First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. The outfits were carefully selected along with the hairdos. With excitement and first day jitters, we walked to school a few minutes early. In the school yard, the girls met their friends and waited for the bell. When the bell rang, they returned to the same classroom as last year, except the door signs stated 4a and 2b, respectively.

Adeline's teacher rearranged the room, so there was a little chaos, but they managed to find a seat by their friends. Frau Kühner welcomed them back and then they greeted her by each presenting a flower to her.

In Emmie's class, the children all returned to their desks from last year before Frau Brosch welcomed them. She then told them they could change seats if they wanted. Emmie now sits at the very front of the class as she was kind and moved over one seat so two boys could sit together.

Throughout the morning, both classes rehearsed for their performances tomorrow morning which will welcome the new first classes to school. 

The girls were full of smiles when school was over with. Maybe it was because all of their homework was really for me in filling out papers and looking through the newly issued books.

Under the Big Top

It has been an exciting three days with Zirkus Krawalli! 

Friday morning, the school performed for the local kindergarten school. Melanie and Marie also attended this performance and were able to sit in the front row. I arrived early to get pictures during the break of Emmie with the white pony and the director invited me to stay for the remaining portion.

During lunch, Emmie nonchalantly informed me she would like to work in the circus when she gets older. She does not have to work with the animals again and if there are too many clowns, she stated she could be on the trapeze or an acrobat.

All of the excitement caught up with the girls as they both took naps between the shows.

In the early evening, I attended the show to film the girls performances. I could tell the children were a little tired from this experience as they were not as energized and focused during their acts. 

Unfortunately, Adeline's group dropped their rings a few times when they were tossing them back and forth. Adeline told me at the break it was because the parents clapped and they lost their concentration. Adeline snacked on cotton candy and a slushy during the break. 

Emmie had another great performance. At the end, she was sad because she heard the parents laughing when she flew into the air. Once I told her it was a fun laugh due to what the pony did to make her fly and not at her, she felt better. It was  still another good performance for the full house. Afterwards, Emmie enjoyed her circus treat of cotton candy and a slushy.

Saturday morning was the final performance. There was much excitement in our house and we were out the door early so we could get good seats.  Adeline was perfect in her solo performances with hula hooping, juggling, and with her partner in tossing the rings. She had a huge smile as she walked off the main floor area. 

During the break, we learned Emmie brushed the pony and cared for the pony before each of act. Adeline held a huge snake this time that was in one of the circus acts. She stated it was just about little lighter than Emmie and surprised it was not slimy.

It was Emmie's turn for her performance. I think she may have flown the highest in this performance. She was all smiles when she was done tetter -tottering with the pony and did her curtsy. 

The entire performance was flawless. The excitement and energy for the final gathering of the children in the main area was overflowing as was the applause from the audience. When the show was over with, we enjoyed champagne and cake as the tent was taken down.

 We are all sad the circus project week has come to an end, but the experience and memories will be unforgettable.

Circus of the Stars

With the early evening Premiere show of Zirkus Krawalli, the afternoon could not go fast enough for Adeline and Emmie. After hair-dos and make-up, the girls were off and running to school to finish getting ready for the big performance.

Adeline informed me where Melanie, her boys, and I should sit in the tent to get the best possible viewing of her and Emmie. We were able to get these seats and we waited for the show to begin. 

The music started and the children started entering the tent. Adeline's group was the third group to enter and she walked right by us with a huge smile. Emmie's group sat on the opposite side of us, but once she sat down, she spotted us across the ring.

The excitement was tremendous and positive energy was already over flowing for this performance and it had not even started yet. However, once the ringmaster appeared, one could hear a pin drop.

After the black light show and pirate act, Adeline's group was up. She first did hula hooping for quite some time. Then she exchanged rings among a foursome which required lots of concentration. Her final act was juggling two rings alone. Afterwards she took a huge bow with her group and ran along the ring waving good-bye.

There was one more act and then a fifteen minute break. The girls joined us for a hotdog snack and a few pictures as this was the first time I got to fully see them in costume.

