Joy is 4!

We have a four year old in the house! We have been celebrating our little girl all week. All day I was reminded of the morning she was born 4 years ago and amazed at how much she has grown and changed in just one year.

Joy, your birth surprised us. The days after your birth were filled with anxiety, happiness and worry. Four long days later when we got to bring you home we were overcome with gratitude and awe at the little life we had been given. We love you Joy! You are a joyful and sassy little girl who has a mind of her own. You are determined and always try your hardest. We have seen such growth in you this first year of preschool. You listen to your teacher and are worried for other students when they get in trouble. You can get dressed in all your winter clothes yourself (which is HUGE because you refused to wear pants in September). You love going to music and art class the best. You can spell your name out loud and your favorite letters are "Annie Apple" and "Talking Tess". You love playing with your playmobile people, especially the goats and sheep. You are still our animal love and avid bookworm. You still think you are from Hong Kong or New Zealand depending on the day but you love our new home in Estonia (especially because you get to play outside no matter the weather). Happy Birthday sweetie.

February 17 Actual birthday
At school International day was the same day as her birthday this year. Simon and I got to spend most of the morning with her. Then we all came home for lunch and naptime. As a special treat she got to watch Finding Nemo after nap. She then got to pick where we ate dinner. Her choice (same as last year) was 'Old McDonalds". Simon and she enjoyed a happy meal. Then we came home and opened presents. She got a Playmobile Camper Van from Hokey Dinah Grandma and Grandpa. We had to pry it out of her hands come bedtime.

4 year old Birthday Interview



February 19 Cupcakes in classroom
Joy's class sang her Happy Birthday. Then we all ate cupcakes!

Feb 20 A little party at home with the Hamer Family
Joy is in love with the turtle stuffed animal they got her

snow

Christmas break has come and gone. We had a very fun time exploring Estonia, Helsinki and Stockholm during the break (the kids loved riding on the ferry and even spending the night on one). Snow came during Christmas break! It has been very fun and very new experience for three of the Christensens.

Old Town Christmas market in the snow 

After two weeks of snow and VERY cold weather we are getting used to all the clothing we have to put on (and exiting the house quickly before Joy and mommy freak out because they are getting too hot). Being on vacation in the snow is much more fun that regular life in the snow. Getting anywhere with kids takes a long time and all they want to do is play in it instead of walking or riding in the sled.  Brad and I are getting a work out pulling the sled all over creation. Simon loves to drag his hands in the dirty snow. Both kids are loving making snow angles, burring themselves in the deep drifts and kicking the soft fluffy stuff. It has been truly magical!

Joy playing in the snow during morning break 

Simon playing in the snow after we drop Joy off at school  

Walking on the frozen sea in Pärnu

Walk through the park 

Merry Christmas!

We had a fun trip to Sweden (post to come) and launched right into Christmas preparations! We had a wonderful first Christmas in Estonia.

On Christmas Eve we went to a Christmas eve service, followed by a great turkey dinner (Joy loves turkey and Simon loves mashed potatoes). Then we went for a walk in Old Town to see the big tree and the reindeer (it never gets old!). The kids then opened three presents (we wanted to spread out the gifts a bit). They got Christmas jammies and a new sweater that Grammie made. They also got new bath toys. It was a monumental evening because Joy actually wore the nightgown to bed (she never wears pjs as they are always "too hot").

 Joy was making weird faces on purpose...so this is the best one we got!

Then on Christmas morning we skyped with Grammie, Grandpa, Auntie Julie, Uncle Tyler and Auntie Ruthie. The kids opened their presents in a flurry! It took them forever to notice their new IKEA kitchen that was covered with a blanket. Joy is in love with her new baby doll (she has wanted it since October and kept reminding us that she wanted it for Christmas). Simon has been busy with his digger. We bought them their first board game and have played it a few times. Simon is still catching on and Joy just wants to cheat :-)

Beginning of November at school and home

....and Joy got a cute new haircut. For some reason it makes her look so big to me! 

Joy and Simon love setting up the train tracks with a full zoo in the middle. Then she has Brad and the little crocodile Dundee man talk about all the animals (like on planet earth). It is very cute. 

School (Joy loves music class and PE although recently Joy has been missing her friends in Hong Kong... Which makes us all feel sad.) 

Joy in school: last two weeks of October

We got our first student portfolio for Joy. I've never been more proud of jagged cutting, messy glueing and scribbled coloring in my life. It has been so fun to see Joy learn so many new things and excell in school. As she says "I have a hard job at school everyday!"  

Joys assessment of school so far :"I like playing dolls and collecting water at outside playtime. Writing letters is very hard."  She loves PE and music class. She likes to play with Carina, Asli and Asher (Michael likes to bother her.. Or so I'm informed by Joy).