After visiting with my family near Paderborn I took the the train back to Hamburg. I jumped off in Bremen, met my friend Daniela and her baby for lunch and ice cream, and then continued the journey down to Hamburg to see my dad again. What a life!

Now my body is catching up with me, my stomach feels squeezy from all the good-byes over the last week of months and my eyes are a bit teary.

Tomorrow I’m off to Malta. I’m looking forward to seeing my IMEC family again. They have become such a big part in my life and I’ve missed them all summer.

He usually likes hanging out with me, but he needed his diaper changed…

On our way to see our family.

Love Love.

An update from the Prime Minister’s Award: Here is a link to the Exemplary Practices publications that represent a culmination inspiring ideas by award-winning educators 🙂

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmaece-ppmepe.nsf/eng/h_wy00450.html

One of the nicest airport pick-ups to date: My dad, my sister and John, AND my nephew Lennert.

I’m so glad I decided to fly to Germany before heading south to Malta. I can’t remember the last time I visited twice in one year! And everyone is keeping me busy which means I don’t have time to miss home too much…

I’ll upload some pictures when I’m more awake.

Love, A

After seeing my friend Anne a couple of times this summer I was so inspired that I just had to start a new idea book. It’s just a way to document some of the good ideas (my research proposal, art activities, books, readings, projects with children….) for future reference… I’m so happy.

Anne has a children’s bookstore with beautiful, magical, kind books. She is also an Early Childhood Educator and Children’s Yoga teacher. She is amazing. Check out kinderbooks.ca or www.facebook.com/kinderbooks to see her page. Anne is thinking about starting a blog and I hope she will, then we all can be inspired by her and have a look into her idea book/blog.

Great Nanna and grandpa Warren came for a visit from Ontario.

Earlier that day Evan and I had breakfast with my mom and Bob. They shared their favorite summer treat with us: frozen champaign grapes. We made some for Nanna and Warren and they LOVED them.

Now, why are you still reading this? Go buy yourself some champaign grapes and put them in the freezer. Wait. Enjoy. Yum. Yum.

I’ve decided to put in one day of homework before I go to Malta. I’ve worked on most of my summer tasks…

1. I’ve read and commented on a thesis from one of the students who did her research in Malta (still one more thesis to read, but I can do that on a rainy day).

2. I’ve searched for all sorts of articles that talk about the Early Childhood Educator as Professional and the state of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Canada.

3. This last task was especially tricky… I have copied my presentation about ECE in Canada from the Dublin folder to the Malta folder. Done.

Now that I’ve put work and homework behind me, I am free until I leave for Europe next week. It will be bittersweet: I will miss my people here, but I will get to meet my new nephew on the other side 🙂

We just came back from a family trip to the folk’s place in the mountains. One of the most magical places in the world. I’ll find a photo for you when I’m more awake tomorrow.

Great Nanna and Warren are in town for a visit.

My piano teacher who is in her seventies gave me some clothes to wear for Malta.

Tomorrow will be my last day at work FOR A WHOLE YEAR.

Evan and I got carded at the winery.

My mom picked me up form work today (the kids always get a kick out of that!).

My sister and John chose a name for my nephew. Lennert. I will get to meet him next week. Finally!

My sister gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy.

He is 51 cm and 3715 gr OR 20.08  inches and 8.2 pounds.

How I wish I could be there… Kerstin is in Germany at the moment and will move back to Canada in a couple of months.

Welcome to the world!

Tante Antje

Anne and I went to the Wonder of Learning Exhibition this week. ECCE friends in Vancouver, you should go and get inspired. We took a lot of ideas from this exhibition. And it’s free!

http://www.wonderoflearningvancouver.com/