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".

Lake Constance (Bodensee)

There's wonderful bike riding on 270 km of bike trails that stay close and flat with the shore of this alpine lake as is runs through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Here is an early morning view from the south eastern corner of the lake, towards the historic border town of Konstanz (Constance). Last nights snow lasted until the afternoon.

The easter bunny visited us while we slept at the excellent Youth Hostel in Lindau.

Ravensburg Spielpark is great for 4 - 8 year olds. And the young at heart.

Strange place for a library: unattended in a play park on the lake shore.

A musical clown show closed the day at Ravensburg.

Constance town center. Viewed from a tired biker at a cafe table.

Looking the other way from the same cafe table. The very pretty harbour is just out of view to the right.

Skating Video

Here are Lizzy and Katherine in their bunny suits after the show while all the performers mingle. They are clustered in the distance then Lizzy skates over fast to some friends. Santa was there too, giving out candy, so a couple of older skaters took Katherine over to see him. Sorry about the shaky camerawork.

The Wizard of Oz (On Ice)

Lizzy and Katherine were bunny rabbits for this professional production. Auntie Rosie and Dan came for the first performance. It was spectacular.

Video to come once I make it a bit smaller...but here are some pictures from backstage that were posted on the productions's facebook page:

Garmisch-Partenkirchen with Grandma and Grandpa

About 7 hours drive south of Berlin this beautiful town is nestled in a lush alpine valley in the mountains that separate Austria from Germany. Luckily the weather predictions were right and we made it up Zugspitze on the best day for the views.

Old fashioned railway to the steepest part of the ascent.

Many languages being spoken on the train, packed with tourists.

Waiting for the cable car to the summit.

We were alternately pulling faces and smiling but seem to have slipped out of sync.

Grandpa and Daddy summited the peak in optimal conditions while Mommy photographed from the highest Biergarten in Germany, about 200 yards away.

Lizzy's first day at school

About three weeks into school, Lizzy's Einschulung tag was the day that all the Entrance grade students celebrated their transition to Big School. There was a cabaret including a violin concert and performances by all the entrance grade students and some of the older kids. Its also the day that kids get given a huge cardboard cone of treats and surprises. Its a big deal in Germany. 

Lizzy is enjoying school.

Lizzy and her new class mates sit together.

After the ceremony, more singing in the classroom.

Schultuete (brimming with treats, including lots of stationary).

Proud parents on a beautiful sunny day.