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...

Let's go Ride a Bike...

OK...so the Schnullerfee came around almost 2 weeks ago...and Quinn has been practicing on his 'new' bike since then. Eva went out the first time with him, and I have been avoiding trying to help him ride a bike, because the thought of me bending over, holding his saddle or handlebars just kills my back.

But, I sucked it up and we went riding today.

Quinn did great. He actually rode quite a bit on his own (while I was running behind him, in a hunched position, with my hand near the saddle). The bike is too big for him to start or stop on his own, but once he got going, he did great (no training wheels).

...but my back is killing me...

Schnullerfee (Pacifier Fairy)

Sometimes, parents create stories that stick with kids through their lives. A few days ago, somewhat out pure necessity, Eva created one: the Schnullerfee (Pacifier Fairy).

Our neighbor wanted to get rid off one of their bikes, and they thought we would be a good home for their beloved bike. The bike was too big for Quinn, but we graciously took it and put it in the garage. I didn't think Quinn would see it, but he started asking about the bike.

Eva and I largely ignored his question, but one day he was particularly insistent. Eva's response: the Schnullerfee brought it for him. But, before he could have the bike, he would have to sleep without a pacifier.

My wife is a genious. And a quick thinking one at that.

Quinn hasn't used a pacifier in ages, but he loves one for when he sleeps (and the occasional temper tantrum (Wutanfall)). It is more of a habit than a necessity. The Schnullerfee is exactly what he needed to get him over the hump.

Quinn tried to get around the 'no pacifier for 2 nights rule before the Schnullerfee would give him the bike'. When it finally dawned on him that we wouldn't budge on this, he put the pacifier in his bed trunk. Last Sunday was his second night ... and he got the bike on Monday.
It's still way too big...but he loves the thing...as old, used, (and loved) as it was by the previous owners.

Bayerwald

Last weekend, we met Eva's parents and Nina in the Bavarian Forest for a long weekend, beginning on Ascention Day, which is the traditional Father's Day in Germany.
We had been looking for the long weekend for a long time, but unfortunately the typically great weather in the Bavarian Forest didn't play nicely.

So, in true German fashion, we just went out in our rain gear and tried to make the best out of the crappy, cold, wet weather.

This will probably be the last picture you see of me carrying Quinn in the hiking backpack...he's getting way too heavy, and he can definitely do short hikes by himself (if we let him explore the forest his way).

For kids, hiking is not about going from point to point...it is about picking up rocks and sticks, touching moss, seeing mushrooms and snails, and hearing the birds sing...and definitely wandering off the path.

My back still hurts, by the way.

Unfortunately, Eva got sick as well and had to stay a few days in bed. All in all, it was a nice getaway...but it would have been nicer with better weather and a healthy wife!

Children are the Products of their Parents

Quinn mows the lawn with me now. He also wears his kiddie hearing protectors and garden gloves as additional safety measures (also to imitate me a bit, since I now always wear full on gear, shoes, gloves, hat, and eye protection ever since my last lawnmower accident - just like my dad taught me). I have to smile ear to ear every time when we mow the lawn...
Below are some additional pics when I was stuck in Orlando due to the volcanic ash keeping travellers stranded throughout the world. I had it good: I stayed a few extra days at my Aunt Irene's (and could make a few customer visits), Eva was home alone with two kids...Her mom had already planned to stay the weekend, but after my trip home got delayed and after Quinn got sick, she headed home for some extra hands and support...

The kids loved it.

Emily with Tante Nina. Note the characteristic Emily 'smile'.

Quinn and Opa feeding the fish.

Quinn and Oma...

Books

When I posted a question on my Facebook account (about the best eBook reader), my Aunt Jessica went into a diatribe about making sure that I just go into a bookstore to teach Quinn to learn to love books and the anbiance of a bookstore.

I assured her that Quinn's favorite toys are his books, and it has been a nightly ritual for me for quite some time to read him two books before he goes to bed.

Below, is proof...
When he doesn't want to go to sleep, we let him take some books into bed as long as he stays in his room. This was the result one night.

Eva and I know each of these books (practically) by heart. Quinn does too...and he absolutely loves his books...and we are all grateful for all those books that were given to him!

P.S. I decided on the Barnes & Noble nook for my eBook reader. I absolutely love it!

