School social events are interesting and uncomfortable for our family. As we are one of the few foreign families at AIM, we totally stand out. Usually we are the only blonde people around, Ben is a head taller than most, and twins are noticeable too. Many people speak some English, but it is not their language of choice. People have been kind to us, but we have very little in common with them...that combined with the language barrier makes for very awkward conversations.
I don't say this to complain, really I don't. In fact, I think that it's healthy for us to learn how to be outsiders, how it feels to be a foreigner, and to not belong. I think that this is one of those character building lessons that is at the core of why we moved to Mexico. I know that it's changing us. I know that when we move back home, and there is a new kid at school, our kids will know how to have empathy for that child and to include him even if he's different. I know that if Ben and I see a new family at a school gathering, meeting them (even if there is a language barrier) won't be as difficult as it used to be. I know that compassion for the foreigner is growing within each of us.
Our first big social event at AIM was this amazing all-campus carnival at the beginning of October. When I heard "school carnival" I was picturing little booths in a gym with candy prizes. This thing, however, was AN EVENT. We are learning: Mexicans take their parties very seriously. We're talking almost as many rides as the Lake County Fair, a photo booth, huge blow up structures, and free food and drinks. It was a pretty awesome afternoon for the kids and they had a blast. However, there were probably a thousand people there and not one family tried to talk to us. As I said before, I'm not complaining. It's just really interesting to me. What is it about human nature that makes us avoid new and different people? If the situation was reversed, where we are in the majority, will we talk to a family that looks different and like they probably don't speak our language? I sure hope so.
The inflatable rock wall was a bit of a let down, as it was missing a lot of steps, making it impossible to get to the top unless you have Ben-sized legs.
The gladiator style inflatable did not disappoint, however.
It was a beautiful clear day and the mountains all around us were stunning.
A balmy 89 in October...popsicles are a must
This picture cracks me up: I love how happy Josh is because he's not on the outside being continually smashed. I love the look on Seth's face as he's being smashed.
Trampoline jumping
Seth, Seth
Josh, Daddy.
My favorite part of the night was everyone dressing up for the photo booth. Hilarious!
The boys' classroom also had an off-campus Halloween party at a park one afternoon. Again, I was the only mom who was a primary English speaker. It is so uncomfortable to be the foreigner. The other women were very nice to me, and those that could speak English made an effort to converse some with me, but again, we have so little in common that the conversation dies very quickly. Also, I don't want them to have to switch every conversation to English just so that I can understand, so I sit quietly trying to understand a foreign language, trying to look comfortable, although I just want to be somewhere else. Thankfully, the boys had a blast with their friends, and I got to meet lots of their classmates and watch how they interact. That was fun, and they seem to be adjusting well. Kids have an easier time bridging cultural gaps...why is that? Do we as adults have so many boundaries, walls, and insecurities that we can't be brave enough to stumble through a conversation in a language we don't know well?
Little tiger brother following his hunter brothers around
Juan Andres, the boy in the sumo suit is one of Seth and Sam's buds. It was hilarious to watch him run around in that sumo outfit!
Juan Andres and Nico and the boys best buds at school.
The park was all decorated for Halloween. The Mexicans take their decorations very seriously. (Sam, Seth)
Always game for a funny face picture
All the kids of the party
Many people asked us if Mexico celebrates Halloween and what we did for the day. Well, there were a lot of Halloween decorations, although they are often mixed in with Day of the Dead decorations (which are a lot of ornately painted skulls and skeletons with clothes on them). Our apartment building had an option to put a sign on your door if you welcomed trick-or-treaters, so those were the home we visited. There were probably six apartments that participated and that was plenty: in our opinion, Mexican candy is pretty gross, so we really didn't want to collect much. It was a pretty laid back Halloween, but we've never been too into it anyways, so it wasn't that different for us. It's always fun to have costumes, though!
Sam, Josh, Seth
The twins showing their pretend bows and Josh showing his claws
Sam, Josh
Seth
I seriously love this tiger costume and felt like I couldn't get enough pictures of Josh in it
This is like part monkey, part tiger
I wonder what life here will look like next fall? Will we ever feel like we fit in? Will we know the language well enough to handle social situations better? Will we ever get used to being the only blondes in a sea of dark hair? How will God use this experience of being foreigners in our lives to further His kingdom? This the hard stuff of living here in Mexico, but the good stuff as well. We are thankful.
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