A Day I Never Thought Would Come

Today Averi went to preschool. My last baby. I always talked about the day that she goes to preschool and then it happened and now I find myself wishing maybe for just one more day to have my little person home following me around.

In lots of ways I am so excited. I am excited for her to learn and grow. I am excited for her to make new friends, I am excited for her to become more independant. I am excited for her to investigate who she really is as an individual.

But I am sad too. I am sad that she is no longer in my care all day everyday. I am sad that when she hurts herself or is scared, I am not the one that will be comforting her.

I think she was a little nervous today. She woke up and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Is today the day I am going to school"? Then when I asked her what she wanted for breakfast she said, "I don't think I am hungry yet" But once we got there she walked right in and went right to the toys,

I am so happy for her but I am sad too. Totally a bittersweet day today. I can't wait to go pick her up and see how her day went today...

Off to go get her now!

GAF 2009

This weekend was the annual GAF or German American Festival. This is always a big deal to us since most of my family is straight from Germany. My aunt and uncle immigrated from Germany when they were younger as did my grandparents. My mom is a German teacher at a local high school, so this festival is always a celebration of our heritage.

The festival is packed full of kids activities like face painting, rides and games. There is also tons of ethnic foods and souvineers, and lots of music dancing and of course, beer.

Each year we dress the kids up in their lederhosen and dirndle. This year was the first year that we didn't have any lederhosen to fit Nick so he didn't get dressed up, but Aiden and Averi did.

Over the summer the kids all went to a German camp that was hosted by the same organization that puts on the festival. At the camp the kids were able to learn alot about the culture and heritage. They were also given the opportunity to lead the parade that open up the GAF.

So on Friday night, the kids walked in the opening parade and took place in the opening ceremony.

Then on Sunday we went back to watch all the dancers and eat more food. My family always takes a big part in volunteering to help at the festival. So it is always a fun time to see my family, and enjoy the events at the festival.

This year was a little different though. Aiden and Averi have decided that they want be Schuhplattlers, which are the German knee slapping dancers. Aiden says he wants to be the part of the Halzhacker Baum Schuhplattlers which are the dancers that use the axes and chop wood while they keep time and dance. If you have ever met Aiden...this is not a surprising idea at all. These dancers are incredibly neat to watch and I am all for the kids being dancers if they really want to be.

We did have make sure that Aiden understood that being a Holzhacker Baum Schuhplattler was something he would have to work toward. Most of these men are college age and older. We had to explain to him that is isn't that you show up at practice 2 times and they start handing out axes. He says he know that he will have to work toward this and he really wants to do it.

At the festival we were dancing with each other and he is actually pretty good. They both have the potential to be really good at this if they practice.

Averi thinks that I should do it with them. I said we will see. I think it would be something neat to do, so I am not opposed to the idea. I guess I will have to see when it is and what all it entails.

Weidersehn (Goodbye)

Back to School

This school year was a special one for us. This is the year Aiden begins Kindergarten. He was so excited to actually go to school and to ride the bus. He felt so special and big to be able to go to the same school that his big brother goes to.

He was not nervous or frightened at all he was so excited to get on the bus and go.

Aiden has the same teacher for kindergarten that Nick had. She is a fantastic teacher and is really great with the kids. She has known Aiden through Nick and she was as excited to have Aiden in her class as Aiden was to have her. On the first day, Aiden went up to Mrs. Paeth about halfway through the day and said, "You know what...you're nice", then he walked away. She kind of chuckled and said, "well thank A, I try". It was like Nick had told him that she was nice and we had told him she was nice, but he had to decide that for himself.

Nick is off to a great start with his second grade teacher. Her name is Miss Banner. She is also a great teacher. She has so many great ideas to share with the kids and she goes out of her way to make each child feel special for the talents and abilities they each have. Nick has come home raving about her each day.

As usual, I plan on going into their classrooms this year. My plan in that I would go into Aiden's class on Friday afternoons and go into Nick's class on Tuesday mornings. This is when I would have available with my schedule, but also when it would be most advantageous for the children. I love going into the classrooms. Nick and Aiden always feel so special when they see me come in. And it is nice to get tot know the kids in their classes.

Averi will also go to school this year. She doesn't start until next Tuesday. I will be in her class on 4 different Thursday mornings. She is very excited to go to school too. She has seen the boys go to school for as long as she can remember and she wants a piece of the action now.

We will be sending her to a different preschool than we have sent the boys to. The old preschool changed their format and while we loved the teachers, they were like family, we did not care for the new schedule.

So we have changed schools and now sis will be going to a preschool over in genoa and will be going to school with kids that will also go to kindergarten with her in 2 years.

I will def. post pictures of her next week when she starts school!!