7 Year Itch

I moved to Germany 7 years ago today. It is hard to believe that it has been so long already, and a lot has changed since I landed in Germany to live with Eva and to continue to work for Siemens.

Even more difficult to believe is that I have lived in my town in Germany longer than my hometown in Texas and longer than any other town.

While such milestones lend themselves to cliches (which I have tried to avoid), they also lend themselves to reflection of a fantastic last 7 years.

Above and beyond this milestone, Emily also hit a milestone today: she pulled herself up into a sitting position today and ate her first cookie.

We also had our first parent/teacher conference at Quinn's kindergarten. While I'm sure that every parent leaves such conferences with a list of all the great things their child does, Quinn had a few points where we can help him improve on top of a list of great qualities that Quinn shows every day. His weaknesses as well as his strengths are products of his parents, and it is very interesting to see the analysis from this perspective.

At the end of the conference, I had to chuckle a bit, as for some reason, I was reminded of my 'report card' from either kindergarten or first grade (which my parents showed me when I was in college) where the teacher said that I 'need to work on tying my shoes'.

Evening Dinner Conversation

As Quinn was done with dinner...

"Mama, Papa, can I play 'drums' (with his chair) / Mama, Papa, kann ich trommeln?"
Yes

Quinn begins to beat his hands on his chair. A half a second later...

"Gotta go poop / Muss Kaka" Quinn races to the bathroom

...I don't understand why going to the bathroom is always such a big surprise...but we're happy that he's not pooping in his pants.

If we can only get him to close the door to the bathroom, so we don't have to smell his poop while we finish eating dinner.

Family Time

Neither Eva nor I were thrilled this morning when we woke up to see 10°C on the thermometer (approx 50°F). June is almost over and we've had approx 1 week of summer weather. Nonetheless, we packed up the kids and headed outside. We kicked the ball around first, then Eva went running.

Then, Quinn, Emily, and I hit the playground. Emily can basically sit up on her own now, which makes it more fun for all of us at the playground. Even while kicking the ball around, Quinn kicked the ball softly in Emily's direction so that she felt involved (at least this is my interpretation...perhaps it was just a missed kick).

After naptime (during which I put in a quick ride), we all went on a short bike ride through the forest to a new ice cream parlor that opened up on the other end of the forest. Totally cool. I think we'll head there more often (but have to remember the mosquito repellant for the forest).
On the way back, we watched some little league baseball. It is amazing how Quinn can just sit on the ground watching the 'big kids' play. For me, it was a chance to look back (a long time ago) when I played little league ball. I was the shortest kid on the field with the biggest glove.

All in all, it was a great (family) day. Hopefully, the weather will be more accommodating next time.

Will top it off in a few minutes by grilling for dinner!

Grönemeyer, Maradona, and Pele

More World Cup Excitement!



...and even though our neighbors above us are Brazilian (and German), I have to do a Pele clip....(P.S. When Brazil plays, we don't sleep...)

A New View on Sports

Before I start, let me at first be clear: I love college football, and I love CU football even better.


The "Miracle in Michigan" was one of the best days in my life. CU whuppin' up on Nebraska 62-36 in the Big XII Championship was another.

But...after almost 7 years in Germany, I have to admit, that I'm excited with the World Cup. In 2006, the World Cup was in Germany, and it was an absolutely amazing event - where a simple sporting event finally enabled a country - that has a lot to pride itself upon in the last 60 years - to show patriotism that had been culturally forbidden since the end of the second world war.

Imagine March Madness (the college basketball tourneyment for the German readers) happening only once every 4 years. That is the World Cup (of soccer).

Virtually a whole month of games - 3 a day in the first round - then the pre-quarterfinals (Achtelfinale), quarterfinals, and so on. It is a soccer fan's dream.

Quinn already has his Germany jersey...and I have mine as well. But, if the Americans find themselves against the Germans in the pre-quarterfinals...which is a real possibility...as hard as it may be to explain since I know the German team and players by heart (and don't know any of the US players at all), I know I'll be rooting for the US. It is hard to explain, but this is just how it is. This is how it works. I think that any expat can understand this. It was the same in the World Cup in 2002 (where Germany actually played the US).

Thankfully, I have two countries to cheer for...and I wish both of them the best.

...but if I had to pick one team to win, it would be Germany. For those American readers, please don't perceive this as a lack of patriotism, but the reality of an expat.

