Pandemonium

I was looking forward to a calm and orderly week. Unfortunately this week was not going to be one them.

On Monday, Adeline's last guitar lesson was held. The students did a little performance at the end of their lesson. It was a nice way to end her guitar lessons. However, Emmie also wanted to watch, so quickly after the show, we raced over to Emmie's dance class, so she could participate one last time in her class before the three week break.

Tuesday, we finished cleaning the apartment as my parents were arriving early Thursday morning for a visit. The weather has been sunny and warm, so it has been great for cleaning, aside from dusting as we have a major house building project at the end of the block that is stirring up tons of dirt as they excavate and the construction trucks are constantly driving up and down our street.

Wednesday morning, I should have known when I dropped off Emmie in her play clothes at 8:15am after a 10 minute conversation at home convincing her she could wear her pretty dress on Thursday for pictures and confirmed with her teachers the class pictures were tomorrow morning, something would change. 8:50am I receive a phone call from Karolin that individual pictures were being taken right then. I raced back to the kindergarten with Emmie's dress and shoes for the pictures. Upon arrival, I voiced my anger and frustration to the director and teacher as the kids' photographs were being taken in the school yard and then quickly changed Emmie into her picture outfit and sent her back out to the photographer. The photographer voiced his opinion that he had already photographed Emmie and the director told him to do it again. A second sitting was done and the director and teachers apologized to me for the miscommunication.

It was now 10am, so I quickly ran home to gather my school supplies for German class. I made it in time for class. I was catching my breath as the teacher announced a pop quiz at the end of class.  I knew after the stressful morning, this test was not a priority in my mind as I was already behind with getting things ready for my parents arrival in less than 24 hours. I filled in all of the blanks for the exam, but am not confident I will be receiving a smiley face on this one.

A quick walk through the market before heading home and starting lunch. After a fast lunch with Adeline and then picking up Emmie from her having lunch at school, the girls are dressed and ready for their pictures together. We walk back to Emmie's school for our appointment. The photographer does two poses and snaps his camera a total of six times. We are done in under ten minutes. Adeline questions why we are done so soon as she is used to a 45 minute session at JCPennys.  

On our way home, Adeline sees her friend, Rebecca, who is going to the after school activity. The girls would like to participate, so we are now going to Adeline's school as we walked home a different route from Emmie's school which is the reason we did not pass by Adeline's school to see the program. 

The girls are having fun playing with the toys and their friends. Adeline does not want me to leave as she does not want to watch out for Emmie, but Emmie says I can leave and waves goodbye, so I leave them for a little while so I can do some last minute stuff at home. When I return, Adeline's school director asks me if I plan on attending tonight's parents meeting. Initially I was not going to, but since she personally inquired, I now felt obligated. The girls had a good time playing on the different toys and making crafts in the warm autumn sun. Upon returning home, a quick meal is thrown together and the girls entertain the Wendels while I attend the school meeting.

I learn a few new long German words and have a better understanding of the criteria they use when determining if a child is ready to start school if they are under the required age here as a parent can request to send their children before the required age. We did not receive any formal information last year when Adeline started school even though she was younger when we enrolled her in the school. At 9pm, I pick the girls up from the Wendels and I make my last trip home from the school for the day. I have made seven round trips between the two schools in one day and I am just happy it was a warm and sunny day.

Thursday morning is Adeline's late school start time of 8:45am and my parents are arriving around 8am. I manage to get Emmie ready for her class picture and get them over to my neighbor, Karolin's at 8am. Fortunately I am not in rush hour traffic, find a good parking spot quickly, and make it to the waiting area, just as my Dad and Denise are exiting the baggage area after their long flight.

We are looking forward to spending time with them and having fun with the activities we have planned to show them the joy of living abroad these next few weeks.