Chillin’ with the students

Even though it’s summer, there are a few BFA non-boarding students in town. It’s a real privilege to be able to hang out with these kids and their families. This school is definitely different than my public school back in West Chicago. I cannot imagine actually wanting to go to a teacher’s home or thinking it was cool and fun, but these kids here do!

First, I got to celebrate one of my cellists’ graduation from “Biblical Instruction” (it’s kind of like confirmation for the Protestant, non-Catholic, non-Lutheran church). His family is full of life and spunkiness.

Opening gifts. He's a song-writing student who plays cello, piano and recorder, so his parents found him appropriate gifts for his giftedness.

Younger sibling (violinist in Intermediate Orchestra)

Younger brothers

Another sister. I did these Disney princess puzzles with her.

Another brother

One more sister. She didn't frown like this when she was looking at the dog instead of the camera!

About a week later I had a few Intermediate Orchestra kids over to cook dinner (their idea, not mine!). It was quite the adventure, and they were really sweet!

Cooking a Swedish dish

"Please drop some of that sausage for me!"

Dessert: Chocolate-chocolate chip cupcakes!!

Then we played Apples to Apples. One student had to find a card that best fit with "Easy." She chose "Honeymoon."

Guess which one I chose for "Hot"

In the middle of it all, this student lost a tooth!

T. and J. had traveled to Venice. When they were there, they picked out these beautiful gifts for me. This Venitian mask...

... and this cool double-keychain with a magnetic treble clef! They're such sweet students. I was shocked and didn't know how to respond to their generosity!

We watched a movie, and somehow Leah found K.O.'s 10 Euro bill and nibbled on it while we sat there obliviously being entertained by the latest in the Narnia series. Not cool, Leah.

Then the kids had lots of energy so I took them to the playground to burn it off.

While I was distracted by the fascinating sky...

...they were playing tag on these stumps.

Even the dog can swing!

Doing gymnastics. Is your energy almost out yet?

Impressive. I could never do that.

Then we played a little Dutch Blitz and they went home for the night.

The next party was different. I had a slumber party with 2 of my study hall girls from last semester. They said, “First period study hall was basically like one big slumber party.” Truth be told, I think I distracted them from doing homework as much as they distracted each other. But it was so interesting to talk with them! So we had a girly evening, complete with a chick flick, popcorn, chocolate, talking about things girls talk about at slumber parties, and getting way too little sleep to call it a “slumber” party!

Chocolate consumption: Check!

It is truly a blessing to get to be with these kids outside of class. I get a chance to see the “real” them, the non-academic child, the individual with his/her whole personality. I love these kids!