Art

My girl loves to draw. First thing in the am, spare time, school...My study's walls are blanketed with Portia's drawings- rocket ships, families, treehouses, things she eats at mealtime, volcanoes, ice cream trucks...

Here's how she envisions her apartment building. She insists she loves living in a house, but I think NY infected her at birth. Drawn tonight before dinner.



And, this, a typical note from the peanut:


Handed to me at pickup on 1st day of school



A sampling of my office decor

Schultueten

In Germany, it's customary for children to receive a "Schultuete" on the first day of first grade. A Schultuete is a giant cone made of sturdy cardboard typically. It's given by parents or grandparents and is generally filled with sweets (to sweeten the start of a new school chapter) or toys. In Bootie's case, Legos were the ultimate deal sweetener topped off with Gummibaerchen and some chocolate Marienkaefer (chocolates with ladybug wrapping - signifying good luck). Portia received one this year, too, a bit early. (Just as Hugo will surely receive one in two years as a third grader at his sister's 'Welcome to 1st grade' celebration.) Thank you, Ama and Boppy, for the awesome gifts!

Race Day!

Second annual New Haven Road Race for our family. What a glorious day- perfect, cool morning. Kids' run at 8:15, Mama's 5K at 8:40. No takers for the 20K this year- perhaps next.

Team Orange


H&P Fan Club President


Team Orange at the Hopkins tent-lots of goodies including maroon and gray silly bandz


And he's off! Orange came in super handy in the sea of children


Nearing the finish


There she is! Daddy along for the intense 1/2 mile ride


Sprinting in


Post-race pride

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

Making new friends is part of every fresh start back to school.

First day of school playtime with a new friend.


Equally important is finding time to spend time with old friends. In 1st grade many of the kindergarteners are spread across six mixed age group classes- making it all the more meaningful to dedicate time to seeing friends we got to know last year in kindergarten.




Here's to friends!

1st Day of School

First Grade and Kindergarten! A successful start back to school for both H and P! With a wonderful, full summer behind us, we're now back in school mode...a 7 pm bedtime made for an easygoing morning and timely departure this morning. Drop off for Hugo is at 8:10; we then calmly can make our way across the field to Peanut's new school. So sweet, the first thing Portia asked when we entered her classroom was, "Where's the window where I can see Hugo's school?" Her new school overlooks his. She then happily announced that her "best friend in the galaxy" is at her new school. 1st grade indeed feels more like 'school' than kindergarten did, but Hugo's ready and excited for the new chapter. He said first thing this morning coming into our room, "First day of school, Mama" and seemed sweetly ready for the day to start. Portia was thankfully up by 7:30 unlike her typical 8:30-9:00 rise. She chose her dress, ate a quick breakfast and off we four were on our bikes. (Portia made it all the way up the Highland St hill, without a push and without gears!) Mercifully kindergarten pick up is at 12:30 to ease ME into this whole new routine of childlessness. I don't get to see my Chach until 3. 3 hours and 14 minutes to go.

Yesterday's 1 hour orientation...peeking in to the new space


New classmates and a bucket of Legos...off to a good start


Morning of the First Day back






No push!


New friends

Best Pals

A Day with Connie

How glad we were to have Auntie Connie visiting from distant Singapore for the day! We enjoyed her visit so much and just wish it could have been a bit longer. Thank you for making the trip! Portia, in particular, ate up every minute of the fancy tea party. And what a fun boat trip, despite the overcast skies. Until next time in Singapore!