Show and Tell

This week at school Guerita was “Ciudadana de la Semana”(Citizen of the Week) which is an “honour” shared around the kids each week. She was the teacher’s special helper all week and on Friday (today) she got to bring in her favourite toys, movie and photo album to share with the class. We decided to make it a little Australian Show and Tell and Guerita took along her stuffed kangaroo, koala and the books we have that talk about Australia:

The Mexican kids seemed to like learning about Australia, but I think it was also great for Guerita to be reminded of where she’s from and what the country is like. She has now lived a fair proportion of her life overseas and Chiq has only visited Australia once so we make an effort to reinforce their Australian heritage, while having this fantastic experience in another country.

My mother in law is visiting at the moment so we went and sat in on the class for about an hour at the end so she could get an idea of what the school is like. I got a real kick out of seeing Guerita smoothly switch from Spanish to English and back again, without even realising she was doing it. She could definitely give me lessons!

We also gave all the kids in the class a gift bag with a little kangaroo toy and an Australiana pencil.

It’s funny how when you’re away from home the daggiest things appeal to your sense of patriotism and homesickness. Like Penny posted on Soupe du Jour, some things can really set you off. I don’t think I’d ever set foot in one of the cheesy Australian souvenir stores until I left the country and returned for a visit. Now I get all choked up when I read the Waltzing Matilda book to Guerita, or hear any song by John Williamson!