Deutsche Schule

Since the kids' German language input has gone down or rather stopped completely since we don't have a German pair any longer, we decided to enroll them in the Eastside German Language School with classes every Saturday morning for a few hours.  We knew Josie would love it.  She tends to love anything new and academic.  But over the summer Marty and I had often discussed how we might have to try to get part of our money back because we were doubtful that the mix of Benjamin plus a new school experience plus everything being entirely in German would have any chance at being successful.  These photos were taken back at the beginning near the end of September.  He didn't really like it there.  He didn't really like his teacher and he didn't really appreciate everything being in German.

But fortunately one of Josie's best friend's little sister, Ansley, was in his class.  Ansley is so much like Josie that he feels quite comfortable when she is around   Here the two of them are staring each other down just like he would with Josie.

During the class they all go and use the bathroom which is where Josie came by to check on her little brother.. Below she is waving at him through his class window.

And although Josie doesn't like her picture being taken she has loved German school and looks forward to it each Saturday.  Not only does she like the school but it is a fun way to see Bryn each week.  They used to spend nearly every day together and now since they are in different schools it makes it harder to connect.  Thankfully, this year they get to see each other each Saturday.

Josie, the no photographs please, girl.

Even back in September Benjamin really liked the arts and crafts portion of the class.

Here he is walking out to the playground for recess time.

Now it is the middle of December and we are finally able to leave him without a melt down and he is even enjoying himself.  Everything in time I suppose.

Podcast and Video Work

Marty's video and podcast work took him to several interesting (and not so interesting) places in the Fall.  For several days he did some video work in Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks, Washington.  Below is the restaurant that was featured in the Twilight book series.

Beautiful Sequim, Wasghington

He continues to do UW Medicine podcasts and he recently did a show that featured the new UW sports facility.  Below, Marty and Mary before an interview.   UW Medicine Pulse Podcasts can be heard here: http://www.uwmedicinepulse.com/

SEVEN

I know I say it every year but I honestly can't believe she is SEVEN!!  September 29, 2013 Josie tuned 7.  She gained a year and lost her first top tooth all in the same day.  She continues to amaze us with her maturity in so many things.  She is such a great big sister to her brother and an incredible friend to her friends.  It is so fun to watch her grow and develop into a very sweet, caring and still very strong willed and determined young girl.  The world is her oyster.  She can and will do anything she sets her mind to.  Love you to pieces, Josie Marie!!

This year Josie wanted a "horse themed" party.  This took a bit more effort on my part but in the end it all came together.  Like at her carnival party she had a few very specific requests.  She wanted fruit kabobs, a horse on her cake and some horsey type games and crafts.  Here is what we came up with.  

I borrowed some small cowboy boots and a plastic horse from my friend Marjie and used the website: www.partypinching.com to make the cute horse cookies and a few youtube tutorials and several test runs with playdough to make the horse fondant topper. 

For the horse crafts we printed out cowboy boots and glued them to bags so the kids could color the boot and then have a goody bag to fill and then take home.

Having fun coloring

Benjamin even got in on the coloring action

Friends

We also had small wooden horse shoes for them to decorate with pens or sparkly gem stickers

Concentrarting

Showing off his artwork

In the dining room we had large, plain bandanas and the girls used fabric markers to decorate them. 

Food and cake time. 

The day after her friends party the Riemer clan gathered for a traditional German breakfast to celebrate Josie's big birthday. We kept a similar theme for this party as well... even the sagging Happy Birthday sign stayed up just long enough.

So the entire week leading up to Josie's birthday and parties she was at home with a high fever and strep throat.  Of course, the day she felt better (the day before her birthday) Benjamin caught it. He really rallied for her friends birthday party and seemed OK but the next day he was pretty much like this all day...

He perked up a bit when he heard he had a gift to open. 

As always she got some very nice gifts and some nice cards

One of her most special gifts was this matching dress set (one for her and one for her American Girl doll, Saige) made by Aunt Liz... oh, and the new, cool boots. 

And her most fun gift was her stilts and pogo stick from Oma and Opa.

And what party would be complete without more cake!  Happy, happy 7th birthday, Josephine Marie!

In the evening on her birthday she wanted to go to Angelina's .  Benjamin was too sick to go out so Marty and Josie walked up together and had a nice spaghetti dinner together....just father and daughter.   Notice te napkin tucked into her collar to protect her new dress?

Family Photo Attempt

 We were trying to recreate this family photo of the four of us taken just days after Benjamin was born.

It didn't really come out as well as the original but we had fun trying and below are some of the outtakes.