Tonight is our last night in Kiev. We are super excited and have assured Zhenya that YES we go to America tomorrow after one more sleep! We got their visas today so we are officially ready to go...except for the repacking for the hundredth time.
We are going out to eat with our facilitator tonight. Jeff wants either Turkish foods or to visit a restraurant he found that features food from various regions of the Soviet Union.
The kids are getting impatient to leave. The apartment only offers so much entertainment. They aren't much for watching television. Probably a good thing!
Last night I assessed Zhenya's math skills. I was happy to see that he knows the majority of his multiplication tables and understand the concept so he can figure out the ones he doesn't know. He can also add and subtract two to three digit number without regrouping. (Sounds like I am writing an assessment for an IEP...LOL)
We are practicing counting...we count EVERYTHING. We practice the alaphabet and how to write their names. Zhenya does much better, but he has been in school whereas Leeza has had no formal education. She has a long way to go to get to grade level. We will work on it. Since I am a Special Education teacher, I am aware that she may never be on grade level..and that is fine. It is too early to determine how she will do since she has had no instruction. She has made a lot changes since meeting us. She is in no way the same kid we met a month ago. I am excited to see the continued changes once we get home! Zhenya will go into the 4th grade at home. I gave this a very large amount of thought and Jeff and I discussed it. I think it is socially in his best interest to go into the 4th grade. He is very aware that he was in class 4...he is also more aware of things than a typical third grader would be due to the exposure of older children in the internat. He might be a little 4th grader and he might be a bit behind..but we get kids in our schools who are Hispanic and they make gains. Zhenya has the advantage of having a teacher for a mom!! He is very smart and has a lot of common sense. He catches onto things really fast.
Well, we are going to eat our last dinner in Ukraine!! Then having our last sleep in Ukraine!! We are ALMOST HOME!!! I may not get a chance to post until Friday..since we are traveling and then recovering from jetlag!
Please pray for a safe flight. We will be in Nashville at 10:55 pm tomorrow night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7 comments:
I wish I could meet you at the airport. I know you are so glad to be almost home.
Jana
Woo-hoo!
Can't wait to meet them! Safe travels to you 4!
Great job, guys! Out in 5 weeks too! (Our first was 7 weeks, second was 6, so I hope Lizzie's will be 5 weeks)
Praying all goes well at the airport and on the flights.
Felix & Heidi
So glad you're on your way! It was a blessing meeting you! Just one comment about the math- the strategies they use to teach regrouping and stuff is very different than the way we have been taught in the States. Our missionary friend rendered the Ukrainian teacher absolutely speechless and confused when he demonstrated "our way" of doing long division- just something to be aware of. Maybe it won't even come up!
So excited for you guys. I have been following your blog and so enjoyed it. I can't wait until it's our turn. Praying for your flight home and for your new family. Congrats!
Thanks everyone! We loved hearing from people while we are gone. It really helped get us through to know people care!
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