First day of Kindergarten

 Ellie started at the German kindergarten last week! She was so excited to join her big sis and the other kids. We've been talking and talking about her started once she turned 3. (In case you're confused as to why Ellie is starting kindergarten at the end of May, German kindergarten is a lot like American pre-school. So while they call it "kindergarten" it's not the same as what you're thinking. The German kids attend kindergarten until they turn 6, then they go to their "elementary school."

The girls wanted to hold hands as they walked together. <3 Ellie is pointing out the pretty flowers.

Big smiles as we enter the kindergarten!

Here's where all the kids hang their coats and backpacks up and put on their house shoes. I'll have to get a picture of them hanging up their coats and jackets on their hooks. She's off to the Fische Gruppe with Kate!

She seems to really enjoy it, though the four hours each day are a bit much. So we're gradually working up to the four hours and I pick her up about 1 1/2 hours before I go get Kate. Fun for all...and amazingly, I have a few hours to myself in the morning! So why are we having another kid?? (Just kidding!!)

Celebrating Ellie

 We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Ellie this past weekend. She is so excited to be 3! The first picture above is Ellie bowling at a friend's birthday part just a few days before her own. Just above are both girls helping me make Ellie's cake. (Instead of saying "Cheese" they're saying "Cake!" At first she said all she wanted to do for her birthday was go play in the balls at Ikea. (Mom and Dad liked this idea because it meant we got to send BOTH girls to the balls to play and we got some alone time. Hee hee!) But we figured that wouldn't do for the actual celebration, so we gave her a very appropriate alternative...


 The pool!

Understandably, we don't have many pictures of our time at the pool, but suffice to say they LOVED it and are already asking when we can go again. Luckily for us, this pool is nearby and has an indoor and outdoor section. We're excited to check it out this summer!

Ellie was having so much fun this is how she felt when we had to leave the pool and go get lunch. Even McDonald's was a hard sell that day!

The girls love going to this McDonald's because they get to ride the Cinderella carriage.

It's finally cake time! She loved her cake and was so happy to have pink icing with sprinkles. I've gotten several requests in the last few days for me to make another birthday cake for her. :)

Not shy about blowing out her candles. She calls it "putting fire" on the cake.

After cake, we took a picture of her with all her loot. And boy did she have a lot!

Every girl needs a pink cup! Thanks Gram and Pops!

Definitely a highlight was the pink tutu from Aunt Beth and Uncle Evan.

Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Stuart continually wow us with their thoughful gifts. Here is her little kitty that she immediately named Tasha. (Just like Gram and Pop's kitty.) This has been a great learning-to-share lesson for both girls. (By the way, it sheds like a real kitty...thanks AB and US! :))

Another fun book that she immediately had to sit down and read.

Among other fun things, Nana and Grandpa sent Dumbo. She's already asking daily to watch it.

Great Gramie sent her some fun books. Ellie sure loves books and is always happy to receive more!

And last but not least, the one thing Ellie continually asked for when asked what she wanted for her birthday--Legos! Daddy was all to proud to fulfill that request. (Mommy had to be convinced a bit, as per the 'messiness" reasons.) But both girls have had a ball playing with the Legos and Ellie is building tower after tower.

We want to send out a great big thank you to our family for such wonderful and thoughtful gifts! Thank you for helping celebrate our little Ellie from so far away. Ellie, you are a continual delight and joy and bring such light into our lives. We know it won't be long until you want to skydive or backpack across Europe by yourself, and we are blessed to spend each day with you and help you grow into the young lady God has designed you to be. We love you!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ellie!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Ellie! Since you joined our family three years ago there has never been a dull moment. Thank you for your sweet spirit, your spunk, and your love of life. We are so blessed to have you as a part of our family.

Some Songs

A while ago, we had a request from our beloved Pops for a song posting. Well, he's been very patient, and he hasn't even complained that I hadn't fulfilled his request yet! So as he ends this very special week, we wanted to send out a We love you, Pops! Here is the video for you (and any others!) to enjoy.

The Fruit of the Spirit song is amended by Ellie, who adds (instead of "peace and patience") "piece of fish" which usually makes them laugh out loud. The song in German is a fun one that I didn't even know she knew until I heard her singing it to Gram on the phone.

Easter

We had a wonderfully low-key Easter. It was great fun to celebrate Christ's resurrection with our little family and take things preschool-speed. The first thing we did was have an egg hunt in the local park with some of our wonderful neighbors. The kids did a great job helping each other find and share eggs. Here's the paparazzi, following the egg-finders.

The cherry blossoms were beautiful despite the cold!

Do you think we found them all? That was the main question.

A huge thank you to Nana and Grandpa for the beautiful Easter dresses. The girls loved that they were pink! This is our attempt to take pictures outside before they complained they were too cold. And I don't blame them--there was snow on the ground when we got to church Easter Sunday!

We attempted egg dye for the first time. Ellie really wanted to dye eggs because Kate decorated some at her kindy. So we took the plunge. After spilling the yellow and someone adding two tablets to one mug we were ready!

They sure were excited.

The finished product. How proud they were of their eggs! Now they really like eating the pretty colors.

Our landlords came by with some Easter gifts for the girls that included some beautifully dyed eggs, German style. The German Easter eggs are vibrant, beautiful shades of color and I have no idea how they do it. Our landlords said they used onion skin to make the brown color of the ones they gave us--that will have to be in the next post for you to see. Happy Easter and praise God for His gift of the resurrected Christ!!