Grandma and Papa

We are getting a lot of "last time" things these days.  A couple weeks ago Grandma and Papa flew in for a "last" visit  and we had a great time playing games, going to the park and enjoying dinners together.  

Thanks for making the time, Grandma and Papa.  We love you and can't wait to see you in Berlin this Spring. 

Happy 7/11

Seems every year we on 11th of July we are driving home from a summer camp and hit the local 7/11 for free Slurpees.  Today was no exception.  Happy seven eleven.

Benjamin's Packed!

Benjamin decided to pack his own bag for (our year long stay in) Germany.  Looks like he's got all the important stuff.  Hahaha!!  😁

School Update

Well, we have a bit of a school update.   Just to recap, Josie had previously been accepted to our first choice school (JFK) Benjamin was neither accepted nor rejected from JFK and we are trying to remain hopeful that it will work out for him to attend.

In the meantime, Josie was rejected from our second choice school, no word about Benjamin (Nelson Mandela) and Benjamin was accepted to our 4th choice school (BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School )- this is our 4th choice mostly because of the price of tuition but we figure if Josie's will be free then maybe the high price won't be so bad if it comes to that??

No word for either child from our third choice school (BIS Berlin International School)

We have also decided that Josie will attend JFK even if Benjamin doesn't get in.  She is thrilled to already be getting information about the school, most specifically, the supply list.  She has looked it over and read it aloud many times.  School supplies excite that girl like nothing else.  I'm very thankful that Josie is the one who knows now where she will be going to school because she REALLY cares. Benjamin, thankfully, is either completely unaware or simple doesn't care.  We have talked about putting him in the local, all German, public school and at first he was even cool with that but now he is saying he doesn't want to.  I completely get it.  It pains me to think of him in a sink or swim situation with school, friends, the bulk of his time in Germany spent not understanding.  But, he would certainly learn German the quickest and best of all of us.  Likely within 3 to 6 months he would be fluent.  It also makes me realize how hard it must be for immigrants who come to our country knowing no English.  It is funny because I actually taught ELL (ESL/English Language Learners) for many years but it feels so different thinking of one of my children in that situation.

So... the saga continues with the 1st and 4th choice schools starting in just over 6 weeks.  YIKES.  I'd be more stressed about it if I weren't currently inundated with packing and cleaning and moving.

Maps

I have always LOVED maps.  I can look at maps, especially world maps or globes all day and dream.  I love seeing how closely countries are to each other and learning about which country neighbors another.  

A few days ago the kids were quietly working together for a long time.  I wasn't really sure what they were doing but I was thrilled when they brought out the world map (outdated with the US right smack in the middle!) and had made a list of countries we each had visited and then another list of places that we want to travel.  Maps!!  

Love them.  Can't wait to explore more of the wide world we live in in the coming months.

Pre Birthday Gathering

Today we headed down to visit Oma and Opa for a pre-birthday celebration complete with Marty's favorite German nut cake that ONLY his mom can make.  I've tried. Twice.  

And failed both times.  This nut cake was the best one she has ever made.  We all agreed, even Marty who can be quite picky about his cakes.

We played Schafkopf (a German card game) and

attempted to speak German in preparation for our big move.

Opa had "door prizes" for each of us and Benjamin's was a cool, 1000 piece puzzle.  

We don't do many puzzles but we all worked the rest of the afternoon on it together. 

Thanks, Oma and Opa for a very fun day!! 

Lincoln Park and The Wileys

Yesterday we spent a beautiful, sunny day in one of Seattle's best parks that just so happens to be pretty much right in our backyard.  Lincoln Park is one of Seattle's largest parks and we have spent so many fun days here with BBQ's, soccer games and swim lessons.   Kim and Fred drove down for the day and we had a great time eating lunch and throwing rocks in the Puget Sound then spending the afternoon at the awesome, salt water, Colman Pool.  Both kids past the swim test easily and were able to use the slide and diving board.

 Unfortunately, we have been spoiled by some of the best water slides in the world and this one is rather lame.  Benjamin was going so slowly down that he actually came to a complete stop at the bottom and got yelled at for not making his way out quickly enough.  As lovely as the pool is, the life guards there are rather militant and every time they yell (which is often) you always freeze and think they are somehow yelling at you.

Thanks for the fun day, Wileys.