Deutsch Dienstag- We'll call her Heidi

Italy-Verona and Padova

Before school starts again, we wanted to take a family trip to Italy.  Everyone warned us that it wasn't the best time because of the heat and the crowds.  We, however, haven't had heat for a year and it was a nice change.  We really had some good family time.  It was a great week.

Verona

Darin said that I got suckered in by the "Gladiator."  I let him start posing the kids and act all goofy.  Darin said that the man only wanted money.  I didn't even think about it.  I thought he was just a part of the Verona Welcome Committee.

Here we are melting!  It was nice to be hot again, but wow was it hot.

Darin in front of the Roman amphitheater.  It was completed in AD 30.  It is the world's 3rd largest and the oldest one that is actively being used.  The entire population of Verona could fit inside.  

This area of Verona had a lot of street performers like the Statue of Liberty, King Tut, a floating lady (still don't know how they did that one) and of course the Gladiator.

Padova

Basilica di Sant' Antonio

Noah is always chasing the pigeons.  There are always pigeons.  I'm sure the Europeans love us.

I love the colorful buildings and the little balconys in Italy.

Darin with Ed and his daughter, Chelsie.  They are our friends that moved to Padova for the year.  He is doing geneology (dedicated!) and they are just living the Italian life.  We had a wonderful time visiting with them.  They are amazing people.

Davis showing off his Italia shirt.  He doesn't wear it much in Germany since Italy kicked Germany out of the European cup in the semi-finals.



Deutsch Dienstag- Blumen

Not far from our house is the selbst schneiden Blumen.  (Self-cutting flower patch)

It is filled with beautiful flowers at cheap prices!  I always have fresh flowers on my table.

Jag helping me cut the flowers.

Great prices.  I always have flowers, but have never spent more than 2.50 euro.

Reflections on Year One

The 26th of July marked the end of our first year in Germany.  I've been thinking about that year and have compiled my thoughts. 

*I thought (hoped) I'd have a better grasp on the language.

 Not even close!  I freak out and stress when someone wants to talk to me.  Darin is doing awesome and the neighbors love to talk to him.  They usually wait until he is around if they want something.  "Jessica uses her hands and feet to talk."  Yep, that is what they think of me.  When I told Darin that I was disappointed with my skillz, he said he wasn't surprised because I don't study everyday and I don't talk to people.  Of course I don't talk to people, I don't know what to say!  A really bad cycle.  I can only hope to have a better year this next year.

*I thought (hoped) that we would have travelled to more places. 

Now that it is summer and we are travelling quite a bit, I stopped complaining.  (Darin just laughs at this one.)  I love that all the countries are close enough to drive to and visit.  Texas took days to cross, but in days I could drive across Europe!

*I miss my garbage disposal a lot.  Also miss having 2 sides to my sink.  I've gotten used to the small stove, oven and fridge, but the small sink is still a drag.

*I love my big house.  We have tons of space.  I love my village, neighbors, and yard. 

We were concerned about living farther from base than most people choose to, but it really isn't that far.  I like to say that in real life people drive 20-30 minutes to work.  We just happen to live in a place where people can live right by where they work.  We actually only spend about 22 minutes driving to base.  I like to find the best and fast route and time myself.

*I love the autobahn.  It makes up for those days when I seem to be running 5-10 minutes late.  Get on, drive 130km/hr and tah duh - On Time.  (130 is only about 80 mile/hr.  I average about 75-85 when I am on the autobahn)

*I  hate the European parking spaces and parking lots.  They are so small!  Almost daily I am so grateful for our van the the sliding doors because after we have wedged ourselves in the parking spot that is the only way we can get out.  Darin and I have had to climb into the back and exit out the sliding doors before.

*I love some of the food here. 

I love the French Onion soup, but that probably isn't German.  I kind of like the schnitzel, but not often and it is very heavy.  I LOVE the bread.  We will miss that the most.  It is mostly rye and super chewy.  Yummy.  I enjoy the bakery products, but haven't found any that I LOVE.  I still partake often in search of the one I will love the most.  I love all the yogurts that I can get here!  Yogurt!  I love the chocolate.  I love the German salads with the yogurt dressing.  I don't love the brats. 

*I don't love recycling. 

