Last US Visitors

Our very last American visitors came a few weeks ago. It was the first time that my well-traveled aunt and uncle had visited and we had an excellent time together.

The Mr. was off skiing with his friends in a previously planned trip for the majority of their time here. It was a pity to miss him and we all fit into my VW Touran easier.
 

Uncle J is a master builder and showed great enthusiasm and patience in building with PJ. Together they built one complicated work of Lego art after another. Uncle J also helped PJ continue to learn that Legos don't break; Legos come apart, giving us another opportunity to build something even better.

Aunt P and little Jelly Bean bonded as well. By the fifth day, Bean wanted Aunt P to help her wake up in the morning.

We all went to Heidelberg together. There we introduced our visitors to Döner and Yufka. All things food inspire Bean and the entire family seemed to enjoy the food. It was excellent to have the chance to say goodbye to our favorite Döner place as well.
 

I also voted for my first primary ever while in Germany. Check out all the swag I got, even a Thin Mint cookie from the Girl Scouts!
 

While it wasn't always peaceful, and PJ still struggles with transitions and over-excitement, there continue to be many moments of laughter and sibling learning. Like this one while waiting for a bus in Heidelberg.
 

And this one at the Heidelberg castle.

And this one in the Schwetzingen castle garden. Both wanted to hold my hand to make "big-big-big" shadows.
 

Together we also went to Wörms and experienced Jewish history returned to life. We toured Schwetzingen. We went to Speyer. These are places that I've spent a good slice of time in while living here for work and while touring with visitors. I wouldn't have taken the time to say goodbye to each and now, with some time for reflection and even closer to our move, I'm so thankful that I did.

Once the Mr. returned, we even went to Straussbourgh, France.

The entire crew on a boat, in the sun. Fabulous French eclairs in our bellies.

While I've reached out to my aunt a handful of times for advice and feel an almost instant comfort with her, I haven't really spent all that much time with her or my uncle J. She lives on one coast and I lived first at home and then at college and then in Europe. This trip offered a chance to learn more about both.

For example, my uncle takes really good pictures and he takes taking pictures seriously. He can also fix anything and enjoys the process as well as the result. He has traveled extensively; gets frustrated (first time I ever felt that!); and has a very quiet and musical faith and practice of his faith. He is also giving of his experience and his wisdom, providing powerful input into the paperwork side of our move.

 

My aunt is far more forgiving and generous of her experience, her mistakes, her wisdom, and her struggles than even I expected. She has mothered two very different children into adulthood and is (to date) the most clear and supportive ally in my life who offered me realistic, loving feedback about my parenting and my children when asked.

 

Together they have been married almost 35 years. They are serious and they are hilarious.

 

 

They live both. And it is gorgeous to be a part of and watch from nearby.

 

Thanks for your time, Aunt P and Uncle J.

XO

Fasching 2013!

Finally! Blogger will allow me to upload pictures ... so this is a super heavy picture post. But since we're covering Fasching here, pictures make the story even more enjoyable. Have fun!

Fasching was a multi-day thing for us this year. Dressing up little PJ is too much fun to skip even once. The first day, we attended a parade in the Mr's little village. PJ went as Simba from the Lion King.

The entire Steinbach clan got into the fun. 

PJ fit right into the crowd, picking up candies with the older kids. 

This group impressed PJ the most. Same costume, eh?

The second day we went to a Childrens' Fasching party in our town. PJ went as a Bavarian. Adorable outfit, right?

PJ as a Bavarian; me as a rainbow; the Mr. as a pig. 

PJ was a little overwhelmed by the noise. 

Hum....who looks like who here?

The last day - that I have pictures for - was another parade, this one huge and in our own town. I met PJ's day care group at their place and together we walked to the parade.

Magical M and PJ

PJ enjoying popcorn thrown from the parade wagons.

Wish I could write even more but it took long enough to just get the pictures up. I'll leave it up to your fabulous imagination. ;)

xo

Happy Schwetzingen Weekend!

We bought our house in April and moved at the end of June. That means we've lived here less than three months and yet I find it hard to believe we lived anywhere else. Often I feel like this house was waiting for us, hoping for a young, chaotic, loving family. Since we were searching for a comfortable home in a good neighborhood with decent neighbours....lets just say the house got what it was waiting for and we hit a major jackpot.

I love this house. The Mr. loves this house. PJ loves this house. The more we settle, the more often the Mr. will turn to me or I will turn to the Mr. and say, "I can't believe we got this house."

The house? Sooooo comfortable. I didn't think I would really like to separate our sleeping from our living spaces with a set of stairs. I was wrong. The separation is great, especially when guests come over for a visit (read: less space to tidy/clean). I also wasn't too sure about a kitchen physically separated from the dining and living room. Wrong there too. Yes, open kitchens still have a great charm but there is also a joy in closing the door on too many damn dishes.

And we definitely have room to grow in this house. Currently the entire third floor and third bathroom are waiting for their first residents. Hint. Hint.

The neighborhood?
5 minute walk to the castle gardens. Yeah, you right that right: we live next to a castle. My commute involves driving past a castle. So cool.
5 minutes walk to a playground for both little and big kids. It even has water.
10 minute walk to the cafe's and beer garden and the bi-weekly farmers' market that makes the grocery store almost pointless.
20 minutes walk to PJ's day care. Which is in an old villa. Did you go to day care in a villa? Me either.
and so much more.

The neighbors?
One word: wow. There are five kids on our little street alone; one is just months older than PJ and they get on really well. Our next door neighbors are incredibly friendly and interested without being too interested, if you know what I mean. We've already had dinner with two of the families on our street; were invited to one birthday party; and got flower seed from another. In Germany...lets just say that is something to be thankful about.

For me, what's also great is that all the other moms with little kids on our street are working moms. So that whole how-could-you-leave-your-baby-elephant-in-the-room stuff doesn't exist. Sigh of relieve here.

I could go on and go, instead I'll move to our neat little town Schwetzingen. Beyond a good infrastructure - including day care spots for toddlers under 2.5 years old - it feels like there is something going on every week for the general public. Two weekend ago there was the "Festival for Children from Children."

Of course, we went - it was a 10 minute walk away!

The Steinbach clan. All three of us!

Little man in front of the spargel statue on the Platz in front of the castle.

PJ loving the jumping castle.*

Beyond the food tents and the games for little kids, there were even games for the bigger kids as well as shops open on a, gasp!, Sunday.
 

The Mr. trying his hand at bow and arrow.

He has a surprisingly good shot.

We very happily ran into another family that we know there. PJ had a great time playing with the two boys and not only did I get a picture with PJ, but the entire Steinbach clan got one together!

PJ and me!!!!!

The Steinbach clan again!! PJ currently has a tongue thing going...who could he have gotten that from?

It was an excellent day, in our great new hometown, topped off with a yellow balloon.

How much better can it get, I ask you?

Not too much, me thinks.


XX
* I admit it; I've got a thing for this castle theme.

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