Kid-isms

A post on our recent weekend in Heidelberg 'tis forthcoming (as is a catch up one on the St. Nikolaus train) but it's been a week of kid-isms around here, so thought I'd share a few (you know for the grandparental set that check in here regularly)

We've had some lovely days recently. Some nasty ones too, but there's been enough spring mixed in to inspire us to get out and buy some pots and some flowers. B had the most awesome time helping me plant them. I had my potting mixture in an old tupperware garbage can and scooped dirt from it into all my planters. Naturally, I let him help me scoop. "IN the pot, B. IN" I'd keep repeating as he, in his all-boy he's mastered, far preferred to fling dirt all over the patio and at his brother. "IN the pot" I'd repeat "IN the pot". Finally, he's one big dirt ball, head to toe, and daddy takes him up to the tub and off to bed.

The next day: He's out in the yard, mostly unsupervised, because other than some nettles and a dead Christmas tree, there's not anything too kid unfriendly back there. I wander out after bit to see him sitting by my just-potted plants, scoops of dirt in his hands another all over his face, giggling and proudly repeating "IN" as he transfers dirt out of the strawberry plants and heaps it on the Begonias.

Learning spatial relations: Check!


Those of you who know my youngest, know his appetite goes in fits and spurts. Some days he eats everything, but most days he grazes a bit here and there on fruit and bread. Sometimes I'm not sure he eats at all, but instead pushes his food around his plate (or foists it off on Brother). It's been a particularly non-eating week around here. This pattern has repeated itself enough over the months that although I note his lack of interest in food, I don't worry about it much anymore. One recent afternoon, I came downstairs and found the child leaning on his belly, legs dangling off the credenza, unwrapping hershey's kiss after hershey's kiss and popping them in his mouth as fast as he could unwrap them. Apparently he had climbed on a cooler we foolishly left in the kitchen and leaned as far in as he could to reach the candy. I don't even know how he knew it was back there. For as much as everyone says he looks like his daddy, I guess he's inherited his mama's sweet tooth.

problem-solving skills: check
gross-motor coordination: check
fine motor development: check

Heaven help us when his devious side develops!

Not to be left out, big brother has had a few moments of his own this week. My hands down favorite, however, is his waiting and watching for the strawberries. When I planted the strawberry plants, I pointed them out to C and showed him the little white flowers and explained to him that with water and sunshine the plant would grow
and the little white flowers would turn into strawberries. Every day since then, he'll (at seemingly random times), rush over to the window to look at the strawberry plants, which are still barely more than seedlings, turn to me with great anticipation and ask: "Mama, are the strawberries ready yet? I think it's gonna be a long 6 weeks.

It's Almost Easter

so in true "Mc Style" that means going back to catch up on fun fall and holiday adventures

Thanksgiving is a non-holiday over here and although there's plenty of Turkeys at the commissary and friends with which to gather for traditioanl feasts, sometimes, what you really want is an honest-to-goodness pumpkin patch.

This year, we found one. Pumpkin Island.

The crazy thing is that Pumpkin Island has pumpkins all year 'round. In the nice weather it's a pumpkin-themed beach club (don't ask, we're in Germany) But in the fall, they stack up the hay bales as pirate ships, carve a maze out of the corn field, and have pumpkins of all shapes and sizes for purchasing in the pumpkin patch.

We met up with some friends and spent a lovely couple of hours worrying about the youngsters as they climbed to the mast of the pirate ship and got lost in the maze on the big tri wheel scooters,i
but in the end we warmed up with hot chocolate and pumpkin soup and, for just a minute could've sworn we were kicking it up, American Thanksgiving style.

Christmas Markets

Between last year and this year we've made it to most of the local Christmas markets, and sampled lots of the traditional Gluwein. Christmas markets are lovely; they each have their own flavor, but I'm not quite sure I get the hype or why US tourists spend thousands of dollars, battle the usually crappy weather and the crowds solely to make Christmas market pilgrimages. We've yet to get to any of the markets in Bavaria, so perhaps those are different. They certainly are larger, but I don't know if larger equates with more hand made crafts and goodies or more traditional German woodworking OR if larger simply means more sausage, spirits, and "made in china" replicas?

