Hello Summer

School is out... no time to waste in getting started on summer traveling! Although this technically is our summer to stay put in Italy we have made the exception for a brief stateside visit to participate in the wedding of Jonathan's brother. We are grateful to Ben and Bridgett for selecting their wedding date for a time that would be feasible for us to make the journey from Italy to attend.

We left Italy two days after school got out and arranged for an overnight layover in Amsterdam on our way back to the USA. It worked out perfectly, getting our luggage checked all the way through to Chicago and just having a change of clothes in our carryons. The airport was great, having a train station directly below the terminal for one to easily get to downtown Amsterdam. We didn't have a ton of time to tour the city, nor would it have been advisable to just wander the city with kids in tow (if you know what I mean). Therefore, we strategically chose to take a canal tour hoping to catch a glimpse of sights that way and then tour the Anne Frank House. As it turned out, that was all we had time to do anyway. No picturesque windmills nor fields of tulips to take in on this visit, but the kids enjoyed the fact that they were able to see the country that claims 1/4 of their ethnic heritage.

Train Station 

Singel Canal Boat Cruise

Around 2,000 houseboats reside along the city canals

One of the many drawbridges

The afternoon was cool and windy and of course started to sprinkle while I waited 1 hour and 15 minutes outside in line to get into the Frank House. Jonathan and the kids passed the time by looking in shops and hunting down some snacks. They found a waffle shop where they bought fresh Stroopwaffles and a cup of hot chocolate to warm up. I on the other hand kept eyeing with envy the souvenir shop from my spot in line that sold sweatshirts. My fingers were numb from the wind and cold, but I held out strong with my scarf turned shawl/wrap and then Jonathan kept me warm when he finally returned with the kids. The kids all had sweatshirts but I did not pack one for myself or Jonathan. 

Freezing in line

Stroopwaffles (thin crispy waffle 'sandwhiches' filled with caramel)

Regardless of the long line and cold, the museum was well worth the wait. The kids were completely engaged with every aspect of the house and the stories that spoke from within its walls. Having gotten a glimpse of the concentration camps earlier this spring, this time period of a story told from a young girl's perspective was really moving for them. I remember reading the Diary of Anne Frank when I was in middle school and how her story was particularly impactful to me. Our kids really want to read the book now.

The city was beautiful with picturesque spots everywhere you looked.

Multatuli meaning "I have suffered much". Pen name for famous Dutch writer.

Bike parking garage 4-stories high at the train station. 

And we're off to Michigan...

Goodbye School

The kids concluded their school year on June 11th, one with a sense of accomplishment and contentment, another with delight that summer vacation has finally arrived, and yet another with extreme sadness that the year was over and it was time to say goodbye to elementary school, friends and teachers. I'll let you guess which emotions belong to whom.  

Totally did not realize that they almost all chose the same outfits for the
last day of school. 

We now have a Fourth grader and TWO middle schoolers in the house. Unbelievable! These moments are bittersweet as they pass from one season of life to another, but growing up is a part of life and as parents we are just glad to witness how the Lord is maturing each of them from one year to the next.

In Italy, there are no graduation ceremonies in school. The closest you get is when you graduate from preschool to elementary school where the kids will usually receive a diploma while wearing a paper cap. Other than that it is left to the families to honour and celebrate their children as they pass through the levels of school, even university!

Emma's class, having been together since first grade was very tightly knit. It was a uniquely stellar class of great kids and the parents too are very close. I have never seen so much sadness on a last day of school...the tears were abundant from students and parents alike. Poor Emma had a really hard couple of days, but we know that she will see and keep in touch with many of the life-long friends that she made in elementary school. It is likely that she will be placed in the same 6th grade class with maybe 3-4 of her 5th grade classmates like Samuel was, so she is praying it will be her best friends.

On our walk to school on the final day, Emma told me how thankful she was that we moved to Caselle. How it was the best thing that ever happened to her to go to this school. God has been so gracious and faithful to our children and we praise Him for his watch care over them, providing in ways we never imagined.

Here is a look at Emma's final moments of elementary school...

On the other hand Luca was all smiles.

 Luca's class celebrating at the park

Stitched Up

It was within the first 24 hours of our feet touching down on American soil that we had to make a run to urgent care. I was just lamenting to Jonathan over my third coffee of the day that I didn't know if I could push through the jet lag to stay awake till bedtime. Then we saw Luca take a little tumble out front on his bike. He didn't get back on and walked his bike to the edge of the lawn whilst having a horrible grimace on his face. I went outside and saw blood running down his foot. I ran inside to get a towel and when I started to clean his foot I just stopped and covered the wound only getting a brief enough glimpse to know it was bad. I didn't really have the guts to look again so called Munga and Jonathan who immediately confirmed he required medical care. No more need for coffee--I was fully awake now!

Off we went, hitting every red light in town (of course) while I tried to keep Luca from drifting in and out of consciousness. He is one tough kid, so we knew he was hurting pretty bad.

We were greeted by Gramma upon arrival as she just so happens to work in the same building as the urgent care. She had already scoped out the wait for us and always provides a level of comfort and peace for both grandchild and parent in these situations. Surprisingly she has physically been there more often than not in our emergency situations.

Thankfully there was no wait and Luca received immediate care. The end result was 1 internal stitch and 4 external. He was super brave and actually is proud to now share childhood stitch stories with Mamma.

Samuel and Emma were quite concerned and glad to have Luca return home. Thankful for God's watch care over Luca.

Party Central

It has literally been NON-stop party central for our family these past few days...and days yet to come...

June 4 - Our teammate, Melissa's birthday!

June 5 - Jonathan's birthday! (and Sylvie's in Perugia)

June 6 - 5th grade family "pool" party (12-5pm)

June 7 - Karate dinner party

June 8 - Celebrating 10 years in Italy!!!

June 10 - 5th grade (students only) pizza party (8-11pm)

June 11 - 3rd grade family party at the park & last day of school!

And somehow by June 13, we need to be ready to get on a plane to head to a wedding party in Michigan for Jonathan's brother.  The remainder of the month will include celebrating Father's Day,  Kleis parents' anniversary, my dad's birthday and possibly the birth of a niece or nephew. Wheew! Let the good times roll in June!

Before...

...After

Karate Belt Advancement

On May 21, Jonathan and the kids went through another level of testing to advance in their karate belt color. They all did well and advanced with no problem. The kids went from white/yellow belts to solid yellow. Jonathan went from orange to orange/green.

I was there of course to cheer them and capture the moment to share with you...

Just one more lesson remains before the season officially concludes. We enjoyed an end of the year dinner last night at a restaurant with the club and their families. Always a great opportunity to deepen our friendships! So proud of my husband and kids for their first year of karate in Caselle.