Hurray! Springtime in Germany

 

 

March 12, 2013

It snowed the entire day and we ended up getting about 10-12 inches.  The high temp today was 9 F.  I just want to cry!

 

I shoveled my way to and from the kindergarten 4 times.  There was a lot of snow and it just wouldn't stop.  I am so stiff that I can hardly brush my hair.  The little Germans around the kindergarten think that I am crazy with my snow shovel.  I like to see them watching me, and I wonder what they are saying.  The mom of one of Noah's friends asked me if I had shoveled at the kindergarten and sidewalks, then said that her mother was watching me?  Then she raised both hands and laughed while saying "Toll."  (Super)  I have no idea how the grandmother of one of the kids figured out that it was me.  I'm glad that I give them something to laugh about.  If they knew that I was the one that had painted the bus stop then they'd really start talking. 

 

The schools had early release and the base shut down.  Since everyone was home in the middle of the day, we went sledding on our neighbors back hill.  This is not what I like to do in the springtime, but the kids had a great time.

 

 

She wouldn't keep her gloves out of her mouth.  The snow was just too yummy to stop eating it.



 

Noah isn't in the pictures because he was fearless and kept racing down the hill bowling over all the brothers that got in his way.  He finally crashed hard into the orchard gate and had to retire the sled.  Not that he was hurt, but rather we can't risk damaging our neighbors fence...oh, and he might get hurt next time.

 

For a snowy March day, it was as good as it could get.  I'm starting to believe that it will never get warm.  I'm in need of an Italy trip because I want to remember what the sun feels like.  Guess I'll go in 3 weeks...for a real Spring Break.

I Might be a Little bit Spoiled

I was able to go to Paris again.  Just for the day.  Without the kids, but with friends.  This time was to attend cooking school.  Eclairs!  I've made eclairs before, but now I know how to make Parisian eclairs just like my cute French chef.  Actually, it is all about being able to say just that!

 

We took the ICE train.  It got us to Paris in an hour and 45 minutes.  We were traveling over 310km/hr.  This is the view from my seat.  Yep, that is the driver.  I kept watching and I think he may have been nodding off on the straight parts.  Being that we were in the very front it wasn't really a smooth ride.  Kind of reminded me of that old school yard game, Crack the Whip, I felt like we were catching a bit of air and it was way too bumpy to read.

 

 

Before cooking school we toured the Paris Opera house.  It was the theater that the Phantom of the Opera was about.  I don't know if Phantom ever played here, but the theater was awesome.

Every thing imaginable was in this place.  Statues, gold mosaics, columns, fancy carvings, painted ceilings.

The ladies that I went with.

We stopped at this neat church as we were waiting.  I don't know the name, but it just goes to show that there are amazing churches on every corner in Europe.  This one had some great stained glass.

The stained glass on top was original, but the stuff on the bottom was the repairs that came after the church was damaged in war.

This is payment for all the meals that I cook!  This was one of those bucket list things.  I was so excited.

Me and my partner

Just out of the oven

 

The recipe

We had a great time cooking and then jumped back on the train to go home.  Paris for the day, that is pretty spoiled.  I had the same seat for the ride back, but this time I was riding backwards and in the last car of the train.  It was even more bumpy than the way there. I was really glad that it was dark so that I didn't get too sick.  I am so glad that Darin kept the house running smoothly and insisted that I go. 

 

Now to make them at home!

Chouquettes
Little empty cream puff things with sugar on the top that kind of melts and sweetens the whole thing.  I like them.  Darin thought they tasted like eggs.  I think they'd be great with some of the eclair filling.  Everything is better with filling anyway.

These were yummy and reminded me of Paris.  Oh, how I enjoy eclairs and Paris.

Noah is 6!

It is so hard for me to watch this little guy grow up.  

He insisted on having all things Ninja for his birthday.  Since Fasching earlier in February he has been all about ninja.  He has 2 little friends from the Kindergarten that are all about ninja as well.  I decided that this year I just didn't have the time or desire to host parties for the boys, but promised that we would have a family party to include games, prizes, gifts, and cake.  Ninja Noah was more OK with it than a few of the other boys are. 

 

He loves to pose! 

and pose!

and pose. 

 

I made marshmallow fondant for the first time in order for us to get the "draping" that we wanted on the ninja mask.  I'm not sure if it looks like a ninja, but Noah loved it and really it doesn't matter when we cut it into pieces.

 

 

"Sing to me while I enoy this moment."

How we love our little Noah!  He is loving and fiesty.  He is doing so well with his German.  He loves to torture Jag by having German day when he will only speak German.  It drives Jag CRAZY!  He is a willing learner.  He loves to hold my hand.  He is always warm.  He is lazy and fakes sleep when he doesn't want to do something.  He is helpful and loves to help Anya.  He is a collector of garbage and junk.  It isn't trash it is a treasure.  He is a picky eater and would eat yogurt for every meal of the day.  He is growing up too quickly.   He is an awesome 6 year old!

 

 

Why isn't it my birthday?!  She has started asking for May everyday.  She has quite of list of things that she wants.  A pink dog and a brown dog.  Purple balloons and presents.  Cupcakes.  Oh it is hard to be 2.  Poor girl.