Emmie's act followed the break. She walked with her group into the main stage area and gave in an initial bow with the other children who also worked with the ponies. She then returned to the back part to hold a goat while the goats and ponies did some acts together. When it was her turn, she walked to the teeter-totter.The white pony lowered it for her to get on. Once on, the pony stepped backwards and popped her in the air. Her and the pony went back and forth like this a few times. 

She stayed poised and focused throughout her act and the audience laughed and cheered as I do not think they were expecting her to be popped up as she was. When it was over, she curtsied to the crowd and returned to her spot near the goats. When the act was over with, she took a bow with her group and waved good-bye to the audience as they departed.

Incorporating the entire school body into this performance and having everyone participate was well choreographed. Some of the other acts were on a trapeze, using fire, involving acrobatic moves, and of course a few clown acts. I give Adeline's teacher tons of credit as she helped nine children along with the trainer carry a huge snake out into the ring.

The two hour show was fantastic and amazing. It was such a fun and joyful environment. I  am very proud of Adeline and Emmie on their excellent performances tonight. I am very grateful and thankful they have been given the opportunity to participate in Zirkus Krawalli. 

Zirkus Krawalli

The Steinberg school is participating in a week long circus project. The tent went up on Sunday morning in the open field next to the school.  Two miniature ponies are roped off in the  field area  next to the tent and can be seen on our walk to school. It is simply amazing that a circus is in the middle of a neighborhood.  I am thankful that the neighbors and city government gave permission for it to occur so this wonderful experience could take place here in Hofheim. 

For me, this is going to be a juggling act as the school days this week have been shortened to two hours and 45 minutes as they have to allow for the performance times at the end of the week. There are four scheduled performances which begin on Thursday evening and end on Saturday morning.

Monday morning, the children gathered in the tent and the circus performers did a short performance to show the kids what they will be doing this week in their respective groups. The children will spend Monday thru Thursday mornings practicing their act. They  were given a cd of the circus songs as a gift from the circus team. 

Adeline will be performing a few acts in her group. She will be hula-hooping, juggling, and exchanging rings with a partner. 

Emmie is in the pet group.  She learned she is doing an act with the white miniature pony.

On Tuesday morning, everyone began practicing their act. The girls are super excited about this and are trying not to share what they are learning as they want it to be a surprise for us. Adeline is practicing in the school's music room and Emmie is in the tent. Emmie has shared with us she is teeter- tottering with the pony and goats are also present. 

Wednesday they tried on their costumes and are feeling more confident with their acts. In addition, I can hear them humming the theme song or play the songs in their room when the door is closed.

Thursday morning, we received news that the circus project was in the local paper. I purchased it for the girls to have as a keepsake. Upon arriving home, they pointed out that Emmie was in the picture on the front page telling where the entire story could be found later in the paper.

This evening is the Premiere and we are super excited for Adeline and Emmie's debut in Zirkus Krawalli.

1st Klasse

Today is Emmie's  first day of school. She is very excited when she wakes up and quickly gets ready.

Our morning started in the Johannesgemeinde Lutheran church. We are able to sit with our neighbors and one of Emmie's kindergarten friends. The church's kindergarten class sang a song to start the service. After a couple of songs, a few school children did a skit about being kind to others and leaving no one out as they were dressed in various colors and the one in black was always left out. The service also included a message from the pastor and a nice prayer for the children, parents, and teachers. 

We then headed back to the school and into the gymnasium for a special program.  Emmie found a seat on the benches near her friends with her backpack . This is her seat for the ceremony that is going to be put on by the current students. 

We watched and listened to the various songs sung by the choir which Adeline is in and an elephant skit put on by the  2nd class illustrating how the children should include everyone when they are together.  

