Coppelia

Last week we took SMCA to a ballet in Monterrey. It was especially for children and they even had a narrator, audience interaction, and a time for questions afterwards. I love it here.

Vamos Monterrey

Katey, Ruby, and I got to go to a Monterrey Rayados game this past Wednesday. Ever since I moved here in 2005, I have always wanted to attend a professional soccer game. Monterrey has two teams- the Tigres and the Rayados- so there is a huge rivalry within the city. The fans of the Rayados are so crazy- they were singing and chanting the entire time, pounding drums, throwing confetti, and setting off fireworks-- check out the video! The Rayados won 3-0, so it was a very exciting game to be a part of! Thanks for the playeras Beto! :)

Happy Balemtins Day!

We had a lovely Valentine's Day celebration last Thursday. All the kids created precious handmade cards for each other- my card from Jacob read, "Happy Balemtins Day!" We decorated heart shaped sugar cookies, read a special story, and did some Valentine's crafts.

It was an extra emotional day for everyone at SMCA because it was also the Merrill sister's last day of school. Jenna and Ella, along with their family, moved to Michigan on Friday and we will miss them so very much! Please pray for their family as they readjust to life in the United States, new jobs, and public school.

Happy 100th Day of SMCA!

We had a wonderful celebration today of our 100th day of school. I cannot believe that I am more than half-way through my third year of teaching here in Monterrey. In some ways, I feel like I just got here, but at the same time, I feel completely at home. God is good and He has blessed me so richly with this opportunity.

Anyway, for our celebration, each student brought 100 things to share with the class- Sarah drew pictures of 100 dresses, Evan brought 100 football cards, Emma brought 100 lollipops, Jenna brought 100 sticks, and Ben brought 100 playing cards. I brought 100 conversation hearts to share with my class. We made crowns with the number "100" on them, made fruit loops necklaces with 100 pieces of cereal, read a special story, ate a snack shaped like the number "100," and did some creative writing. Miss Ruby brought lots of great ideas and a fun song that she used to sing with her students in Indiana. She changed it a little bit for SMCA:

(To the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad")
We've been working in our classroom for 100 days
We've been working in our classroom here in Monterrey
Rising early in the morning, bring your books and pencils too
Every day at SMCA we learn something new!
The 100th day is here!
The 100th day is here!
Let's all give a che-e-er!

It was a wonderful celebration and I am so blessed to have such wonderful students and such a great friend to teach with!

Estanzuela

Jedidiah came to visit Mexico for two weeks at the beginning of January. One of my favorite experiences with him was taking three boys who live at Douglas, Ricardo, Jose Pablo, and David climbing at Estanzuela. I haven't been up there since Christmas of 2002 when my entire family and I were in Monterrey for Christmas. We ran up the mountain, explored riverbeds, and hunted for bears. Jed taught the boys how to blow up their muscles. It was a lovely day.

pato

Meet Pato. (Pato means "duck" in Spanish. I do not know his real name.)
He is a Mexican baby duck.
I met him on Wednesday.
He likes my couch.
He lives in the Joseph House with Miguel and Sofia has come to believe that he is her pet.
Someday, when I grow up, I would like a duckling.