Getting into the swing

Last night’s homework was Chemistry, Pre-Cal, and English.  English was done and Steven was finishing up his Chemistry and fortunately didn’t need any assistance.  The Pre-Cal book was open with several questions on problems he needed to complete.  While he finished up his Chem I sat down and began reading the chapter in Pre-Cal to see if I could get my mind back breaking down formula’s and charting algebra..  Let’s just say that Steven’s homework shows a detailed chart and summary of an attempt to solve the problem that he and his teacher will need to review prior to submittal…  I left to go mow while Steven took X outside to swing and play.  We also had a visit from our neighbor Sara and her young son Hunter along with our friend John.  For a while the house was busy but quickly settled down.

After the kids went to bed, Steven needed to read and sign the Palmyra High School Student Manual so he was working on understanding the high school rules.  Melissa and I were having a chop stick contest on who could pick up the most items in a set time, Steven was our referee.

This morning Emma and X beat Steven to the breakfast table.  Steven needed to be dropped at the High School for a prom fundraising meeting for all Juniors so we sent the recon team downstairs to see if he was ready.  The three emerged all looking like they needed a few more hours of sleep.  Melissa and I were rushing to get ready as well and we were out the door heading to the meeting.  Shortly on the way we received a phone call from Lou’s host family and we had a miscommunication last night that Lou would be riding with us to school.  A quick detour and we were back on our way.  We had a heavy fog this morning making it difficult to see.  Today the forecast is to be hot with tomorrow being very hot.  Both days plus 100 heat index. 

On the way Lou and Steven asked about favorite tv shows in the US.  I was surprised when Lou said Two and a Half Men was a favorite show in his country along with Germany being Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.  All of those shows are popular here but not considered our primetime lineup..  Once new seasons begin this fall it will be fun to watch with Steven.  Our Tivo may have to move to the living room so we can all watch together because I can’t think of the last time I watched a show actually when it aired.

On another note, below is a note from Xaviers preschool teacher.  Glad to hear he is adjusting well.

Melissa and Justin,
I wanted to let you know that Xavier has settled in very well to our routines and to the general idea of preschool.  He seems to be enjoying the day, is for the most part quite compliant with my requests and is making good choices as he goes about his day.  He is playing well with others, nothing that a typical preschool child does not experience or exhibit from time to time in that regard. 

He has good ideas and likes to try a variety of centers and projects, he likes to tackle the paper pencil activities we do and is very willing to let Mrs. Poe or I work along side him to teach or to help him complete a task. 

Just wanted to send a "happy note about your son"  and tell you we are enjoying him and he is off to a great start!

Sincerely,
Jean

My 2 Cents

Steven’s first day of school went well.  Some of the classes that are easy for him in Germany are a little more difficult for him, simply because the teaching methods are different, and of course the language is different.  He was asking me some questions about a chemistry assignment and I didn’t have many answers for him.  Why?  Well, it’s chemistry.  Math and science were never my thing—chemistry, science and I have an understanding that they will keep doing their thing, and I will continue to be blissfully ignorant.  Therefore, my brain is quite rusty after years of little to no use.  Basically, I was worthless except for helping translate some words and phrases.  When he began his English homework, I knew I could help.  To quote Ralph from The Simpsons, “That’s where I’m a Viking!”

Even so, I had to look up what, exactly, were prepositional phrases.  If they start diagramming sentences, I’m out. 

Steven is more disciplined than I ever was in doing his homework.  He said, “In Germany, we work first, then we have fun.”  Case in point, he wasn’t even distracted when his friend, Lucas, an exchange student from Brazil who lives up the street, stopped by with a couple of girls and asked if Steven wanted to take a walk.  He actually said, “I will finish my homework first.”  Impressive.  Just seeing him sitting at the table working inspired all 3 of our kids to get to work.  Emma did her 2nd grade homework sheet while Xavier practiced cutting lines and Miko scribbled on paper.  I see Steven is already creating a very positive influence in our house.

