Last words for today, I promise!

O.K., dinner was fabulous.  I might have to put the recipe down here for ya!

I wanted to tell you about school.  We have the kids in Kimberly College.  The principal, Paul Thomas, quite a character might I add, has strong negative feelings about the word "alternative" but that's the best way to describe it.  Very little is traditional.  I have never seen anything like it though he claims he was inspired by educational programs from the states?  The class sizes are larger with 2 - 3 teachers plus and aid.  It saves moving from class to class thus saving time.  Each group has multi-aged students.  The reasoning?  Children shouldn't be learning at grade level.  They should be able to study at the appropriate level for them all the time.  They do testing that helps gauge that.  I am not sure how it works.  He insists they learn creative, critical thinking.  He wants them to know why and how to use what they are learning.  No bullying, whatsoever, is allowed on campus.  There is a strict uniform code with grey dress shorts, black belt with a custom Kimberly College button down dress shirt and tie.  They wear black shoes with, get this, grey knee high socks!  And a hat!  Oh my gosh am I ever excited to see the day that all happens.  Believe me there will be pictures!  They are short on uniforms so it will be a couple of weeks...

The important thing at this point is that the boys seem very happy there.  The other children have received them well.  The teachers seem to be kind and funny if a little strict here and there. It's a beautiful area and once they are finished with all the building plans it should be an impressive looking school.  It's not extremely expensive, except for the uniforms!  We'll see.  The jury is still out.  Once we get out permanent visas they can go to the state school.

Hey, we also made it out to church this week.  Last week we missed the time and the week before we went to a building that was under construction so we (Okay, it was actually just me) were really looking forward to meeting our new friends in the Capalaba ward.  They were lovely of course.  You could plop them right into the Jamestown Ward or Idaho Falls 19th but then they would all be taken into the heavens what with all their being too darn  perfect!  Hee, hee.  Let's just say it was a relief to be well received and see that there are young people for Riley and Jeremy.  Riley found out that he gets to start seminary.  Hee, hee.  The start them the year they turn 14 here.  Let the early mornings begin!

But not tomorrow, Bart flies out early and we only have one car so guess who's his taxi driver?  Yup, and aren't I lucky?  You betcha!  So the boys will be on their own for getting up and getting ready but I'll make it back just in time to get them to school.  Thank goodness it's only for 2 days.  We have gotten used to him being around now and we're not about to have that change without a fight!

In fact, they are in the pool playing Marco Polo as I write.  It's cold and they want me to come out.  Yikes!

Love to you,

Kelli

Albondigas Soup

one carton of beef broth

1 pound ground hamburger

1 - 2 slices bread, torn into small bits

1/2 onion, fine diced

3 large clove garlic, shredded

1 egg plus one egg white

1 - 2 T water

1 tsp chili pwdr (or less if it's  hot)

1 tsp oregano

1 1/2 tsp cumin (I used a little more)

1 green pepper, diced

3 - 4 carrots (used 4 large), sliced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 can stewed tomatoes with juice ( I just dumped in a can of crushed tomatoes instead)

1/2 med cabbage, sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Serve with sour cream, cilantro, nachos.

Blend meat, garlic, onions, egg, water, bread for meatballs.  Form into small, bite-size balls.  Bring broth to a boil, add meatballs, cook 5 minutes.  Add spices, veggies, including tomatoes, cover and simmer at least 30 minutes.  Not more than 40.

Oh man was that good.  The boys scarfed in down!