I know that doesn't sound PC, but really I would love to clean out the fridge and just toss everything into the trash where it belongs.  I don't love having to remind my kids everytime they throw something away which color of bag it belongs in.  I don't love that my kids haven't figured that out yet.

and Lastly,
* I love the green and the beauty that is everywhere in this country.  It is amazing to me that I live here.  What an amazing opportunity this is.

My Amazing Neighbors

I love my neighbors.  They are the sweetest.  I don't know if I will ever be able to leave.  In fact, I get sad already thinking about the day I will have to tell them good-bye.

Herr Cappel has an amazing garden area and has brought us over 2 boxes of blueberries because, "they make the kinder happy."  Yes, they do.

Some are very big.

Frau Weber made me these hot pads just because. 

She also frequently brings candy for the kinder.

And Frau Arnold (Erica) gave Anya a purse so that she is 'chic.'

It was filled will lots of little treats.

How can we ever move? 


EVERYTHING I could have hoped for from a European zoo



Living outside of the good 'ol US of A you get used to things being a bit different.  Being able to climb around in really old castles.  Hang out windows without the guard rails.  Being responsible for your own safety and not relying on someone else to tell you that Hot chocolate might actually be Hot.  Many times in our travels we will say, "This would Never happen in America!"  or "Oh, you wouldn't be able to do this anywhere else."  That is the kind of stuff that I love.  The kind of stuff that will make the memories that I will never forget.  I was hoping that our European zoo experience would be like that.  I really wanted to tell my kids that they will never ________ at a zoo again. 

First stop Bird Show!! 

The birds were leashed up with open houses.  They had a chain that hooked around one of their feet and they were free to "go ahead and try to fly away."



The kinder in front of a huge vulture.

 Once the bird show started, I spent about 90% of the time laughing.  I just couldn't believe my eyes...yes I could, I had been hoping for it.  First of all, the "trainers" looked like shaggy kids that they'd found to help out for the day.  They had baby birds (chicks) that they were feeding and bribing the bigger birds of prey with.  They weren't sneaky about what they were feeding like they are in the States.  While standing about 5 feet from us, we watched the shaggy kid hold the chick by the feet whilst banging its head on a large stump in attempt to get the owls attention.  Repeatedly.  My little guys couldn't keep their mouths closed or their eyes from the "poor baby chick."  Repeatedly.

Next, they would walk through the crowd and toss chick parts (mostly legs) right next to where you were sitting so that this large falcon could jump right up on you and eat it.  No need to worry about your nice clothes, dead bird comes out in the wash.  This is how the main trainer would talk about and show off the bird...all in German, of course.

Jag, in the orange jacket, is watching the large bird eat a chick that was just tossed at the little girl.

Here is the bird parading in front of the kids.  The man would randomly toss bird parts at the kids so that the bird would hop up on them.

 The following picture is one that Christian took, while trying to take my picture.  This is the back of the shaggy teen that tosses chick legs.  I was standing about 2 seconds before the picture was taken.  While standing and watching, with Anya in the stroller, I start to notice that the main guy is talking about me.  Then the kid comes and walks right next to me.  Next thing I know, this kid is putting a bloody chick over my head (its feet were touching me) as a bald eagle comes screeching across the field towards my head.  I tried to hold still, but I tell you, the thought of a talon in the eye caused me to flinch and drop right as it swooped over Anya and went for my scalp!  I got lots of cheers and clapping.  I laughed and laughed.  That would never happen in America!   Anya spent the rest of the day talking about the bird on moms head.

The rest of the day was uneventful.  It was spent looking at and feeding goats and guinea pigs.  Watching elephants eat bare branches and killer ants run through tubes all around a small room.

One of the best things about going to the zoo was watching Anya's amazement as she saw the animals for the first time.  She hadn't been to a zoo and to watch her smile and hear her squeal as she recognized the animals from her books was priceless.

Elephants eating sticks. 

Baboon mountain

The MSC Poesia

How people lay out on a Baltic Cruise.

Aunt Melanie was trying to teach her to pose.

Every night Davis tried a new kind of seafood.  He loved having the choices.

One of Noah's favorite boat memories was when he went dancing with Melanie.  He was so excited to show me all of his moves later.  He still talks about how good he dances.