However, as we ARE here, Christmas markets are fabulous wintertime diversions. Most of the small markets near us seem to function as local watering holes. The German version of Cheers, where you stop by and grab a drink and a snack on your way home, noshing with the locals, soaking up the ambiance. Each market has a distinct atmosphere, however, so read on for quick pics and over-brief summaries of the ones we've visited.

Geilenkirchen: A small, one weekend market, with performances by local groups and fundraising booths for local charities. Some food vendors, kid rides, and a flea-market esque section of retail booths

Aachen: the largest market closest to us with cool high energy buzz. Super crowded on the weekends and not stroller friendly (heck it was even dicey at times with B in the backpack carrier).

Gangelt: one weekend only, just one village up the road from us. Has a very small town feel to it, but in a quaint, the-neghborhood-has-gathered-for-the-weekend kind of way. Lots of flower and greenery vendors and fun rides for the kids. There's nothing better than soaking up the festive atmosphere while meandering the old Gangelt streets and you will run into most everyone you know, so it's got a great open-house feel to it too

Trier: the best market we went to. Trier is in itself a great city, about 90 minutes from here. This market looked the most traditional and of course strolling past the old Roman ruins Trier is famous for only added to the charm. The market takes over the main square and a side street or two and between the market's supersized German decor and the storefronts' decorated windows, it's lots of good holiday fun. AND the best market yummies we had, we had in Trier. Dan got a super yummy brick oven pizza and I sampled the kirsch dampfnuden, which was a sweet dumpling with a cherry sauce.

Monschau: We ended up in Monschau on a Friday evening, and I suspect the market would have been better by day. It was rather poorly lit, so it was hard to appreciate the beautiful town as we were weaving in and out of market booths. In the day time, too, the local shops would have been open, adding more browsing options. However, they did have lederhosen clad horn players, an incredibly tasty orange punch, and lots of fried dough to keep the wee one entertained. No carousel in Monschau either, so that's either good or bad depending on what your take is on buying kids tokens for the merry-go-rounds


Satzvey Castle: Kitchy and Romantic and I absolutely love it! The Satzvey Christmas market isn't that much different in character than their Easter market or their summer time viking, medieval, and renaissance fairs, but Satzvey Castle at anytime of year is a keeper. C gets to gorge on the waffles and have his face painted. He gets to watch the sword fighting, see the horses and try his darndest to pull that sword out of the stone. At the Christmas Market this year he even got to tell St Nicholaus about his Christmas wishes and explain how it was this kid with the slightly southern draw was Christmasing in North Rhine Westphalia

Valkenburg, Netherlands: The markets in Valkenburg are nice because they are underground in caves, out of the elements, and temperature controlled. The port-a-potties in said caves aren't so nice, but when you've got a 4 year old along, you do what you've got to do. One of the caves is Dickensian themed and you watch Scrooge's story unfold on the walls as you wander past

Maastricht, Netherlands: Each winter, Maastricht converts its main square to a winter wonderland, with lots of games and rides and even an Ice Skating rink, just a quick stroll from some of the oldest Roman ruins in the Netherlands and against the backdrop of some beautiful church facades, it's a must see. High energy, lots of families and fun buzz.



Liege, Belgium (about 45 minutes from us): One big party with lots of different foods and wines to try. Typical candies, soaps, and knitted hats, but Liege has a number of fun city walks to take in and among marketing, namely the 406 steps of the Montagne de Bueren. Worth the climb for awesome city and river views. Then, instead of climbing back down, take the long way around, past the ruins of the citadel and the modern hospital through a nature reserve back to the city square for another glass of gluwein and Belgian chocolates to see you through the afternoon.

the MC guide to DISNEY (with munchkins)!

During our recent trip stateside we took C for his first visit to the "House of Mouse". I'm a bit of a Disney freak, went every chance I could as a kid and had season passes for several years in college and as a young adult, but this was my first visit as a parent. I've had a long-held theory, after witnessing years and years of Magic Kingdom meltdowns, that there's simply no reason to take a kid to Disney World until s/he can get through the day without a nap. Now, after experiencing WDW with a kiddo, I think the theory still stands (of course if you live close by, with season passes, or have an xtra adult on hand to head back to the hotel pre-meltdown, that's a different story.) I followed my own advice and left B at home, just so as not to have to deal with his theatrics.

