Closing Ceremony!

I truely wish we could have frozen time and repeated this school year over and over...our tiny, tiny community, Luke as a newborn, Kai home with me, Hailey's two amazing teachers and her tiny class (they finished the year with S-E-V-E-N!)  I'm certain Hailey's awesome memory won't let her forget her kindergarten year and as she grows she'll appreciate how unique this experience was! 

The PTA was able to deplete their funds and splurged on a big Closing Ceremony with T-shirts, food, bouncers, teacher gifts etc!  The closing numbers were around 120 students total for grades K-5!  The student body had been rehearsing for months on the Closing Ceremony songs and that, along with the speakers, was wonderful.  I teared up the entire time and couldn't wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks because I had Luke in one hand and the camera in the other!  This was my Facebook status last week...Have had to say way too many goodbyes this week (and a few more hard ones to come!) Just like a mom to be so worried about the emotions of the kids for this move until mine come FLOODING in!!! I cried 3/4 of the way to the new house this morning and spent the other 1/4 laughing at myself because I couldn't stop crying!!!  I seriously could not stop crying!  It was pretty comical!  Two of the goodbyes were to Hailey's teacher (there are going to be some lucky kids in Georgia!) and our pediatrian (again, some lucky kids in Texas!)  This is the first move where my friends have come from Hailey (teachers, parents of her classmates, etc) and not the other way around where she has made friends with the children of my friends.  I think this move has been easier on her (and Kai) because EVERYONE had to move.  Lots and lots of memories made in Mannheim and what an experience for our kids!

The link below is the article and news report that was aired over here in Europe.

http://afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/Default.aspx?aid=24900

On the left, they are lowering the American Flag for the last time (yes, I cried during that!) and on the right are Hailey's two besties, Talia and Alli

Face paint and bouncers!

The closing ceremony pieced together...it's somewhat long and I even had to go back and cut

out parts in order for it to download...

After the school ceremony the community hosted a final hurrah party although it seemed like it was thrown together last minute so the Garrison could say that they did something for us. It would have made MUCH more sense if they had it back in the school fields during the closing ceremony party. There were kid games (sack races, ring toss, etc) with goodie bag prices, bouncers, human foosball, free food and the big hit with my girls, a ride up in a fire truck ladder.

Quite terrifying for me....I had a death-grip on Kai the entire time! 

Dancing to the DJ with Kayla from our church

 

Volksmarch

During Hailey's last week of school, the entire school went on a Volksmarch to Buffalo Park.  (From Wikipedia: Volksmarching (from German Volksmarsch meaning "peoples' march") is a form of non-competitive fitness walking that developed in Europe.)  The kindergarten and 1st graders route was about 3 miles roundtrip and the upper grades made a wrong turn on their route and ended up walking at least 5 miles roundtrip!  A lot of parents and siblings joined in the fun and the commissary provided lunch for everyone!

The upper grades starting out on the left and BOTH kindergarten classes waiting patiently on the right (the only two kindergarten classes combined had probably 16 kids total...just over half of ONE full-size class!!!)   

Checking out the stinky piggies! (And Luke played "pass the baby" all day!)  :)

The buffalo!

At the bird sanctuary...I can't think of the German name that's on the sign; come to think of it, I'm not sure the true name of "Buffalo Park" (that's just what the Americans call it!) We got to see (yay!  ughh!) that snowy owl eat 3 baby chicks!!!!

Lunchtime and the school waiting to walk back

Feeding the pigs our leftovers from lunch!

Hailey with her medal after finishing the Volksmarch and then on the right her entire class (having popsicles)

After the walk, we came back into the clasroom to pack up the last of the kids' supplies, artwork, etc.  And then the tears started.....there is something to be said for the special bond that is formed when someone other than family takes such good care of your children.  I would have replayed this year over and over for the rest of my life and been so satisfied. 

Mrs. Winter passing out her end-of-the-year-gifts to her students.  She gave them each copies of Bear Snores On with a special message written inside and a class photo and a kindergarten completion certificate (which we taped into her book)

The kids with Hailey's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G teachers!

The Triplets

Even though the girls look so much alike, Luke reminds me more of Hailey as a baby then Kai.  The picture of him sleeping in his carseat reminded me of a picture I had of Hailey in her baby book.  It was taken at an Outback restaurant in Korea when she was 3 months old (They must have it for birthdays or something)  You can see the Korean writing at the top of Hailey's picture...the waitress also wrote this translation, "Dear Lovely Baby, I hope you always be happy and be beauty."  

And a video of Hailey singing to Baby Kailee then Kailee singing to Baby Luke and then Kai babbling and then Luke babbling!

Three Months!!!!!!

Where does the time go?!

