Annie Starts Kindergarten!

The excitement at our house over the past three months has been palpable; of course, growing throughout the summer as we approached the final countdown for kindergarten. Last night, there were squeals--girly, loud, giggly squeals--from Annie when I told her it was time to pack her lunch for kindergarten. Our house seems extremely quiet today, and Siri and I have had some nice playtime (okay, potty training, joy of all joys) together, wondering how Annie's day has been going. Siri picked out flowers and we baked a pie to celebrate with Annie tonight...

Here are just a few photos from this morning:

Our kindergartener at breakfast

Ready of the day, with her schultüte (or kinder cone - a German tradition--all the kindergartners brought theirs with them to school today, they'll open them when they get home -- filled with school supplies and candy...)

Arriving at school

Decorating her name tag


And then, we left. I think Eric shed a few tears. I was actually more emotional all last week, anticipating the day. Annie didn't seem to bat an eye at our departure.

Other favorite moments from this past week (I thought you'd never ask):

Siri: (patting her pillow), "Let's play sleep over. I'll sleep over here. You sleep over there."

Annie: (to Siri while the three of us cuddle on the bed, as we talk about all of our upcoming transitions) "You need to remember that you can't say you can't play. You need to let people play with you. That's a rule at preschool. That's what preschool is all about, learning to play together." 

The Count Down is On

It's hard to believe that summer days are almost gone...

We've tried to make the most of our last full week together before our little world changes.

I don't have pictures of our outings--somehow, when I'm on my own with them, a camera often seems like too much. This past week we went to the zoo and visited the Butterfly Garden for the first time. We saw one of our favorite bands, the Okee Dokee Brothers, play in a beautiful setting with some friends. The girls did story time with Papa at our library, had fun at the park with Beth, and a picnic with church families at Sea Salt. We've also tried to work in some down time at home; the girls have mostly filled this time with great play together--building forts, taking trips, roleplaying elaborate stories--a lot about fairies and wolves and taking care of babies, and dancing at weddings. It's not been all smooth sailing, but the girls have mostly had a wonderful time playing together, and I think that they (especially Siri) are going to miss each other once school starts.

Annie's Face Painting Station

Annie the Artist and Siri the Cat

 Today was Familienfest--An End-of-Summer Party at the Germanic American Institute, the sponsor of Annie's new school. It was a fun afternoon; the girls loved the bouncy house, lawn games, face painting, and food. We loved getting to experience a part of this new community we will be joining. 

The party ended with all the kids who were entering kindergarten running through a tunnel of the older kids--and meeting their new teachers at the other end. She has a camp this week--an introduction to German, and then we'll have Open House at the end of the week, and kindergarten starts next Monday. Wow.

Farewell, July! Hello, August!

At dinner tonight, we talked about how Annie starts kindergarten three weeks from tomorrow. It's crazy to think about how much that is going to change our lives, and amazing to think how much she has grown in these past five and a half years. Siri will start preschool just a few weeks later...We definitely will do our best to make the most of the end of summer! The last two weekends we had little trips with friends. 

First, to Lake Michigan, and then to Moose Lake...

Door County

We said farewell to July with our fourth annual trip to Door Country with some dear friends. 

The best part of it, of course, was having an extended time to connect with friends, and to watch the kids make their own connections.  We hiked, explored, mini-golfed, swam and played at the beach, shopped, ate delicious food, and generally had a wonderful time.

Siri, Kaj, Annie, and Leif are surprised!

off on an adventure

Jack, Kaj, Annie, Ella, Leif, and Siri making faces

Leif and Siri

Eric and Annie and Lake Michigan

Our adorable girl

Watching their toes disappear into the sand

Time for a rest

Another year, another castle: Kaj, Tom, Eric, and Annie

Ready for a water balloon fight

Look at the intensity on Brett's face. The kids didn't have  a chance...

The last balloon...

And, one last group photo...

Sea Salt and Bike Ride

Another great summer tradition--eating at one of our favorite local restaurants and then a bike ride around the park...

Annie and Kaj waiting for dinner

I'm not sure who's face I like more in this photo...

...on a bicycle built for...eight...

 Moose Lake State Park 

And, yet another wonderful summer tradition--a camping trip with good friends. Last year we headed south, this year, we headed north. We braved a night of incredible rain (and were happy that our tent's rain fly did indeed work) and winds, and came out smiling. We loved cooking meals over the campfire, roasting marshmallows, swimming and canoeing, and just playing around the campsite. The girls (one 5 year old, one 4 year old, and 3 year old) built an elaborate "Ant's Nest" and played countless games of tag, hide and seek, and fairy stories...It was a wonderful last trip for the summer...

Annie and Siri watching Daddy build a campfire...No, they're not excited...

 After a night of rain, what better thing to do in the morning then wipe down the car? Seriously, we didn't put them up to it, and all four girls would have been content to do this all morning...We had to stop them when they started licking the car to make sure it was extra clean.

Siri and Emmalin

Lilyana and Annie

Siri, Daddy, and Annie--ready to canoe

the girls wait patiently to get their

MARSHMALLOWS

The girls

Once Upon a Fairy Tale

Like most five year old girls I know, Miss Annie Eliza loves her fairy tales. She battles dragons, pricks her fingers on spinning wheels, goes to balls, and swims with mermaids on a regular basis. So, when her beloved dance teacher was instructing a week-long camp called "Once Upon a Fairy Tale," how could I resist?

Annie had a wonderful week. Besides just loving getting to go to dance class for five days in a row, she  got to delve into the world of fairy tales with her peers (Siri, while always willing, doesn't always exhibit the complexity that Annie wishes as they play.) On the final day, families were invited to attend a short program that the kids had put together. They combined various fairy tales (I loved that it was not Disney princesses, and that the kids were encouraged to use their imagination in exploring the fairy tales!), and Annie got to be a sheep in a spooky woods, Baby Bear -- who instead of scaring Goldilocks away, asked if she'd dance on the bed with her before flying off to Neverland, and she played a delightful Mrs. Potts, asking everyone to join in a dance with her.

Siri and I were very entertained, and I continue to be entertained by the shows that the girls are putting on in our living room. Their imagination is pretty incredible, and its so wonderful to watch!