Fall Party

Life is finally settling down a bit. That doesn't mean it's getting quieter by any means, but I'm getting more comfortable with its routine, and there's lots of laughter again.

Exhibit A would have to be the Middle School Fall Party a couple of weekends ago. I was blown away by the creativity of the students' costumes. The theme was "Children's Books." Here are some costume examples:

2 Stepsisters

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears
Grumpy the Dwarf and Bigfootthe characters from Winnie the PoohCat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2

The teachers all wore letters and were the alphabet from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I accidentally found this rap online, and of course then we all had to wig out to it on stage during the party. The kids called it "epic" when we were done. I'm not quite sure what I let myself be talked into, but I had fun! (For video, please refer to facebook.)

Best News...

...I've heard all day: Jen's blog. Hooray, Jen and Harry! I'm so excited for you!!!

Middle School Overnight

Last weekend was the Middle School Overnight, a night on which crazy teachers take the entire middle school to a youth hostel on the German-Swiss border. To make it even crazier, they do it on a soggy weekend full of rain in order to coop themselves up inside with said middle schoolers! Actually, it was a blast!

We played Group Scategories, had a bonfire with S'mores, played Capture the Flag in an apple orchard, watched a hilarious movie that was perfect for their age, and followed it up with a time of Praise & Worship. The chaplain and I ended the night by taking willing and brave students on a night hike!
After breakfast on Saturday, we went on the famous "Middle School Overnight Country Hike." We crossed the border into Switzerland which was cause for more than one spread-eagle (or feet) picture. A big debate arose over the cows: Were they cows on the border Swiss or German, and would they say "Muh" or Mueeh"? In all seriousness though, the hike was the best part because I ended up having some really great conversations with some kids. One boy was missing his old school in Russia, and I gave him room to vent about all the changes in his life lately. Another girl wanted to know my opinion on all kinds of theological topics, and the best was when we went back and forth listing all the things we were excited to do in heaven one day. Super fun!This was followed by the group photo, and then parents showed up to pick up their much-missed kids. The end.