Testing Day

Excitement and adventure are always the best ways to start your day. But, this was not one of those. It was yet another school day. Sanija had not one but two tests today. Distractions come easily for Sanija as I teach Nata. You see, I’m not what you would call the pinnacle of parents schooling their kids. When I try to teach, don’t ask me why, but Professor Daddy comes out. Professor Daddy is a mix of Barney the dinosaur, deputy Barney Fife and Bill Nye. If you don’t know who Bill Nye is….do a google search. I can be somewhat……..load, some may say a little A N I M A T E D and a whole lot of fun. Not the best atmosphere for taking a test. Therefore, I gathered my entire class of 1 and we headed out for a little more shopping. Of course, Sheri asked me to pick up the one item that they do not sell in the whole of Latvia…….a measuring cup!  Ten stores later I did manage to find one. Jump forward a few hours: I got a chuckle when Sheri used an American recipe in a European Country. Can you guess why…..tic toc, tic toc….times up! American uses a different weights and measurements than Europe does Pounds, ounce to liters and so on.   Back to the story. While out I realize Nata thinks every time we head to the galleria it means we stop at the toy store to buy something. Well, not this time. I held my ground! On a side note; the new troll she got is very cute and the book mark for Mommy is something we needed and my new Sven reindeer was perfect for me and Sanija new Shopkins was also perfect. But, I held my ground like…..like………Custer’s last stand! Okay, bad example but a perfect analogy.

But there was a cute story related to it. Nata wanted to get me a gift but didn’t want me to see…..as she kept staring at it and told me I need to go away.  Gee, I wonder what it will be.  In fact, she made me leave the store. I had to tell the cashier that Nata had my credit card and would be paying for four items. After it was bagged I would come in a sign the slip.  Both cashier thought this was the funniest thing as one of them could barely control her laughter. As I left, both girls had smiles from ear to ear and one said, “I hope I have a daughter like that”. Now say it with your best Latvian accent.

By the time we got home, a couple of hours later Sanija had completed her tests and everybody wanted to go out for lunch. Sheri has been pretty rigid with Sanija’s school work but during the time that we have been in Riga Sanija has learned how to spell  A LOT of new words, which she is very proud of.  Another thing that we have noticed is that both girls are making much better food choices (thanks Sheri for the non-stop healthy teaching sessions.)  This is not to say that the girls do not get their fair share of treats, including French fries, as they surely do, but they are both a lot more aware of why and what certain foods can do over the long haul.  Now we just need Michaela (our 4 year old niece) to introduce Nata to kale and kombucha this Christmas (Sanija already likes to enjoy a good glass of kombucha with Sheri J)  Since I have never tried it I have no further comment.  Even with that Nata still has a LONG way to go but the attitude is changing…yeah!!

When we home, the girls worked on arts and crafts for a few hours before Sheri embarked on making the healthy homemade chocolate…pumpkin…oatmeal…cookies! Sanija joined in right away including researching the conversions so that their first attempt at these cookies was not a complete failure (end result – cookies were delicious and Sheri FINALLY was able to make a seasonal pumpkin treat--  but I had Nata enthralled with sculpting and making Hollywood style masks using latex. She must have watched 5 youtube videos on the subject. When all was said and done Nata made me promise to teach her to make a mask when we get home to San Diego. ( I love that she refers to San Diego as home).

During the cookie making process I was casting youtube music videos to our television. The girls were dancing and singing for hours before it was time to settle done and have another “Family Movie Night”. Tonight’s film: American Girl: Lea to the Rescue.  I know thing both Sanija and Nata are ready to set out on an adventure where you eat bugs for dinner.

We just tucked them in and I taught the girls to new games. Does anybody remember “elephant fighting”? What about Indian wrestling?  Sheri thinks I was just making up those games so if anybody remembers them, send Sheri an email!