First of the first

Natalie's first day of school was on Tuesday, September 3rd (the day after Labor Day). Of course, the day started with a pretty breakfast table:

Butterflies on the napkin - hopefully not in the tummy...

Someone was a little too excited to do more than pretend-sleeping.

The obligatory first day of school picture...

- And the much more fun and silly one that is just sooo Natalie!

Speaking of silly -

- That's the end (pun intended).

 As usual, we waited outside of daycare so we could wave to Natalie on the school bus:

Waiting outside of daycare with her fellow students.

Walking to the school bus. The little girl in front of Natalie was new to the school and school bus thing. Natalie was asked to sit with her on the bus to help her out. Natalie was so proud to be a big girl!

Going on the bus.

 And then we waved to our newly minted First Grader!

On the way home I stopped to get a special cookie for Natalie. For some reason, they didn't have any first day of school cookies at the store, but when I asked they made this one especially for Natalie:

123-ABC

Happy First Day of School. 

Welcome to First Grade, Natalie!

Goooooaaaal!

Tonight, Natalie scored her first goal on the soccer field. She dribbled the ball all by herself, all the way from the middle of the field. She looked so happy, and all the other players and the coach gave her high-fives etc. And I may or may not have jumped halfway out of my chair cheering for her...

Natalie has really enjoyed the soccer season. Today's game was the second to last - only one more to go this Wednesday. I'm so glad we signed her up, she's been having a blast.

Happy Half-birthday, Natalie!

Natalie's half-birthday is in June, and of course we had to celebrate:

A pretty birthday table for a pretty girl

Natalie wanted "Daddy-cakes" and crepes for breakfast. "Daddy-cakes" are an old Danish specialty, kind of like pancakes made from rice-pudding. Danes know them as "klat-kager". Fortunately, they were just thick enough that we could put a birthday candle in them.

Of course, there was a small present for the birthday kid - a paint it yourself treasure chest that Natalie has been wishing for for a long time. She's such an artist!

Happy Half-birthday, Natalie! 6 and 1/2 years old - way to go!

Playtime

To Celebrate Natalie's last day of Kindergarten and the start of summer, Natalie and I took some time to have some fun together.

We went to the Children's Museum where Natalie did some "cooking" for me:

Here is your pizza - careful, it's hot!

We also had a day of water-fun at home:

Ready for the water-balloons!

Last day of Kindergarten

Of course, we made sure that Natalie's last day of Kindergarten was special. That day, she came home to this:

Graduation decorations on the table.

A special present.

And a "Last day of Kindergarten" card - yes, they actually make those...

And of course, a very special treat.

And, in case you didn't notice: Natalie was wearing (pretty much) the same outfit on her last day of Kindergarten as she did on her first day of Kindergarten!

Just being silly

Sometimes, there's nothing better than being silly together. The other evening, Karsten grabbed the camera and got a few shots of Natalie and I playing on the floor:

Besties...

Acrobatics...

Ta-dah!

Natalie's first soccer game

Natalie started her soccer games in early June. She really enjoys it. Here's a couple of action shots from her first game:

Trying to get the ball.

Go, Natalie, Go!