Laowai

Dear Brian – Just in case you’re wondering why the house is in the state that it is lately. 

Yup, I’m blaming Claire for my inability to get the laundry done, the messy bathrooms cleaned, the crumby floor swept….

With Bea in kindergarten now it seems like I would have oodles of time to keep up with housework, but Claire E. has just gotten to a really messy stage or maybe I should say a curious stage. She just loves to unload cupboards. She’s my little stinker.

Bea has always been happy with a just little bit of water on a hot sunny day.

2008:

2009:

2011:

On Saturday we went to a chilbi across the lake – it’s like a fair. We had a good day. Bea finally went on some rides. We convinced her to go on the swings ride and then she was invigorated and turned on. I want to go again is what she said as soon as she got off. Here are our many photos. I think I love the ones of the swings.

Good fun! Here’s the view from our patio.

We are about to start something new. My Bea starts kindergarten on Tuesday.

We talked about the things that she would have to do every morning to get ready. I drew pictures of the things that will be her morning routine and she colored them. She was excited to tape them to her door and then she pretended to do the things and pretended to go to school – I was the teacher. We gave her a new clock to put by her bed. She later asked why she has to go to school. She reminds me daily that she doesn’t want to go to school.

Look at that proud camera face. 

I wish I knew of some way of making it easier for her. 

Summer is when laziness finds respectability.
– Sam Keen

I’m not sure I made laziness my mantra during our trip, but I tried. And I loved that all the beautiful things about America stood out for me: the architecture of old midwest homes, flags waving in the breeze, kitchy fair food booths, and miles of clean sand. And I can’t forget the food – corn on the cob, s’mores and big diner breakfast – they tasted so good.

For the last part of our trip to the US I went out to California and joined Brian at his company’s annual meeting for principals and associate principals. We stayed at a very posh feeling resort. It definitely felt like we were right next to Hollywood. The LA Lakers had a party there on the second night. We saw lots of very tall men and dolled up ladies in tight dresses (to put it mildly). But the place was also situated along a beautiful stretch of coast. We were able to soak in the scenery on a kayaking trip and a couple hikes. We saw dolphins and sea lions and the sea air felt really fresh.

I hardly know what to do with myself when I’m not looking after my girls. The plane ride out to California itself felt surreal – hours and hours alone with thoughts. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the girls. It was so good for Brian and I to have some time together. 

We spent the first week of our trip to the US in South Haven. Lots of fun in a beautiful place equals lots of pictures.

Nope, Grandpa doesn’t mind hauling the pink Hello Kitty ring back from the beach.

Uncle Dave pointed out our daughter’s appropriate alternate name: Beach Apman.

Bocce ball – Dave and Kim are always up for playing games. They seem to know a ton of card games – it’s always fun to gather around the table with them in the evenings.

I wish you could hear the giggling.

We’re home – full of good memories and a little sleepy.

 

Claire woke up at 1:00 last night and wouldn’t go back to sleep so I laid down on the living room floor and let her play around me. She stayed up a couple hours. As soon as I got Claire back to sleep Bea woke up. So we watched cartoons for a while and then she wanted to sleep in Mommy and Daddy’s bed. I think I’ll be ready for a nap this afternoon.

We had so much fun seeing family and friends and enjoying all the good things in the US. I can’t wait to sort through all my photos.

August first is Swiss national day it commemorates the swearing of an oath of confederation by three alpine cantons 700 years ago.

We are sad to miss Swiss National Day but happy that we will be back in Michigan.

Here’s the special bread that shows up in the grocery stores near August 1st.

We took Brian to the Rapperswil Zoo last weekend. We spent most of our time at the playground. Here we are on one of the big slides.

Let’s go again!