Driveway Fun in Detroit City

Yes, yes, these posts are totally out of order. Enjoy!

Our last stop on our USA trip 2014, was a few restful days in Detroit. Sadly my dear friend and her daughter Sweetheart were not in the country, so we missed them. But we did not miss having a lot of fun on all of Sweetheart's toys.

Both of my kiddos had an especially great time in the American-sized driveway. When we first arrived in the States, Jelly Bean was too small to jump into the play too much. Just six weeks later she was right in the middle of it all.

First the kids played on different toys. Jelly Bean on the traditional move-it-yourself car and PJ on the motorized car. 

But quickly PJ invited Jelly Bean to get in the car with him. She was T.H.R.I.L.L.E.D.

PJ was fabulous with the responsibility, even letting her steer a little bit and reaching around her carefully to 'switch gears'. Jelly Bean just squealed with joy.

At some point PJ wanted to go faster and Jelly Bean wanted to move. So while PJ whipped around the driveway in the car, Jelly Bean ran around pushing an empty toy stroller in front of her.

It was loud. It was fun. It was sweet. It was wonderful.

XO

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy 2013!

We got to celebrate with Sweetheart and her mom who were visiting Germany from the US. It was a great couple of days together and PJ and Sweetheart had an excellent time together.

 

Beautiful Sweetheart and her mommy.

It took PJ a little while to warm up to sharing his toys but within 30 minutes, he was so overwhelmed with the joy of having Sweetheart in the house that he was a goof the vast majority of the time. We actually have a video of him flipping out with joy but I can't get it to load. Instead, here is one of many silly faces he made at the camera.

 

And once they started playing with each other, there was no stopping them.  Here is one short video.

 

And two pictures. Please don't let these fool you, Sophie isn't passive; she is a pro and holding her own ground. Its just that I was able to get decent pictures when PJ had whatever toy it was at the time and wasn't trying to steal back his toys.

 

Though to be honest, those pictures are pretty funny.

 

 

 

To see how much they've grown, check out this blog post with the same toy.

 

Of course, the mommies enjoyed the time that the babies were playing with each other to finally catch up and reconnect. As much as we may try to send back emails and keep up over Facebook and phone calls, face-to-face is just better. Especially now that we are both moms of children the same age, its great to see how similar and how different they - and we - have become. Our children are so different and we have become different parents too, which is such a blessing!

 

Now she just needs to move back to Germany already!

 



We also confirmed, for all three of us adults, that while twins would be somehow manageable, it sure keeps your hands super full! While we were at the local playground, the Mr. took over both kids on the swings. Hilarity ensued.

Before feeding the kids dinner, we put off a short firework display for them. Sophie was totally into it!



After a looooong process of getting - and keeping - the kids asleep on New Years Eve, we finally enjoyed significant amounts of wine and champagne and a relaxed meal with just the adults. Then, per German tradition, the fireworks started. Just like last year, PJ joined us for the excitement. Sweetheart slept through the chaos.

The Steinbach clan at midnight.

Little PJ or Lisa from the Simpsons?

 

 

2012 was a good year; 2013 is going to be epic!

xx
The Sandy Hook survivors returned to school today. Please continue to pray for them and please join me in Demanding a Plan.



Sweetheart Visits Again

**Whoops - I forgot to hit "publish" about, what, three weeks ago?**

Remember how lucky I was to share my pregnancy with a close friend who was pregnant at the same time? And how her precious one was born just one day after PJ and how our little babies - mine the long and lean Duracell baby and hers the dimpled little Buddha baby (nicknamed Sweetheart starting now) - finally met each other in December?

Sweetheart was back in town and our little ones got to play together again. Supposedly babies don't play with each other until they are two or so years old. I beg to differ.

Our little ones warming up to each other in the Schwetzingen Castle gardens.

Later the little ones playing at the standing table together.

Sitting next to each other, playing together.

Our little ones are still so different but they are both equally special. I sure do hope they get to spend a lot more time together in the future!

xo

Vancouver vs. Detroit: S'more Style

One of my favorite activities when I was growing up, is still an activity that I really enjoy as an adult: sitting around a campfire, making s'mores. A s'more is comprised of two graham crackers, some chocolate, and toasted marshmallows. Yummy, yummy, yummy!

On this latest trip, I got the chance to experience two very different areas of the world: Vancouver and the greater Detroit area. In both locations I enjoyed s'mores, and looking back, I realized that the two s'mores reflected the spirit of the two cities.

This is a Vancouver (Whistler) s'more: organic, handmade, beautiful but slightly more concerned with appearances that most likely necessary.

This is a Detroit s'more: sloppy, super fattening, anything but organic, but really laid back and lots of fun.

That’s basically the difference between the two cities. And while Vancouver is absolutely complete kick ass,

xo