First Day of School

The last week has been a buzz of activity.  Alia started school, Ashton is in the process of being approved to start school, Alexa continues her schooling, and Ariana finished school.  A number of people have asked how the kids have done with the animals.  Both of the kids love the animals, but Ashton especially has a love for our pets, especially our dog, Sundance.  Within a few days of arriving home, Ashton realized that Sundance liked only the kibble in the kibbles and bits that we feed him.  So on occasion, Ashton has taken to picking the kibble out of the dog's food bowl and hand feeding the dog.  The dog has taken to his new owner as well and enjoys the long walks outside around the yard and being spoiled with food.

Alia began attending pre-school last week and has really enjoyed her class and getting to make many friends.  Although the language barrier makes things difficult at times for her to understand what is going on, yet she loves going three mornings a week.

We have been working on getting Ashton registered for second grade, but we have had to wait for his TB test (his second in a month, since it had to be redone in the states) to be cleared, and for his vaccinations to be completed.  Almost every day last week was spent at the doctors or a dentist or a lab for bloodwork, etc.  We have a few more appointments and things to do for registration, but we are hoping Ashton can get into school by the end of this week.

Over the past few days, we made two trips out to Lancaster.  On Saturday, we gathered to celebrate my nephews HS graduation.  It was a great time for the kids to meet their aunts, uncles and their cousins.  It was also a great time for us to catch up with family.  Our second trip was today to pick up Ariana from college.  Ariana had two final exams, and we met with her after her first exam to pack up the car.  While she had her second exam of the day, we took the kids to see the Strasburg railroad and then we went down the road to the Cho Cho Barn, which is a large model train layout with all sorts models including a circus, and a model of Dutch Wonderland.  Ashton loved the trains. 

After a short time walking through the train store, we went next door to watch them making peanut brittle, and we each enjoyed a small bowl of ice cream, we returned to Millersville Univ to pick up Ariana. 

While we were waiting for her, we took a walk through the campus and then sat at the art building to wait.  While we sat, a caterpillar came to visit with us.  Alia laughed and said that the caterpillar tickled her hand.  It is great to continue to watch the kids make new friends, experience new things and get established in their new home.