How do the kids like it here? Part 1: The Big Boys

This a question I get all the time. How are kids adjusting? And the answer is, overall, pretty well. In many ways better than me, I guess. But they certainly have their ups and downs.

For Samuel, it has been good and bad. He struggles in school for the most part. Homework, in the U.S. took him no less than an hour and half, every single day. (remember he left there finishing fourth grade) We usually had some kind of argument and frequently a tear was shed. Here, things are much better. His class has 14 kids in it. His teacher tries to give as little homework as possible and works very close one and one with the kids. So there has been a major load lifted off of Sam. From fifth grade on, the kids here have to play an instrument. Sam chose drums (percussion, including piano later on), much to my disliking. It's hard, a lot of work to keep the beat for the whole band, and I don't love the noise. But he is learning a lot and had a concert last week and is doing great.

There are lot's opportunity for sports as well here. So Samuel is just finishing the baseball season here. He starts tennis this week, and soccer in January. He is my child that loves sports more than anything else, so this is very exciting for him. These camps were built for Americans during the 1980's, so there are ALL kinds of great facilities. The trouble is, that now there are very few Americans, or Westerners as that, so manning these great activities takes A LOT of work. The big camp has a really great scout program, but we have none. But with four boys, and Peter being king of scouting, we are starting a unit in January. We have about 20 boys interested right now. (talking Cubs, here) I miss the ease of the United States. There, you have the community and the church to help pick up the slack. Here, you have to do it yourself. And honestly, I feel swamped just taking care of my kids.

Sam has lots of friends. His really good friend, from Scotland, just moved though. I can't remember if I already said this. But they (the dad) got fired and they had to move home. (this is a whole other story, but he was talking poorly about the locals and posting pics of him breaking "rules" on social networking sites - and that got him sent home) That was really hard on Samuel. But with his class so small, they are pretty close. One nice thing about his friend from the UK, is they didn't have the language barrier. (well, sort of - I could hardly understand him) Something that is really fun for my older boys, is some serious freedom. It's taken me a while, but I am lengthening their ropes, so to say. With the camp having such tight security, I don't worry as much about kidnapping. Although, I am still cautious. And there is very little traffic, so they ride their bikes everywhere. Sam rides his bike to and from baseball, about a seven minute ride across camp, in the dark. (bike light) If you know me, I would NEVER EVER even consider this in the states. I still worry, but not as much. He can go to the pool alone, as he has his swim badge. (earned by proving he can swim safely, and I usually just let him stay an extra 20 minutes on his own) And explore at the beach with buddies, as the lifeguards are around for safety. Now, you know me, he never get's to do any of this for very long. But he is gaining an independence that would not be possible in the states. And I think both he and Simon are enjoying spreading their wings a bit. They have to stay together and check in, but they seem to be having fun.

Simon, on the other hand, does really well at school. Although as of late, he says he hates it. He loves his teacher and has a best friend in class, I think he's just really bored. Not good. He's in second grade, and this has been hard for us from day one, he needs to be challenged, and so far no teacher has done this for him. His class is a bit bigger, at 18 kids. But again, they work one on one with the kids. He has a really good friend from Texas and he loves that. Si has a hard time using common sense though, so his freedoms have not quite expanded as much as Sam's. He always tells me he has so many friends he doesn't know who to play with. And I believe it, he is a very funny charismatic child. People love to be around him, he's very entertaining. And loves to laugh!

He is really into bugs, as well as Egypt, as you know. If you told me a year ago I would let Si get on a bus, ride through the middle eastern desert on a field trip -without me - I would never have believed it! But it happened, and he loved it. They just went to the other camp, but I am letting him go a bit too. Five kids, no car, and not a lot of babysitting help, helps with letting go too. Not much I can do about some things. He played after school basketball, which was really big for him, he doesn't love sports. And he starts tennis today, too.

I have felt like Si has adjusted by making things the same, where he can. I think that's why he has been into dress up so much. He did it at home, he does it here. I have felt like it's been a coping mechanism for him. Also, he loves to escape into a book, and he's read all the Percy Jackson's since we've been here. He's DYING to get his hands on The Red Pyramid, BTW. He's been quite easy going over all though. He is my child that let's things go. He may get mad or be bugged, but he's easy to get over it. It's a wonderful attribute. He loves to draw and create, and the art teacher at school has picked up on his creativity. He loves art, and the art department here has so much to offer. I nearly cry every time I walk in. What a dream job; art teacher. Hmmmm. He turns 8 in a couple of weeks and is really looking forward to the big B. If you know what I mean. This will happen in the Gulf, and while he's a little nervous, he's very excited. I can't wait either.

There have been tears shed, loneliness, feeling WAY too hot, missing loved ones, and wanting to go home. But these are fleeting. Today Samuel was bringing his laundry down, and says, laughing, "Hey mom. I just forgot we lived here. (he said the name though) That was weird, I thought we were in the states for a minute. Haha." Which tells me, he's feeling quite normal and adjusted here. And that's a good thing. I think we are all.