The faculty then calls each child up in the first class to come to the front and meet their teacher. They announced the other first class first. Emmie waited patiently until they get to her class. She is full of smiles and is waiting anxiously for her name to be called. When her name is called, she bounces off of the bench and happily walks to the front to meet her teacher, Frau Brosch. After they have called all 22 children up to the front, the kids form a line and follow Frau Brosch out the gymnasium door and to their classroom which is in the school next door. (Here is where the tears start for me.) We are then invited to the school's yard for coffee and cake, but Eric has to get to work, so I take him to the train station.

Emmie's class is dismissed 45 minutes later, so Emmie shows  me her classroom and where she sits, along with her nametag. She does point out that is states Emmeline and not Emmie, but she already informed the teacher she can call her Emmie. She tells me her class pet is the ladybug named Mia. She is thrilled her schultüte matches with her class pet. ( I was happy too as I did not plan for it to match, it was just coincidence.) She knows a few boys in the class and our neighbor.

Upon returning home, Emmie is anxious to open her schultüte. She is delighted in the variety of treats, school supplies, and other items that are contained within.  

Our celebration lunch menu of hotdogs and mac-n-cheese was selected by Emmie for this special day.

Emmie's first homework assignment is drawing what she received in her schultüte.  She sits down and starts drawing out her jewelry, bubbles, and candy along with the ladybug decorations.

Klasse 3a

Adeline had jitters for her first day of school, so getting up and ready was no problem as she was already awake.

Emmie and I walked Adeline to school. We went with her to her classroom. The kids sat in their seats from last year and waited for their teacher, Frau Kühner, to arrive. After greetings and singing, each student presented a flower to her because her birthday was over the summer break. Her teacher asked Adeline if she remembered her German. 

Emmie and I returned home to enjoy our last morning together before she started school.

We returned to pick up Adeline a few hours later. Adeline reported there was a new boy and girl in class, so now they are a class of 24 as a few students did not return from last year.  She was happy because no homework was assigned at the end of the day.

Luckily, Adeline did not forget her German, so the first day was super duper exciting!

VBS Joseph's Journey

ICF's VBS Egypt: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace has helped us adjust our internal time clocks this week. The church has been transformed into Egypt with camels, pyramids, mummies, and palm trees all around. The staff has done a great job of dressing up like Egyptians.

Emmie is in the camel's group and Adeline is in the brick group. I am leading the camel group for their bible story time and associated learning craft. 

The girl's are enjoying every aspect of camp: crafts, songs, bible stories, learning about mission projects, and snacks too. During games, Emmie's group had a fun time when they wrapped me up like a mummy using toilet paper. Adeline's favorite part has been singing the songs with motions.

Unfortunately, it has been raining and cool this week, so this has been a great reason for us to get going in the morning and out of the house. However, in the afternoon, we have been moving slowly and watching the Olympics on the tv or computer. 

Friday evening, we attended the family potluck and then a small presentation about the week's activities. The children did an excellent job reviewing the week's storyline along with it's meaning and singing the songs while performing the motions that accompany the songs.

Not our Grandpa's Car

Our new vehicle was finished being built over the summer in the US and arrived here before our return. Eric finally got to pick up our new set of wheels today after delaying it for a few weeks.

The dealer gave him a quick tour on the features and then told Eric to keep it slow for the first 1000 km. When Eric asked how slow, he said under 100 mph to break in the axles.

The X3 has a 3 liter diesel 6 cylinder engine. It is quick and peppy, so we will be able to keep up with the autobahn traffic. It also has the start-stop system, which is a neat feature but is going to take some time getting used to it.

Eric did make a compromise as he did not get the heads-up display he really wanted, instead us girls got the panorama roof to enjoy during the warm and sunny days. However, we will have to convince the girls we do not want it open while on the autobahn.

Fortunately, it has parking sensors for my sake as I am still unsure how I am going to navigate this "bus" around town and in the parking structures, let alone backing it into the garage.

When speaking about our new vehicle at work, Eric learned most Germans who buy the SUV are older  because it is easier for ergonomic reasons and the families/ younger crowd drive station wagons. Oh well, we like it and it fits our tall family the best after trying out many vehicles.  I guess we are not so hip in our vehicle choice here.