I needed to go to the grocery store and asked Steven if he needed anything or would like to tag along.  Seeing that it was 7:30, I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to go hang out with Lou, as it would be 8:30 or later by the time we got back.  He insisted on going and we picked up a couple of school items for him, among all the stuff I bought.  On the way, Emma typed on her little pink computer, “Steven I love you.”  Very sweet.  At the store, she really thought he needed some football-shaped Oreo cookies, so she got him a package and proceeded to choose a package for herself.  Hold it right there, missy…nice try.  Turns out, Steven is pretty handy to take along because he’s taller and has longer arms to reach the top shelf.  He also doesn’t kick the cart and complain 5 minutes into the shopping trip like Justin.  AND, he helps unload the car and put things away, too!  All without complaining.  Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t know the words?  I didn’t hear him mutter in German either, so I’ll take it.

On the way home, Emma demanded to know what Germany was like and how you “speak in Germany.”  Steven taught her how to say “I love you” and how to count to ten.  Between the two of them, they made a deal that Saturday and Sunday were German days, when Emma could ask him anything she wanted about being German; in exchange, she would teach him about America.  As a side note, before Steven arrived, Emma had been telling everyone that he was from Japan and she was the only one who could talk to him, since she was the only one who could speak Japan.  When Justin corrected her she said, “They both start with the ‘juh’ sound, how was I supposed to know?!”  Classic Emma.

Before the kids went to bed, they talked Steven into reading them a book.  I don’t know that he will want to do it again, knowing what a stern teacher Emma turned out to be.  Of course, Steven has a heavy German accent and while he does very well with English, ‘th’ sounds like an ‘s’ and ‘v’ sounds like ‘w.’  Emma took him to task for pronouncing “things” as “sings.”  She said, “No, no, it’s THINGS.  Not sings.  TH TH TH THINGS.”  He said it again, and once again, she got after him.  Justin and I were trying not to laugh too loudly from the kitchen, but after a while, we took mercy on the boy and explained to Emma the beauty of accents and language and how people from different places talk in a variety of ways. 

Once the kids were tucked away, Steven stayed up with us, giving us a virtual tour of his hometown of Berlin plus a lesson in German History.  Although the pictures from Google Maps were about 3 years old, technology is amazing.  To be able to see where he lives and where he goes to school is pretty darn cool.

This morning, he was up and ready for another great day at Palmyra.  Justin took him to the school bus shuttle (which incidentally, is very clean, according to Lou!).  Tonight, I’m just hoping he has homework I can understand.

Self Discipline

Yesterday began my longest run of the year of consistently being home.  Since February I have logged 30,168 miles on the road to 31 cities and nearly 3 of the 4 corners of the US (stats from Tripit.com).  I’m sure there is a way to see the number of nights I have been away, it has to be nearly 60 so far for the year with another 22 planned before the year-end.  My schedule has me home until mid-October and I am very excited for that.  I hope to discipline myself to keep up on these entries as much as I can while I am home.  Hopefully between Melissa and I we can keep this going.  As we talked last night, we want to keep this for later years to remember back on this experience.

Last night on my way home from work I pulled into our neighborhood and Lou and some of the neighborhood girls were sitting out visiting in Lou’s driveway.  When I arrived at home Melissa was working in the kitchen, Xavier, Emma, and Michael were in the living room, and Steven was working on his homework at the kitchen table.  Steven said he had a great first day, was able to find the shuttle for his ride home and had been working through catching up in his classes.  I told him that Lou was outside visiting with some new friends and he said that Lou had already stopped by to invite him out, but he wanted to finish his homework first.  Melissa joked with me that I needed to help him with his Chemistry; I laughed but am excited to see what I can remember..  I told her I’d handle the science and math if she handles the English and history.  You will see by my posts that my English needs a lot of work! 

Fortunately the chemistry book was closed for the night and he was working on his English assignment.  He needed to underline the prepositions and circle the noun in a group of sentences.  I can’t do that and I speak English, it amazes me that someone can do this with their second language..  Melissa had no problem helping him, while the three of us worked on his assignment, Emma pulled her homework out of her bag and joined in.  Not be outdone, Xavier had some lines on paper from preschool where he was learning to use scissors.  To join in on the fun we made him some more lines to practice cutting.  Michael finally climbed to the counter and colored on paper while everyone worked.  For nearly an hour the 4 kids were busy working on their assignments.  During the time Lou rang the door bell to once again invite Steven out to visit but Steven insisted that his schedule for the night was homework first, then supper, then he’d ride with Melissa to the store where he needed to pick up a few school supplies.  If time allowed, then he would socialize…  I was very impressed, I know I would need a little “wind-down” time if I was him after all of his travel, first day at school, and new family..  The last thing I would want to do is find a noun in a sentence especially if the neighborhood girls wanted to hang out.  Not to mention neighborhood girls that just installed an underground swimming pool… 