Other tips:
Don't go during summer, don't go during Christmas, don't go on a holiday weekend, don't go on the weekend. **DO** go on weekdays mid January to early March, May, or October

Take in as many snacks sandwiches and drinks as you want. Disney doesn't care, and you'll feel a lot better spending 4 dollars on that Disney shaped popsicle if you didn't just spend 12 dollars on chicken nuggets and fries

Even if your youngster walks everywhere and has for years, take or rent a stroller. You can get from Big Thunder Mountain to Space Mountain far more quickly if you're not paced by little legs. Disney is exciting, overwhelming and tiring for the wee set, and if you're in for the long day, everyone's gonna need the break. Not exaggerating: it's completely normal to see kids as old as 8 or 9 in strollers. BUT, the ultimate reason to take a stroller -- you can leave bags/coolers/gear/whatever with your stroller. Without the stroller you either have to carry everything on every attraction or rent a locker way up at the park's entrance. Sroller = the ultimate packmule

FASTPASS -- use it anytime the standby wait is more than 15 minutes

If you stand in line to "meet" characters there'll be far less tolerance (not to mention time) for ride lines. There'll be lots of characters to see as you walk through the park, but if actually meeting characters is important to you, be sure to see Mickey and Minnie at toontown, but then consider going to a character breakfast or lunch.

Don't miss the afternoon parade. The kiddos love to be so close to the all the characters and it provided my kiddo MUCH needed downtime to be ready to go again into the evening. Watch it from Frontier land, the end of the parade route. It'll be far less crowded than Mainstreet. Be there 15 minutes early for a spot right on the rope line.

You can sit in Dumbo(and take pics in Dumbo) without waiting in line to fly Dumbo.
The Aladdin flying carpet line is always far far shorter. If Dumbo is a must, think about hitting it during the fireworks.

Stay on Disney property and take advantage of early/late park hours

The monorail might look cool, but the ferry boat is far more stroller friendly.

If you park in Minnie or Mickey and have the kid in a stroller follow the footpath and *walk* to the transportation and ticket center, far faster and easier than hassling with the tram.

FWIW -- C's favorite ride was Buzz Lightyear and he liked Big Thunder Mountain (AKA Cowboy Mountain) far better then the Barnstormer coaster in toontown *AND* Big Thunder Mountain is a Fastpass. We waited close to 30 minutes for Barnstormer, not worthit, IMHO.

City of Lights

yep, you guessed it -- More Catch Up. September, a gorgeous month over here, brought us a second visit from the grandparents and with it a five-day, grown up only adventure to Paris. Admittedly, I felt a bit guilty leaving Grandma and GP to fend for themselves in a foreign country where they couldn't speak the language with two high-energy grandsons, but with the closest hospital programmed into the GPS and the names and contact numbers of every neighbor within shouting distance, well, I went anyway, figuring they'd have plenty of time to regroup once they got back stateside. I'm still not sure I got all the stories of what happened those few days we were away, but everyone was in good spirits with all limbs and digits attached when D and I got home, so the rest we'll chalk up to my boys and the old folks making memories together.

As you might recall, we tried to go to Paris earlier in the year and were foiled by illness. I had been as a highschooler and had already seen the highpoints: the Eiffel tower -- before you had to wait in line for two hours, the Mona Lisa -- before she was behind a thick pane of glass, MonteMarte -- before it was completely tourist trappy, Notre Dame, etc, etc, etc. But Paris was the top of D's gotta go list and as we'd already done so many of the things at the top of mine (and it's only a 5 hour drive) off we went. I didn't expect to love Paris, but love it I did, and we're already planning a quick trip back with the kids so that C can see the Eiffel tower and eat the best street-side crepes known to man.

