Fall tour

This weekend we had the opportunity to show our friend, Chad, the fun we are having while being here. Chad was in Europe during the week for work, but on Friday afternoon, he met up with Eric in Frankfurt. After a tour of downtown, the guys headed to the old part for some traditional food and drinks. When they got back here, the guys then went to downtown Hofheim and hung out in the old underground wine cellar at one of the restaurants. 

Saturday morning, I took Chad shopping with me around town to give him a tour of Hofheim in the daylight.  Afterwards, I helped him pick out many tasty souvenirs to take back to his family. We then snacked on a few sweet treats from the bakery before heading to the Rhine River.

We spent the afternoon at Schloss Johannisberg. It was perfect weather for sitting outside the castle and enjoying the atmosphere while sipping on Riesling. The girls wandered among the grapevines, while we were admiring the scenery. 

We then stopped in Eltville for dinner at a quaint local family's winery and restaurant. The small menu did not have spätzle as Chad was hoping for, but the tasty seasonal meal was a good alternative.

After a late lunch, we headed to the Hochheimer Markt. The fair has been a tradition for over 500 years and last year it was raining when we attended so we only visited a small portion of it. This time, we caught a bus to get to the fair as I learned it would be easier than trying to find a parking spot close to it. When we started walking into the festival, we found one could buy anything here: a basketful of fruit to dress shirts and even tractors. 

It did not take long and we found ourselves enjoying some Gluhwein to consume as the sun was setting and Chad was consuming the popular currywurst, a sausage with a special sauce poured over it.  This pleased our guest as after an afternoon of great wine, he was ready for sausages and beer. The girls spotted crepes being made, so of course we did not pass this booth. After strolling around and seeing more things one could buy at the festival, I spotted a chocolate covered apple. It was good, but did not satisfy my craving for a caramel apple. We then came across a beer tap, so we stopped. We managed to get a few seats to rest and enjoy the atmosphere.  

On our way to the historic town of Hochheim, Chad spotted a Thüringer Rostbratwurst, a traditional sausage that is bigger than the roll they serve it on, so he enjoyed one. As our stroll continued on, we found a vendor making fresh pretzels, so Chad talked Adeline into sharing one with him. We toured the old town and rested at one of the local family restaurants while sipping on another glass of local wine. 

The fair had become three times as crowded since we arrived, but we managed to find our bus stop to head back. We just missed the bus when we arrived, so we waited and then waited some more for the next bus. By the time the next bus showed up, there was a mob of people wanting to board. We told Chad who was in front of us to push his way onto to the bus as we know the Germans have no sense of lines or order when it comes to these type of free for all situations. He grabbed us a few seats as we had to push to make sure we just made it on the bus even though we were in the handful that was initially waiting. This was an eye opener for Chad since the people here are very orderly and precise about everything else. We all made it back to the car and the girls were fast asleep on the way home. The guys picked up a döner on the way and topped the evening off with  their "fastfood" and beers. 

It was a fun full fall day with Chad and the family. We hope he had a good time with us in doing a few  things we are enjoying during our stay here: wine on the Rhine River and festivals.

Der Herbst ist Da

Wednesday afternoon, Emmie's class had a afternoon gathering with the parents. Her class put on a performance for the parents consisting of playing musical instruments and singing fall songs. Emmie played rhythm sticks during a few of the songs. 

The fall songs are becoming familiar now as we hear them for the second year. Adeline is also joining in when she knows the songs and they are both singing clearer since they understand the words better as well.

After the performance, we enjoyed some sweet treats brought in by all of us parents. I made a batch of white cookies with sprinkles in them and everyone knew right away we brought them in because they were so colorful. I chatted with the other parents while Adeline and Emmie played for the rest of our time at the school. 

Boo-tiful

Our Halloween festivities began Sunday afternoon. Our spooky ghost and fancy little mommy had fun  getting their costumes ready. Adeline helped me sew hers and Emmie liked wearing some of my make-up to complete her costume.

Our first Halloween festivity was trunk or treating. The International School of Frankfurt near our church organized the event. By the third vehicle, the girls understood how trunk or treating works. The trunks were decorated many different ways and Emmie got scraped on her foot by a skeleton who was under a car. At first, she blamed her sister for stepping on her foot, but then Eric pointed out the skeleton hiding under the trunk. The girls were excited about the candy in their bags they had collected and snacked on a few pieces on the way home.

In the early evening, we had a few neighbors over for some sweets and treats to celebrate the American holiday. The numerous Halloween decorations were well received and the conversation was enjoyable by all.

On Monday morning, the girls dressed in festive orange shirts for Halloween. Eric painted a spider on Adeline's cheek and a bat on Emmie's cheek. The girls handed out stickers and candy in their classes. 

We quickly returned home from dance class to go out trick or treating in the early evening. The evening weather was nice to be walking around to a few of our friends' houses I had spoken to earlier about coming by. Adeline's classmates came by this year trick or treating. We missed a few of them as we were out collecting candy, but were home for a couple classmates, so she was happy to pass out candy to them.

