ORIGAMI

I invited a dear friend from Japan over to teach us how to do origami.  She excited to come and we had a great time.  I don't know why the only picture I have of her helping was with Clara because I think that was the one time she helped her.  Other than that Clara was independent... and very good at doing origami on her own.  The rest of us not so much... but we really enjoyed learning.  Clara loved it so much she did origami for the next three days and I had a beautiful table full!!    Thanks so much Hiroko!!

Simply Summer Dinner Party

Just a few pics of my June theme "Simply Summer" dinner party.  I was so thankful to find lemon-drops downstairs at the Commissary!!!  The were the finishing touch!

The Menu- 

Sweet Georgia Crunchy Strawberry Salad 

(pecans from Georgia)

Kentucky Tomato Soup 

(with a secret ingredient)

California Chicken 

(topped with tomato, Monterey cheese, and avocado)

Almond Rice Pilaf and Steamed broccoli

Florida Sunshine Cake

(a.k.a. Pig Pickin' Cake - with Manderin oranges and pineapple whip topping.

I made homemade freshly squeezed strawberry lemonade and served watermelon as an appetizers.

And a good time was had by all!

Be sure to look back a few posts for Derby and Easter dinner party pics... they are now up.

BOXES

Many times I've seen a young child get a fancy, often expensive, new shiny toy for Christmas or birthday, only to then find them later, that very same day, playing with the box that it came in.  What is it with boxes!?!
I have a love- hate relationship with boxes myself.  A compulsive organizer, there is not an empty rubbermaid container or even shoe box I don't ponder a good use for in my house or closet!!  But every year or two I have way too many boxes in my house as the movers begin to put everything we own into one size box or another.  Then it seems I quickly forget this painful pack-it-all-up process when Christmas comes in July, and we catch up with those boxes on the other end of the move!!  I delve in, an organizers dream, and unpack one box at a time, settling once again into the new digs!!!
So... boxes...love 'em - hate 'em.
Recently, in the middle of my summer sorting I came upon the perfect big box to gather all the clothes and toys that need to go find a new home in.  But before I could get anything actually in the box, John catches a glimpse of it in the corner of the room, gets excited and asks me if he can play with it.  Actually, he says something about needing it to "clean his room", but that's a whole different interesting story!  Anyway, he played all day, very happily.  I didn't think much of it.

However, as I went about the nightly routine of checking on the kids as I was heading for bed myself, I got quite the chuckle.  Snoring, sound asleep was my little guy with a box for a blanket!  Feet sticking out the end and all.  Picture perfect use for an awesome box!

SUMMERSIZE

 Here I am shopping at a store similar to Cosco or Sam's Club.  The funny things is though, as with most European grocery items, generally there are no FAMILY or Bulk size anything.  Milk comes in 1 Liter size cartons, eggs in 10, and any given shampoo or lotion bottle is only about 10- or 12 ounces it seems.  So you can imagine my surprise when I came across this, what I call summer-size container of Nutella!  I had to share my find with someone, so rushed to find my faithful ride and friend Corinne!  She got just as much of a laugh out of it as I (thankfully) and quickly suggested we get a picture (thankfully again!!).  I call it "summer-size" because, summertime, when the kids are home eating lunch everyday, is the only time I would consider buying such a gargantuan size of even our favorite sandwich spread!!!  (BTW - I couldn't find the amount printed on the container but am guessing it was at least a gallon.)  I was actually not quite brave enough to buy it this trip so the kids, after seeing the picture, are very upset with me.... perhaps my next trip I'll actually decide to bring it home for the rest of the summer!  Oh the joy this will bring to my children!  Another picture for perspective...

The smaller jar of Nutella here is about 22 ounces.  And the peanut butter jars behind seem to be the normal size of peanut butter you would find stateside!

More Poof

No it is not snow... it is poof but it looks like snow and
 I think I like summer snow!

