Jason and I volunteered to be the leads of the Puerto Rican team for this very big MCN that occurred last Friday. It was many months in the making and was definitely worth it! It was held at Karissa's school, Gallimore, and they're hoping it will be an annual event.
The program entailed 45 minutes of entertainment in the gym from each country, followed by globetrotting to various classrooms representing each of the 11 countries, and an International Cafe in the cafeteria. There was also a Henna Salon since there is a very big influence of people from India at Gallimore.
One of my favorite parts was the very beginning when we all rose for the American flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then a group sang the National Anthem. It was heart-warming to see all the kids standing in front of me, dressed according the their culture, many of them looking like they are actually from other countries, paying respect to the flag of our country that we share together. The country in which we are all free.
There were songs, skits, dances, and slide shows performed. Then the globetrotting started. Each kid got a "passport" when they arrived for the night and as they entered each classroom, they had to find the answer to a question pertaining to that country, answer a question pertaining to the teacher who teaches in that classroom during the day, and then get a stamp in the box. The countries represented that night were:
Pakistan, Morocco, Japan, Finland, China, Puerto Rico, India, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Colombia.
I met two wonderful ladies who were on team Puerto Rico with us as well. Tanya, whose mom is from PR, and Frances who was born there. Jason went to one group meeting that I couldn't make, but mostly I met with the large group and team PR. When I met with Tanya and Frances I always joked about being the lead of the group, even though I don't have any Puerto Rican blood in me. That's okay, I've got the love!
Tanya's son and daughter, both students at Gallimore, and Fracnes' daughter, a student there as well, performed in the dance, Bomba, by our group. They were joined by Karissa and Austin (even though he doesn't go there, he was a great trooper to learn the Bomba!) and our friend Zach, who attends Gallimore and was in the play with Karissa.We only practiced a few times, so the kids really did a great job on their dance!
There were a lot of meetings, prior to the event, and a lot of emails/texts, but it was so worth it and so many people enjoyed the night!
Arroz con Gandules (what Puerto Rico served in the cafeteria). This is not the picture of our food, but I forgot to take one. I was mostly in the classroom and Jason was helping with the food, but I did go down and taste a lot of the food from the other countries and they were delish!
Practicing for the show. Dianna, Sylvie, Karissa, Austin, Zach, Simon.
My Bomba dancers.
Dianna, Austin, Karissa, Zach
Me and Meena, the lady in charge of the whole event!
Meena, Mrs. Bell (school principal), Me, Tanya, and Frances
Door decor created by the studnets of that classroom.
Our displays. They included information about economy, food, heritage, and famous sights. Jason was the brains behind the information.
We had instruments and seashells from PR here, though I didn't get a close-up. Also, the yellow poster has questions and answers about PR, including the question for the passport which was: Who discovered Puerto Rico?
Our Kids Activities table included making vejigantes, masks worn at festivals in PR.
We forgot to take a picture there, but here is my favorite Puerto Rican!
I'll admit that I used to think that the whole pinewood derby thing was kind of lame. As I have said before, I was totally clueless about scouts until I actually had one under my care. I don't know why, but I just thought making a car out of a piece of wood and then racing it wasn't that exciting. As soon as I found out the date of the pinewood derby and explained what it was to Austin, I was sold myself! You get to make a cool car with a parent and if you do things right, you might end up doing really well in the race! What could be more fun for a young boy? Lucky for Austin, Jason works in the auto industry and he has had experience with creating with wood lately (updates on basement coming soon!) Austin planned it out and helped Jason carry out the necessary steps to build his car. Jason showed him videos and explained all the science behind what they would do to make his car the fastest they could.
Sanding the car.
Last night was the practice run. Austin was really excited to go and Erik was too. Unfortunately, the main race is Friday when we will be at Gallimore for the Multicultural Event that we signed up to volunteer as Puerto Rico leads months ago. As this was Austin's first year doing it, I don't think he really minds missing the main race. He had such a good time last night and his car came in second place most of the runs, first and third a couple of times, and fourth one time. They are keeping his car to race it on Friday. Who knows, maybe he'll win a trophy?
