How we have grown!

As we start to wind down on our time in Chile we think about all we have learned over the last year and a half. I think Max has changed the most of all of us.

Max: He no longer needs 11 hours of sleep each night! It's more like 10.5. Mornings are still not fun for him but it is a lot better for him.  My favorite way to wake him up now is to put on some of his favorite music. He has learned to ride a bike, even on city streets! His confidence continues to grow on the bike. He has earned the title of "fastest reader in the family" in both English AND Spanish! He has grown quite a bit taller! His stamina is quite a bit more! From our first weeks in London getting tired walking around to 10 mile hike in the foothills of the Andes! Last hike he said "We could take the road, but let's take this path because it is harder!".  He's discovered that he loves dancing. Michael Jackson was his inspiration and he can dance a mean Smooth Criminal imitation.

Isaac: the reluctant Spanish learner finally turned the corner in August and is now reading grade-level books in Spanish and writing book reports with limited help. His speaking is also quite good and has passed both his mom and dad in speaking ability. He will always prefer to read in English, however, and takes any chance he can to read. He has developed his climbing skills over the last year and a half with many trips to climbing gyms and a climbing class at school. He completed his first climbing competition and even received 2nd place in the competition for the boys category of his age group. He is happy to be doing math with the older kids, finally, as math in Chile isn't up to the level they were used to at home. He volunteers for activities at school and really enjoyed the Spirit Week at school, taking on the role of team mascot. His hiking abilities have also grown! He discovered that he really enjoys hikes with a clear summit goal and likes climbing steep climbs with rocks to scamper up.

Mom: limps along with her Spanish and has gotten comfortable speaking one-on-one with people. Reads at a 3rd grade level, albeit at a much slower pace than Max. He kindly shares his school books with me! Hiking has also become the favorite family pastime with so many easy accesible hikes close to the city.

Chris: hair has gotten a little more grey and has gone through more shoelaces than we can count. :) Has been playing with a frisbee team with players mostly half his age and he can keep up. Has maybe gotten some science done with here, to boot.