Go West and International

Our little school holds an International Night every year where student families host booths displaying the countries of their heritage. It was so cool! We had 21 countries represented, including Russia, China, India, Kenya, Argentina, Iraq, and Trinidad and Tobago, to name a few. Hadley and I checked it out and got our "passport" stamped at all the countries.

Each country had information and pictures to admire, food to try, and items on display unique to their culture. There were performances by several dance troops and martial arts groups, and Hadley even got her name written in Chinese calligraphy. It was so cool to see and celebrate the diversity in our community!

Also in our gym a week later, Owen and his fellow 4th graders put on an adorable musical about westward expansion, called "Go West." As you can see, there were cowpokes, Native Americans, rail workers, and steamboat crew. Owen is 2nd from the left and 2nd from the top in the chorus.

He was the Mayor of Independence, and he had to memorize a pretty verbose bunch of lines, as a result. Not sure that he'll seek out more performances in the future, but it was such an "auspicious occasion."

As mayor, he had to wear a suit, along with a hat and cane to boot. Swoon! Here he is with his music teacher, Mrs. Peterson (no relation1). She did a great job turning these kids into a half-hour musical production in just over a month!

Lastly, we do make it over to see our cousins about once a month. Addie had fun spinning Owen around in the desk chair, and Will loved showing us his Dyson "bac-yume". He may be a little obsessed.