August – December 2013

In August  Sarah started 1st grade and Nadiah the first Kindergarten class. They like it very much and Nora gets exercise by walking Nadiah to her place and pick her up. School is good and Sarah takes advantage of the buddy system. A six grader takes care of the beginners.
In fall we went to Austria for a few day with uncle Juerg, attended the wedding of Haiming and Speedy and enjoyed some hikes in the mountains. We had to admit Nana to a dementia ward, as it got too dangerous at home. Opapi broke his hip a few weeks later and spent the rest of 2013 in hospitals and rehab.

First day of school

1st grade friends

Proud student

first day of KiGa

Wedding of our friends

Hiking up the mountains

Hiking

Traditional gift bearer parade

Austria with uncle Juerg

Crafting lantern for parade

Proud

St. Nikolaus visited

The Singis are here

lunch in Appenzell

Xmas

xmas

Lantern parade

Xmas at Barbara and Helmut

Wil is known for tradition. Advent was filled with activities, Stefan’s beloved St. Nikolaus, Singing in the old town for the kids and Sarah crafted her own lantern for the New Years Eve parade. We were ready for the Singi family to arrive to celebrate Xmas and have winter fun. (See newsletter)

May to July 2013

On her way from Yale USA to Singapore, Faizah did stop at our house. the girls were excited to have her here and she went around St. Gallen with historical guide Uncle Juerg, Konstanz and around Wil. The birthdays of the girls we did celebrate as a family. For Sarah, Papi organized a birthday party with a treasure hunt. The kids enjoyed the clues and especially food, drinks and games at Nana and Opapis garden.

End of June, we had a long weekend in the mountains of the french part of Switerland. My USA successor and good friend Albert and his wife Pingo did host us at their chalet. The kids enjoyed the ride and staying at a real mountain house. Hikes, games and great hosts guaranteed a mini vacation that felt like weeks. Sarah had year-end activities at Kindergarten and we really appreciate the methodology of Ms Suter in her class. Sarah made huge progress in German and liked every day at her Kindergarten.

July, Nora and the kids went to Singapore for a time filled with their families.

January – April 2013

Winter 2012/13 was very long with lots of snow and long very cold periods. It was good for the ski resorts, even the once on lower altitude had a good season. Nora and the kids enjoyed the outing with the TSH (former Jungwacht leaders), as we went snow shoe hiking…(German text or photos on club website). We were not ready for skiing this year, but went three days to the mountains and enjoyed hikes and sledging in Sedrun/Disentis.

Nora fine-tuned her baking and she enjoys creating Sunday bread in variations, especially the flower bread. We had as well some visitors for Asian/Malay food and enjoyed evenings/lunches with friends and family. We have uncle Juerg and parents over on weekends and did celebrate Easter at my sister house. Carnival was in February and the kids were dressing up for school and we went to some special events downtown. One night, all the marching bands played and we enjoyed this evening with uncle Juerg. Nora got a nice surprise, as her sister Nor had to pass in London for a business trip. They spent a short weekend shopping and catching up. The weekend with Papi alone was no issues for the kids…..

30th of March we celebrated one year Switzerland. Nora got a special Easter bunny “Ich bin ein Wiler”…I am a Wiler. She did a great job getting the kids and family settled. As Stefan predicted: “Kids will adjust fine and fast, Nora will get used, and I will have most issues”.

Sarah enjoys Kindergarten and we got the green light from the teacher for first grade. She made big progress in German (mainly high German…must be the TV!) and understands all instructions. She speaks freely, but grammar is bumpy…..but she communicates well with the kids. Nadiah enjyos her playgroup and can not wait to go to Kindergarten. Sarah did as well start her 3rd swimming course, already swimming with help in the very deep water….Nadiah enjoys playing in the water or the long slide with Papi during the lessons.

In April we hosted the TSH at our house after a hike. Nora did cook a popular Swiss dish and the group liked to hang out at our place. (Text / Photos) We did some outings, as Stefan could not take a full week off due to busy Givaudan schedule. We enjoyed going to Konstanz, visiting Circus or movie theater.