Joining the "Leavers" Group in lieu of Math Class

There was a chance our European adventure could end early and we would all head back to the US.  Charlie kept saying that he just wanted to know so at school he could join the "Leavers" group, who got to go during math class and talk about moving (instead of doing Math).

Well, he got his wish and we did too..we are moving on to Portland, Maine.  Super exciting!

Besides the Leavers group he had quite a few end of school year activities that the lucky class Mom (me) got to help with.

First was his Maracuja day.  Maracuja means passion fruit in Brazil (where his teacher formerly taught). She runs this program where each week the kids get to spend an hour doing something they are passionate about.  In Charlie's case it was building and a group of fellow 3rd graders assisted him in building a very cool box fort...

The box had lights, a flag, a cool door, games on the inside, a pillow, a stuffed dog, what more could you want?

The students did all sorts of projects, I spent some time in the kitchen with the girls that wanted to do cooking.  One girl brought in her stuff to make tortillas from scratch, something I had never even dreamed of attempting before!  A few other girls were making cupcakes from scratch- Europeans don't really believe in our box mix American methods!  One hour was a super stretch to get cupcakes, baked, cooled, frosted...all before the bus came...we managed but it was manic!

They had a neat showcase event where they told you all about their passions at what they learned.  It was so sweet.  I hope they all get to grow up and follow their passions!

For the end of year class party, they requested a restaurant (same as last year).  So I got to be the shopper/chef and I brought in hot dogs..last year the kid in the white shirt at 4, this year he topped his record and had six!!  I asked him if his stomach hurt and he said no!!  Charlie was the banker and collected all the order slips and play money.

Add the students who are on to new schools next year

We finished out our baseball season, it may be the end of my baseball coaching career! Our team was the Cardinals.

There were lots of fun end of school year activities, one boy hosted a nerf party at his new house that is being renovated.  After nerf they fired up the four wheeler.  Charlie did not want to leave.  Yes, that is the house in the background!   One thing about International schools are the different types of people your kids go to school with, we aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!

All the local schools were doing end of year field trips, when I take the Metro to work I see whole classes wearing yellow vests and riding the trains.  I decided that they were the inspiration for the Minions in the Despicable Me movies...wearing their vests, speaking French and giggling, they are ringers for the Minions...here is a photo of a group I rode with...nothing better than a field trip!

MINIONS!

I have no Katie pictures from the end of school, she was too busy saying farewell to her friends and I feel like I didn't see her for a few weeks at the end.  Kelly was off seeing Croatia with a friend and then returned to do the final packing..she gets her own blog post on her adventures.stay tuned!