It's Ferien!!!!

As I picked Mia up from school today, it seemed like something in a movie. Her school is super old, it has ceilings that seem 20 feet high, and it looks like it should be on TV. The students use wooden desks, antique cupboards store supplies, and it is just adorable. So as I am waiting outside her classroom for the old fashioned, what some would call deafening, bell to ring - I hear this yelling of a countdown begin in the classroom next to hers....10 - 9- 8 - 7 - and so on (of course in German), and then when they reached the "1" - the bell rang, the door flew open, and happy, giddy children filled the hallway. Something you would envision in a movie the last day of school before summer break. Yes it is finally Ferien (School Vacation). 2 weeks of sleeping in, very few afternoon activities, and just utter bliss (in my mind). The snow has still not stuck on the ground (although we have gotten quite a few flurries recently), all of the gifts are wrapped, packages mailed, baked goods have been distributed, school is out, and we can finally relish in the Christmas Spirit for a few more days. (It is much easier to relish, with all of the lists checked off :-)) So we are officially ready for Christmas!