LivinginBrno

 This example is made by me, using the langauge examples available, with inspiration from what is being requested at the current 2nd grade, primary school here in Czechia. Some schools ask more, some ask less, this is just example for what is needed in our region. I am simply keeping it as a reminder in the personal journal so I will know how to help and prepare for such test, practice with our sons. If it is suitable, you can also use it. I will use this example in my next work but make it in billingual form, so the non czech speaking families can also have a support during work with children at chool. So yeah, for now here is a mixed post with presentation in English but file TEST is in czech language. Please let me know fi you use it, fie is subject to copyright (I worked 3 hours to make it) so it would make me happy to know you find it useful. Jména a přjimení:                    ...

 Well, here I am logging the journey. The reason I decided to keep some kind of journal of these homework is that it might help me with our sons when they will join school. Now the eldest is in second grade and I am already starting to feel overwhelmed. I know, is not my responsibility his homework, no I do not prepare his schoolbag for next day. But, I do check on him, how he is doing in school and in general, I sit and help next to him during the homework making process. I am lucky he is so smart and knows Czech. But I do not know (to my shame) so I use my best friend assistant Dr. Google Translator. To make the process easier, sometimes I print and make own notes, translate in advance the tasks or write down in own language so I know how to explain him in native then in Czech.  For me, until now, I find Czech Langauge discipline as being the most difficult. I would love to hear from other parents, mothers, fathers or grandparents out there. How do you do it and what advice ...

 We tried to spend most of out times outdoors during the autumn vacation and were lucky for the nice weather. The fog, mist and autumn colours are really a delight during this time of the year. Every time we look outside we find joy and calm. As part of our family tradition, we baked something and cooked all the meals at home these days, because we love how the foggy and wintery atmosphere outside makes the indoor time a little more special than it already is. I am not keeping the up to date information on the blog because..well, who cares. But I will just say we are thankful for everything and were so happy that the seasonal colds and flus left our household two weeks ago so this little vacation did not catch us all sick or in recovery mode. As for tips and ideas how to spend Halloween here is what we usually do: - decorate a pumpkin - make a lampion and then scare ourselves indoors every evening for a few days - we wear costumes, make noises and use glow in the dark sticks, whate...

 During our 12 years stay in here I think the most often asked question from both expat parents and not parents is: "how to find a good dentist (for children)? Preferably English speaking." I have absolutely no professional background or the skills to tell anyone what is right/good, so please take this advice as it is: from experience. I understand the need to and importance of good medical doctors, in any field so please make sure to do your own research while making a decision.  As for my own view here are a few pieces of advice for dentist searchers here, as expats: - google search, read reviews if available and important for your decision - the insurance is important, so make sure it covers at least annually a dental preventive check-up. But it should really be every six months - make appointments in time, preferably in advance, every six months - do accept the doctor that you find free, there is a shortage of dentists here for years, so no need to make situation worse by...

 I am keeping this as journal for future reference, to better navigate the list of school needs, requirements of school supplies, in this case for 2nd grade, here in Czech Republic. As expat parents, for us navigating this list is always problematic and becasue we have several kids, I find useful to keep a reference for me to use as next kids will join primary school. I am also using a translator to give the English version. On next days will post also a photo/video recording of the actual supplies, as I am finding that also useful. In bellow part is CZ version followed by the English version of all supplies. Seznam pomůcek pro žáky 2. ročníku na školní rok 2022/2023 List of aids for 2nd grade students for the 2022/2023 school year List of needs in Czech (2nd grader) List of needs in English (2nd grade...

Závěrečná práce z matematiky - 1. ročník

 We tried this idea, among many other from wonderful krokotak and we were absolutely captivated. I enjoyed time with the boys after they arrived from school and kindergarten, respectively. The special time we try to have after the daily schedule is so good for us, it helps us reconnect, relax and simply leave out all the tensions that children might have acquired during the day.  I have prepared  video  with the activity and the results. The idea from krokotak popped up on my FB feeds and I absolutely love all their crafts. Are so easy and nice to try out with kids. Materials are quite easy to find and as we had the Easter and spring holidays we tried to make every day something fun and crafty. The video is from last weeks but I am posting it later now, as time flew so fast and we enjoyed it but never actually managed to edit and make the blog materials from it. So, maybe it inspires you to have some activity with kids. Even a paper plane, anything with you they will...

Offering a constant support to refugees is so important these days. Looking at the people around us how much they got involved, is so amazing, the strength and solidarity. Everyone I know helps and most importantly, continues to do so. Every day. Because these people were taken away from their lives, their homes and here all is so new and scary. They need every support that is possible.  I believe that giving money donations, clothes and food is so important but to me the heroes are those who make sure all these donated stuff arrives at the right people. The infrastructure and manpower needed to support the families coming here are so critical and hats off to all the staff and people who volunteer their time to help. That is so important.  To support the people who help with their time and put the effort to bring all the donations at the right people, at least we can do is provide them with a constant in flow of food/hygiene/needes products. The place at Brno Exhibition Center...

