School Has Started for Marina and Andrew

Summer is winding down and school started yesterday here in our little town of Seward. A big day for Marina who was excited to see some of her friends she met just before school let out for the summer when we all returned from Ukraine. Andrew is in the new middle school - which is more like a private school - as it has a small population of 7th and 8th graders. Soccer practice starts today with his first game happening next Friday when the grandparents arrive from Minnesota. Marina will have soccer starting tin the elementary in early September and will be happy to see that day arrive. Right now they are enjoying riding their new scooter on the bike path which goes for several miles right in front of our house on the waterfront. Getting to bed on time each night is still a project for all of us but rapidly the Alaska daylight of summer is becoming more like the 'lower 48' and it is no longer sun shining at 10-11 pm.... More later then...thanks for stopping by our blog for a visit!

Community Celebration for our Children!

It was like Christmas in our little town of Seward recently when various members of the community decided to have a Celebration party for Marina and Andrew. Posters were placed around town, the television scanner announced the event and various telephone call lists were utilized to invite everyone to the party. There were many games, gifts and good food. Two beautiful quilts were raffled to those attending and we have June Fowler of Anchorage to thank for that......they were absolutely beautiful and everyone hoped to be the winner....but alas...we all just had to comfort our sorrows with another piece of one of the several uniquely decorated cakes!

Tomorrow is the last day of summer camp for the children and they really enjoyed all the activities each day. They never had to stay over night while at camp as it was held right here in Seward Monday thru Friday 9-5 pm so they had a chance to meet many kids and share in many activities for their age-class.

Marina and Andrew have been working with an English Tutor on Sundays after mass and will complete this part of their summertime efforts in English but will both have ESL during the school year as there is funding for that at this school campus.

Marina will be in a 4th-5th combined class and Andrew will be in middle school as a 7th grader...hopefully. Andrew is a bit head-strong and likes to be the center of attention so we are expecting he will learn there is a certain 'pecking'order that the will have to tolerate at school in order to get along in a new school and new culture. As for Marina, she really needs to be on her own a bit more from her brother, so with Andrew going on into middle school and into a completely different building ( a block away) she will be able to have her own identity - and we notice a very positive difference when she has to fend for herself....she actually likes making decisions. Such a different culture they have come from where the male is very dominant.

Looking forward to Grandpa and Grandma Carpenter coming for a visit along with some other surprise guests....All for now.