Nina's Einschulung

Our little Nina started first grade today!  

She had been waiting for this day for quite some time now, and when it finally arrived, she was very excited!  As is tradition here in Germany, Nina received her "Tütte" full of goodies, and a brand new backpack.  (Ahh... I love this little girl.  Where has the time gone?!?!)

They had a special service for all the first graders and their parents. Nina quickly found a friend whom she knew from kindergarten, and sat beside her during the service.

As is tradition at the girls' school, the second grade class puts on a little play/skit for all the new first graders. Aria (who started school yesterday and is now in the second grade), was so excited to be able to play a part in Nina's Einschulung. The second graders put on a little puppet show with fish, of which Aria was the green fish on the far left. (The moral of the skit was something to the effect of loving one another.)

They also sang a couple of songs.  Here's a little video clip of Aria singing with her class.

After the chapel service, Nina posed for a picture with her class, before heading to her classroom for the rest of the morning.

David and I are SO excited about Nina's teacher.  We have only heard wonderful things about her, and she seems to be so nice. We are looking forward to getting to know her better!

Unfortunately, we couldn't find anyone to watch our younger three, so David stayed home with them and sent Micah and I to enjoy Nina's special "first morning at school" with her. (Thanks David for sacrificing seeing Nina's Einschulung so that I could go and watch it in peace! Love you!)

So, now we have two children in school. I don't know if I should be happy or sad about that. I mean, I'm happy that they are growing, developing well, and learning. But, I'm SO sad to not have them at home with me all day long!

 Before the six week summer vacation began, another mom told me that I will be soooo glad when school finally starts again, so the kids are "out of the house", so to speak.  Well, I am NOT happy about that! I was actually dreading the beginning of the school year.  I LOVE having all my kiddos home with me. And my two biggest girls, well, they are just such a blessing to me and their younger siblings! Don't get me wrong, the kids don't always get along (actually, there's lots of screaming at our house some days), and I get exhausted at times with it all. But still, Aria and Nina are my precious big girls.  I mean, come on, Aria melts my heart every time I hear her say, "mommy, I want to help you. How can I be a help to you now?"  And really, she does say that! So sweet.  I love my Aria and Nina, and miss them when they are gone at school, and rejoice when they come home.  But it's also so wonderful to see all that they are learning!  Thank-you, Lord!