Leena's Class Field Trip to the Heidelberg Zoo

It is officially "Field Trip Season" at the elementary school and first up is Leena's class!  They went with a couple of other 2nd grade classes to the Heidelberg Zoo.  I was lucky to be selected as a chaperone.  The weather was very chilly and called for rain, but since the buses were booked, we pressed on!  We got very lucky to have the rain hold off on us for the few hours that we were there.

The class poses with a bear in the lobby.

Class picture.

Me with my team - Julian, Leena and Ava.  A great group!

In addition to the three second grade classes from the American DOD school, there were also several German elementary school classes at the zoo.  The differences between the American kids and the German kids were vast.  The German kids walked around the zoo and were very orderly and quiet.  Meanwhile, the American kids were loud and all over the place!  For example, the kids in Leena's class were on the lookout for one of the zoo's peacocks that roam freely.  Once they spotted one, they started running toward it, arms waiving and screaming.  Their actions scared away the sweet peacock.  Just before this happened, a group of German kids were quietly standing and observing the peacock.  I can't imagine what was going through their heads!

The class went nuts over this peacock!

Everyone in the class had to observe five different animals - they had to draw a picture of the animal, write down what it was doing at the time and what types of things were in its environment.  Here is my team observing the elephants.

The entire class in front of the elephants.

Leena with Miss Perry.  Today was Miss Perry's last day at school.

The class at the seal show.

This is Henry.  He could have entertained us for hours!

Beautiful Sunset

One of many things that I will miss when we leave Germany are the beautiful sunsets.  Such brilliant colors of pink!  This picture really did not do this sunset justice. 

More Good-byes

By far, the toughest part of being a military family is saying good-bye to all the wonderful friends that you meet along your journey.  With the closure of the Heidelberg Army Post only a few short months away, we are saying good-bye more and more.  Over the past few days, we have said good-bye to our close friends, the Lehmans and to Leena's student teacher, Miss Perry.  Lots of tears have been shed! 

Leena and Makenzie get to hang out a few days before Makenzie and her family head back to the States.

Leena's student teacher, Ms. Perry.  It was her last day and her birthday!  She will be returning to Washington State University to graduate and to have a classroom of her own.

Leena's class quizzes Miss Perry on her favorite things - something they do on everyone's birthday.

Leena's class takes one last picture with Miss Perry!

Last Brownie troop meeting!  Leena with her Troop 186 leaders, Mrs. Amy and Mrs. Ami.

Having fun with Makenzie one last time!!

Ami and I have become very close friends over the past couple of years.  This tour would have been a lot harder without her!!  Who would have thought an Army wife and a Navy wife would have become such good friends?  Military wives are truly some of the best people you will meet!

Daisy Build-a-Bear Party

Taryn's Daisy troop decided to spend their hard-earned cookie money on a party at Build-a-Bear (yes, there is a Build-a-Bear in downtown Heidelberg!).  Taryn has been counting down the days until this party!  Her fabulous troop leader, Julie, was Leena's Daisy leader last year and she always invites Leena to participate with Taryn's troop (which makes my life A LOT easier!).  It was a fun day!

Taryn's Daisy troop and another Brownie troop wait for the party to begin!

Shopping for an animal.  Decisions, decisions!

Leena chooses a bunny and waits patiently while it is stuffed.

Taryn also chooses a bunny and stuffs it.

The group adds a heart and puts the final stitches in their animals.

Both troops pose with their newly-made friends!

The final product = 2 happy girls!

Star Award Ceremony #3 (or #4)?

Today, Leena and some of her other fellow 2nd graders were recognized for having a piece of outstanding work displayed in the front lobby of the school.  This was Leena's third or forth time being recognized this year.  Way to go Leena!

Leena receives her award from Principal Peltz.

Leena and her fellow 2nd graders pose with their certificates.

Leena with her buddy, James.

Turns out Leena actually received TWO certificates today!  Yea Leena!!

Our first round of good-byes

Today we celebrated both a happy occasion and a sad one.  We were very happy to celebrate our friend, Elle's, fifth birthday!  Unfortunately, we celebrated the party early because her family is heading back to the States tomorrow.  We will greatly miss the Tripp family.  We have spent many wonderful times together over the past couple of years and have become great friends.  It's one of those rare occasions where both the parents and the kids enjoy hanging out together.  They will be moving to Kansas City, Kansas and we will miss them dearly.  Hopefully we can get together again back in the States.

Elle and Taryn.

Buddies from the beginning... Maddie, Taryn and Elle.

The whole party gang at Happy Kids.

Julie, me and Kristina.  I will soooo miss these ladies!!  Very sad to say good-bye.

Leena, Elle, Taryn and Maddie.

The Tripp, Lincicum, and Knepper kids.  Best friends!!!  We miss them already!

The Girl Scout Challenge

Every year, the Heidelberg Girl Scouts put on a "Girl Scout Challenge".  It's a fun event that is attended by local girl scouts of all ages.  This year, the theme was "The Amazing Race".  Stations were set up all over the post.  The girls were split into teams consisting of a mix of girls from Daisys up to Cadets.  All teams started at the same station.  As soon as they completed the task at that station, they received a clue that would help guide them to the next station and task.  There were 20 stations and the event took about 4 hours to complete.  Greg and I each manned a station.  The girls had a blast, but it was one loooong afternoon!

The weather was cold and dreary.  Somehow Greg managed to score the best station... the one located inside the Java cafe!!  He got to sit indoors, drink unlimited coffee and watch TV!  He was at station #7 and Taryn's team was the first team to arrive.  Greg's station was a trivia question... "Where and when was the first girl scout meeting held and who was the leader"?  Taryn's team was gone within minutes.

Second team to arrive was Leena's team.  They whipped out the answer in seconds!

Taryn helps her team out on the most time consuming station.  Pieces of a puzzle were hidden inside the play equipment.  Each team had to send one team member at a time into the equipment to find a zip lock bag that contained a sticker that matched their team color and contained 10 puzzle pieces.  They had to do this 10 times in order to find 10 bags containing 100 puzzle pieces.  After which, they had to assemble the puzzle! 

Leena successfully finds a zip lock bag and puzzle pieces for her team!

Taryn's team assembles their puzzle.

Sage, Makenzie and Leena strategize.

Leena's team assembles their puzzle.

Taryn and her team complete an obstacle course.

At another station. Leena tries to identify what was in the box.

Here, the girls had to try and take a bite out of the apple without using their hands!  Is this even possible??

The last station was MY station.  Each team had to match flags to their respective country.  No problem! 

Big winners!!!  Taryn's team came in first place and Leena's team came in second place!!