We tried to take advantage of the fact that we were traveling light (no kids and no kid gear)and ride the train, but as we planned this trip last minute, it cost several hundred euro more for round trip train tickets than it did to pay for gas, tolls, and parking. We parked at the Charles De Gaul Airport and took the Metro into the city. We stayed in the Latin quarter, and I loved the Latin Quarter. Most of the tourist sites we wanted to visit were in other sections of the city, so we got a taste of those quarters as we were sightseeing, but the energy in the Latin Quarter is fun. Markets, bakeries, eateries aplenty, grocery stores, even a Starbucks or two within a short walk of our hotel, so when we were done for the day and wanted to grab a late dinner, we didn't have to puzzle over where, we simply had to grab the Metro back to our hotel and then wander for a block or two until we found something we liked.

Paris was fun for us for an altogether unexpected reason: we felt more at "home" in Paris than we have since we got here last year. D had taken enough French that his language skills were passable, but as September is still a busy tourist month, we heard more English around us than anything else. Parisians have a reputation for being pushy and rude, and not at all friendly, but let me tell you, compared to the austere personality that is de-facto around these parts, those Parisians, at least the ones we encountered, are down right vivacious and congenial.

Each evening one museum stayed open late, so we tended to get going by 10 or 11 AM, grabbing a pastry and coffee as we walked to the train, sightsee until 4 or 5 (snacking from street vendors when we needed to refuel), zipping back to the hotel to rest/shower/change and then go to a late attraction: a museum, a seine river cruise, etc, then back to the Latin quarter to eat a real dinner.

The first evening we climbed the Eiffel tower.

The next day we started at Notre Dame, buying our Museum pass (a MUST for any sightseeing visit) and then after marveling at the cathedral, ducked into the small Archaeological museum next door. Each trip we take, there's a surprise--something we happen upon that isn't in all the books, but turns out to be a really cool experience. In Paris it was the Archaeological Crypt museum. The museum is 1 story underground, and is built over an existing archaeological dig of Roman-era ruins. The larger "story" behind the museum is to trace Paris's growth and development from Roman times through the age of the Cathedral next door (a long time, mind you, as it took close two 2 centuries to build that Cathedral next door). I'm not schooled in artifact discovery/preservation and maybe the whole museum is nothing more than a good show, you know like Disney World or Vegas--a Baudrillard-esque simulation of the "real thing" manipulated to be more real than the thing itslef, but still....what a cool idea. Bring the museum to the artifacts, rather than the artifacts to the museum.

Then, we meandered more of the area around Notre Dame, and stopped into avery famous English-language bookstore. Funny Story: I had been trying to get a copy of the book my book club was reading that month. I didn't know much about the book, hadn't looked it up, had heard it was rather controversial, but whatever. So I asked in Shakespeare and Company if they had the book, lo and behold they did. So I bought it. As the man's ringing me up, he asks if I want him to stamp the book. Sure, I say, thinking to myself -- oh cool, what an awesome souvenir. Fast forward to the next week when we're home and I start reading said book....It is hands down, the most horrid, awful, book I've ever encountered (now think about who I am and my background and all the varied things I've read over my life) and that's no small feat. Puke in my mouth, kind of disgusting. Couldn't even bring myself to finish it, even using my survive grad school technique reading the first and last sentences of each paragraph. It's the type of book I'd be horrified if C plucked it off the bookshelf one day and started thumbing through it. But yep I bought it and had it stamped at the famous Shakespeare and Company so now I feel compelled to keep it. That'll teach me to pay more attention (**Note, I"m purposefully not naming the book, because it's so not worth it, but I also don't want search engine hits on it either. Said book, however, was a European bestseller, which leads to whole'nother, rather interesting line of inquiry, but I won't go there now). Anyhow, after my quick duck into the bookstore, we toured palaceSainte Chapelle.

.That evening we tackled the Louvre -- Rick Steves tells you about a way you can use your museum pass to avoid the crowded security lines at the Louvre, but in doing so, you sacrifice your chance to walk through the famous glass pyramid. However, the lines were close to nonexistent at night, so we went through the grand entrance, rather than through servants quarter. We're not big museum people. We want to see the things we need to see. And although you could spend a whole day in the Louvre, we're the type happy enough with a couple hours. We dutifully made the rounds, seeing the couple of Michaelangelo sculptures, the Delacroix paintings (which we'd funny enough already seen at a traveling exhibit in Philly), Winged Victory, Venus de Milo,and of course, Mona Lisa, the grand dame herself. Then we wandered the bustling evening square outside the Louvre and back towards "home" where we ate the best Sushi I've ever had. Maybe it's just 'cause we haven't had sushi in a while --absence makes the heart grow fonder at all -- but still.

