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!!!!

Happy 13th Birthday Camden!!!!!!

CAMDEN!!!!

Our silly family!!!!

My silly 13 year old son!!! 

It is sooo hard to believe that Camden turns 13 today! My kids are growing too fast! While the photo above is highly inappropriate, it makes me laugh and it really sums up my 13 year old. He is kind, fun, silly, loves his family and friends, and yet is still every drip of a stereotypical 13 year old boy. He laughs at inappropriate things, he enjoys school ONLY for the fact that his friends are there,  loves video games, and makes everyone around him laugh.  There was actually no suffering in this photo - instead it is just part of what makes Camden, Camden. We love you so much Cam and are so grateful for every aspect of you :-) 

Sand Kerwa

Once again, I am a little behind with posting. It seems like "life" has taken over, and the reality of summer vacation is a distant memory.... Anyway... A few weeks back, we enjoyed a long weekend of tradition: Sand Kerwa (the church anniversary of a church on "Sand Strasse" that brings over 200,000 people into Bamberg for 5 days each year).  It was a really fun weekend hanging out with friends and enjoying the end of summer....

The crowds pour in on Thursday night

They have tons of stands with: beer, food, wine, prosecco etc. It is all very inexpensive and super delicious!!! (This is a photo of the Mahr's Brau truck (one of our many local breweries)

Always neat things to see

5 years ago, when we first moved here, it was rare to see Dirndls or Lederhosen, but now it has become more popular.

The famous Schlenkerla Brewery (so pretty!)

Bryan enjoying his first "Coburger Bratwurst" of the long weekend  (1st of many I might add :-)

Bryan enjoying his first beer of the weekend (1st of many, I might add :-)

More Bavarian traditional dress...

View from the bridge ...

Sand Kerwa - probably our favorite long weekend of the year here in Bamberg!!!!

Summer Vacation

We had such a fun time this summer in South Carolina and Maine!!! Bryan, Bailey, and Camden were able to go for 4 full weeks, while Mia and I tagged on a bit later, because her school didn't get out until the end of July. We truly enjoyed visiting with family and friends - such a nice time. Instead of writing anymore, I think I will just share lots of photos...

On a run one morning, Bryan and I spotted (OK, it was Bryan who first spotted it) a baby turtle that had just hatched and was on his way to the Ocean. We always see the turtle warning signs, but it was really cool to actually see a turtle! We had to run back and wake the kids up to see it too :-)

The turtle was sooo cute!!! He swam right into the water, and after a few battles with the tide, seemed to make it successfully out!

Bailey, Camden , and Mia shark fishing! Everyone had a great time (and caught a lot too!)

Bryan, his Dad - and one of the catches (as a side note,we threw them all back in...) Super thrilling (you never know what will be on the end of that hook)

Gotta have the traditional family beach photo :-)

One of our favorite families (the Hatchers) even came down to visit - everyone had so much fun!!! We miss them so much!!!

The flight up to Maine - stunning views of NYC!!

A great reunion at the airport!!!

A fun day out in Boothbay

Camden jumping into the water from a bridge in Damriscotta - at a  "famous" local swimming hole

Boothbay Harbor with my Mom and Dad (kind of funny, because I have had this exact same photo as my screensaver for 5 years, but the kids were 5 years younger...)

Water contest - who can keep their feet in the cold Maine water the longest (they ended up deciding to get out at the same exact time :-)

Hiking Mt. Battie

At the top of Mt. Battie overlooking Camden Harbor

This was kind of funny - the day we moved to Germany 5 years ago, we saw U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe at the airport. She retired, and the first day in Maine this year we saw her replacement, Senator Angus King. Ironically, it was at the same time that Bryan was furloghed :-(. Funny photo though - it looks like Mia is giving the Senator an ear full :-)

We had fun visiting my friend Lynn at their summer camp. I had many fond memories here as a kid - so glad my kids have a few too :-)

A fun evening at Lynn's camp...

So pretty!!!

And LOTS of yummy meals during the entire vacation too!

1st Day of School

I have not posted in over a month, and will no doubt bore you with oodles of vacation photos very soon, but wanted to post first day of school photos real quick. As they say, all good things must come to an end, and Monday marked the end of Summer Vacation for Bailey and Camden (luckily, Mia still has a few weeks :-)). It is really hard to comprehend that Bailey is in high school (9th grade) and Camden is in Middle school (7th grade). They have really experienced different schooling situations over the years (school in Georgia, American school in Germany, German school in Germany, homeschooling etc.) This year proves to be the same, being that the school they are going to is 7-12th grade and is closing for good next year. As a result, the school population will begin at only 100 students, but will dwindle quickly throughout the year to hardly any students at all (literally). It definitely should be interesting. I am so proud of both of them though, and I  hope that with a small school they have oodles of opportunities and lots of learning as well!

Bailey and Camden - 1st day of school - 2013

Depends on what you like....

I had a really funny conversation yesterday with a German Lady. She was telling me how she does not like Germany and wishes she could move somewhere else for a while. She further explained, that she does not like all of the orderliness of living here. She gave the example of the after 10 rule (which basically states that quiet hours outside are from 10:00pm to 7:00am). The rules are created to prevent irritation in close living quarters and not to disturb others. It is really funny, because I think the exact opposite. I think one of the reasons we like it so much here, is because everything is very predictable. People know the rules, they follow the rules and in my eyes - everything works out beautifully. I also agree with the rules that they have (in that they make perfect sense to me). It just strikes me funny how people like different things and ways. I suspect, if she moved to Italy, she might quickly yearn for that German orderliness :-) Maybe not though - who knows???

Exactly 5 years ago today.....

Exactly 5 years ago today, our family moved to Germany. At the time, we had no idea what to expect. We had 3 young kids that were eagerly on board for a new adventure, and truly, we were up for anything. If worst came to worst, we would just move back to our creature comfort of what was then "home". 5 years have gone by in the blink of an eye, and I thought I would write a list of my top 20 insights that I have discovered since moving over here...(except for #1, these are in no particular order)

1. "Home" is wherever my family is

2. When you are open to new ideas and ways - it is amazing how much you can grow and learn

3. I would much rather spend money on traveling and new experiences with my family, then spend money on "stuff"

4. The world could learn so much from each other...

5. When a societies' basic needs are met, it makes for a very nice way of living

6. To sit for 5 hours at a biergarten with good conversation is a great way to spend an evening

7. A consistent education system, where kids are responsible for themselves, is really such a gift

8. To watch my kids converse in another language is really weird (but very cool)

9. With a little sacrifice, a one car family works, and saves a ton of money too (when possible)

10. I feel like I live n the 1970's - it is fantastic

11. Sometimes, when you don't understand everything that is being said, it is kind of nice :-)

12. If I could ride my bike in lieu of a car, I would do it in an instant!

13.  There are many kind people in this world (all colors, shapes, sizes, religions, dialects etc.)

14.  Contrary to many stereotypes, Germans DO have a great sense of humor

15. The Autobahn saves so much time, and it WORKS because everyone is properly trained to drive.

16. To travel the world with my kids, and see it through their eyes, brings me so much happiness

17. Always take advantage of whatever type of weather the day brings

18. Tradition brings so much comfort and joy to a society

19. I really wish I could find out where my ancestors came from in Germany - I think it was from Franconia, but I want this information confirmed :-) !!!!!

20. There is always another adventure around the corner!