Slowly Slidding into September

It is strange to think that this is our THIRD September here in Berlin.  How can that be when our plan was to just come for one year.  It is crazy and cool all at the same time. 

WAY too many good times in Seattle to
add all the photos.  We were FULL with friends
family and food.  25 pounds of fresh raspberries
picked and eaten. YUMMM

I'm obviously not catching up on the past 2.5 months.  I keep thinking that I should and then I feel overwhelmed by all that I would have to say about our fabulous July, August and early half of September that I know I just need to start with today.  Friday, September 13th.

The kids are nearly a full month into their 4th and 7th grade years.  By all accounts they are thriving and enjoying it here.  We still have a bit of push back from Josie missing Seattle and her friends.  I get it!! We do too and we do for her, especially.  When you are in your 50's you know your friendships that are built to last and know that it can withstand a few, a bunch, who knows how many years abroad.  But when you are 12 a year is a long time to be reunited with your awesome friends.
Benjamin went to a week long sleep away survival camp for his second week of school.  Marty and I were both a bit anxious.  He is normally pretty much a home body and hasn't ever slept away from us for more than a couple of nights and

that has always been with A
unt Liz and Uncle Ed who he LOVES.  So being a camp with a group of kids and teachers was going to be very different.  Not to worry, he had a great time and barely even missed us!!  He was so dirty and stinky when he arrived back on Friday but very happy and tired.  They did a lot of wilderness training and using a carving knife (Carving knife was on the packing list... along with a pack of band aids 😁) He did great and we were all proud that he did it and had a good time.

Josie attends FU (Frei Universitat) once per week
Hilarious that the initials are FU....

Josie had a bit of a rough start to 7th grade.  She was assigned into the German track (half of the 7th graders have the majority of their classes taught in English and the

other half have the majority of their classes taught in German) She had tested into the group that could be put in either group but we didn't think she would actually be put in the German side. We have only been here for 2 years and typically it take 3 to 5 years to acquire academic language.  Conversational language is so much easier.  So her first day she came home filled with tears and was completely overwhelmed.  Her Ethics, Geography, Biology, Social Studies, Sport and German Language classes would all be taught

Nightly walks, rolls, scoots with Mogli

exclusively in German.  I totally understand.  I would not feel comfortable taking any of these classes in Spanish and I taught the language.   But much to her credit, by day two she was just going with the flow and seemed to feel she could handle it... or at least was not freaking out about it.  Very proud of her.  She continues to excel in school and does it like it is no big deal. She also tested into a special math program for 7th graders.  Just a few made it into the program where she goes once a week to a local university and has a 2 hour math class.

We are over our heads with our old (new to us) house remodel.  It is constant and yet nothing has been finished yet.  We have several spaces that feel relatively normal and untouched by the

construction but nothing feels normal in the sense that there are still boxes and dust and out every door there are workers from 7am until 4:30 every day.  Step by step we will get there... I hope.