On the Resilience of Children

The verdict is in. Many commented that you want 300 Cinnamon Buns to live on. Oh dear, be careful what you wish for. I’m sure I will have a few pithy comments on the differences between Stockholm and California.

Today, I am writing about the Cinnamon Sticks. Watching them navigate the transition back to the US has been inspiring. As a parent (and adult), I feel like I constantly worry. But the Cinnamon Sticks aren’t burdened by our overbearing sense of responsibility. They truly get to live in the moment. And they are very adaptive. So if you’re considering a crazy adventure for your children, do it! They will be OK.

5th Grade Graduation!

Our youngest Stick just graduated from 5th grade! When we moved back, she returned to her old school: Los Altos Christian School. Her new/old school is warm, caring, and very cozy. It is a far cry from the Hogwarts-esque historic schoolhouse that she attended in Stockholm. The schools are as different as possible. She jumped right in, enthusiastically, renewing old friendships and making new ones. She made the honor roll both semesters! Here she is getting her diploma:

A photo before and after of her and a friend from Kinder, and now:

Time Flies! We couldn’t be happier for her.

Oh, what a show!

Our oldest Cinnamon Stick joined the musical at her school called “Newsies”. She had to audition while we were still in Stockholm. She conducted several interviews and submitted samples of her singing and performing work. It was pretty intense, but the musical was even more so. Every Tuesday, both during and after school, they practiced a total of four hours. The week before the show, known as “Tech Week,” was devoted to practicing and setting up for the performance. They had three shows over two nights—and it was in an actual theater! No plays in the school gym here, this was serious stuff!

Oldset Cinnamon Stick playing “Specs” in Newsies.

She was also “Olive” in the Bowery Brigade.

It was a super fun performance! Our former nanny also came out to enjoy the festivities!

I think having this performance to focus on allowed her to make friends and quickly adapt to her new school. And it was so much fun!

One of the additional benefits of being back in the US is the proximity to family. Although the bulk of our family lives on the East Coast, it is still more accessible than visiting from Stockholm. In fact, we hosted both sets of parents for a visit while the girls got their first communion! Our parents haven’t been together in over a decade. It was a house full of fun and family:

Grandparents in the house!

They are lovely and silly.

I guess the message here is, “the kids are going to be alright"! I’m amazed at the flexibility, courage, and energy they have shown as they welcome California as their new home.

To be continued…