Laowai

is to be able to get a good photo of my two girls. Aaarhg! Some light beyond 5:00 p.m. would help. Grrrrr! Grump! Fiddlesticks!

She likes kitties,

so I give her more kitty things,

then she likes kitties even more.

And around and around we go.

Becasue today Claire drew a face for the first time.

Because Bea continues to make some really nice art.

Because everytime I’m cleaning up in the kitchen and I overhear Brian reading books to the girls I think to myself “he’s a good Daddy” – but then I forget to tell him when he comes back out to the kitchen.

And because it’s my birthday – that’s why I’m posting today.

Who’s that riding on an itty bitty car next to Brian? Oh that’s Tom – he and Brian were best buddies and neighbors when they were little. We found out a while back that Tom was living in Switzerland. Wow – what a coincidence!

What is that bulge in Tom’s shirt? Oh it’s his darling new baby Mateo. Snuggly and warm on a cold rainy day – going for his first bumper car ride.

Who else did we see today? Well we got to meet Tom’s wife and Tom’s Mom too. Tom’s Mom and Brian’s Mom were really good friends way back when. I think I heard they used to go roller skating. 

So we had a fun day. Seeing the sweet new baby (why didn’t I take a picture?) and reminiscing about Midland childhood days. Tom’s Mom reminded me a lot of my Mom-in-Law. I could see how they would be good friends. And I think she got a kick out of seeing Tom and Brian together again.

Now about those cute little electric cars. Switzerland has the best kids stuff! You put in a Franc and ride it around for a few minutes. The big people were little kids again.

Claire and I bought this little buggy at the Brocki this week. We don’t really need another wheeled toy underfoot, but I only have a few more years when I can buy cute-as-a-button stuff like this. And for only 5 Francs – yes we’ll take it.

We had to make pumpkin pie right now.

What is this look???

We went out to the forest, made a fire and roasted sausages and s’mores today. Claire told me “the marshmallows and chocolate are friends”.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I must be making something or I’m not happy. For some reason I got a bee in my bonnet about cardboard dollhouses this week. I made two for the girls. And then, since we haven’t been using the space much, we transformed the area under Bea’s bed into Playmobil and dollhouse land.

This was all an elaborate exercise in laundry avoidance.

It’s that time of Fall when all the kids carve a turnip and parade around town singing a turnip song.

Here are the turnips (or the Rabelichtli) in progress. I’m getting better at carving them. It’s different than doing a pumpkin – it’s all about making the shapes look good when the candle is inside and then the whole thing glows. Some of the parents make some really spectacular ones with little swiss houses, trees, angels – all sorts of traditional motifs.

Here’s Bea with her class and her teacher, Frau Rutishauser. They’re getting all organized for the parade.

This gives you an idea of what the turnips look like all lit up. It’s really magical to see all the kids walking along in the dark chilly night. They are all quite proud to be holding their Rabeliechtli.

Me too says Claire.