Ella-bell turns 5

Here she is on her birthday morning with a donut for breakfast-one of our family traditions.  It was a bit smashed-but she said it tasted good!  Thomas like it too!

She opened presents from family last night and was happy with her gifts.  We still have a package on it's way from my parents, so she'll get to stretch this birthday out a bit!

Ella had a fever yesterday afternoon and was not feeling well, as this picture shows!  We are home today from school, hopefully it passes fast.  Ella requested corn dogs for her birthday dinner but then said, "maybe they don't have them in Peru."  She is right.  We had macaroni and cheese instead.

On Saturday morning, we went to the park.  Ella wanted to play at the park with her friends for her birthday- Cohort 4 joined us as well and made the day extra special for her!

 Ari, Ella and Jana                                     Getting ready for cake at the park

The park group-

Chad created a scavenger hunt for the kids to do.  They had a great time running all around the park. We also played red light green light and duck duck goose.  

Opening her gifts.  Lots of pink!!

I think she had a good birthday weekend.  We also attended a dinner for Allison, our host family's daughter.  She turns 15 today, so they had a dinner Saturday night for her.

It was good to try to talk to people and to listen to conversations in Spanish.  The dinner was at a ceviche and sushi restaurant.  Amazing food!  The invitation said it started at 5- the family told us not to get there until 6:30, and nothing started until around 8.  A Peru thing.  

I have started teaching kids at church during the second hour.  There was nothing for them, and they would just hang out by themselves.  I have done it for 2 weeks and have had a fun time.  The kids seem to be understanding my Spanish!  There are not many kids 3-7, including mine (I translate back to English for E and T).  Hopefully that number will grow!  I have started to go through the 10 Commandments with them.  We have a snack, do a little project and then play a game.  

Below is a picture of the room we use-

The picture below was taken from the unfinished 3rd floor.  The Sunday school classroom is on the right in this picture.  There are two other classrooms to the left- so room for many more kids! The pastor and his family live on this level as well, the floor of the third level serves as their roof.  This area is great for games with the kids!

Thank you for your continued prayers.  We are feeling extra challenged with parenting Thomas right now.  So, that is something specific you can add to your list!