Let's travel back to ….
13 June 2015
Today is a very BIG day for Annika. (and for me! and Lily! and Beth!)
The entire reason the girls and I left China on the last day of school was to get to the USA just in time to get Annika on a plane with her cousin, Lily, and send them off (together!) to Sitka, Alaska.
Yes, SITKA. Try finding it on a map!
Why Sitka??? There's a fine arts camp located in that small town that came highly recommended by several family members. This year was the only year that Annika and Lily could be in the same age group (Lily will be starting high school this year!!!! Eeeee!!!!). I'm very thankful to Beth who managed to get the girls' tickets sorted out. Since they're underage they have to fly as "unaccompanied minors"…which is kind of funny considering that these girls have flown more than many adults we know. ;-)
Annika has been waiting very patiently (NOT!) for this day to arrive:
Those are two very excited young ladies! This is technically Annika's first trip away from us… I have to admit, I'm both very excited for her but also tremendously sad (and a wee bit anxious) about her leaving us. I just know she'll have a great time!Beth, Lily and Annika waiting for the flight to board. I don't know if I should be happy or cry!
Aaaaaa!!!! They've boarded! They're sitting on this plane:
Beth and I were required to wait until the flight had actually taken off (due to them being unaccompanied minors; just in case the flight was delayed indefinitely or canceled we would be still there to take them). However, the flight took off…and they never looked back!
PS. In case you're wondering…..Annika absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED camp. Her classes were vocal solo, Northwest coast carving, drawing, painting, and watercolor painting (she shared a few of these classes with Lily). Lily and Annika were also room-mates – which I'm sure came as a great comfort to both girls (best friends and cousins can handle any number of issues if they're together). She came home with some beautiful pieces of artwork (my favorite are the fish she carved out of wood and several watercolor paintings) and many, many wonderful memories she can take with her for the rest of her life.