Payphones

While Rana has mastered how to use our smartphones with ease, 

she still loves to stop and "use" old school payphones whenever possible. 

Learning to ride a bike!

Rana was so excited to get out and try out her new bike

 that she convinced Baba to take her out between rain showers. 

Father's Day and Mother's Day 2013

Thanks to the Kindergarten, Rana was well-prepared for 

Father's Day on Thursday and Mother's Day today.  

Rana is 4 Years & 11 Months Old!

Miss Rana is growing up so fast!

Posing proudly with jumbo world puzzle from Amu Tayeb.

Rana is flourishing in so many ways.  After an adjustment period this winter, she now feels quite comfortable at Kindergarten and has a few good friends with whom she plays regularly outside of the Kindergarten, too.  Her German has taken off again as a result, though English is still her strongest language.  She loves her gym class and is becoming more and more coordinated and daring, climbing on things everywhere she goes.  

We recently registered her for first grade at the local elementary school.  Needless to say, we were quite surprised when we discovered that it was already time to do so since she won't start until September, 2014!  Rana very confidently walked right into the principal's office and carried herself well during the little developmental and language assessment.  What a pleasure it is to watch our little girl grow up!

A Visit with Amu Tayeb!

Najeeb and Rana had a great time traipsing through 

Frankfurt when Tayeb came to visit this weekend.  

Thanks for coming to see us again, Amu Tayeb!

Joane & Hendrik's Visit

We had a good time catching up and showing

them around our new stomping grounds.

Rana loved the street chalk they gave her and happily 

sketched a few masterpieces in the park with Hendrik.

Joane showed Rana how to play hopscotch.

And they chatted on the playground "telephone." 

Thanks for coming, Joane and Hendrik.

It was great to see you!

Najeeb's Quick Jaunts to Paris and London

Najeeb traveled to Paris and London on business recently.

He had never been to either city and managed to find 

some time between meetings to do a little sightseeing. 

In Paris, a rainy stroll along the Seine River to the 

Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and Arc de Triomphe

In London, a walk to Westminster Abby, 

the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben,

St. Paul's Cathedral,

and along the Thames to London Tower and Tower Bridge

Impressive!