I need to quickly post this 3 month entry before he turns 4 months!!!!!  Each stage continues to be more entertaining (especially for the girls!) and he is becoming a more laid back baby with our hustle and bustle family!

So smiley!!!

He's starting to look like such a little boy! 

 

Behind the scenes of our photoshoot (we had him in the bumbo) and my assistants!  :) 

Kai said, "It's like he's in the circus!"  :)

Already hittin the books!

Hailey said, "Oh, Mom!  He is just too adorable!"

Random cuteness!

This was one of the outfits I bought on EXTREME clearance at our PX in the Winter...just by chance he happened to be a boy!  I set him down after he fell asleep and his little arm stayed up like he was saluting!

Sleep!!!!!  'Knock on Wood' (I'm actually scared to say this out loud) he hasn't had ONE single night since he was born that he has been awake longer than to just eat.  His internal clock seemed to be set from the get-go!  I'm up to feed/change/burp him and back asleep myself in less than 15 min!  That being said, I have no reason to complain about him being needy during the day!  :) 

He didn't want to be put down here....he'd wake up screaming at every attempt!  The laundry didn't get folded that night!

His absolute favorite place to nap...and Daddy happily obliges!

One of the first times he fell asleep alone since he was a newborn (meaning no rocking, bouncer, carride, etc)

 

I still swaddle him at night and he's now starting to take his nap and go to bed in his pack-n-play by himself.  He likes to snuggle his face on a receiving blanket (just like his biggest sister did!) and will usually get himself to sleep as long as his pacifier stays in until he falls asleep!

I have a feeling that most of his naps will be "on-the-go"

Some of his latest tricks... 

He has started grabbing at his toys

He is so strong but doesn't have much control yet!

A few more weeks and he should be a little more ready for this...he did ok but was pretty wobbly

He's started to deliberately kick at the toys

Already mastering that pouty lip!

He definitely loves his sisters!!!

And the tormenting begins!!!!!!

 And a video snippet...

Camping Memorial Day Weekend

The gorgeous weather over Memorial Day weekend sparked a desire to go camping and somehow, even though Luke was only 7 weeks old, that didn't discourage us!  He's a trooper and he'll spend most of his youth being drug around to his sisters' activities that we might as well get him into the habit now!  :)  Since Leevi's job has had him travelling sooooo much this past year (and quite a bit the year before) we haven't had many opportunities to take advantage of the 4 day weekends the Army gives him EVERY SINGLE MONTH!  So, with a one-day notice, we scrambled to a pack and Leevi randomly picked a German campsite about 2 hrs from home and we put the minivan to the test again!  :)  

Everything but the kitchen sink!  And I'm not sure how Kai snuck in THREE friends (all of whom came home FILTHY!)

Our campsite for 3 days and 2 nights...it was perfect because we were at the end of the row in our own little cul-de-sac 

The little playground...the sand pit was a huge hit!!!

We made S'mores the first night and as we were headed to bed, we noticed a graham cracker stuck on Leila's nose....crazy dog!!!!!  She is NOT a camper!  Her nerves must have affected her sense of smell!!!

An awesome castle ruins not far from our campsite!!! 

There was a 2nd castle in the distance....they MUST have been friends because how could you let your enemy build so close!!?

Below the castle was a perfect stream to play in!!!

After the castle and the stream we drove a bit down the road to a volcano crater that is now filled with water!  So cool!  We thought we'd be able to swim in it, but the "swim zone" was very crowded and there wasn't any "beach" area....you would basically have to jump right into the deep! 

Kailee's knees brushed against some types of plant and she broke out immediately, BUT thankfully, she didn't mess with it and it went away within the hour!!!

Hailey just HAD to venture down and stick her feet in the water...this was the last picture I snapped before SHE FELL IN!!!!!  She was able to scramble back out by herself by the time Leevi got to her!  She was absolutely terrified but at least now she can say that she went swimming in a volcano!!!!  Smart thinking Leevi had already taken his cell phone out of his pocket and was reaching for the keys and wallet when she fell in! 

A banana boat (modified a bit!)  Banana in it's peel, marshmellows, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips!  YUM!!!

Half of the Kent family joined us for the 2nd day and night!!!  So fun!!!!

You always worry about how the kids will sleep when you travel anywhere.  Luke slept in his bouncer at night and did great napping throughout the day and they all slept in despite the sun coming up super early!  It was soooooo cold at night though!  Leevi and I used our extra blankets to cover up the kids who slept just fine!  I didn't really fall into a deep sleep until Kai snuck into bed with us...she was the perfect snuggle size and I stole all of her warmth!  :) 

Venturing around the campsite the last day while Leevi packed up!

It was an awesome weekend and we can't wait to go again!!!