The end of school year

We haven't been writing lately mostly because our life got super busy, and we were traveling but we'll try to catch up on our adventures.

The kids finished school at the end of May. All of them did awesome and overcame the challenges that came their way. Nika had to pass two final exams (math and Russian), and she got 5 (A) in both. She also participated in the National math competition among the 5^th and 6^th graders and she took 2^nd place. Somehow I didn't take any pictures of Nika at the end of her school year.

The twins finished the school year with flying colors and were ready for the summer break. 

The last day of school. Lexa and Sophie.

The last day of school. Sophie and Lexa.

Lina graduated from the 4^th grade and from the elementary school. This post is mostly about her graduation.

Last year Nika graduated from the elementary school and had a big graduation ceremony. This year it was Lina's turn. It was a bit of a pain in the lower regions for the parents to say the least. We had to pay for decorations, the flowers for the administration that didn't even show up to the event, for the choreographer who was supposed to teach the kids two kinds of dances including waltz but only practiced once with them, for the certificates of achievement and other things. They also give teachers big presents at the end of the year (and a few times during the year), and of course the parents had to pay for those as well. With all of that they allowed only 10 parents from each class (there were seven 4^th grade classes with 30 kids in each) to come to the graduation. Ridiculous! After all the money they asked us to put into this thing, they wouldn't even allow the parents to see their own kids in the program! They were afraid that too many people would show up, and they didn't want their VIP visitors to have a bad impression. Well, it turned out that none of the VIP visitors came, and 2/3 of the hall was empty because the parents thought they weren't allowed to come. Things like that happen all the time here, and it makes me really frustrated.

The kids though put up a good graduation program, and those that came enjoyed it. I am really proud of their accomplishments. Here are some pictures.   

"Good bye, Elementary School"

Lina in her ball gown, all ready for the graduation.

Lina with her 4th grade teacher, Kseniya Viktorovna

4 "V" class

Dancing waltz

Dancing flash mob dance

Our little graduate

Looking at her school pictures

Good bye, 4th grade!

Lina with both of her teachers (Aizhan Alpysovna taught her last year, and Kseniya Viktorovna  taught her this year)

Last day!