Wishing everyone a Boo-tiful Halloween!

Struwwelpeter-lauf 2011

The BMW Frankfurt Marathon was this weekend. On Saturday morning, Adeline and Emmie participated in the Struwwelpeter- lauf for the children. The race is named after a popular German children's book, Struwwelpeter. The 420 meter run began outside the Festhalle and then down one side of the building and they continued into the building and finished where the marathon runners would on Sunday.

When we were going to the event, Emmie did not want to participate, but after we walked the course and she saw the other children's excitement, she changed her mind. After registering, they each received a running shirt. 

We signed Emmie up to be in the 5 year old age group, so she was in the first race to run. She stayed focussed the entire way and kept pace with other children even though her legs were a little shorter. She was full of smiles as she crossed the finished line.

Adeline was a few races later. Once she overcame the mass group of runners at the beginning, she was speedy. Two thirds of the way, she claimed her side hurt, but she kept up her pace. As she was coming through to the finish,  a volunteer stepped in front of me and then another on-looker with a bigger camera  than me popped out right in front me from the sidelines. I never got to see her run right by me as my focus was being disrupted as I was watching for her amongst the sea of running children, but by her enthusiasm after the race, I knew she did a good job.

The girls had a fun time participating in the event and are looking forward to racing again next year.

Saturday evening, we attended the Pasta Party at church as Eric was a last minute fill-in for the Hope for Kids relay team. A volunteer from our church coordinates numerous relay teams for the Herman Living Waters Ministries to raise awareness about the organization as well as funds. Eric met his teammates and we learned about the ministry and consumed a variety of pasta dishes.

Sunday morning did not come too early for the race as we turned our clocks back this weekend. Eric was the first runner for his team. He ran 12km in 57 minutes which is quicker than his normal time. The team completed the race and Eric helped the overall average team time since he had set a good pace at the beginning. 

Unfortunately, the trains were not running as often and were jammed pack, so he spent more time waiting to catch a train back to Hofheim than running his part in the race. Eventually he made it back and was in good spirits after his contribution. He received another medal to add to his collection.

Cheerful start

Adeline did not have school on Monday, so she came to school with me again. She participated along with the rest of the class as we learned about culture and attractions in the city. This was good for her to hear as well as we were introduced to new vocabulary words. 

On the way home, an older neighbor was cleaning and clearing out his flower beds. The flowers were just being tossed on the ground even though they were still full of color. Adeline asked him if she could have one stem and he took the time to walk around his yard and create a bouquet for her.  She was delighted when he returned with so many flowers. We thanked him for his generosity and then continued on our way home.

Adeline started piano lessons this week. She was disappointed they did not play on the piano, but they did get a lesson on how the piano works.

Adeline also changed seats in her class. The teacher let the children pick their seats, so Adeline choose to sit by Clara. All of the girls are at the back row since there are only eight of them and they all wanted to sit by one another. 

On Friday, Adeline attended Clara's Halloween themed birthday party while Emmie and I attended  Halloween Happy hour at Eric's office.

Pumpkin time

Saturday morning, Adeline and Emmie found their Halloween pumpkins at the market. This year we found a few bigger ones to put one of the many faces they have been creating on our Ipad app leading up to this activity. Adeline was leaning towards a scary face, while Emmie wanted a silly face.

The weather was warm and sunny in the afternoon, so they were on the patio cleaning out their pumpkins before Eric tackled carving them. The girls were happy to see the finished pumpkin faces they had designed.  We put a candle in them that night to enjoy the glowing jack-o-lanterns.

Giddy Up!

Friday afternoon was a family outing to the horse stables for an English riding lesson. At the stables, the girls picked out which pony they would be riding from the stalls, while Eric and I looked on as the trainer picked out a horse for us. We then watched them prep the animals for our lessons. Adeline and Emmie helped groom the pony before the saddle was put in place. We then followed the animals and trainers to a covered riding arena. 

Emmie was first to ride the pony and Eric went first on the horse. The lessons began with them first walking and getting used to being on the horse and then proceeded to a slow trot. The trainer switched Emmie so she was riding backwards a few times so Emmie would not get dizzy from constantly going in small circles. She was happy to be riding the pony, even if it was a bumpy ride while it was trotting. 

Meanwhile, Eric was learning quickly how to handle the horse and began holding on with only one hand. Eric proceeded to walk the horse around the entire area with the trainer. The trainer left Eric alone on the horse as he tended to another customer, so Eric continued trotting around the arena.  

After 30 minutes, Adeline was now on the pony and listening to the trainer's instructions. She was throughly enjoying her ride as her patience was getting thin towards the end of Emmie's time on the pony.

It was now my turn on the horse and I managed through my lesson. It took me a little longer to get the rhythm of riding and I never got real comfortable being on the horse. I was relieved when my two feet were back on the ground, but I am very glad I tried it. 

During the end of my lesson, the girls were taking turns of riding and walking the pony around the arena. Adeline and Emmie had a great time riding the pony along with Eric who learned how to ride a horse. The girls asked if we could return the next day and do it all over again before we were even past the last stable on our way out.