Go Buffs!
Go Team USA!
Deutschland! '54, '74, '90, '10 Wir stimmen alle ein. Mit den Herz in der Hand und der Leidenschaft dabei, werden wir Weltmeister sein!

Bachelordom

Last Thursday was the last public holiday in Bavaria until January (don't feel too bad for me, I still have over 4 weeks of vacation to burn by the end of the year ;-)

Eva took the chance to visit her family, and I got to play 'bachelor' for the long weekend. I was a good boy, of course, getting tons of honey do's done (plus a few long rides) while Eva was off having fun with her family ;-)

The weather was great (finally), and it actually felt like summer!
Katja, Quinn, and Emily with one of Quinn's favorite toy.

Yes, here's proof that Eva was there as well. Since she takes most of the pics, Eva sightings on the blog are rather rare...

Eva's dad had some sand for the kids to play in, but no sandbox...so the wheelbarrow was the provisional sandbox.

At Kindergarten (this pic was taken at home earlier in the week), the kids finished up their 'Fairy Tale' (Märchen) theme, so the kids got to dress up as a Fairy Tale character...Quinn...as a prince.

...and Quinn's feet after playing for hours barefoot outside at Uncle Wolfgang's birthday party...No one will ever criticize Quinn for not being a boy...

Uncle Wolfgang had his birthday party as well (Happy Birthday!), and, of course, the family joined them for cake and coffee. The picture above is what Quinn's feet looked like after the event (playing soccer barefeet in the yard).

Blowing bubbles with Emily and Oma.

Emily and TickTack Opa.

...more pics of Kocka, Katja, Emily, and Quinn...

...they got to practice some soccer as well...

Still the Greatest

After all of these years, Braveheart is still my favorite movie. With Eva and the kids away for the weekend, I took the time to put on a movie (or two) and turn up my beautiful home theater system.

First it was Gladiator. A great flick...then Braveheart.

It was about 15 years ago when I saw Braveheart the first time. Hard to believe it has been that long ago. Sam and I were eating chips and fresh salsa in his room. Back then, we really didn't have the cash for such luxuries, but one of us were down on our luck in the women category (ironic that I don't remember which one of us it was), and we decided to splurge.

...and then go to the movies to see this unheard (but getting popular) movie with Mel Gibson called Braveheart.

Both of us were blown away. I still get goosebumps when I think about
it.

"Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live...at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!

That was a truly great day. I can still taste that salsa. I'm still not sure why such things just stay stuck in my head...and how such superficial things bring back such great warm feelings and memories, but I'm glad they do.

Airports

Yesterday, Eva and the family took off to the airport for a weekend with her family, leaving me home alone. We had to wake the kids up pretty early. Normally, Quinn is not exactly easy to wake up, but yesterday, when I came into his room, I softly placed my hand on his back and said: 'It is time to wake up and go to the airport'.

He turned around, opened up his eyes, had a huge smile on his face (because he loves airports), and literally jumped out of his bed and said, 'I'm not tired anymore'.

It was 520am.

Fingernails

Like most children this time of the year, Quinn is not real excited to go to bed at night because the sun is still shining at 7pm when we try to get him to bed.

Regardless we try, and for the most part, he does a good job. But, once we put him into bed (when we know he is tired), we have the rule that he has to stay in his room. If he wants to stay up, he can read books or something of the like.

When he comes out, we try to at least give him the chance to tell us whether something is wrong (e.g. bad dream). He is used to this question, and last night, when he slowly walked to the living room, he looked at us and told us what was wrong before we could even ask:

'Mama, my fingernails are too long...can you cut them so I can sleep?'

Hiking (with kids)

Before we had kids, Eva and I learned to love hiking together. After Quinn was born, we went hiking less often, and it was a bit shorter, but we went often, nonetheless, schlepping the poor kid around.

We never pushed it too much, wanting to make sure he was having fun as well.

After Emily was born, it was basically winter, and we never really had a good chance to go on a family hike (in nice weather) until last weekend.
We went to one of our favorite spots, where the paths were wide and not too long.

Quinn had a blast picking up sticks and rocks, Emily seemed to be enjoying herself, and Eva and I just enjoyed the fresh air and the time in nature as a family.

I insisted on carrying both Emily and the Camelback. I felt like a mule. Quinn did a great job walking the whole way (not always on the path). It is amazing how exciting and cool dandelions (Pusteblumen) are to a 3 year old.

Quinn showing us where to go...