Successful First and Second Days

The back to school fairy visited... Josie was too
cool for a pic though. 

I always feel like the first day of school is not the hard part.  Sure, there is the whiplash of going from a long, leisurely summer smack into a hard, fast schedule timed by a bell (or in JFK's case a light) but the first day there is a lot of excitement and adrenaline.  It's the second day that is more telling in my opinion. 
Thankfully, both kids gave their new school year two thumbs up on day one and on day two. 
Benjamin, even though he didn't have any of his good buddies in his homeroom class, said he saw most of his friends at lunch, recess and Partner Tongue (German) class.  He didn't seem phased one bit by not being with his good friends and walked out of school both days with an enormous smile and when asked how his day was on both days he replied with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic "It was Awesome!!"  He rarely seems this happy at any other point in the day or his life.  He walks out of school (last year and so far this year) so incredibly happy.  Which, of course, makes us so happy as well.  Last year Benjamin's school day was over at 1:05.  A couple of days a week he had after school activities but on the days he didn't Marty (and sometimes if I wasn't in class, me too) would meet him and bring him home.  This year his school day ends at 2:10 which cuts it a bit close for Marty to pick up and then race home for his radio show.  On the first day, though, Marty really

wanted to be there to see Benjamin come out.  Marty said he wasn't going to make a habit of it as it really is a race to get back but on the ride to school on day 2, Benjamin said "thanks so much for picking me up yesterday.  Can you do it again today?"  Marty being the softy agreed, much to Benjamin's pleasure.  It really is one of the best parts of the day seeing him run to us with his huge, happy smile exclaiming how great his school day was. 

Josie is off to a good start as well.  On the first day she was pretty upset that her favorite art teacher had returned to the states.  She hasn't met the new art teacher yet but she really liked the old one.  She was also upset that she won't get as much library time as last year and there was one more change that I can't remember that she was upset about.  She had a couple of tears (emotional outburst about something- #HORMONES!!) but within minutes was fine and happy again.  She is with all of her same friends and her same teacher so not much has changed for her.  Her number 1 complaint about school here is that it is too easy, particularly in math.  It seems we have a plan in place already for this year to help push her ahead and keep her challenged.  I'm really really hoping this works out. 
Yesterday Benjamin needed help writing out his class schedule in his homework folder.  Josie to the rescue.  She loves helping him do stuff like this.  They fight an awful lot but seeing them laugh and talk about their school day and enjoy each other like this - even if it is just a short time - makes my heart burst!
Here is to a GREAT year two at JFKS in Berlin!
Marty and I are adapting to our empty nest during the day.  Yesterday we went on a 7 mile (40ish minutes) each way bike ride to a cool, authentic Greek restaurant near the middle of Berlin.  It shouldn't be but still is shocking to ride this far in a bustling, large European capital city and be on a fabulous bike path the entire time.  Today, the temps are supposed to be mid to upper 80's so I think we are headed to the lake once we get our work done here.  Not missing the kids as much now as I did on day one...