Thank God Almighty, Benjamin was accepted to the JFK school AT LAST!!! Big thanks to everyone for their prayers, finger crossing (and pressing) and sending us positive and supportive thoughts during this process. We haven't had nary a snag in our whole move and relocation up until Benjamin not being accepted at our first choice school. Well, he was never not accepted he just wasn't officially accepted until today. When we started this journey we had read about the JFK school and were impressed that it was a public school yet it was special in that it was a German/American school set up in the 60's to try to foster relationships between the two countries. From everything we read it sounded like it was fairly easy to get accepted into the school if both parents had American passports. Which we do so we thought we were a shoe in. Apparently the school has a mandate that 40% of the student population MUST be American and you can imagine that it might be difficult to meet that quota in a foreign country. In the past apparently they have always had trouble filling the American spots while the waiting list for German students is a mile long. I don't know if there was a sudden increase in Americans coming to Berlin (Trump??) or if it never was as easy as they made it seem but this year seemed particularly difficult. As I've mentioned before I now know several double American parent families and none of their children were admitted. I will never understand their process for accepting. I don't know how much a 2nd grade student could possibly have on their academic record to make or break their being accepted.
But... now that we are here and both kids are accepted I guess I don't really care but I have to say I'm still bewildered by it all.
We got the acceptance email mid morning and then Marty, Benjamin and I danced around the house cheering. So SO happy. I told Benjamin he could choose anything he wanted to do for his "last" day of summer vacation. He chose the Zoo... AGAIN. This would be my 4th time to the zoo in less than a week. But, for his last day, who was I to refuse him. Plus we have an annual pass so it is basically free and riding the trains are so fun. I just assumed he would start school tomorrow (Tuesday) since he has already missed over a week of class I figured they'd get him in just as soon as possible.
Well, after I promised him the zoo I read further into the email where it states "if you accept this spot for your child their first day of school will be Tuesday, September 5th" What the Hell?!? Seriously, I'm not one to judge or get angry or question but I did all of those things. I have NO idea why he would have to wait another week. Why couldn't he just start tomorrow? No clue. They never tell you why. And now that he is in I guess I don't really care but again, completely and utterly perplexed by the whole thing. I always thought the Germans were quick and efficient. Well, they have been neither in this case. I have found that Germans do not like to be rushed. They do not rush to cross the street when the crosswalk light turns from green to red (we are the ONLY ones who pick up the pace when this happens and we get stared at for it) They do not rush to help you in a store, they do not rush to take your order in a restaurant. They are a cool and collected bunch and will not be rushed. But whatever. He is IN. Who am I to question.. you know I still do because WHY???
Shortly after getting the email Marty and I put together all of the paperwork they requested and make our way to the school. We want to secure our spot ASAP just so nothing can happen to it. The boys decide they are hungry so we head to lunch after. There is some special if you buy a couple pieces of pizza you get a free ice cream cone. Well, we are celebrating are we not??
Then Benjamin and I head to the zoo because I promised when I thought it was his last day of summer. Now that he has another 4 I'm hoping only ONE of those is spent at the zoo. I like it there but come on. How much time can one actually spend at this zoo. Every time we go, though, we discover something new and neither of us are bored by it yet. Amazing actually. Today we see the Pandas.
So SO cute. Every other time we have been there the line is so long we never wanted to wait but today there is no line at all. I guess if you go often enough (did I mention this is our 4th time in less than a week - yep, I thought I did) that you eventually stumble upon a time that no one else wants to see the pandas. I was also impressed by these signs as I've been feeling guilty supporting a zoo because I do believe all animals should be free...
When we get back we pull Josie's leg by pretending Benjamin was rejected from JFK just long enough before we spill with the good news. YAY!! She was so excited for him.
After dinner we finally fulfill one of our promises to the kids.
Before we left Seattle we told them that after the first day of school we would get one of the crazy ice cream concoctions. And they are crazy and they are everywhere and up until now we have only ever bought a single ice cream scoop in a cone. Well, today was the day. We figured being accepted was just as big of a deal as the first day plus Josie has already gone a full week and a day (but who is counting)
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| Spaghetti Eis that looks so much like real spaghetti- vanilla ice cream pushed out like playdoh, topped with strawberry sauce and finely grated peanuts. This one is for you, Chris Kitchener!! |
So we head to our favorite local eis cafe and we are all so excited. It's like Farrell's from my childhood minus all the loud 1920s music and theme. But the sundae selections were as good if not better. We all order not having any idea how incredibly large they would be.
They were each around 5 Euro which is just one dollar more than one scoop of Husky Deli ice cream in a cake cone. So when they were brought to our table our eyes lit up and we were both excited and terrified by the sight. Fear not. We are pigs.
Every last one of us. I don't think we will be eating ice cream again for a very long time. But... YUM!! And YAY!! We are so very happy, relieved and PROUD of both kids. Josie has been LOVING her new school. She has made friends, she is doing well in her classes and she is enthusiastic about going each day and is in a great mood when she returns home. And to quote Oma, "Benjamin has been a patient hero through it all."
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