Visit from Kocka and Katja

Three weeks ago, Eva's cousin Kocka and his wife Katja came to visit us (to be honest, they were really here to visit Quinn and Emily ...).

I'm still not too sure how being with us and two small children sounds like a good vacation, but we were very grateful for their visit!
Quinn kept them both very busy...first in the sandbox.

Then on our soccer field.

Katja practicing...

...we are still searching for the first picture where Emily is actually smiling. This close, however...with Emily placing her fist in her mouth.

I'm happy because I finally get to grill in nice weather...

While I was off to work, the gang headed off to the zoo.

...eating...

...another pic of Emily not smiling...but she had a ball...

With a loving big bro like this, how can't you smile? Truth be told, Emily absolutely adores Quinn, even if she doesn't show it on the pics. She's starting to grab his toys, and while he is a bit protective, he lets her play with his faves.

The nice spring weather also meant that everyone got ice cream!

Thanks again for the visit, Kocka and Katja...

Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Volcanoes

I was on a short business trip two weeks ago...or so I thought. Then a volcano blew up in Iceland, and my stay got extended 4 extra days. I was one of the fortunate ones with a place to stay, a rental car, and plenty of work to do.

Eva was home with 2 sick kids (and Quinn is almost never sick). Thankfully, Eva's mom and family helped out while I was gone (Danke!!!)

Coming home loaded full of guilt (and Godiva for Eva), I took the kids for as much of the weekend as my patience could muster. The weather really helped out.

I also got a nice reminder of how very nice and valuable a nice, tightly packed neighborhood is. We started out by going to our 'park'...Quinn saw some kids leave the playground, only to start kicking the soccer ball around. Quinn shyly wanted to play as well, so we went together to ask if we could join. After a few minutes, there were a number of 3-4 year olds and their parents kicking the ball around.

Later, Quinn saw a pile of rocks and started throwing them (not allowed!)...and some of the other kids followed suit. So, I quickly created a new game of 'toss the rock in the hole' to try to allow the kids to throw rocks, yet to give the parents the feeling that no one was going to get an eye poked out. By this time, Emily was awake, and I was holding here in her Baby Björn.

We ended up taking one girl home (who I said I'd look after since the mother had to take her younger daughter home), and Quinn ended up playing with his new playfriend in the playground near her house. I chatted with the mother for a while, who was grateful that I looked over her daughter for a while.

After Quinn's nap, Quinn started playing with an older boy that lives next door...a very well behaved boy...Those two were running around like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. When I hadn't seen them for a while, I started looking in the park, hiding behind the bushes so as to not be seen, and they were just sitting there playing in the dirt with fallen twigs / switches. Very cute.

Sunday was more of the same...but in the afternoon, Quinn, Emily, and I watched our local football team play their first game of the season.

The point of all this is the value of the neighborhood: we live in a pretty dense city (probably about 5000+ people per square mile), yet we have some really nice parks right in our backyards. We know or recognize most of the kids or parents, and it gives me a great warmth inside to see my kids play with other children and to watch out for other children.

More pics to come shortly...I'm a bit behind with the posts...

Long (German) Word of the Day

A few weeks ago, I ran across another huge German word:

Hochspannungsschaltanlagengeschäft

34 words, no spaces: High Voltage Substation Business

Easter 2010

Even though we were on a long vacation a few weeks ago, we were looking forward to the long Easter weekend, which is a 4 day weekend in Germany. Of course, we were looking forward to the time off, but we were also hoping for some good weather: so that we could work in the yard, play ball outside, and hide some eggs...
In kindergarten, the kids made Easter baskets. I love Quinn's smile (which is sort of a squint...).

Of course, we also colored eggs on Good Friday. Quinn's hands were red for the next two days.

The weather forecast said that it would be cold and rainy the whole weekend. While it wasn't exactly warm, it was mostly sunny and only rained in the evenings. We got to spend some time working in the yard - which was very much needed.

Similar to Christmas morning, Quinn is allowed to eat breakfast in his PJ's. Notice his Easter Morning breakfast of a chocolate rabbit. Eva and I paid for this later in the day. Quinn really loves chocolate, but we don't usually have it in the house. His sugar high lasted for hours...

Emily didn't know what chocolate is...but it seemed like she didn't want to miss out on Quinn's fun.

Quinn loves to hold Emily...and her head / neck are almost strong enough to not freak us out when he does hold her...