Melissa, Emma, and Steven headed off for the store while Xavier and Michael and I spent some time outside.  It began to sprinkle so we went for a quick walk then got them ready for bed.  When they returned they all carried the groceries in and Steven already knows where we keep the items and helped store everything away.  Melissa told me about Emma quizzing Steven on how to speak some German phrases and Steven did his best to help her understand.  Emma and Steven practiced speaking “I love you”.  With Michael in bed and Emma and Xavier ready for bed, they asked Steven to read them a bedtime story.  It was one of Xavier’s tractor and truck books.  Steven got to experience a challenge much greater than any Chemistry, Physics, American History, Advanced English, or Anatomy class; that is reading a book to Emma..  She is quite the critique.  As hard as he tried, Emma would not let him miss a word in the book.  She is bound and determined to correct the German accent where “t” sound like “s”… Good luck Emma, I know you will try.  I wonder how long it will take Steven to learn to have the kids sit in front of him rather than on his lap so Emma cannot see the words he may need to skip.  Melissa and I could hear the lesson from the kitchen and we were both tried very hard not to laugh and Emma’s English lesson…  I finally had to ask Emma to ease up on him. 

With the kids in bed Steven used my iPad and Google Maps to show us pictures of his home in Berlin.  He could zoom in on his school, showed us where he plays, landmarks around Berlin, and shared a bunch of stories about Germany, their culture, and his family.  It is amazing how the technology let him show us how you can walk up his street, see his back yard and his home.  We used the map so he could show us where else in Nebraska a friend of his is staying.  She, also from Germany, is staying in Eustis Nebraska that is around 2.5 hours away in central Nebraska.  Steven would say his “girl friend” when describing her.  We asked if they were dating back home, he said no, just friends.  Melissa and I then explained the difference between a “girl friend” and a “friend that is a girl” terminology.  It was fun trying to explain the differences and why, especially when we tried explaining the difference why Melissa can call her friends “girl friends” and why I should not call my friends “boy friend’s”… 

Steven brought a new laptop with him.  We needed to set it up to work with our internet.  It took a little work to have it recognize our wireless signal, his laptop display is all German and I needed to have him translate the error screens until we were able to set the password.  Once it synced, he had over 100 emails.  I told him he was more than welcome to spend the rest of the evening catching up as long as he didn’t stay up too late yet he only wanted to quickly scan through and make sure there were no important emails that needed answered.  In less than a minute he closed up the laptop and was done.  He said he only wants to check his email one a week…  The determination I am seeing in Steven I truly believe he will be that disciplined about it.  Where so many kids can’t be away from Facebook for even a few hours, he had not been on for days.  I would want to send notes and posts on where I was yet he wanted to visit with Melissa and I.

We all were woken up early this morning by a quick thunderstorm.  The first crack of thunder had me wide awake thinking about ALL of the kids.  Emma and X are not scared of the storms, they usually use it as an excuse to climb into bed with us although there were no signs of them.  For Michael he isn’t scared either, but that kid needs his beauty sleep so we cross our fingers that he is not woken by storms just so we don’t have to get up and play with him.  I wondered what Steven thought..  His basement room has two large daylight windows and he is certain to hear and see the storm.  The house remained quiet despite the storm passing through.  At 6am you could hear movement downstairs.  Melissa was up getting ready and Steven beat me to the kitchen.  He was fully dressed, bags packed for school by the door ready to go and he was getting his breakfast ready.  As Emma and Xavier were getting ready, Steven helps get Emma her breakfast while we negotiate with X that he cannot have chocolate.  This morning there was no celebration for a dry diaper for him. 

I dropped Steven off at the Elementary school so he could catch a shuttle to the High School.  On our way to the school I asked him about the storm.  A storm like that was nothing new to him, he said it sounded “stronger” than what they are use to in Germany.  I started telling him that our spring storms are normally much stronger, especially as we start warming into summer.  We were at a point in town where you can look up the road and see the driveway where a home use to sit that was completely destroyed by a tornado about 7 years ago, yet I held off on that story for another day.  That conversation can wait until we have 12 inches of snow on the ground.

