luncheon for kids and parents July 2018

My surprise party a couple weeks ago in Abreojos made me realize that I never get to chat with the kids' parents except for a few that are personal friends.

That being the case and having a great friend send a surprise cash donation allowed me to organize a La Bocana lunch a couple days ago.

Originally, I had hoped to hire Joaquin's son Leo to do a carne asada, creamed corn as only his dad (and hopefully him) can do and guacamole - but alas, he was out of town so I took on the cooking myself.

I made 3 huge meat lasagna's that came out incredibly delicious











I made garlic melted cheese oregano bread that was decadent:











I had the guys bring soft drinks and the ladies bring salad makings to add to the broccoli salad with a new dressing I had just learned how to make. Here we are putting the salad together:











I made one lemon cake, one strawberry Kahlua chocolate cake, brownies (they all believe I am magical since no one sells brownie mix here), I also made a key lime pie.










Here I am getting ready to serve up the chow!!











This is part of the group ready to eat. There were 26 of us.










So, after we ate lunch and stuffed ourselves silly with dessert, I handed out a sheet of paper to each one, both student and parents. I heard one ask "What is this for?" and I heard a gasp from the parents as one student blurted out "English class!"


Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I answered, no English today.


I wanted to do some group dynamics so I had each one write down 10 words that described themselves. Then I had the parents describe their kids, out loud. Only positive descriptions were allowed. I want the kids to see how their parents perceive them. This part was very interesting. Lastly, I had them write down what they knew about ME. Very little since the parents and I really have had no contact so I spent quite a bit of time allowing them to ask me questions...and sharing stories about both Les and I.


Here they are writing away:










I was really exhausted at the end of the day, but it was so rewarding! Especially since almost all of them wrote that I was a good cook hahahaha


I have a first this year. One of the students has straight A's and I mean a 100% GPA for the year, but she decided she wanted to become a beautician. She is off to school in Ensenada and one of the other students, who is a scholarship recipient this year, will be giving her housing for free. Our local beautician has agreed to give Sarahi a spot in her salon when she finishes school. She is the newest addition to the 2018 group!

She studied English with me in middle school, she studied with me this past month, she came to the lunch with her Mom. The father died some years ago. I am thrilled to have her on board.



Here she is with my Mom's old laptop.





[Edited on 7-19-2018 by BajaBlanca]