Test Week

First of all, welcome to the world Charlie Holman and Josie Kuhl! Ry and and I are so happy for all of you and we can’t wait to meet him and her. As if the Royals weren’t having a good enough season, two KC super-fans Chris and Derrick, bring their firstborns into the world!  Also a shout-out to Matt for the “Krista is in labor” text. It means so much to us that you guys kept us in the loop. And Ryan gives the biggest shout out of them all to Derrick and Krista’s baby Josie, because she was born on his birthday, October 6^th! Ry is already planning next year’s joint birthday party…

This week was the big week our students took their class 6 entrance exam. After months of work, our kiddos sat their exams like champs.  We were proud to hear the proctor say our kids tried really hard on their English test.

The morning of the first day we went to the house of each of our sixth graders to wish them and their parents luck. We wrote thank-you cards to the kids for all their hard work. It was so nice to have a little one-on-one time with each student and their parents.

Each kid got a card, two pictures and a TOP 5...not too shabby!

It truly was a wonderful two days celebrating our kid’s hard work. The weather was beautiful and the food was ‘ifo’ (delicious). This year’s test was a more relaxed, less formal atmosphere, which suited us just fine. The focus was all on the kids and the pomp and circumstance of normal Tongan affairs was absent. This gave us the opportunity to spend time relaxing before, in-between and after the tests with the kids.

How they choose test material in Tonga continues to be one of the great mysteries!

Class 6, so happy to finally get this thing under way!

A while back Nanners sent us a do-it-yourself rubber band bracelet loom and it was a hit. In between the two tests, after eating the traditional ice cream lunch, we showed the kids the kit and gave them this caveat: I had absolutely no idea how to make them! After an embarrassing couple of hours last week trying to figure it out, I threw caution to the wind and hoped the kids could figure it out. They rose to the challenge, and we all huddled up around the directions. One of our kids looked at me confusedly and said “Epi, the directions are in English. Just read them and tell us how to do it.” If only Suli, if only. So, 30 minutes later, we had a breakthrough. One of the girls successfully figured out how to make the first loop. It was so exciting. 10 minutes later, we figured out how to replicate the pattern. All in all, first bracelet from start to finish took 45 minutes. Go team Tu’anuku! After that, we had a blast. Most of the kids were able to complete at least one bracelet by themselves. The 2 hour break was over so quickly. It the perfect activity to keep the kids occupied and relaxed. They had so much fun posing for pictures, laughing, and enjoying our time together. It felt so special to have the kids all to ourselves for this time.

Starting out. Definitely nervous these things weren't going to happen...

Maleta has got it!

Victory at last!

 To end the day, some members of the PTA brought over one of the baskets of food made by parents. They told us they really appreciated all our hard work and they wanted Ryan to have a pig to eat. So sweet….soooooooo much food! But, the gesture meant the world to us because food is truly how Tongans show their deepest appreciation. All in all, the testing days ended up being some of the most memorable of our whole service.

That's one nice party favor!

The most important part of the basket...always.

Ryan carving up the Thanksgiving turkey...or should I say Sivi Week pig?

AND Day 2's basket. We were a little less excited about this one, given we have enough food to feed us for another term of Peace Corps! Oh, who are we kidding, the cake has already been eaten!