Tonight will be a true test of his self discipline.  I need to do some yard work up the street at a home we take care of for an older couple.  Last night I told Melissa that when I get home from work I plan to come in and change and head out to mow their yard and need her to cover for me with Steven as she does with X when he wants to tag along.  Steven asks over and over if he can help around the house with projects and is excited to do some work outside.  Knowing he will be at the table on his homework, I’m certain he will want to finish up to come with me to help.  Little does he know that he will have endless opportunities to work.  I’m excited for him to meet our (Melissa’s and my) parents and our siblings.  He will get a true taste for a mid-west work ethic and his determination will have him fitting in when it comes to work.  My father-in-law already has extended the open-invite and I am excited to have Steven on the farm with him and working with my dad.  His Agriculture class will be very informative but it does not do justice to the real thing that he will get to see in a few short months when harvest in Nebraska gets underway..  My boys have already showed signs of being hard workers raised the same way my brothers (and sister) and I were and I am excited for the day when they can get involved.  I already have a sense from Steven that he rather-be working than visiting with the neighborhood girls.  He will find in time that is the best way to change having "friends that are girls" into "girl friends".

First Day of School

This morning our regular routine began once again.  Melissa has the schedule, from having been gone while school began she knows which kids go where each day.  Some mornings we take a neighbor girl and other days Emma goes to their house. Being the first day for Steven he and I left at 7:30am to check in at school and begin his enrollment.  As he and I were getting ready to leave, Emma was up and eating her breakfast and Xavier was celebrating another dry morning.  He is working very hard at earning the morning special treat he gets when he wakes up with a dry diaper.  This morning’s victory began with him asking where Steven was, midway into his ask he saw Steven in the kitchen and just smiled when he realized he was still there.

I could tell on the way to school that Steven was excited.  At first it was a quiet ride, I can’t help but think about his challenge as he looks at or speed limit signs and direction signs as he has to convert the distances and speeds from standard to metric, but also as we pass the gas station I know what he has to be thinking.  Steven couldn’t believe the size of my truck and the other vehicles in the airport parking lot.  He said in Germany because the cost of fuel, nearly $8/gallon, they all own efficient vehicles.  Our society would cease to exist if it hit those prices.  Thinking about earlier in the summer when we were at $4/gallon and the outcry…  He sees the gas station prices at $3.50/gallon, still a little high for what we like, I’m sure he thinks we are spoiled.  As we got closer he wanted some stats on the football team and their upcoming game this weekend.  I told him Saturday’s game would be exciting as a number of starting positions are up for assignment and the fans are anxiously waiting how the coach sets the starting player lineup.  Although we are favored to win, it will be an exciting game.  Also he needs to say that we are excited to be in the Big 10 conference and have a difficult schedule ahead….  He really wants to know more about the team and we are excited to take him with us tailgating and one day to a game.

When we reported to the office the principal Mr. Bottrell was very welcoming and directed the staff to immediately begin the process of registering him.  He then insisted we report back after meeting with the counselor so he could personally see to it that Steven was taken to his locker and first classes.  As we walked to the counselors office to begin setting his schedule Steven remarked at the size of the school lockers.  He said in Germany not only did you have to pay for a locker if you wanted one, it would also be the size of what we would consider a bowling ball locker…  I’m sure for Steven his scheduling was overwhelming as we talked through the class options.  His schedule is Agriculture Sciences, Study Hall, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, American History, Anatomy, Advance Physical Education, and English.  I’m excited he picked Agriculture.  Not only is it the lifeblood of our state, knowing the teacher personally he will enjoy that experience and give him a local flavor of our state. 

We checked back to the office after registering his classes and he received his locker assignment and combination.  Mr. Bottrell sent for a student to take Steven to his locker and first and second classes.  Steven was excited to get going, I had a quick visit with the staff where they told me another German student is also suppose to be coming.  That will be a nice surprise for Steven.

Mr. Bottrell also is going to make sure Steven and Lou meet up at the end of the day to catch the return shuttle.  Somewhere in the mix there is a meeting with the football and track coaches as both Lou and Steven are interested at becoming involved.

Just as I was leaving Melissa sent me a note asking how everything went.  I called her and we visited on my drive to work.  It was fun to talk about Xavier and getting him ready for preschool for his second week and Emma as she goes to 2^nd Grade.  Having Steven here is a great experience for us preparing for when our children are old enough to be in high school.

