A day at Ala Archa

After we had been back for just a week or so, we were invited out to Ala Archa with some friends of ours...lots of food, because the Kyrgyz don't do small food, and some incredible views of the mountains!

Some of the ladies, prepping the feast.

Cutting up the veggies to prepare for lunch.

They bought a whole grilled lamb for lunch. Dinner was grilled chickens.

Sitting around, talking, sharing, and singing together.

The mountains just south of Bishkek.

Taking a hike down to the river.

We found some people down by the river that had an eagle. Sissi and Gwangi both took turns holding it.

Gwangi with the eagle.

My three kiddos, ready for a hike.

We found some cool trees to sit in.

More amazing views of Ala Archa, so just keep on scrolling.

Sissi and one of our friend's daughter.

Another pretty cool tree.

What a great day together!

Back to School, Fall 2017

Since we were packing and moving in August and early September, we waited to begin our 2017-2018 school year until after we hit the ground in Bishkek. Our official first day of school was the 18th of September, just 6 days after we landed!

Since we weren't in our rental house yet, we had to start school at the Southside Guesthouse. We have a 9th grader (Rhetoric level,) 7th grader (Dialectic,) and 5th grader (Upper Grammar) this year. This is our 12th year of homeschooling as I started when Krypto was 2 and we made the decision to not have him go to pre-school, but instead teach him his letters, numbers, and how to use crayons and scissors at home. Each year we've added just a little bit more to the mix and so it's been a smooth and wonderful learning experience for us all.

My sweet Sissi, a 5th grader. This is my last year with a Grammar level student.

Gwangi, a 7th grader. He is right in the middle of the Dialectic years.

Krypto, our 9th grader, and his first year at the Rhetoric level.

A piece of Sissi's artwork. She is taking an online Art Journaling class this year.

The first couple of weeks, school looked like this. It was a bit difficult to be walking all over each other, but we made it work and it makes us all the more grateful for the space we have in our new house.

This year, the kids are memorizing the book of Philippians. When they finish, we'll move on to another epistle.

We're covering the 20th Century for our Humanities studies this year. This means that our History, Literature, Government, Geography, Philosophy, Worldview, Fine Arts, and Writing Assignments are all covering 20th Century events. We're working our way through it chronologically. In this photo, Gwangi is working on a lapbook that covers many of the issues of World War I.

A close up of one of his entries for his lapbook.

Sissi working on a diorama that depicts the first Christmas of World War I when the two sides celebrated Christmas together and had an unofficial cease fire.

Playing a board game, The First World War by Phalanx Games.

Gwangi and Sissi working on Science together. They are working their way through the Apologia Zoology books. Kyrpto is taking Apologia's Chemistry course and listening to lectures on line through the Virtual Homeschool Group. They also keep his quiz and test scores for the course.

Since Krypto is now in the 9th grade, he was eligible to take the PSAT; his first time taking a test away from home. We took him to Hope Academy and he said he felt like it went well.

Another entry in Gwangi's lapbook.

Krypto, watching his math lesson online. He is taking Math U See's Geometry this year. Gwangi is taking Pre-Algebra and Sissi is in Epsilon.

Another piece of Sissi's artwork. This one we mailed back to the US for entry into an art contest.

Gwangi spent 4 weeks on this project for his study of World War I. He was very happy with how it turned out. He and Krypto also memorized all of the US States, their locations, their capitals, and their 2 letter postal codes. They are now working on all the countries and their capitals. The Western Hemisphere is done and they are now in Europe, working their way south and east.

I love how they quote what they've memorized so differently. Here, Gwangi is quoting Phil 3:1-17 and he is pacing back and forth. Krypto stands still and taps one hand on top of the other and Sissi sits and pats her legs.

One of the newest additions to our homeschool this year, and we have really liked it, Analytical Grammar. It is hard hitting on the grammar and diagramming for a school year, something we needed after a few years of just doing Daily Grams. I was very diligent about doing 1st-4th grade grammar using Bauer's "First Language Lessons" books, but in the 5th-8th grade, I let the older ones do Daily Grams rather independently. I felt one year, of good grammar attention, before doing the SAT, would be useful. Krypto is remembering so much and we're enjoying our time together each day doing this. I look forward to a repeat with Gwangi and Sissi in the coming years.

How is school going for you and your family?! Anything new or exciting? Share!

New house in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I know after someone moves, one of the things I want to see is their new place. It helps me to imagine where they are living and their surroundings. So, here you go, some pictures of our new house in Bishkek!

This is actually the view of the back of the house. Most of the leaves on the vine have dropped off...I can hardly believe tomorrow is the first of November!

This is our front door. It is hard to get a better view because of all the power lines and the house is built right up against the main gate that leads to the street.

This is the view of our house, outside of our gate, while standing on the edge of the street.

This is the view across the street from our house.

As you look to the left (west)...

and as you look to the right (east) when standing at our front gate.

Here is a view of the back covered patio, before the leaves changed colors.

Krypto in the backyard the day we said we would take the house, back in mid September.

I think this was a day or two after we moved in...the colors are changing and we got to start collecting walnuts from our very own walnut tree.

Some quiet time for me on the back patio. The leaves were changing and I got to look at Sissi's diorama.

My kitchen.

The view of the other side of the kitchen, before we moved in. We have since taken out the table and use it in the school room. I have put a bookshelf there to hold some of my pots and pans.

The grand staircase that leads to the 3 bedrooms and bathroom on the second floor.

The living room...

and dining room are combined, but feel plenty big enough.

The full bathroom upstairs. We also have a half bath on the main floor. Thankful to have the washing machine in the bathroom this time, and not in the kitchen. 

The boys' shared room. All we had to add was the bookcase.

Gwangi's side of the room...

and Krypto's side of the room.

Sissi, painting the side of her bookcase with elephants and flowers.

Her bedroom and all of her stuffed animals.

The school room. I am so thankful to have a place to unpack all of our books.

The table from the kitchen is where I sit and work with the kids. Indy uses the desk to do his work here in what we call the office or the school room.

The new shkaf we ordered for our bedroom. It is like a wardrobe, as none of the houses or apartments here have closets to store your clothes.