Our first family drive was through the Taunus Hills with the roof open on our way to the VBS evening program at church.

Bandit update

It is an adjustment to our routine with Bandit. It is sad we cannot take him with us when we are out and about, so we are quickly doing what needs to be done so we are not away too long. He is doing great with leaving his surgery area alone while we are home. However, when we are away, I have to cover it so he does not open the open wound. 

On Sunday while we were at church and then on Monday while we were at camp, he removed the taped sock I had on his leg. From Tuesday onwards, he now has to wear the big white collar. I have learned how to get him into his cage with the "lampshade" on. 

He insists on going in his cage when we leave. At first, he constantly butted the cage head first to get in as the white collar would not fit in. Now he has learned to stand by it  and will let me back him into the cage. It is probably funny to watch me maneuver him backwards into it and adjust the white collar, but he does not fight me. He then sits in his cage and waits for his treat as we trained him. It appears that is where he wants to be since that is his routine when we leave. When we come home, he waits for us to adjust the white collar, so he can get out of the cage.

Leaving him in the morning seems to be good for him to rest because when we are home, he is constantly up and about  to be near us.

I have also learned that with a little dog and little exercise, they gain weight quickly. I have adjusted his feeding amounts to a smaller quantity too as he was beginning to look like a little polar bear.

Arriving back on this side of the pond

The overnight flight back was uneventful and peaceful. However, I have realized there is not as much room to stretch out across the three seats now that the girls are getting bigger.  We arrived safely back to Germany and with three large suitcases, three carry-ons, plus the girls' backpacks. Eric greeted us at the airport to help carry it. We managed to fit us and the luggage into the Audi although some of the small bags were on our laps for the short drive home.

Arriving home, we were greeted by a very happy puppy as Eric picked him up on Friday. We did our best to keep Bandit calm and not get too excited since his leg was still in healing mode. The girls were a little hesitant about interacting with him as we informed them about his accident before returning. They were very glad to see him and sat with him on the floor, giving him tons of affection. 

We made a trip to the vet to catch her up to speed on his current status. When Eric showed her the paperwork and she was reading it, she was amazed we were able to get the best surgeon in Germany to handle this. Eric joked that with the cost of it, it should be a good surgeon. On the positive note, she did say for the location of Bandit's break, we were very lucky to have been able to have him install the plate and six screws as he was highly skilled in this area.

After taking off his bandage and reviewing the area that had been operated on, she  informed us to keep the bandage off so the area could heal better. We had to chuckle because with his hair shaved, his leg is skinny like a chickens. I was given instructions on how to handle him so he slowly can regain his strength in his leg.

This was going to be challenging because for the next month, he had to be carried up and down our stairs to go outside and he was only to walk about a block or two to build up his strength again. Fortunately, our little garden was perfect to allow him to get fresh air on his own, but we would have to make sure he did not attempt any quick speed trips around it if he got a sudden burst of energy.

For the remainder of the weekend, we unpacked and watched some Olympics from the German point of view as the weather was rainy. We put Bandit's new collar on him and gave him a new toy to keep him occupied as we settled in.

One last visit

Our nephew, Carlton Herman Kammer 4,  was born the morning we were flying back to Germany. We were able to make a quick stop at the hospital on our way to the airport to meet him and congratulate the parents. Adeline was amazed to be holding a baby that was only a few hours. We wish Katie, Carl, and big sister, Hannah much love, laughter, and happiness with their new family member.

Family Time

From the simple things of sewing and gardening to an outing or gathering, everything we did was fun because it was with family. 

All of the little moments we spent with the family have made for many precious memories of our summer 2012. Thank you to everyone for a wonderful summer!

Green Lake

Our Michigan summer vacation would not be complete without a trip to Green Lake. The girls were really excited about spending time at "Gammy's Beach". 

At first they were a little sad because our cousins, Trevor and Kyle (aka activity directors),  were not there, but luckily their dad was there to take over the position. Driving the pontoon, jet ski, and golf cart and then playing in the water, they wore themselves out having so much fun.  The time went too fast, but we are happy we made the trip.