The Arrival

Yesterday Steven arrived into Lincoln after a long journey beginning in Berlin Germany.  There was a flight delay and he missed a connection into Chicago and ended up spending Saturday night in Chicago.  Emma, Xavier, and I picked him up at the Lincoln airport while Michael napped and Melissa finished up Sunday chores.  The kids were so excited when I pointed out his plane.  As soon as Steven approached us they both hid behind me.  As Steven and I began to visit while waiting for his bag they immediately began to warm up to him.  We drove through downtown Lincoln so I could show Steven where I worked, the University and football stadium, and our state capitol, Emma was asking many different questions and has most of the weekends filled up with her ideas of places to visit.  Xavier fell asleep on the drive home and Steven helped take him out of his car seat and carry him inside.  Once inside we showed Steven our home, the kids showed their rooms and toys, and Steven was shown his room.  We welcomed Steven with a Husker t-shirt as he will need to be converted to a Husker Fan since that is our fall tradition.  Steven brought chocolate for Melissa and I (although I doubt Melissa will share since it was her favorite kind) and candy for the kids.  Xavier didn't know whether to play with his chocolate tractor or eat it.  He also brought them all three small bears that they held onto all day.  Steven quickly changed out of his sweatshirt and jeans and into more seasonal shorts and a t-shirt.  He thought it was hot, although Sunday was a very mild summer day with a cool breeze.  He missed the 110 degree heat index days in July...  The kids drug out their board games and puzzles and kept Steven busy playing.  We then all went outside to play ball and so the kids could swing.  Our friends from Lincoln came out for a quick visit and a chance to meet Steven.

We then took a drive around Bennet (it does not take long) and showed him the Elementary School and Preschool that Emma and Xavier attend and where he will catch his bus in the morning to go to Palmyra.  We then drove to Palmyra (10 miles East of Bennet) so he could see the High School.  That evening Steven, Xavier, and I walked up the street to meet the other exchange student attending Palmyra.  Lucas (Lou) is from Brazil and has been at school for about a week.  He and Steven quickly began visiting and while they kicked around a soccer ball with the neighborhood kids, Lori & Steve Lindeman (Lou's host family) and I could visit about details of shuttling both to and from school.  Xavier wanted to go home and Steven quickly volunteered to walk him back.  They both held hands as they walked home and after Steven returned, Melissa said that Xavier became sad at home wondering when Steven and daddy were coming back..

Lori works from home and is going to be able to help with Steven and Lou when they return from school.  Lou enjoys riding the bus and prefers to walk home after school from the elementary school and will like having someone to walk with.  Lou said in Brazil it is a great privilege to get to ride on a school bus, something very different than what we are use to..  Most US kids do not like the bus..  Also Lou said that most of the girls at school are very welcoming and will stop and say "Hi" or waive..  Apparently in Brazil only when you are dating a girl will they give that kind of attention; I told him to tell all his friends at home that he has all of the girls at school wanting to date him...

After Lou and Steven had a chance to show their skills to all of the neighborhood kids that had gathered, we walked home for a welcome supper Melissa had made.  Steven did not hesitate in the least to try the meal.  He learned quickly the circus and noise that comes with feeding 2 children and 1 toddler...  Although ciaos to him, routine for Melissa and I and I'm sure he will become use to it.  With it being a school night baths and bed for the 3 lil Apels and then Melissa, Steven and I would visit about the upcoming week.  At the kids light-out, Emma and X asked if Steven would be here tomorrow, we said yes and Emma is already sad that at some point he will be leaving.  We told her there is a long time ahead before she needs to worry about that. 

Steven has enough supplies to get him going the first part of the week, but we will plan on a shopping trip as soon as he knows his class schedule and the need for school supplies.  With Walmart being less than 10 minutes away it will not be a problem.  We asked Steven for any special treats he likes and the chocolate spread he likes on bread is already regularly stocked in our cabinet..  He also shared his like of morning cereal which is also stockpiled in our cabinets...  So far we have many similar likes and are off to a great start.  Berlin is around 7 hours ahead of our time and with one day in the US already under his belt, he had a little adjustment for sleep already.  At 10pm he was ready to try his new bed eager for his first day of school.