Final product!
Today for school, he got to go to Geer School, the one-room 1880's schoolhouse here in our area that all the second graders attend as part of their Plymouth-Canton community history curriculum. Both the girls went, now it was Austin's turn. I was able to leave work a little early and meet him there for lunch. He had a hard boiled egg, homemade bread with butter, apple, homemade ginger cookies, and water. Here's what we were able to pull together for his costume.
I have one final year in my 30s. That's kind of weird to me. Suddenly, numbers don't mean much to me anymore!
Thanks for all the cards, well wishes, and gifts! It was great to be remembered. We had such a busy weekend, again, that I just told my kids to cooperate and get their work done without complaint and that would be gift enough for me from them. I think the girls really did plan on buying me gifts with Jason, but it was Karissa's tech week for the play she was in, Fairytale Courtroom, and her play was the entire weekend, that she really had no time for anything extra. She was a trooper, though. I have never seen her keep her cool so well- ever! She's been getting her work done, piano practiced, food eaten, and to play practice with no complaint! Even interactions with her siblings have been so pleasant. Victoria had dance, a birthday party, and a "job" to do someone's hair for the Mormon prom, plus 5 chapters of STEM homework for the weekend (we're still trying to figure out why her teacher gave them so much for one weekend...), so her schedule kept up with Karissa's.
Obviously, it wasn't a restful birthday weekend with all the comings and goings with the girls. I took Austin to a play date in between all the other activities. I helped Jason with the shelves, volunteered at one of Karissa's shows, went to her cast party with her, and gave sharing time to the primary kids on Sunday, my actual birthday. Jason made me fish tacos for dinner, Erik and Austin chose and helped me bake the cake, we watched Karissa's play, and we watched Trolls because it happened to come in for us at the library just in time for our busy weekend. My neighbor moved and we got his table, which we still have yet to move into the kitchen and put our old one away. All this, and we lost an hour of time. I really wanted that hour!
Here are some pics and a clip of Karissa in her play. She had a small part, but it made for less practices, which was good for me. She's excited about next year's play, though, which will be Dr. Dolittle and will be a musical, my most favorite! I have to say, though, that her play this year was hilarious! I highly recommend it!
My flying monkey.
Karissa and Zach, our carpool buddy. He was one of the little pigs and the Scarecrow in the play. He was also one of the other ducklings in when the girls were in the play Honk two years ago.
Victoria before her choir concert.
Natalia's hair. Victoria did it one try, no problem, and minimal bobby pins. I couldn't do that!
Licking the bowl after making my cake.
39!
Fort making!
The clip is about 5 minutes long. It has Zach at the beginning of it becasue he's our friend and his part was longer so you can see how funny the play is. Enjoy!
It's amazing how busy you can get if each kid participates in one activity, plus piano, then you add in the extra school activities or electives for each kid. We have had a lot going on and it just keeps going!
Saturday the girls participated in Federation. Last year was their first year participating in it. I am not allowed in the room while they play their pieces, but I could hear them from outside the door. They both did very well. Victoria scored an Excellent and Karissa a Superior. I'm proud of both of them! After Federation, we promptly drove to the outskirts of Detroit for Victoria's choir festival. Her choir sang two songs, one of them was a song I sang when I was in choir, A Jubilant Song. They scored an Excellent, so it was an excellent day for Victoria!
Practicing Jazzy Cat and Spirit of the Stallion
Practicing Tango Dramatico and Steam hammer Stomp
Austin performed in the second grade school musical last night. It was all about outer space and was educational as well as fun. He started piano lessons this year and is really enjoying it, even practicing! He's not ready for Federation, though. I think you have to have played at least one year for that. Erik loves plunking around on the piano since all of his siblings do.
He's the one in the middle with red and black on.
Erik had crazy hat day last week, as part of the Dr. Seuss week and Karissa had a dress-as-your-favorite-book character day. She also participated in her school's science fair.
A St. Patty's hat
Hermione
There's always something going on around here these days!
