What happened to the Curious Snowman?

A flashback from winter. The warming sun created this puzzling phenomenon. The next day was very sunny and there seemed to have been a snowman massacre when I got home...melting heads and torsos scattered around the estate.

construction phase:

First full Monopoly

We are just old enough to play our first game of original Monopoly. It only took 5 days to finish. 

Guess who won?

Autie Rosie visited for Lizzy's 8th birthday at Tropical Islands

Celebrate 8 at school, at home and at TI. The usual...

And below, a shot of Kate's 6th birthday Tea Party, very fancy. Thanks to our neighbors for lending us a long table.

Binz on the Baltic Island of Ruegen

Last weekend we drove up to Binz and had a fantastic time...sun, sea, sand, running in the Biosphere reserve, an organised road bike ride, BBQ with friends and flying our kite on the beach. I was having too much fun to take many pictures.

Binz is very close to the ruins of a never-used sprawling Nazi holiday resort called Prora. Part of their pre-war Strength Through Joy campaign "Kraft durch Freude". The crumbling ruins are a bizarre example of...something. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora 

Skating Competition 2015

Months of training and diamante application culminated in a glittery competition within the club. After some very questionable judging Katherine got a bronze. She was disappointed and is determined to "try really hard and get a gold medal next year". Hmm. Nevertheless, it is very obvious from the pictures that she thoroughly enjoyed it. Lizzy remembered her whole routine and did it with her game face on. As usual, she got a gold medal. She looked pleased as plum on the podium.

Warming up...

Sorry about the camerawork...

Katherine's first Ski

\

After an early rise and a 2 hour drive down to the Erzgeberg we enjoyed perfect beginner conditions. Katherine got to about the same level as Lizzy had done after her first day of skiing at Geising. She loved it and didn't want to quit even though she was exhausted.

Lizzy had a great time riding the T-bar with a girl the same age and ability as her.

Flashback to February 1st: London with both Aunties at the same time!

Snacks from the market next to the Golden Hind in a dock beside the Thames.

Is that a 3rd Auntie?

That pub looks awfully inviting.

Shiver me timbers. There's a real live pirate show on the boat. Thank goodness for the glass screen.

Mutiny.

Curry from the market. Granny, Grandad, Auntie Rosie, Dan, Uncle Patrick, Anutie Amanda, Auntie Di, Cousin Sophie, Mum, Dad, Lizzy and Katherine. We could almost overrun that boat if only those pirates didn't have swords.

Rainbow over St. Paul's. The millenium bridge connects the Tate Modern to the "City" where all those bankers "work".