Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Afternoon

Another Sunday with everything closed. The weather was nice for a few hours in the afternoon, so I grabbed my 111 Things to See in Duesseldorf book and suggested a quick trip on the train to the Stinderbachtal. It was described as being very picturesque.
 To make it more exciting for Sophie, we let her take her bike. There were some very hilly parts, which we did not know, so Andrew had his exercise for the day, too. 
 I agree it was beautiful. On our way to find the cafe.
 Found it and with surprisingly friendly service.
Weighed down with apple strudel, I could no longer manage to keep up with the two of them.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Halloween Celebrations

The American Women's Club of Duesseldorf had organized a few Halloween events. The weekend started out with a party for the adults. Andrew and I went as Peter and Lois from the Family Guy.

The next afternoon, it was the party for the kids. Sophie wore her brand new Snow White outfit.
The party took place at the International School. We arrived just in time for my volunteering time slot at the eyeball soup station. This is from when Sophie came to visit me and tried to find an eyeball in this pot.
There were so many activities for Sophie and the other kids. Here is a picture of Sophie making a spooky bracelet.
Upstairs there was a Hall of Fame with the wicked witch, Michael Jackson and among others another Snow White.
Sophie had been looking forward to this hot dog all afternoon. 

Arabian Nights

Oma brought this costume back for Sophie from Tunisia. Sophie put it on and started dancing. I think she has some talent. 

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Traveling In Style

Berit, Sophie and I took the train to Geldern today to pay Oma a surprise visit. While I returned some books at the library, Berit and Sophie went to Starbucks. This is where Sophie instructed Berit: "Berit, I order and you pay, ok?" How could it be any other way? Here is Sophie enjoying her kinder cappuccino (whoever started this?!).

Friday, October 19, 2012

Learn to Ride a Bicycle - ✔

After a summer of hard practice, Sophie finally got the hang of riding her bicycle, including the starting and stopping parts. Suddenly she is not our little girl anymore. But she is so proud - as are we of course.

Later that day she also managed to climb up (and down) the bigger rock at the playground with just a bit of guidance by me. 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Chocolate Face

Berit treated us to ice cream today. 
Sophie did not like it at all.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

A Brisk Morning

We definitely get to experience the seasons here (except for the lack of snow last winter). There is no ignoring that it is autumn.  As Sophie is singing her fall songs on the bike, we ride along some hobby gardens (allotments) to her preschool.
 Today there was frost on the ground.
 All bundled up again (i.e. calculate at least five more minutes to get ready before leaving the house).
Horses right by Sophie's preschool.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Pumpkin Patch

We took a trip out to the country fairly early this morning to visit a little pumpkin patch. The American Women's Club of Duesseldorf had set up a tent there and organized a little crafts event for the kids. It was very well done and we are looking forward to their upcoming parties and events (such as Halloween).
 Here is Sophie painting her pumpkin.
Sophie moved from table to table and tirelessly did every craft offered. At this station she is creating a picture frame.

Friday, October 5, 2012

After the Rain

It has been raining a lot over the past few days. At least here is our reward for having to put up with all that gray:

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Cleaning Mice

Berit asked for Sophie's help to "clean her mice" today. Sophie was briefly disappointed when she found out that this did not mean giving the mice a bath, but cleaning their cage. 
 She quickly perked up when she was given the important task to watch them in their temporary housing and make sure that they did not escape. She took her job very seriously and the two mice never had a chance to go anywhere.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Royal Company

My brother with his two kids in tow has been visiting with my mum's for a few days. Today they came over to Duesseldorf to drill a few more holes into my sister's walls at her new place. She has done more with her studio in the last two months than we have with our place in the past year. ☺
Talea and Thore stayed at our house to play with Sophie while my brother Stefan went off to work on said project.
 Here is a picture of Princesses Talea and Sophie and Thore the knight at their dinner of cannelloni. 
Thore actually said to me that he did not like the meal at all as he was munching away. 
I put the hair clips in so that he could at least see his food.