Back in France / Curious Kids Museum

We are back after a WONDERFUL and EXCITING vacation in America! As I sit down to blog a bit about the trip I realize that we did SO MUCH--there is no way I can even come close to covering it all.. What I can say is that the kids (and their parents!!) had SUCH a great summer. I just don't know where to begin! The kids really changed so much during our travels. Kaitlyn has become a full-fledged toddler and has blossomed into a little girl with a shining, strong and comically funny personality. She has become a master dancer and is SOOOO amazingly social now...Saying "Hi" and waving to anyone that makes eye contact with her. Krista matured so much this summer also...she was reading nearly anything she could get her hands on in English while we were in America, and has just entered the world of Harry Potter via her Uncle Tommy's lead. She has also become a MASTER Monopolian! Tommy and Krista would spend HOURS playing Monopoly. We had some pretty exciting games going--and a LOT of laughs. Then there is Erik who discovered a LOVE for Native American Indians during our stay in the Potowatomi region. You will find him dressed in native apparel for most of my photos---including him in a few photos with JET BLACK hair! Yes, I let him get his hair spray painted BLACK at the blueberry festival! He was REALLY looking like an Indian after that!

It was really just such a perfect trip and I'm so thankful that we were lucky enough to spend nearly 6 FULL weeks on holiday as a family! We were able to see so many friends and relatives which really made the vacation so memorable for us. I guess the highlight of our trip was a week we spent on Lake Michigan in my Dad's cottage. It was fantastic to have the beach, restaurants, shops and exciting events all at our doorstep. The Blueberry Festival just happened to be going on also while we were there so that was really fun for the kids too. I took a ton of photos so be forewarned! BUT, what made the week so much more special was that Mike and Lia were able to join us all the way from L.A.!!! It was really a fun family time....Everyone together! Something that so rarely happens these busy days/weeks/years!!!! It is these special times and moments together that form the patchwork of memories that I so dearly treasure.

I will go into more detail on our fun in a future blog. But for today I'll leave you with some photos of a great museum we went to in Michigan called Curious Kids Museum. It was a really cool, hands-on museum that the kids just adored. Even the big kids!!! ;) Basically the kids could just roam around and discover whatever took their fancy. There were numerous costumes and "stations" that the kids could discover. There was 'Asia' where they could dress in Japanese clothes and sit at a Japanese dining table and look around a Japanese living room (music, books etc)...or they could dress up like a firefighter in REAL gear....sit in a mini firetruck or ambulance, jump on a life size piano, be a star on their own tv station, test and time their reflexes on a reflex machine...or one of my favorites---ENCASE themselves in a giant bubble! It was really a fun time! The best part about this museum is that the kids could touch and explore everything! It was neat! Even Kaitlyn had a blast riding down the volcano slide!

There is certainly a lot more to come about our travels. I sure took a LOT of wonderful family photos at the Lake. I'm just thrilled we were all able to get together and spend such a wonderful time with each other. It really was perfect!

Here's Krista with her very special Uncle Mike at the museum ....followed by a few more photos of the museum.

Our Great Summer Vacation

USA Summer 2007

We're here--- safe and sound in the good 'ol USA....and having a BLAST! So far we've had only a handful of "dull" days since we've arrived and I've had barely a free moment to blog. We are packing in a lot of visits and fun events so the kids are just in HEAVEN! Krista has already said she doesn't want to go back to France in 2 weeks and neither do I for that matter!

The kids have been really enjoying my Mom's pool and Krista has learned a lot in a few short weeks. She does a mean backstroke now and Erik is enjoying jumping in the water over and over again (with no fear). A BIG highlight for Krista was her trip to the American Girl store in Chicago with Grandma. They had a WONDERFUL day together, enjoying the theatre, shopping and a delicious brunch with Krista's doll. This photo is of Krista on the "cover" of the American Girl Magazine (**available for a small fee of course!!!)

Grandma, Grandpa and Jan have REALLY showered them with gifts and fun-filled days. Shopping, cinema, theatre performances, picnics, park excursions, sleep-over's and visits with old friends. Not to mention the NUMEROUS lunches and dinners out on the town...and the list goes on! I guess that is what a great vacation is all about!

Next week we have a WHOLE week booked at my Dad's cottage on Lake Michigan. The kids are really excited for the beach and water. All in all we'll be ELEVEN at the beach house (I think it can sleep 15 so we're fine). Mike and Lia will be arriving from CA so we can't wait for that!!

Let the good times roll!!!

Our Champion!

