From Dagpleje to Børnehave

Here's our big boy Broderick on his first day of børnehave. Børnehave is kindergarten here in Denmark. And while 3 seems very young to start it, it is mainly play. There isn't much, if any, structured education going on yet.


His first day was September 1, which meant his last day of dagpleje with Hanne. This was bittersweet for me. I think Broderick will have a lot of fun with the older children, kids more his size, but ... he loves Hanne and I trust her and am comfortable with him there.

Here he is saying goodbye to Hanne with his best buddy, Sofie standing next to them.

Giving Sofie a BIG hug. He is going to miss her a lot. They played so good together.

Broderick and Sofie in the playroom.

Broderick, Sofie and Emilia. The other little boy Mikkel wasn't here this day.

This is them with Hanne's husband, Just. Broderick LOVED him too. He talked about things he did with Just quite a bit. He's retired, so he sometimes would join them in their activities.

Hanne had me come in that day and have coffee and dessert with them. She had made a little photo album for Broderick and got him a gift too .... Legos!!! Very Danish, Broderick was quite excited.


Broderick loved it there and has asked each day.... not dagpleje today? But I'm not 3 yet mommy, I'm not old enough for børnehave. We have always told him when he's 3 then he will go, so he's a little confused why he's going already.

Here he is, ready to go on his first day. Of course he brought his "abe" (monkey) with him.

This was on the board outside his room. Its says Welcome Broderick. And then the lower line says "We are outside". In case you were wondering. =D

Broderick rushed right out to the playground. He wasted no time. I told him the first day that I could stay there for a while with him until he was ok. After we were there about 2 minutes, he informed me that I could go. Sniff .... that's me wiping a tear.

Venice

We disembarked in Venice and had a couple days until our flight back to Denmark. Venice was also beautiful. Its really unlike any other city I've seen. Zero cars!!! Everywhere you turned was another photo opportunity ... the old building, the canals, the bridges. But what made this city beautiful also made it a nightmare for children. All the bridges had stairs, there was water ... everywhere, and there was zero parks in the town. So not the best place for young children, especially if you're trying to push them in a stroller. =) Not fun to have to carry it over every bridge you came too.
Gondolas floating by the canal by our hotel.
Broderick being adorable! =D
Anika and I in Saint Mark's Square.
St Marks Cathedral ... they claim to have the remains of the apostle Mark inside.
Fiona and Broderick by a canal.
Walking through the town. We were very lost at this point, but that was ok.
On Accademia Bridge over the Grand Canal.
Brad, Anika and myself inside the Doge Palace.
Broderick had a lot of fun chasing the pigeons with Fiona. Venice had millions of pigeons! And they weren't scared of humans!
The 4 of us in St Marks Square ... the end of a great vacation!

We were heading back to Denmark and a week later we were to have Aaron and Luann join us. We were so excited to have visitors again!