure.  By the second week, she was going cheerfully off to class after taking off her coat.  Sure, she still runs to meet us when we pick her up, but she really enjoys having somewhere to go & other kids to play nearby.

S is teaching two classes on research methods at the university.  One is Wednesdays for 3 hours, one is Thursdays 3 hours.  It is about the most essential but most boring class to teach (says S).  They are on different levels, and slightly different subjects, but it gets very confusing, who heard which lecture last?

A is traveling for a couple of paid events this month and next.  He is waiting for something to come out of some interviews he has had lately.  

So, the kids are growing, changing, learning Russian.  We are about the same we were a year ago.  Well, except a little more Russian-ish.

And thankfully completely out of the loop of US news & not-news.

So many people in Russia live so precariously, or are so busy, they don't have time for nonsense.  Now that is us, too.