Day Three was our Museum day: We began the day atop the Arc de Triomph, wandered the length of Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde. Then we, almost unknowingly, wandered into my favorite museum and favorite "artsy" moment of the trip. We popped into the Orangerie Museum, only because it was covered by our Museum pass, it was right in front of us, and I needed to use the facilities. Yes, I knew the Waterlilies were there, but I've already spent over an hour of my life in the impressionist wing of the Met in New York with a monet-obsessed buddy, so really, how many Monets does one need to see in one lifetime.

I stand corrected. The waterlilies are breathtaking. Not sure I realized they were mural size (admittedly, art appreciation wasn't my favorite class in college). The entire museum probably had only ten people in it and the Waterlilies are its only major work, but definitely one of Paris's gems, hidden in plain sight. Then we mosied a few blocks to the Orsay, home of the late 18th century artwork. To me, the building was more impressive than the art, converted train station and all, but again, not the artsy type.

That evening, a thoroughly enjoyable dinner at Cafe Du Marche and a lovely stroll through the famous Rue Cler neighborhood back to the Seine for an evening boat ride, one of the highlights of the weekend.

Day Four: We caught the train out to Versailles. I've spent the last twenty years wanting to go to Versailles. Mythologized as the place is I expected..... well, more. The Gardens were impressive and the fountains were running so that was nice, but the palace itself, a tad underwhelming. Again, it was great to see it in a "put a name with a face" kind of way but..... We spent the first three hours, exploring the gardens and the Queen's private residence, and I felt badly we didn't save more time for the palace, but turns out I needn't have worried. We spent thirty minutes in line at security and ,maybe, 45 minutees walking the palace and we had seen enough. If you go: Buy tickets ahead of time. The palace is include in the popular museum pass and you buy garden tickets at the garden gates, and that way you don't have to wait in the ginormous Versaille ticket line.

That evening we braved the craziness and went to Montemart. Some Paris visitors say they don't like the atmosphere in the Latin Quarter because it's just too touristy at every turn. Well, I think Montmarte is the most touristy place in all of Paris. Don't get me wrong, 2o years back it was still touristy, but I remember it as festival/artsy touristy. Now, it's just South of the Border touristy or Panama City Beach at Spring Break touristy with tacky souvenir shop after tacky souvenir shop. Maybe the difference is just me, but I'd be willing to bet it's not all me. But, Montmarte is grand for its stunning views of the city and the church is lovely, so go see them at least.

. Day Five: We spent the last morning in Paris in the Paris sewers. The sidebar picture is me doing my best Jean Valjean carrying Marius impression. D, having worked before in a sewer plant, was rather fascinated by it. Me, not so much. Too stinky. I've always been disappointed that I didn't buy a copy of Canterbury Tales the day I ended up at the Cantebury Cathedral (and I'm not sure we'll make a trip back to Canterbury simply for me to buy said book), but I certainly wouldn't make the same mistake in the Paris Sewers. I hustled through to the gift shop at the end, ready to plunk down my euro for an overpriced copy of Les Miserables but alas, they weren't selling one. Inconceivable. After our sewer tour, strolled the Marais neighborhood (home to the 18th century Parisian intelligentsia, lingered in Place des Vosges, and then walked through the adjoining Jewish quarter to the Holocaust memorial. Then we hopped the train back to the Latin quarter, quick ducked into the Pantheon to see Foucault's Pendulum and then back to the hotel to collect our luggage and out to the airport to collect the car.

In the end, my impression of Paris is that it's a friendly, beautiful city with architectural treasures hidden on every street corner. Beautiful churches and facades that in other cities would become centerpieces, pass without comment, simply because they find themselves in Paris, home to so many more famous monuments. We're already planning a trip back, as close as it is. So stay tuned for Paris, part deux.