Adeline's Baptism

Sunday morning, Adeline was baptized by Pastor Pat at Woodside Bible Church. She read her testimony she composed before family and the congregation. She then answered the Pastor's questions acknowledging she believes in God before being immersed in the water. 

We are very proud of her in taking this next step in her journey with faith, her relationship with God, and living her life as a Christian.

Pretty Piggies

With Baby Kammer due any day, we picked an easy outing of getting pedicures for us girls to do. This was the first time for Adeline and Emmie to have their toes polished at the salon.

Their excitement of the outing could be felt throughout the salon. They managed to pick out one color after carefully looking at both walls of nail polish. Ruth, Katie, and I sat across the aisle from the girls. They gave us a step by step account of what was going on during their pedicure to keep us updated of what was happening. Emmie enjoyed the massaging chair as well. Katie, Ruth, and I had all picked out the same shade of pink and did not realize it till after.

We all had a good time at the salon being pampered. The girls are looking forward to their next visit.

Hands On

The Hannon family went on an outing to the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum. It was a great activity to escape the intense summer heat.

The museum had different areas for all ages, so everybody had fun learning while participating. A favorite activity was the laser harp and the life size bubble maker.  I am not sure who had more fun, the grandparents or the grandchildren. 

Afterwards, we dined at a German restaurant nearby. Adeline was happy to order schnitzel, but she thought her portion was way to small. Eric's parents liked us translating the numerous signs and pictures that were hanging up. It was a fun day.

Time goes so quickly

It never seems as if we have enough time to visit with our friends. We appreciate everyone penciling us in during their summer schedules. We had wonderful times catching up with every family. Meeting new family members and just being together are the moments we cherish. It was awesome to see the children play together as if they have not missed a beat.

We appreciate everyone's time and effort put forth for a memorable summer of BBQs and picnics. Our family is blessed with your family's friendship. Thank you very much!

Training?

While we have been in the US, Eric has been in a few training sessions for work.

The first week he spent in Kitzbühel. It is a small medieval town in Tyrol, Austria nestled in the Alps. He claimed his morning runs were strenuous around the mountains.

The second week Eric felt as if he had been transported to the world of Harry Potter. He stayed on the  University of Cambridge campus at the King's College in England. He had the opportunity to see much of the campus and visit downtown Cambridge. They also took them punting, which is a boat ride on a flat-bottom boat being propelled by a long pole.

Poor Puppy

We received unfortunate news from Germany about Bandit. He was quickly going up the stairs after a rainy evening walk and fell. The worse part is he broke both bones in his front right leg just above his wrist. Our caretaker is also a veterinary assistant, so with the help of her boss, she was able to get an x-ray to see the damage and get him admitted into the animal hospital for surgery the next day. A plate with six screws was embedded to ensure his leg heals properly.

We are very grateful for our caretaker who has taken extreme measures to ensure he is well cared for. She has been very attentive to his care and well being during this process.

We can only pray it heals correctly and he is not in much pain as it heals. It will be an adjustment for us when we return to Germany and pick him up in a few weeks.

Lost Lake Fun

We had another great summer week at Lost Lake. Even though the temperatures were soaring at the beginning of the week, we had plenty of activities to keep us cool and entertained.

Gams and Poppa bringing two dozen large donuts when they came to visit was a surprise as we told  them a half dozen would be enough.  The box was so heavy, Adeline could not carry it. We did not complain about the abundance of tasty treats. We altered our menu plan a few times to enjoy the yummy donuts.

On Saturday, the 4th of July parade, game tent, and pony rides brought many smiles and lots of excitement. The fireworks were once again spectacular.

On the last day, we went to a quaint sandy beach on Lake Huron. The water was surprisingly warm. The girls had fun digging a deep hole and playing in the waves.  The lake was sandy and shallow where we were at, so they could walk out a long way. It was the perfect afternoon to end our vacation up north.