Since it rained Easter morning, we hid the eggs in the house...

Quinn finally found everything...at least we hope it is everything and don't start getting some odd odors in a few months.

Emily sticking her chocolate bunny in her mouth...Papa will have to take care of this rabbit in the middle of the night soon...

Emily 'found' her rabbit in one of the plants. It might be tough to convince Quinn next year that Emily can find her own stuff (Quinn loved uncovering Emily's stuff).

I was in the mood for a full-on Easter Sunday feast. We picked up a fresh, smoked ham from the butcher and a bunch of fresh veggies at the farmer's market (Gemüsefrau). For our Easter sunday meal, I made a smoked ham with a honey, molasses, bourbon topping with garlic, Bärlauch (sorry, no English translation of Bärlauch...it is just a plant that is 'in season' now that tastes like a refined garlic) mashed potatoes with stuffed, baked zucchini. I started cooking after church, so we were able to have a 3pm meal and not have to hurry with the meal with two tired, hungry kids.

With the leftovers and the bones, I made a pea soup today (with fresh broth, of course...even though my mother in law says you don't need broth in pea soup ;-)

Despite less than perfect weather, we had a great family weekend. We got to do some stuff that we wanted to do (gardening, cooking) and the kids got to play to their heart's content (Quinn and I played tons of soccer).

Quinn even played with the neighbor's kids, who are much older than he is, for a while. They ran, and ran, and ran. Even though the kids were at least 4-6 years older, they did a good job taking care of Quinn and making sure he was having fun. It was a bit of sad for Eva and I to see our little baby boy be able to play without us...but it was also very fun to be able to go back in the house, knowing that the neighbors kids were taking good care of him, and being able to hear him close by.

Real Food, Real Poop

Shortly after vaca, we decided to let Emily try out some real food. She's been reaching for our plates for a while: she knows that the food on our plates is much more tasty than milk. Not that milk is all that bad, but if you ate the same thing for 6 months, you'd be begging for a change of pace as well.
Well...she's an eater. She had no problems with pumpkin, and Emily got the spoon action down relatively quickly. We just need to feed her before she gets over the edge hungry.

I was dressed accordingly for the first feeding: orange shirt to go with the orange pumpkin. This way, I don't have to change shirts if she spits it up all over me.

Since then, she's tried carrots, bananas, apples, rice, potatoes, and millet (Hirsebrei). We're back in our routine of cooking fresh veggies ourselves instead of getting the jarred veggies. How can any veggie in a jar taste good?

A pic of Quinn at his school's 'play'. He was to play a rabbit (I think), but in the excitement of it all, decided that it would be better to sit next to mama and papa during the play than to do his part. Stage fright, I guess.

A rare pic of Emily smiling...not that she's not a happy baby, it is just tough to get a pic at the right time.

She has been developing well lately, and she is showing a lot more personality. She is starting to grab a lot more and is more active on her belly. She really likes looking / grabbing Quinn's Legos, and Quinn thankfully lets her have a block or two.

Quinn hamming it up for the camera.

Emily showing another trait of Quinn's: not being able to stay in one place while sleeping. We put her to bed 90° to this position.

All in all, the kids are doing well. It helps all of us that the weather is finally starting to get nicer. We're out more, Quinn is on his Laufrad (bike without pedals), Quinn and I are outside a lot playing with various balls (with Emily oftentimes 'running' with us in her stroller), and we're in the yard getting everything ready for spring.

The most amazing parts are usually at night, when Eva and I finally go to bed and turn out all of the lights...and take one last look at the kids: they are always peaceful when they sleep, and they just seem so big.

Then the circus begins anew the next day when they wake up...

Disconnected

Emily hit another milestone yesterday: she turned from her back to her belly (thankfully, without busting her head).

On the technology front:

Eva and I extended our phone/internet contract with our service provider last month. One of the goodies of the extension was a new connection box. The bonus here was that we could replace three boxes with this one, sleek box.

I finally got around to installing it, and ironically, everything went perfect (which never happens with projects), until the very end.

Long story short, we were without phone and internet service for part of Saturday and most of yesterday.

It was kind of an odd feeling being 'disconnected'. Even though we are not super addicted to the machines and our Gmail, Facebook, etc, it was a bit weird. The service hotline could at least set me up with a temporary solution, and we are back on the Information Highway.