W14 of Y4

 More Birthday!!

Since Whitney's birthday fell on a German holiday she didn't get the traditional parade on her actual birthday.  Instead they walked her home this week.  She gets to pick out her best friends that she wants to walk her home from kindergarten.  They sing songs and walk together while Whitney leads the pack.  

They all came inside and I was allowed to offer healthy snacks.  

The whole group including her favorite teacher!
Such sweet kids!

After all the kids left, Lizy stayed for lunch and they had a little girl party making necklaces with Whitney's new bead set she got for her birthday.

 Sea Life... again

It was the 2nd graders turn to go to Sea Life this week and I got to go (again) but this time with Aiden.

It was really interesting to go with Connor and his class and then Aiden with his class.  I don't see the difference in the boys so much when they are together but when they are each in their own "worlds" I can really see a big difference.  Where ever the crowds were you were sure to see Connor in the middle of it all!  With Aiden, where ever the crowds were you were sure to see Aiden over to the side by himself or maybe with one other kid.  This little boy seems to have Aiden's same aversion to crowds.

Snack time

Aiden quickly had a little snack and then ran away to the playground before everyone else was done with their snack.

Outside the cathedral.  The boys refused to put their arm around this adorable little girl! lol!

Lunch at the end of a fun day!

Hemsbach Lake


We have been in the high 70's - low 80's for a couple of weeks now.  Beautiful German spring weather!!  One day after school this week we grabbed all the kids and spent the rest of the day at our favorite lake.  This lake is among the tops of everyone's list that they are going to miss most about Germany.  So many great memories here!

Good-Byes

Due to conflicting holiday schedules of Jeremy's co-workers, this week was the only week they could have his farewell luncheon.  I was even invited!  

Jeremy's boss presenting flowers and thanks to ME!!!

They made Jeremy a plaque to remember his time here in Germany

I am so proud of Jeremy for doing such a great job while we've been here in Germany.  I loved hearing and seeing the admiration and respect his co-workers and boss have for him.  

Burg Eltz


Originally we had planned a big trip for Memorial Day weekend to see Olja and her family in Serbia and take a trip with her down through Croatia.  With all the changes to our new home purchase, our moving date, etc... we thought it would be best to stay around home during this time instead.  We were really bummed when the weekend rolled around though and we didn't have plans to go anywhere.  Jeremy had the great idea to go see a new castle.  Burg Eltz is only a few hours away and is listed as Rick Steve's number one favorite castle in all of Europe so we thought, why not?

We drove along the Mosel River almost the entire way.  The picturesque view was worth the trip by itself!

It's a little hike through the mountain-side to get there.  Suddenly, there was a clearing and we could see the castle.  It was beautiful from this view!

I had some kind of a smudge on my camera lens and didn't realize it until the day was half over!  So maddening!!!

Almost. There. (pant pant)  Whitney was a great little hiker!!

Can you see the deer on the castle grounds?

We made it!  The hike was totally worth it!!

Looks like a fairy tale!

While waiting for the next English tour to start we got to see all the weapons and valuables from the castle in the treasury. We learned that the occupants of this castle were very well off for the times. There were 40 fireplaces and 20 bathrooms in the castle which were both signs of wealth.  The castle is still owned by members of the Eltz family.  The current owner loves fresh flowers and all through the castle were very large arrangements of beautiful fresh flowers!  It was very impressive!  The castle is furnished with much of the same furniture that was used since it was first occupied in the 12th century!  I wish I could have taken pictures.  

Behind the castle is a stream that empties into the Mosel.  We had so much fun playing in the water before hiking back to the car. 

Ronneburg 

On our way to a Medieval festival in Ronneburg, Germany

Yup, I think we're here!  lol!

First item of business... souvenirs!!

Weapons: Aiden's favorite medieval souvenir

No medieval fest would be complete without the performers

Furs:  Connor's favorite!

Mama's favorite!

Life is good!

Sword fighting - the princess is winning!!

Yes, there really is water in there

Showing off!  

Drinking beer from a horn

Jousting competitions

Aiden is being knighted

Where the carnies live

Took a little break to watch these guys run down the hill to catch some wind and ride it the rest of the way down.  It looked so fun and the background view wasn't too bad either!