November Pictures

Each November, the Middle School celebrates United Nations day for these international kids to embrace their own heritage and enjoy what makes everyone unique.  It's a really heartwarming experience to see kids from all over the world represent their home country (or countries, in some cases) and learn more about one another.  Flags from each country are paraded on stage to represent all of the nations here at JIS.

Afterward, there is a massive picnic and party on the lawn with food from most of the countries or regions provided by the parents.  It was a good day at the U S of A table!

We had barbecue sliders, macaroni and cheese, and tons of cookies, so our table was pretty popular.

We stayed busy handing out food for the entire hour, then the moms visit one another's table to try the delicious home cooked food from around the world!

On the home front, we had lots of issues.  I was still hobbling around on my foot and not pleased at all with all the problems.  Alex's AC unit was leaking into the downstairs living area and since the workers couldn't fine the source of the leak, they just moved the entire unit.  Ugh.  Now it just leaks straight out of the front of the house.  Problem solved, apparently.

Downstairs, the problem was ignored long enough for the ceiling to collapse and need extensive repairs.  Ugh.

In the meantime, Ben's unit ALSO started leaking, and then the unit upstairs as well.  By the time we finally got workers here to do repairs, there were four rooms with major problems.  UGH!!  It was two full days of men all over the house making a huge mess but mostly fixing the issues.

The rainy season has finally arrived, although it's still spotty.  The clouds and cooler weather have been very welcomed.

Alex has been on a kick to learn how to bake.  He tried a Swedish dessert at UN day and I got the recipe from my friend.  It was a delicious traditional sticky chocolate cake...can't wait for him to make this again! 

Buddy the elf returned a little early and brought the kids a pretty fun treat - a pair of tiny parakeets to keep our cockatiels company.  The boys were thrilled!