 I have realised that having a hobby or something pleasant to do can bring much benefits to health and spirit. Although in past, before having our kids I had lots of available time, I did not really pay any attention to my hobbies and things that made me happy. I was just doing some physical activity, regularly (which I should probably restart, by the way) and then work, work work on the holy land of a corporation. I was mainly focused on my job, what to do next to grow in career and that was a complete waste of time, which to my shame I only realised years later. So, doing what I love and loving what I do is what keeps me going. Is what gives me energy and power to give it back to my family. How can I care for them if I don't take care of myself a little, also? Gardening is one of my favourite ways to spend time. Nothing brings more relaxation than seeing how seeds germinate in time, wondering what will they bring to the surface. We are blessed with a small garden and make the mos...

 I have not found the power to post in a while, in view of recent world events and the situation in Ukraine. The way all world seems to be connected and fight for good overwhelmed me, the difficult times of Ukranian people made me less willing to talk. I am sure no one noticed the lack of posting in here and that is not really the point of this article. The point is that sometimes we can choose to be silent and still achieve things, help the ones in need. Be it a donation, volunteering your free time and so on. I have posted a few links on the FB page ExpatMom, with helpful information in these times, we choose to donate what is possible for us. Anyone can help in this situation. I spent most of the last days with our family and at the small garden, praying and helping in the way we could with the war situation. Czech Republic welcomed more than 200,000 refugees and that is something  indeed. A lot of suffering people need help and support right now.  What else can I writ...

  Housátka Zelená, zelená travička, sešla studená rosička; jarní slunko zlatou nití vyšívá na lukách kvítí, housátka se v trávě svítí jako zlatá klubíčka. the Goslings Green, green grass, covered by a sunny cold spring is threading with golden rays embroiding flowers on the meadows, goslings shine in the grass like a golden ball. --------------------------------------------------- 2nd interpretation: the Goslings On its green, green meadows covered by the sunny cold Spring is using golden threads to embroide flowers on the meadows, while goslings hide in grass shinning like a golden ball. Sources: photo with 3 goslings from  here poem from  here translations and interpretations in English are done by me (ExpatMom), using dictionaries available online and offline Do you have something to add/correct? Please let me know in comments bellow! Thank you

  Attention, This post is. a mix of English and Czech,  I am simply keeping a journal of the poems selections suitable for preschoolers and primary school students. I think it will be helpful in future. As a foreigner, is really hard to find what are the suitable, classic poems here so I use the Internet and hope to not make a disaster. If you have a translatuion, please help me viat the comments section. Thank you!  Nejlepší básničky pro děti - great pomes for kids Sluníčko Já kočička malá, jak jsem ráno vstala, hned jsem to sluníčko smát se uhlídala. A kdyby se smálo stokrát do pokoje, tak se neusměje, jak matička moje. In English could sound like: the Sun I am a little cat (kitten), who just got up in the morning Just now looking  at the smiling sun. And if he (the Sun) laughed hundred times in the room, That smile won't be Like my mom's.

 Keeping the boys busy at most times made me realise in time, that I must learn to enjoy the activities with them. Otherwise, I risk a burn out on the long term. I did have times when such burn happened and it was hard to come back to the previous energy levels, bring myself into the play state and always stay curious and enthusiast about the wonderful world of childhood. I am an adult and day to day responsibilities do have a toll on my energy levels and state. Is not only rainbows and sunshine or unicorns but I try every day to be better for them, to be there for them and offer the support they so much need. Most of the times we enjoy the great outdoors but the boys do have lots of indoor activities as well.  I use the Internet a lot for inspiration but at times we just do whatever crosses our minds, invent games and make toys from cardboard (we did cars, house, an airplane and rockets). The elder boys seem to be very interested about the Universe and so we have My first Big...

 I will be updating this post as the process unfolds until 1 March, 2022. For now we have the overview like any other year about the enrolling process and we will follow the schedule: - phase 0: is now before the application forms are in the system - phase 1: 1April - 30 April (issuing of applications) - phase 2: 2 May-3 May (gathering the application forms from parents/guardians) - phase 3: 17 May 2022 (admission processing and informing) I have been doing also a video on this topic but in my native language. As soon as I manage translation subtitles will update it here also. Source: https://zapisdoms.brno.cz/ The place of permanent residence of the child is decisive for determining the catchment school (Section 36, Paragraph 5 of the Education Act).

During the last weeks and months we work a lot on the homework with our 1st grader. In case there is interest, I will be posting a short overview of how we deal with the tasks and why in my case is a struggle. As we progress, these might become monthly or weekly posts. I also hope to keep the memory of our homework activities for us but for the other two kids who will need it when the time comes. Traveling with your kid through primary schools seems to be fun, when you cannot fluently speak the local language. I never imagined the hard part, only the bright and funny moments were flying through my imagination. Of course, when we hear him read to us and do the math, we are happy and overwhelmed with pride like any other parent is. But, there are also hard moments especially at the beginning. The first day of school here in Czech Republic seems to me a little different than in our home country. In our country people tend to put too much emotion, or show too much sentiment and crying even...