Josh

** I wrote this post a week ago, a lot has happened since but I still wanted to post what I had previously written. Josh has since then been made fun of at school from a few mean kids but he handled the situation really well. We had one really bad day where things were really upsetting him but spending a day home and having an evening out with Aaron he was pumped and ready for school the next day. He had a great end to the school year with a 10 hour camping day at school and then a half day on friday. He came home with loads of Christmas cards and little gifts. Here's to our summer holiday! **

This picture was taken on his first day of school 

We were most worried about how Josh would take this move but he is doing surprisingly well. We all have our good and bad moments but so far he's thriving.

Josh really enjoys school and has made some good friends. He comes home telling me how the kids keep saying they love his accent.

He is learning more about the australian language and is telling me new words and what they mean every day. He is also learning a bit of Chinese and is really enjoying school.

There are only 5 days left of school here and then Josh will be finished with 2nd grade. Essentially school ended last week and all this week and next is pretty much play time at school. They watch movies, make crafts and do a load of fun things in preparation for Christmas and the new school year.

He said the other day they all had different tasks to help clean the room, he chose to scrub all the walls. When I asked why he chose that one he said "because I thought it sounded like fun" ha!

One day this week he brought home some Christmas cards. Four girls in his class wrote out lovely Christmas cards to him. The next day he came home with loads more including gifts.

When I checked him out of school early on Friday he asked me if I saw this 'certain' girl in his class, her name is Jazzy and he thinks she's cute :)  She gave him a card and 4 gifts today. He's loving all the attention…  We are going to put together little gifts and cards for him to take to school on Monday. How adorable!

A few weeks ago they went on a excursion (what we would call a field trip). They traveled a total of 3 hours that day. They went to a Strawberry farm and learned how to grow and pick strawberries. They also learned a few things about being healthy and taking care of our bodies including a series of exercises and relays. He came home with his own container of strawberries he got to pick.

People seem to be a lot more health conscious over here, especially when it comes to eating healthy food. At school they have a morning snack, afternoon snack and lunch. All children are requested to have their own bottle of water at their desks and then two healthy snacks in addition to their lunch. Josh takes apples, carrots and pretzels for his snacks and really loves it. I think it helps him to focus more by eating smaller amounts more frequently. They don't eat their main lunch until 1:30, and that only consists of his sandwich and some crisps or cookie.

I am very proud of Josh and his transition. He misses his good friends back home and the luxury of riding a bus to school with is pals but he's not complaining much.
He and Rachael have become really good friends in this short time and do a good job looking out for one another. 

It's such a strange feeling to think that they will both be in school full time in just over a month. Makes me sad thinking about Rachael growing up but I am excited for her, she's so anxious and wishes she could go now.
It's so crazy to think that Josh will start 3rd grade in January. He pretty much just passed up 2nd grade. 

This picture taken the day of his 10 hour camping excursion and the day before his last day of school.