Kindergarten Sommerfest!

Friday was Sommerfest at Benjamin's Kindergarten. The teachers had been pumping them up for the big after school celebration for some time.

They had learned songs and played a game which was like charades (the kids took turns acting like an animal and the parents guessed which animal they were). The school playground area was decorated with German flags the kids had colored and balloons and streamers hung throughout.The celebration kicked off with the kids singing. As you can see, Benjamin wore a dog mask and acted like a dog for part of the singing. It's so neat to see him up there singing in a language that he didn't know a word of last year at this time.

After the singing the kids could go to different stations that were set up to make musical instruments. My kids were not too interested. Although at one point or another they each attempted to create a musical instrument of sorts.

We ate and enjoyed some awesome dishes that the parents all brought. I made a platter of fresh fruit (I figured I was safe with that although other parents had the same idea).

After that they started a small open grill. Once the charcoals were hot they wrapped a bread dough on sticks and handed them out to the kids who were very excited to toast the bread over the coals. It took awhile to toast the breads and the kids' enthusiasm eventually wore off and it ended up with mostly parents sitting around the grill... but I thought it was cool and was eager to try the bread.

They had a variety of jams to go with the toasted breads. By this time it was getting late though so we took our breads to go. (We ate them with jam at home and they were pretty tasty).

But before we left... one final treat... the children shook and rattled their new homemade instruments while they sang a final rendition of one of their songs in multiple languages along with the parents.

Overall, Sommerfest was a success! I think we all had a nice time and I left being thankful that Benjamin has been given this unique opportunity (as an American) to attend such a neat school.

After living here for almost a year, I think there are only so many chances to feel like we are part of the German culture... like we are one with them...like we belong. But being part of his Kindergarten class presents unique opportunities like this that we will always appreciate and cherish.

Saturday in Nearby Leimen

Ever since I took Samuel and Grace to the park in Leimen with the zipline, Benjamin has been wanting to go. So, Saturday morning Don was helping someone move so I took the kids to the park. They were so excited and it was a cool but beautiful morning so the park was NOT super busy.

Benjamin figured out the zipline right away and screamed like a girl just about every time he went on it! He LOVED it to say the least. And when we first arrived, he and Samuel were the only kids going on it so they got their fill going on it over, and over, and over...

After awhile we took a good long walk around the entire park on some trails that encircled a fenced in area with some animals (lots of goats and deer and a pig). The kids enjoyed exploring some new territory and it gave me plenty of photo opportunities of my favorite photo subject: my kids!

Father's Day Gift

I enhanced a few photos and framed them for Don. He seemed genuinely thrilled with the finished product when the boys helped him open his gift this morning.

We had a great Father's Day and shared lots of family time throughout the day. I will post more photos from our fun-filled day soon!

End of the Soccer Season

Benjamin recently finished up his spring/summer soccer season with the Red Raptors. He had a blast and we all enjoyed cheering on his team. Even Samuel got into yelling "Go Red Raaaaaptors!" and "Kick the ball, Benjamin!"

Overall, Benjamin probably enjoyed the fun of the practice, the comradely with his teammates, and the snacks afterwards more than the actual game time. He has a way to go with his soccer skills but he sure did have a great time. And we had a great time watching him bounce around the soccer field.

So, he is setting his sights on the fall soccer season.

Daddy and his Girl

These pics were taken at Benjamin's soccer game last night when Don showed up a lil late straight from work. We were all happy to see him, especially his sweet lil girl.

Grace absolutely lights up whenever she sees her Daddy. She turns on her speed crawl and throws herself at him. Daddy doesn't seem to mind too much.

Samuel on the Zipline

Today Samuel, Grace and I joined our MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group for a playdate at a park in nearby Leimen. Samuel had a blast exploring everything the park had to offer... feeding goats, climbing all kinds of play structures, and especially the zipline!

The photo I'm posting is one my friend and neighbor took of Samuel flying across on the zipline. I love the flow of this action shot.

The first few times Samuel went on the zipline he needed a little help but he figured it out quickly and had a ball going on it time and time again. The German playgrounds always seem to offer something new and exciting compared to what our kids are used to and today was absolutely no exception. Enjoy the short video clips of Samuel whizzing by on the zipline!

Samuel and His Lil Sis

These photos of Samuel and Grace were taken at a Tierpark in nearby Leimen this morning. They are all pretty similar but I can't decide which one I like best. I think they are all uniquely cute in their own way so I'm posting them all. :) I love Grace's expressions in all of them as Samuel smooshes her in his embrace!

Samuel is always trying to help Gracie Jo stand or walk or move away from his toys... so here he is in action with his little sister who he truly adores.