Adeline Graduates the Montessori Kindergarten

Adeline also finished out her school year at the Montessori preschool which she attended for 2 & 1/2 years. It has been an excellent preschool for both our oldest girls. This is where they both became "Spanish speakers" and learned a little German as well. It is a Montessori kindergarten owned and run by a Lutheran missonary family from Germany.

Adeline and Fabian, the 5 year old graduates, with their teachers

The Montessori method teaches children how to do things such as: pouring and scooping, using kitchen utensils, washing dishes, polishing objects, scrubbing tables, and cleaning up. They also learn how to dress themselves, tie their shoes, wash their hands, and other self-care practices. Adeline had a cooking class once a week and now loves to help cook at home. I have also been impressed with their emphasis on world cultures and geography. Adeline can name all the continents and identify all the flags of the South American countries. The Montessori method encourages children to teach and help each other. Here are some pictures taken by her teachers:

Abigail finishes Primero Grado (1st Grade)

Her teacher, Mrs. Julie, presenting Abigail with her report card

December is the busiest month of the year here in Peru, not necessarily because of Christmas, but because it is the end of the school year. The school year begins in March and ends just a few days before Christmas day. Abigail finished 1st Grade at her all girls school. We were very pleased with Abigail finishing with straight A's on her report card, which was not easy when she was the only girl with Spanish as her second language. She learned to read books (and aloud), write in cursive and take spelling test. . . all in Spanish. Her courses included Logic, Math, Spanish phonics, Spanish lecture (reading), Etiquette, Peru History and Geography, Science, Dance (learning the traditional Peruvian dances), Art and Physical Education, oh, and English class which she said was "easy cheesy".

Saying goodbye to Ana Camilia, her favorite classmate

We were glad to finish a hard year of school, but so sad to have to say good-bye to her friends and teachers. We are going on furlough Feb.'10-Feb.'11 so that our girls can maintain a Peruvian school year. Abigail will return to the same school in 2011 and enter 3rd grade and Adeline 1st grade.

Feliz Navidad from Peru!

We had a great Christmas Eve at Huanchaco beach. Alleen McClain and a couple of the Baker girls joined us as well. The weather was perfect and my dear husband spend over an hour building a very impressive "Frosty the Sandman"!


We hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Our ballerina

Adeline performed in her first ballet recital this past weekend, The Nutcracker, which is "Cascanueces" in Spanish. She did a great job and always amazes us at how confident she is in front of a crowd.

Lenin & Elva's Wedding

Two of our Peruvian friends, Lenin & Elva, were married this weekend. It was a beautiful and joyous wedding! Adeline was the flower girl and Allen helped lead the ceremony. We are happy to see yet another new marriage in our churches!