Rhythmic Gymnastics

I'm so proud of Krista. She was the Regional Champion this year in rhythmic gymnastics. There were nearly 100 little girls involved in this competition and Krista received the most points. It was her first season in rhythmic gymnastics and it couldn't have gone better. It really is her sport. It is such a nice combination of ballet, modern dance and gymnastics all wrapped into one--how could she not love it?!

For an end-of-the-year event a few weeks ago, they had some of the older girls give a sampling of the sport at their various levels followed by snacks and drinks (AND a surprise award dedication to Krista!). Krista loves watching the older girls perform so she REALLY enjoyed this evening. During the event, her trainer surprised her with an award presentation (a medal and a trophy)! Krista was completely taken off guard, but loved every moment of the glory....AND she is so happy with her FIRST big trophy!

Hopefully next season will go equally as well. She just LOVED her trainer this season, so we are sad to say goodbye. Her coach was so dedicated, supportive and encouraging towards all the girls--a really wonderful lady. Here's a photo of Krista with her coach on the award night.

I also put together a video of highlights from the season.

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Moonika and Vincent's Wedding 7/7/7

A Day To Remember...

Yesterday was a very special day for our two friends Vincent and Moonika!! Wedding bells were in the air, and our little Krista had the honor of being included in this special occasion, as one of several beautiful little flower girls.

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It was a fantastic day for a marriage, not only was it 7/7/07, which signifies good luck (7 days in a week, 7 notes in a musical scale, 7 wonders of the world....), but it was a gorgeous summer day for this special event! Everything was just perfect... Moonika made sure of it. The girls dresses were just adorable--buttons, bows and frills, and all of the wedding decorations just right.

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We celebrated with them during both the civil service and also the chuch ceremony. Afterwards the reception was held in a very classy park restaurant, with views to die for! Kaitlyn was an angel (for the most part) and managed to stay until 2 a.m. at the reception (sleeping in her stroller of course). I'll post more photos of us at the wedding, but these were a few of my artistic favorites ;)

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Very best wishes to Vincent and Moonika on their wedding day and their life together!

Our Children's Church Group

A few years ago a German family and myself had the idea of establishing a children's church group in our village. The group is called "Eveil a la foi" or "Awakening to our Faith," and is designed for children from 2-7 years old, before they begin their religious preparation for Communion. The idea was to have a mini-mass for the children in the pastoral rectory during the first half of the church ceremony. In order to prepare for the children's group, we meet with the pastor to get ideas for the specific theme of the mass, and how to relate the particular Sunday message back to the children. Our group's age is quite diverse and it is often hard to relate the ideas of the sermon to small children. Our pastor, Jean Pierre, is really fantastic and always has such wonderful ideas on how to help them understand and interpret the message of the day. He is truly a master at translating the message of Christ to ALL! Unfortunately last year, the German family who helped establish this group, moved back to Germany... Thankfully Michele and Christine decided that despite our busy schedules, we should find a way to continue this very special group.

This is a clip of us at the Fete de Dieu in early June.

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Pre-School Open House

My big guy, Erik Andres

Erik had his pre-school open house a few weekends back. It was a great time for him. They had little game cards that were distributed at the door and then the children had to complete the card by playing all 10 of the games that were set up around the playground and inside the school. There was also an open classroom where lots of their projects and artwork was set out. Finally there was a reception room where there were cakes, cookies and drinks.



Erik had a great school year. This year was his second of three years at the pre-school. He really improved dramatically this year in his language skills. The teachers say he speaks like a native now, with no accenht what-so-ever. He also became a real social guy this year...making lots of good friends. On his report-card he received marks in the highest category in almost all instances (I think there were 3 areas where he only received the medium mark). Overall, he really matured so much.. and in so many ways this year. I'm very proud of him!!



So here he is on his open house day:

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Celebrations!

Well our busy "celebreation time" has come and gone. Yesterday was my birthday--woo hoo--- which marked our 4th celebration in the last 3 weeks. In our family we have a 22 day window where we celebrate: Toomas's birthday, Krista's birthday, our wedding anniversary and my birthday! Always a busy but fun time. Here are some photos from my celebration yesterday. As usual, I was spoiled rotten by the fam.

End-of-the-School-Year Chaos

Well things have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY around here lately. The end of the school year is always such a hectic time with all of the kids performances, ceremonies and parties. It is hard to believe it, but TODAY is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL for the 2006-2007 school year! Krista finished up the 2nd grade with 40 A's and 6 B's; and Erik received check-marks in the highest column in all but 2 categories. I"m really happy with both of them for their hard work this year.

