Postings from Germany

Hunter and Hannah in Bremen

Of course we are totally pooped since we are "mom" and "dad" and entertainers-in-residence, but I'm really glad the kids are here this long. It takes a week to get used to each other and make adjustments and get the kinks worked out. It's fun regardless, but having this extra time is really nice.

For details, check out the blog for the trip but if that's a chore, here are a few highlights.

We've been biking. That is the activity most loved and done most often - EVERY DAY. It's either a little trip to the store or a ride around the river, or a longer tour to the beach or town or ice cream or ... any excuse will do. They never tire of it. What fun!

Hannah's learned to hang clothes on the line. Hunter can trim trees and dry dishes.

They're just are crazy about the chocolate surprise eggs (Überraschungseier) that they have known now for about three years. It's a chocolate egg with a little toy inside, and a surprise because you never know what you're going to get. Makes for interesting negotiations. They now have a bigger collection!

They've seen Amina again and met their other "cousins" in Affinghausen. They ask after each visit "Can we see them again?" The language barrier is no barrier at all when kids get together to play.

And there's Fußball (soccer) and since Germany has got through to the finals, it has been lots of fun and really noisy every night after the game - so many cars on the street, honking horns and shouting. We have a big fan at home. Even more fun.

It's quickly drawing to a close. Thursday morning early we leave on the fast train for the south and Friday we'll pick up Mom and Dad in Munich and everything will be a bit different. But still fun!