I can't believe it has been six years since we contributed to the next generation of the clan!
 |
| Fifi and some of her besties! |
Fifi turns 6 years old today - though technically it's about 12 hours from the time of writing due to the time difference between China and Florida!
We've chronicled Fifi's development quite thoroughly over the years, and are very proud of how far along she's come. Despite our big move to China, her development has not slowed down - in fact, due to the awesome international school experience, if anything her development has accelerated.
After entering Year 1 at school, her whole school schedule is quite regimented and diverse. Every day, she has an hour each of Math, English, and Chinese classes, and interspersed through the week, she has a few hours of music, art, Violin (separate from music), science, computers, PE, and sessions called "Pastoral Care", where they discuss things like family values, kindness, generosity, and the like. A great idea that I think schools in America should adopt, what with the political environment the way it is these days! She also has a large list of after school activities that she can participate in - this semester she's doing Chinese Calligraphy and Traditional Chinese Dance!
But one of the biggest benefits that going to international school has provided Fifi is the friendships that she has made and will hopefully treasure forever. Although she has mostly new classmates this year, most of her best friends are from her original kindergarten class from when we first moved to China - it's very heartwarming to see that they have maintained these bonds over the years, even while adding new friends. And the diversity of their circle is simply awesome! There are representatives from both East and West coast USA, Germany, China, Mexico, Spain, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Korea!
 |
| Distribution of the homelands of Fifi's class |
The focus on a well rounded education, including athletics, is also very welcoming. In fact, among her invite list on her birthday party included five of the top ten runners in the entire grade - and four of the top five (Fifi herself came in 8th place):
 |
| Those little twins in green were surprisingly quick... |
 |
| A lot of broken hearts for the non-podium kids, but you have to learn to try your best! |
 |
| Final stretch - look at that form! |
To celebrate her birthday, we held a costume party last week. There were an awful lot of Princess Elsa's, so we had Fifi go against the grain and wear her Mulan costume to the party - a hand me down from Auntie Melinda from back when she was a little girl!
