My mum came on the train on Thursday night. Ready for the early morning celebrations before school.
We baked a cake and decorated the table and set up all the presents. Except one. We hid it on the balcony as a surprise.
But the biggest most ginormous surprise was the request of that just 8 year old to walk home by herself from school! Not just walk but take the train as well!
I know kids in Germany (or more precise Europe) are much more independent and used to get to and from school by themselves or with friends or siblings often during their first weeks of school, but for us it's new. New and exciting. And a little bit scary of course.
I was really looking forward to it and giving the kids more responsibility and independence can only be a good thing in my eyes and will help them to be more aware of their surroundings their role their place in this world I believe. And it was one of the main things making us move so far. Giving them more responsibility and independence is giving them more freedom at the same time. More freedom to trust their instincts more freedom to make decisions and more freedom to learn.
So after she had been asking all week and finally was brave enough and ready on Friday, she did it...kind of.
As she wasnt 100% sure she would find it alright we made a deal: We would wait outside the school and when she came out pretended not to know her but follow her close enough to make sure she was ok!
After she made sure I saw her she went to the train station hopped on the train, got of at the right stop and walked safely home.
I am so proud of her! What an amazing step she did! What an amazing girl she is!
She was so proud of herself!
Mila's pink shoes on the far back ...
Her pink backpack was easy to spot...
My mum on Mila-watch while I got of the painfully slow lift...
And to top the birthday celebrations my brother came with his two sons as well. And with his teenage sons girlfriend.
I have to admit I was a teensy-weensy-little-bit nervous. I guess a visits used to be for 3 weeks. At least!
It is so new to have family close by and able to come (just) for a weekend!
How amazing for Mila to have her cousins and uncle and grandma over for her birthday. What a present!
So we hung out around the neighbourhood and just enjoyed the time together...
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