
Helena and her friend Lucy

Fayfessels in Atlanta
A rare meet up in dad’s workplace city this past weekend
Both Helena and Misha seem to really like camping even though they’ve only done it a handful of times. The family traveled to a nearby site recently (within an hour of atl) and the trip was highly successful.
After some time traveling the Fayfessels resumed normal life with misha feeding the chickens
Not the best zoo but had some time before heading back to Atlanta
On the Fayfessels way back to Milwaukee they stayed at a nice rural resort and played nine holes of golf, enjoyed some swimming, arcade, and other action on site including this luggage cart
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From the road (more on this soon)
Typical Helena-Misha time. Everybody not always in agreement about their idea of fun
One of Helena’s old daycare friends (actually both of her last daycares) just turned five and celebrated in her back yard
Bouncy castle
Another year another dinner with cousins Steve and Peg.
Newly opened and first time to see Marisa, Patrick, and Augusta with the whole families.
Helena is happy at her new school in Decatur. It’s a play based program and the teacher seems great. First newsletter just came in
Helena loves climbing trees and slow motion videos so this combination is a favorite
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At least they’re homemade and made with real fruit and let’s mom brush her hair
Helena had a mixed experience with Parkside but made some friends and grew to like it more as she went. She was in the Parkside pre-k for two weeks and will now to go to her dad’s school system pre-k starting next week
Misha has had a harder time falling asleep lately and generally is not as easy going. According to the wonder weeks:
The chickens have been a big hit among the Fayfessel children. They certainly provide countless hours of entertainment and possibilities for teaching responsibility to Misha and Helena
Misha started GPCP daycare again and he is back in his same class but with some new teachers. Helena has had a harder time transitioning but Misha did great according to his teachers
Helena had a good time re-enrolling in gymnastics for her first class back
Helena told her dad today: “I’m freaking out,” and she was pretty frozen at the entrance of the classroom moments later. She was not her normal self but she did just fine.
Meanwhile misha continues to play with his friend Mila at his nanny share
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Just a few days before Helena starts pre-K she visited her old playground with her brother
With concrete jungle
Good family friends Chris, Sarah, and River while in town for the wedding. The arboretum was beautiful but the DC summer heat got the better of both Misha and Helena
Some of the “best of” from Uncle Jonah
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Brothers Reunion 2021!
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Old Boston friends visit Vermont with their kid and Misha had some play dates
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Water is cold but Helena and Misha still want to swim!
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One year and pandemic later Helena arrives back in Vermont. This time with brother in tow
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Gathering “fire wood” with new friends
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The Fayfessels have chickens (incidentally so do many neighbors) and Helena and Misha are very excited
Misha got to see the Braves so Helena got her own sports night with mom and dad
Helena had a pretty fun surprise this past Sunday at Candytopia, an interactive immersive candy themed exhibition in Atlanta
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New responsibilities for Misha and especially Helena but they are excited
Last weekend the Fayfessels traveled to Lagrange GA to visit the Great Wolf water park with the DeGeorge’s. Misha enjoyed the lights and buttons at the arcade while Helena loved the small water slides
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Misha is loving his new nanny share. He is making new friends and enjoys the engaging environment
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Helena just finished her first week as a camper at Art Haus summer camp less than one block from her house. She enjoyed it quite a bit and is proud of her chefs d’œuvres and different mediums.
Helena tried her first “roller coaster” (or roller coaster like) in Helen GA this past weekend. Both Misha and Helena tried their hand for their first time at gem mining. And misha completed his first real set of stairs without using the rails
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Misha and Helena both took “Marci” swim class and did an intensive 7 day trial by fire baptism into swimming. Helena can now swim underwater short distances and Misha can survive and pull himself out at the edge of the pool. They can both float a little on their back and “jump” in the pool and then get back out. Helena is much less scared now and sometimes asks to go. Misha is a little more ambivalent
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Georgia that is
The campsite also had a playground which both misha and Helena enjoyed. Misha was into the hike and Helena tolerated it. The views at preacher’s rock on the AT were outstanding
In Cleveland Georgia- misha’s first time sleeping in a tent, or rather wagon in a tent. It went swimmingly
Fogetaboutit!
Helena came out for the teacher band show at rock and roll review at Decatur high Friday night. She had a great time and made friends with other teacher’s kids
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One of Helena’s best friends now is Willa who was at her former daycare and also switched to her current one
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Need to post more photos and videos from this fantastic celebration when we have a moment
After watching the first part of the Sound of Music for her first time, Helena fell almost fell asleep on the steps, just like in the movie.
https://youtube.com/shorts/loIrkrozRCM