Let the Grilling Begin!

Two weeks ago, the weather improved so much that we could actually go outside in shorts and T-Shirts.  So, we did what we've been wanting to do for a while: play all day outside.  We topped it off with some grilling with friends.

There are also some random pics from my cell, which include Emily multitasking (walking, holding a ball, and eating ice cream) and Quinn playing soccer.

 Quinn's kindergarten also held a 'fashion show' for their parents.  The show was (of course) in Paris...and was the continuation of the 'Around the World' theme of the kindergarten, where a different country is in focus each month.  Quinn has really come a long way this last year.  Before, he hated performing (was super shy)...even though he knew all the songs and practiced with the kids.

This year, he not only danced, but also seemed to really enjoy himself.

 Emily is totally showing off here for the camera.

 Quinn is also hamming it up.

 I think this is the big belly pose.

 It would be premature to call it a tradition...but every once in a while on Fridays, I take the kids to the bakery and we have breakfast together.  Since it was close to Easter, they had rabbit shaped pastries that the kids wanted.

Insanity

The definition of insanity has to include having a children's birthday party.  I was thankfully ;-) on a business trip (to Brazil and Colombia).  

 Quinn wanted to have a policeman-themed party...and since Tante Nina could join us (and help Eva out), she added excitement to the party by wearing her uniform.

 Since the party was during the week, Eva and Nina picked up the kiddoes from kindergarten.  The kids are already excited and wired by getting invited to a birthday party.

 The invites were also police themed.  You can imagine the extra excitement by being picked up by a real cop.

 We even had tape to board up our front door....

 Eva sent me a text after about 15 minutes of the party stating that she needed a drink.  At the end of the day, things went well, and there were only a few issues.  To make it all worth it, Quinn said that he had a great time.

Family Hike

While my parents were here, we took advantage of relatively 'nice', albeit cold, weather to get some fresh air  by taking a short hike.

 There were enough interesting things to keep the kiddoes busy...

 ...plus some great hiding places.

 I even got to spend some quality time with my parents...

 Of course, we had a great lunch at a small 'restaurant' along the way (wie kann man 'Gasthaus' übersetzten?)

 Emily did a great job walking as well.  This might be the last trip / hike with the hiking backpack.  Emily is just getting too heavy.  Plus, she's getting much stronger and can do it herself.

 Albeit a bit blurry, we even managed a family pic!

Happy 5th Birthday, Quinn!

There is nothing like the birthday of your children to remind you how fast time flies...and how much older you are getting.

 As cliche as it is, I cannot believe that my bably boy is now 5...and still growing like a weed.

Yes...even Emily got to unwrap a few gifts.

 Both kids are in a Playmobil mode...and love playing with the figures.  I especially liked this box since there were extra 'cannons' so that we could shoot more figures.  More on this in later blog posts.  Let's just say that the I'm enjoying showing Quinn the joys of physics by firing the crossbows and cannons.

 Of course, there has to be cake and coffee...

 ...and cards to open up.

 ...and a crown from Kindergarten.

 Quinn also got a baseball mitt.  He is the only kid on the block with a baseball mitt ;-)

I do not take any responsibilty for the cake. I will not tell you who made the cake, but I was not consulted on the decoration.

Quinn's first words when he sat down: hey, the flag is wrong.

 Quinn in his new soccer shorts and cleats.  Lately the weather has been awesome...and we've been playing a ton of soccer.

 Playing, playing, and playing.

Pre Birthday Cheer

Nothing like preparing for an upcoming birthday by playing baseball in the cold February weather (yes I'm still behind).

 

I'm pretty sure Mom hit this one out of the park.

 

In our field, home plate is a manhole cover.  Need to work on Quinn crowding the plate.

 

 

I was thankfully at work (or I would have had a heart attack)...but I think fingerpaints were created by people that loved kids...that had a maid to clean up after the event.

 

Quinn showing off his bit of redneck in him while fingerpainting...

 

Sunny Hamburg

Finally:  my parents arrived for their trip to visit the grandkids.  Yes, of course they wanted to visit Eva (and me)...but we all know the reality in the priority.  I'm OK with this...this is what Grandparents do, and they played the role well.

 

...my dad reading the kids' goodnight book.

 

...of course there were gifts from Texas.  Emily loved here Hello Kitty hat.

 

The first weekend, we took a trip to 'sunny' Hamburg (for those of you that don't know Hamburg, it isn't known for its sunny weather, but it seems that every time we are there - usually to visit our friends Mirja and Thomas - the skies are super blue.

 

Looking over the water...

 

I wish I had trees like this.

 

When I took this pic, my eye was focusing on the tower of the church.  I didn't see the coolness of the shot until afterwards, when I saw the TV tower in the background.  I really like the 'old' and 'new' motive...I (or Eva) might need to Photoshop this a bit to brighten up the sky and crop out the rest of the buildings.

 

With our friends, Mirja and Thomas.

 

...overlooking the water...

 

On Sunday, it was so sunny, that we could have lunch outside (albeit while wearing our coats).

 

The highlight was the trip to Hamburg's Miniature Wunderland...a model train wonderland over two levels.  

 

I'm probably thinking about another bike tour through the Alps while looking at a mini Switzerland.

 

There was even a running airport and harbor.  The kids were great, but after a few hours, they were at their limit.  With all the moving trains, cars, blinking lights, etc, there was tons to look at, and definitely better than I was expecting.  I definitely would like to go back when the kids are a bit older.

 

...Emily looking...and we're probably in the background trying to make sure she doesn't fall over the fence.