The next few days-worth of blogs I will dedicate to the shows, award ceremonies, parties and activities that have been filling our days and weekends these past few weeks.

Today I will post a little clip from the "open door" show that Krista had in her tap class last week. This year was only an "open-door" show for the parents rather than a full-blown "spectacle" as they call it in France. The "Grand Spectacle" is only every 2 years...so next year will be the big show. This was just an open-class for the parents to see the progress of the year. It was still fun! :) They all really improved this year!

Tomorrow I will cover Erik's Baby gym class and the party at his pre-school.

So, here is an excerpt from Krista's tap dance class. She is wearing green with black shorts (on the end closest to us). Enjoy!

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Ten Year Wedding Anniversary!

Our Wedding Day

June 28, 1997

Is this really possible? A decade! Today Toomas and I are celebrating our 10th year of marriage. Ten amazing, fulfilling, beautiful years of life together!

I'm so lucky to be blessed with my wonderful, supportive, loving and caring husband! THANK YOU TOOMAS for these 10 wonderful years together.

And....

Here we are after 10 YEARS!!!!

(and *3* kids later....No worse for the wear(?)!)

When I look at these two pictures: the before and after, I feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOO blessed with all that I have!!! What a wonderful decade it has been!!! XOXOXO Toomas!

Krista is EIGHT Today!

Today is Krista's 8th birthday. WHERE do the years go? Eight is starting to sound old now too...I put together a little slideshow of Krista's 8 years and as I was watching it, I could REALLY start to see the differences in her right before my very eyes!!! I think it is especially noticable between this and last year--adult teeth really do make a difference! She is really growing up.

Krista is a bright, responsible, spirited, talented, friendly and special little girl. She has matured and developed so much in the last few years and I am very proud of her. She has shown dedication and responsiblity in her schoolwork and activities...and continues to amaze me with her thoughts and discoveries! She loves dancing, being with her friends, crafts, READING, rollerblading, riding her bike, swimming, writing and RECEIVING e-mails and recently basketball...the list goes on! She is so much fun to be with---always filled with smiles and laughter.

WE LOVE YOU KRISTA!!! I hope you LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE your new Nintendo DS! (Krista has been wanting one for some time now and guess what? Today is her lucky day!) HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY!

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Krista's 8th Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Krista's 8th Birthday with her friends. We had SO much fun! Krista said it was her best birthday party ever (something she says every year, but it is still good to hear!).

Every year I let the kids choose a "theme" for their birthday. We always shop at Celebrate Express for the lastest and greatest party themes. This year Krista picked the Pink Poodle theme, which was really precious. It came complete with an Eiffel tower centerpiece which Krista just loved. The little party favor boxes were just adorable as well.

I baked 3 cakes for the big event. One chocolate "8" cake, and a buttercream frosted vanilla spongecake. Krista loved the vanilla cake because of the pink frosting and the pink poodle. She didn't even want to eat it because she said it looked too perfect. I was so hapy she loved it. I wanted everything just right for her party!!

Following the pink poodle theme, we had the guests (10 girls and 1 boy) bring their stuffed animal dogs...We made sticker-jeweled doggie collars with personalized nametags. I think it was a fun activity for the kids. We also had a poodle drawing contest and played ring toss in the backyard. Luckily the weather cooperated and we had some nice warm sunshine so we could play and draw outside.

All in all it was a great day for Krista! Her real birthday is on Tuesday and she will be spending the day in a castle! Her school is taking their week-long field trip this week. I'm sure she'll have a blast!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOMAS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOMAS!!

We're looking forward to a fun family day today and a nice dinner out on the town tonight. I got Toomas a "Karcher" for his birthday. Most of it was purchased with my "flea-market" money that I earned a few Saturdays ago, selling a good bit of junk from the basement. I can't wait for the sale next year to really clean out the cellar. It takes a lot of prep work (maybe 5 hours tagging and sorting the junk this year), but it is worth it. Turn dust into cash...and then clean it all up with the Karcher. For those of you who don't know what a Karcher is---it is a high pressure water washer that one can use to clean patio bricks, car wheels, grills, the house facade or just about anything imaginable! He was really happy with it too :)

Switzerland Trip Photos

So here they are! A few of the promised photos from Toomas' trip to Switzerland with his parents. The visited cities: Geneva, Interlaken, Lausane and Lutzern. They also took a good bit of video coverage-- so along with the video, I felt like I was "almost" there with them! I'm really looking foward to a family trip there sometime soon. Enjoy the scenery!