Friday, June 28, 2019

Last Days of School

School has wrapped up for another year.  Finley and Cainan finished 6th grade and Arlington 10th grade.  Now they are off for the next 6 weeks and we are getting geared up to head for Pennsylvania for the summer.

Before school ended, Cainan's school went on a nice school trip, (pictures posted before) had a nice end of the year program (since this is his last year at this school -it only goes to the 6th grade), and Finley's school went on a school trip.  The kids are getting amazing experieces living here, and we are always grateful.

Here are a few pictures from the end of school.

Finley's school spent a few days in the Blackforest, Germany for their last school trip of the year


Cainan had a great class at Early Learing Academy, and we are going to miss this school.  A few of his classmates will be joining him at his new school of the Swiss international School

The kids had to all write an end of the year speech without help.  I think Cainan did a great job.

Finley's school sang songs at the end of the year program.  I especially enjoyed Let's Go Fly A Kite in German


Last day of school!











Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Saying Goodbye to another Expat

Today we went into France to have lunch and celebrate one last fun trip together before our friend Donna moves back to the United States. I am so glad we got a chance to know her over the last 2 years, and we are going to miss her very much. We had a great time today, and I know we made lasting memories



We went to the towns of Eguisheim and Wettolsheim in the Alsace region of France (which is less than an hour away for us here in Basel). I have been to Eguisheim before, but not the other. Both were so beautiful. We had a great time. We walked and explored, and had an amazing lunch. Great day















Sunday, June 16, 2019

Arlington's Birthday Trip to London

Mat and this goofy girl are off on a weekend adventure to London. Arlington is finally getting to cash in her birthday trip. They have a few things planned: climb the O2, see Matilda the musical, The London Bridge Experience, The London Dungeon, eating at the Cereal Killer and Inamo, and shopping! This is her 3rd trip to London and she is finally getting to do things her siblings won’t.



They had a gret time climbing the O2








Saturday, June 15, 2019

Walk in Riehen

Took a long walk through beautiful Riehen today. Saw “old money” mansions and wide rolling hills. Riehen is one big uphill walk, though, and I thought the Hellringwegli Street name was a perfect fit






Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Cainan's End of School Trip

I dropped Cainan off early this morning at the train station for a 2 day trip he is taking with his 6th grade class. The 6th graders are the oldest at his school, and they take the students each year on a trip to Ballenberg Open Air Museum for a few days in Brienz, Switzerland. He was very excited. I attached a photo of Brienz because you have to see it - so gorgeous. The school has such a fun trip planned - I am jealous




Thursday, June 6, 2019

Finley's Retinal Appointment

After 4 hours of eye appointments this morning, we came out with GOOD NEWS! Finley's vision is STABLE. She has had no changes since her last retinal appointment two years ago. We are so grateful. I was worried because with RDH12 LCA, sometimes when kids go into their teens (and grow) their vision does a dramatic change. But hers DID NOT. I am so so happy.
Help me celebrate the good news by participating in our fundraiser!!! Follow the link and buy some tickets. We are creeping towards clinical trials, and we went to make sure we have that money ready to go when we get there.


Sunday, June 2, 2019

Cainan's 13th birthday

Today our house gained another teenager.  Cainan had his big birthday trip a few weeks ago to Legoland, so unfortunately today, he had to spend the day in the car traveling home.  But he was fine with it because we had a fun weekend.

We did have a few presents and a cake for him, which made up for the long car ride.

 I am so lucky to be his mom. He is kind, sweet, smart, loving, giving, patient, hard working, and just the overall best kid. We love him so much, and can’t wait to see what his future brings.





Last Day in The Netherlands

Today, before we left the Netherlands, we stopped to see the windmills. I had chosen Kinderdijk since it was on our way home. It was a great stop. We spent several hours exploring the windmills( we could go into two and see how they were set up for the families that lived there) and walking around the park. It was cool to see windmills that are several 100 years old. We were told that if they didn’t pump the water out of this part of the country, it would be underwater within 3 months. We are now back in Basel after a wonderful long weekend.










 Inside one of the windmills