Thursday,day seven

I slept in this morning as Dilcia had spent the night and she gets breakfast while Karen and Dorian get the kids ready. I got up at 7:30 and went to help. We had fresh fruit for breakfast and I loved it. It is a little warmer today but not much, still windy. Older children are studing a lot for their end of year exams. Dorian had to go to kindergarten meeting today and then he called Karen to send someone after the children as he was still in meeting. I went and got the five and they promptly change clothes and go play. The first and second graders have not stayed at school for more than a couple hours since I have been here. An hour later, Dorian was still in meeting and called that they need a chicken from Casa for the dinner tomorrow. Last friday was supposed to be last day but they decided to end it tomorrow. And Karen has to take a wrapped gift for each of our five and the teacher will give it to them from Santa Claus. I know that is what I thought, crazy! As for three older boys they have to bring in a plant tomorrow for their exam. Yep, a plant or tree for the teacher. Dilcia said that one time her son had to bring in two concrete blocks and if everyone did that then the teacher would have enough for a house. Yovanni has more than half of a workbook that he is to have done by tomorrow....Teachers appear to wait and then make them do everything at last. And Yovanni is one to do his work, so he is not behind. The schools constantly want fees, small but continuous. It would really be nice if a teacher could be hired for here at Casa. Cindy was back to her old tricks today, had to recall my training in passive restraints.....I do not know how (but for God) that Karen does this day after day. Cindy was trying to bite me, pinch, hit, kick anything. While restraining her I sang Jesus Loves You and she just went limp and told me that she would be good and go to bed for nap without her lunch. I have to think the words pierced her heart but it may have just been that I found the right motivation for her to be good! (my singing) Life is hectic here, Noel the minister is back from Nic. and is loading the truck to move. Dorian visits church families most afternoons and has youth groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Prayer Service on Wednesdays. I did not get my hair cut before coming here and this wind, etc is driving me crazy..so I went and did something crazy....Dorian took me to a local lady who cuts hair and mine is now gone.....She used the clippers and scissors but the only scary part was when she used the straight razor...She actually was very good. She cut my hair in her kitchen where there is no running water just buckets to wash in...It was a good price; $1. who knows what risk taking thing I might try tomorrow? I am old an tired and the busy, busy is catching up to me. I lay on couch in the playroom waiting to see if Cindy went to sleep and I fell asleep. Now I just feel yucky. It is time for the children to start baths so I need to end. If I get a chance this evening I will post a pic of me and Karen with my new hair cut. Please feel free to pass this blog address on to anyone who could get a laugh out of this old woman....