KIDS IN AMERICA: September 2015

Despite his homework-skeptical parents, Samu has been such a happy homework-er.

Sofia, as always, has her own approach. She really really wants to do homework -- in a silly costume and for about 30 seconds.

Last weekend, we took a trip to the Harvard University's Arboretum - a big and very pretty park. The main goal was to enjoy the nature and exhaust the kids.

Running, running, running ...

We had a lot of fun - but the ones that were exhausted in the end were not the kids.

Back at home we spent some time around the house ...

... and in our neighbor-suburb with Samu's friend Abe and his family.

Samu and Abe helped Kate peel the corn.

While Charlotte explored the trash.

Just like the parents, the 4 kids get along very well.

Waiting for apple pie.

The early fall is particularly nice around BU - Fenway is open again, the air is fresh and the views are pretty.

In daycare, a lot of birthdays were celebrated in both Samu's and Sofia's group.

Samu is such a great student!

But thankfully his favorite thing to do is still to play.

PRE-K

Samu started Pre-K this year! (Pre-K is short for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten being the first year of compulsory schooling in the US. To many people, this marks the beginning of their school career.) This is kind of a big deal and came somewhat surprisingly to us - but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Samu absolutely loves it! He is in the same school, but is now allowed to enter the "big-kid classroom" and work with his favorite teacher on reading, math, and writing every day. He goes to school with a big smile and an even bigger backpack and has totally embraced the big-boy role. He loves his own desk, his books and crayons, and, most importantly, his teacher Ms. Irene.

Samu is now also allowed to brush his teeth by himself at school. As a little introduction, a dentist came to visit and gave the children a class in "dental hygiene 101".

Welcome to Pre-K! Samu did not care too much about the welcome reception for Pre-K kids, during which they received their backpacks and moved into their classroom. He just wanted to get going.

Hanna's work year started with a reception of some sort as well: The annual SED (School of Education) retreat was held at a fancy downtown hotel. It was an productive and work-intense event that made Hanna realize how many excellent colleagues she has.

Tommy Chang (front right), the brand-new superintendent of the Boston Public Schools district, gave the keynote!

SED at work

Hardin Coleman, aka the big boss :-)

Hanna co-led a workshop on dealing with micro-aggressions.

Hanna's work year started with a firework of good news: Amazing students, a quite flattering feature in the SED magazine, two new research and service projects, a pay raise, and, most importantly, the feeling of being well-connected, well-acknowledged, and well-liked. Thank you, SED friends!

Hanna's favorite committee: Equity, Diversiy, and Inclusion - it's so good to see that this group of committed scholars is exploding in size and receiving a lot of attention across SED.

Hard work followed by delicious food.

After this first intense week, we thought we deserved a special treat - so we took off to spend two days on Cape Cod over the long Labor Day weekend.

A very nice woman thought we were quite a sight, took this picture of us, and emailed it to us. Thank you, friendly stranger! :-)

First stop: Chatham, at the "elbow" of the cape.

Look at this beach!

Blankets down, clothes off!

After lunch we moved into our hotel loft in Yarmouth.

Exploring the hotel beach.

Good night, hotel!

Samu: "What a mess!"

The next morning started out right with balcony breakfast.

Samu led the way with maps and plans.

And the kids' choice for the day was to do a swimming tour: outdoor pool, indoor pool, ocean, and hot tub. So that's what we did.

Sofia's first time with water wings. She looks a little hesitant in these pictures, but after a few minutes she was nonstop-shrieking for joy.

Lunch at Hyannis Harbor.

After a quick stop at the JFK memorial ...

... and observing some hermit crabs ...

... and seagulls catching fish ...

... we went on a duck tour. That's a very touristy tour in an old army vehicle that first drives on the road and then turns into a boat. Very exciting!