New Routines

Annie started working at the bilingual Kindergarten in August.

During the summer, things were quite relaxed and 

Rana was able to stay with Annie for the first few weeks

since the school program didn't start until later.

We took lots of excurions with the group,

including to various parks and playgrounds, the zoo, 

and a museum. It provided both of us with a extra-long

transitional period, which we both quite enjoyed!

 

As we start to adjust to our new school-year routine

in our respective locations,

we both look back fondly at the last few weeks

and feel energized and ready to make our own ways. 

Rana is 6 Years & 3 Months Old!

Rana sure knows how to goof around with her little sister!

Rana's First Day of School!

Rana is officially a first grader!

Feeling mostly excited and a little nervous, 

she ventured over to the school for the festivities this morning

with her backpack and her obligatory "school bag," a cone full of 

school supplies and goodies that parents and grandparents 

present to first graders on their first day of school.

After a church service, a welcome speech, and a musical 

interlude performed by the 2nd graders,

Rana and her classmates were called up to the stage

and escorted to their classroom by their teachers. 

Then, after about an hour, the parents were invited

into the classroom to present the kids with their school bags.

What a festive way to start school!

The real work starts tomorrow.

Mira is 1 Year & 2 Months Old!

More beautiful photos taken by Hendrik.

An Afternoon with Joane & Hendrik

Thanks for coming to visit us again!

We love seeing you - and your baby bump!

Kids in the Park

Rana quite enjoyed an afternoon of fun for kids in the park, 

including train and tractor rides, face painting, gardening, 

and the opportunity to sit in a police car and ring the siren.

Nana & Grandpa in Königstein

We were thrilled that Annie's parents came to visit a few

weeks ago and we savored our time with them

in and around Königstein.

Mira is a goofball. Thankfully, she has been growing less timid with 

other people, so she interacted pretty well with Nana and Grandpa. 

Our little town celebrated it's Castle Festival while they were 

here, complete with a parade of nearly 50 different groups

all decked out in their Medieval costumes. It's great to experience 

first-hand how the community celebrates its history. 

Rana was especially taken by the newly crowned 

Princess Nora I as well the horse she "met" after the parade.

We spent a day at Europa Park and only got caught 

in the rain at the very end of the day.

Thanks for coming, Nana and Grandpa!

We miss you lots already!