Mia's 1st Day of School!!!

On Thursday, Mia officially entered 3rd grade. I still look at her as though she is 3 years old, but I'm not sure how much longer, realistically, that will work. She had a friend over the other day to play. I had to run a couple errands, and it hit me as I watched them walking with me in the city, what I like about "the German kid culture." Mia had her hand weaved pocket book across her shoulder (with her money in it to buy Camden a birthday gift). On the way to the store, she and her friend walked confidently together, yet giggled the entire way, and held hands (yes, this is a very German thing and even older girls often hold hands - it is really sweet). At the store, she exchanged money with the cashier as confidently as a 40 year old would. The culture creates this responsibility, yet somehow holds onto the innocence of kids. It is so refreshing!

So today she began 3rd grade. The way it works is that you always have the same teacher for 1st and 2nd grade and then it switches to a new teacher for 3rd and 4th grade. She has the same exact class, but a new teacher this year (and a new classroom) - very exciting! She has already had her new teacher as a Religion teacher for the last 2 years - so at least she already knows him.  As I walked her to school this morning, I felt this extreme sadness too, because as much as I love her school and her friends, I know that this will be her last year at this school. As all of her classmates begin 4th grade this time next year, with her same teacher in the same classroom, she will not be there. I guess, I won't get ahead of myself too quickly, and I have to tell myself daily to just enjoy the moment that I am in. So with that... TODAY, I am so grateful for the opportunity that Mia has had in German school, and can't wait to see all of the fun things that 3rd grade brings!

*Update... One funny side note...3rd grade is also the beginning of "English" class in school.  Mia proudly told me that when the teacher announced this to the class (all of the kids already knew this, so it was not any surprise), some of her friends giggled and raised their hand to say that English will be easy for Mia. We have a running joke about what they will do on the first lesson, and how silly it will be for Mia... something like H-E-L-L-O... M-Y  N-A-M-E  I-S  M-I-A (in a VERY slow, enunciated way) - so funny!!!!

1st day of 3rd Grade!!!!

Getting all settled on the first day...  (notice the bags full of school supplies - yes, the dreaded school supplies.. After year 3 though, I am getting MUCH better at German school supply shopping)

Anxiously waiting for class to begin...The kids all planned who they would sit by this year - Mia is waiting for her friend to come  -she saved her a seat. Oh how we will miss this school!!!!