Highlights from our trek to Rhein Falls last Sunday.
– Leaves just starting to pop out.
– A relaxing walk along the Rhein (or the Rhine) River
– Views of the waterfall from a castle
– A picnic at a playground
– The sound of rapids and water falling
– Ice cream… pink
– Returned home with sun-kissed faces
Where has this week gone – It’s already Thursday and I’ve not posted photos of our weekend. Brian had the day off for Sechselaeuten. It’s a festival that is celebrated only in the canton of Zurich – it’s their way of saying good-bye to winter by burning a snowman effigy on top of a huge bonfire.
I love the idea of it – but with little kids I think it’s more fun to avoid the crowd and watch the parade and the snowman burning on TV. Bea and Brian went into the city to see the snowman burn.
When I saw this photo of Bea eating cotton candy I thought – red rum, red rum.
Bea took some photos from her perch on Brian’s shoulders.
The snowman doesn’t just burn, he explodes. So long winter.
Brian bought her a big balloon because she doesn’t get enough treats – yeah. There’s a little story to go with this photo. Apparently Bea fell down the stairs on the train as they were about to get off at our stop. As she was falling she let go of her balloon. The train is two stories high so Brian couldn’t reach it as they got off the train. Of course she began to cry and of course Brian couldn’t have any of that. So they hopped back on the train, retrieved the balloon and got off at the next town. Then they had a fairly long walk home. Brian carried her on his shoulders some more and he was extremely sore when he got home. I think she might be spoiled and I think he might be wrapped around her little finger. Hmmmmm.
Yesterday was our anniversary – nine years. These days I feel like something has come between us – two little girly somethings actually. I am happy, but I often daydream about the future when Brian and I can once again say more than two sentences to each other without being interrupted by a runny nose or a hungry baby. It’s not that I want to wish these precious days away. I just like having something to look forward to. I look forward to having time for each other like we used to.
I told Brian I wanted a photo of us together for our Anniversary and here’s what we got:
Next year we are planning a trip to Italy. We want to return to some of the places we saw on our honeymoon. That’s something to look forward to!
This year I get to make two bunnies for two Easter baskets. Bea did not love her bunny last year – she barely noticed it… ever. I doubt she will love this bunny either but that doesn’t stop me. Here’s bunny number one almost done.
Her big development this month is her mobility. She can pull herself all the way across the living room and unload a whole section of books from the book shelf. I put up two gates so she is confined to the living/dining room and the kitchen.
Claire if you could just stay this age a bit longer I would be so grateful. You are my pudgy, curious and irresistible little lamb.
I’ve been making bread lately. A while back I made this big rustic loaf that you don’t need to knead. It took a long time but it turns out to be a really professional looking and tasting loaf. It’s quite crusty so it’s not great for kids. Then I had my Swiss bread making experience – Zopf. That was good bread too. The other day I ran across my Grandma Dice’s recipe for white bread and gave it a try. I think it turned out better than it ever did when I made it ages ago. I suspect I wasn’t kneading it enough before. So I tried it again this morning. I thought of Grandma Dice – her original recipe makes four loaves. She must have made so much bread for her big family. While I was kneading the bread Claire was sitting next to me in her high chair. She was happy for a while eating a baby biscuit but then she got whiney, so I started to sing How Much is That Doggy in Window just like Grandma would have.
Now my dough is rising on the window sil above the radiator. When the bread comes out of the oven I’ll rub the top with butter just like grandma does. Mmmm – then I’ll just have to resist eating a bunch of warm bread with butter and marmalade.
Here’s a picture of Grandma’s kitchen with some rolls that have just come out of her oven. Jennifer took the picture.
Oh yes, it was a beautiful weekend. We had our first outside meal of the year. I happened to capture Brian and Bea communicating in their own special way.
Here are a couple shots from a little walk we took in the upper hills of our town. I asked Bea, why did that chicken cross the road? she said oh I don’t know he’s a silly chicken.
I’m sorry for those of you in Michigan enjoying single digits and snow in April. Except for my Dad – of course I didn’t mean you Dad – you go on and enjoy that snow.
Things in this house are growing. Here are some plants – on the left a project that Bea made at her playgroup. He’s sprouting some grass hair. On the right our Avocado is shooting up.
And then there’s this other growing one. She’s army crawling really well – pulling herself along with her arms. As I type this she is heading for the cords under the tv table. Oh boy, here we go.
Laowai 