Closing Ceremony AAS

After the middle school graduation I headed over to the north gymnasium and watched a little rehearsal for the closing ceremony.  This is where I caught up with Seth.    

The classes then began filing in and I saw John with his best friend, Ben from Great Britain.

 The ceremony began with the March of the Flags, where the oldest student representing their country carried in their flag.  At the opening ceremony, back in the fall, (which I missed because I didn't know if I could attend), a Senior and a kindergartener carried a flag in together, so Mary had been a flag carrier.

Then some Russian dancing... and the band played!

(which I can't seem to get loaded up so you'll have to go to FB to hear it)

I decided to get a pic of Clara.  At first she didn't see me.Then she tossed her hair only to catch a glimpse of me.  Her reaction was to turn her back to me.  Ha... so after the ceremony I asked to take her picture and this was the look I got.  Middle school here we come!

John and Ben doing the Robot Dance after the ceremony in celebration!

...and its always a bit of a bus ride home.  It's been a long year!

Reuben's Middle School (8th grade) graduation

Before the ceremony, Reuben with his friend,  Kostak from Poland

 This was really a "brunch" where the students sat with the parents and we had pastries and tea or coffee. It was really nice to relax and enjoy the moment with your child.

Reuben receiving his diploma.

 Class photo -  I am short and pushed to the back.  But because I am a polite American I waited patiently for my turn up front which almost didn't come sooo I got shortchanged on the amount of time I had to take the class photo.... hence a terrible class photo...ugh... oh well!

 Got a good one of the fancy diploma and the graduate!
Now onto big things in High School!

English Class

Look back at November and see a picture taken earlier in the year... English class grew a little.  

And we had a lot of fun along the way.  See you next year ladies!

Clara's Elementary School (5th grade) Graduation

5th grade 2010-11Graduation

Singing a song at the beginning of the ceremony.

 Each teacher gave their class their diplomas individually.

 Now we are ready for Middle School!

Clara with a good friend here at the Embassy, Maggie Tyson.

After watching Mary graduate just about 2 weeks ago, this "graduation" came as a surprise to me. Having caught me off guard brought more emotion than I expected.  She is the "baby"... she's not suppose to be growing up so big just yet!  

The American way -Baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet

Well at least we got the baseball going on.... 

John showed so much progress this year and got a hit nearly every time he was up to bat.

 run, run, run... and because at this age there are a lot of errors on the field he usually made it to the base!  

 Seth had opportunity to pitch and catch as well as play many positions on the field to include shortstop and third base. He really enjoyed the friendly play this league offered him!

 and of course for John it's all about the trophy and popsicle to end the season right!  

Stalin's Snow

The "puff" is literally everywhere and at times falls so heavily it really looks like it is snowing.  For someone who loves the real white fluffy stuff this summer substitute is kinda nice! Too bad I could not get a picture of it falling from the sky... I'll keep trying. For now you just have to appreciate the pictures from the source and where it has gathered on the ground.

These unseasonal snowstorms are a legacy of Stalin, who ordered the trees to be planted in 1934. It was clear that the city needed some greenery to soften the concrete desert that was emerging after many of Moscow’s more picturesque buildings had been removed to make way for Stalin’s own vision. The poplar tree was chosen for its durability against the harsh Russian climate and its ability to reach imposing heights at relative speed. Hundreds and thousands of poplar trees were planted but, unfortunately, almost all of them were female. Without enough male poplars to partner them, these female trees now release a stream of unfertilised pollen into the air, and so create the unique summer blizzards of Moscow.

End of the year strings concert.

The lone viola, Clara made more progress in the last month then she did all year.  She is very excited suddenly about continuing next year and I am so thankful.  Now if we can just get it worked out in the middle school schedule!!  Also, we need to upgrade as she has outgrown her viola and needs to trade up.  Hope you enjoy a sample of her playing.  Her teacher encourages her that she really has some talent, but we run into the same problem sometimes as we did with piano as she likes to play by ear and not read the music!  Hope we can keep up the enthusiasm through the summer months!