July 10th, 2016
The month of June feels like a blur to me! I can’t believe we have been in summer vacation mode for the past three weeks and are already a third of the way through July. I stepped away from writing for a few weeks and now have A LOT to catch up on! Looking back at pictures from June, I’m reminded of how we took advantage of the few sunny days; taking our first family bike ride, visiting the pool with S, walking around our village and simply being outside with friends.
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While we were in the final stretch of school for E, I was also wrapping up “Mama School” with S. I knew I couldn’t replicate the incredible Pre-School we had S in before moving to Germany. However, I still tried to make it fun as we worked on the alphabet, cooked together, did soccer drills in the yard, learned words in other languages before traveling to different countries and took field trips. I think he had a major breakthrough when he realized that “l, m, n, o, ” were actually four different letters versus one big one like it sounds in the Alphabet Song. I’m going to miss this special time with our youngest. He was a fabulous student! Here are a few pictures I took during one of our cooking classes this past Spring and a shaving creme letter-practicing class.
During E’s last week of school, we got a taste of life with three boys. We took care of my friend’s (almost) three-year old son for a couple of days while she and her husband went to the hospital for the birth of their daughter. This is my friend, Amy, who I met back in January before moving into our village. Their little guy was an easy house guest! Our boys helped out and kept him distracted. It was both a privilege and a gift to care for Amy’s son, knowing she trusted us with her precious little boy.
E took the bus while our young house guest was with us. Over the past semester, our entire family became fans of his German bus driver. What a kind man! He greeted us with a smile, was always so careful to make sure I was at the bus stop before letting E off the bus and patiently talked to us in German and English so we could practice our German without intimidation. He graciously let me take this picture the last week of school.
E got out of school on Thursday, June 16th, finishing with a half day/field day. It was a little rainy but everyone seemed to have fun. E told me that his teacher was his favorite part of school. She was definitely a gift to all of us!
That afternoon, we hung out at our friends’ house where the boys played dress up with their friends. Knights seem so much more tangible when you live in the land of castles and fairy tales! That evening, Soccer Amy gave me the gift of a couple of hours at home to pack for an upcoming trip while she watched and fed the boys. How grateful I am to have friends that I trust with our boys! Oh the gift of community!!!!!
Though school ended for E, soccer practice continues through the middle of July. The Germans are amazingly hardcore when it comes to playing through rainy weather. Their kids seem to play rain or shine and they watch from the sidelines unphased at the dripping water rolling off of their faces. I am one of the few parents that dresses my kids in rain coats when rain looks eminent or is actually falling from the sky. E is in the first picture wearing his green jacket and S is in the second in the yellow one. Yep, I’m THAT parent! Are you proud of me Mom?! =)
Perhaps with time, I will learn to toughen up as well. Until then, I probably need to purchase a wide umbrella to sit under during practices. Thankfully, Amy (the one I met at soccer) brought hers for us to huddle under!
Two days later we boarded a plane in response to the nudging I had been feeling in my heart (more about this later). June turned into July while we traveled. The day we returned, the sun shone bright in the blue sky! It felt good to be back. We are still experiencing the high of travels and great connections.
My cup runneth over!
