After the Olympics ended the kids were bouncing off the walls of our flat with sporting fever so I ventured out and signed them up for sports at our local leisure center. Cameron is springing into shape as a rising gymnastics superstar and Jason is chasing his Andy Murray dreams onto the tennis court. Both kids are having a blast in their respective sports despite not knowing anyone in their classes (at first) and barely being able to understand their coaches accents. Over the weeks they've made huge strides and now they feel quite at home in the gym. They're still a bit conflicted, should they compete for the USA or go for gold with Team GB. It's a tough call, but we have plenty of time to decide!
Also, this autumn, the kids started school. Jason and Cameron continue to homeschool with our beloved Sonlight curriculum. Hayden is venturing out to our local nursery school (preschool). She goes Monday through Friday, from 9 to 11:30. She and I walk to school every morning and we hang her coat & backpack on her peg. She has to change from her outdoor shoes to her indoor, soft shoes. Then she joins the rest of her class in their room. She loves to paint and play outside. She is also a very good helper at snack time when she helps serve the children. She had a difficult time going to school after her sweet friend Hazel moved back to the States, but she has made new friends. I think my favorite part of the day is picking her up from school and walking home together. She loves to chatter on about her morning and tell me all about what she did at school.
In the mornings while Hayden is at nursery the big kids and I study together. They just finished a 6 week study on China. Here they are learning to make Chinese characters with their calligraphy pens.
We all continue to love serving at re:hope church. The kids feel quite at home and have resumed their church rat status, which includes food privileges but also cleaning responsibilities ;)
Here is Hayden, off to nursery for the Teddy Bear Picnic. Jason was sweet and let her borrow his Mickey bear from his kindergarten field trip. She was proud to bring her big brother's bear to school.
At the end of September we had a fun feast & open mic night at church. Hayden is above with her friend Hazel (just before she moved) and Jason is enjoying his friends Owen and Ethan.
In October we were able to spend a little family time with Nanny and Pops, we had a weekend getaway with just the Rusco 5 and we spent a little time away with friends. It's a beautiful time of year here with gorgeous fall colors everywhere you look, but also loads of activities and needs to fill. We are busy, but happy, finding time to rest amidst the work. Thank you for sticking with us, reading the blog and sending encouraging notes. We are blessed and truly ready to celebrate a season of thankfulness and joy. We look forward to November when we can host a Thanksgiving feast and then shortly afterward welcome my brother and his family to Scotland for a visit.
