A, B C, D . . .

. . . and a little child shall lead them.  (Is 11:6)

Sunday afternoon was homework day for the Shreydeh family. 10 year old Joyce was working on geography, 6 year old Joanna was working on math, and 4 year old Salloom . . . well, Salloom was "working" on playing. After a bit, I recognized the Arabic numbers Joanna was working on and even figured out the nature of the math problems she was doing. Perhaps I should never have spoken up because it then became my time for homework!

Joanna tested me on the numbers that she and her mom had taught me the week before. Now it was my turn to see if I could solve some simple math problems. She carefully recreated some of her homework for me to do. She gave me a series of numbers and I had to put them in order from the greatest value to the least. Then I had to practice writing out my numbers including the correct pronunciation. First part, an A, the second part . . . let's just say I need some more practice.  

Then came time for my first lesson in the Arabic alphabet. I diligently copied my letters and we went to internet so I could hear and see their version of the "A,B,C" song. I only have a week before I'll be tested again! Yikes, my brain isn't geared to remember this kind of stuff anymore. We laughed and laughed at how silly I sounded!

We ended the afternoon the way we started - with the Barney song. When I first stopped by their apartment, the kids were playing with Barney toys. When I spontaneously started singing the "I Love You!" song, Joanna picked it up and, to my surprise, sang it back to me perfectly. Up until that point, I had never heard her say one word in English!  After all our lessons, Joanna gestured for me to write the song out for her to copy which she did. Then Salloom came over and showed me how he could write out his English a,b.c's perfectly. I have a lot of work to do to keep up with these kids!

Joanna gave me  a star on all my homework which is now proudly displayed in my apartment. Never have I had so much fun learning something new.  And I have never been so loved by my teachers. It melted my heart to have them sing to me:

I love you

You love me

We're a great big family!

With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you.

Won't you say you love me too!

I've never been so indebted to that wonderful purple dinosaur!