Anyone for Crunch (Cars + Brunch)?

What better way to start off the day than with a delicious brunch at the Classic Remise Meilenwerk in Duesseldorf. This is an old restored roundhouse and maintenance station for trains, now filled with expensive cars both old and new. 

We even found a Shelby.

Sophie and Nanny looking for their favorite cars.

When does Sophie ever get to have both Nanny and Oma at one table in Germany?

Eating in style.

Sophie and I decided to take pictures of each other.

My favorite color on a car (this is a Jag)

Sophie's favorite car because it was red.

I liked the row of Porsches.

(The restaurant behind me.)

Another red favorite.

Subsequent food coma. There must have been a sleeping medication in the waffles.

But the weather was pleasant and we had places to see.

Sophie learning a pat-a-cake game from Nanny. 

Posing in front of city hall for the blog

International Children's Day Festival along the Rhine shore.

This is where we ran into our neighbors Sissi and Jessica.

Time for an altbier (the local brew) at one of the oldest breweries in town. 

Caught on picture: Andrew laughing with some Germans! Just give them a beer and their frowns are turned into smiles.

A fun bunch.

Ending the day in style with some of the best ice cream in Duesseldorf. We lined up around the corner and it was worth it.

By the way, for anyone who has been wondering how we can be buying ice cream on an almost daily basis. It's 80 cents/$1 per scoop here.

At the Lake

One last warm and summery day before a predicted cool down. We arranged to go back to the nearby Unterbacher See this time with our neighbors Sissi and Jessica from China. When I apologized to the girls' mother, Chris, that it might be crowded there, she reminded me that in Shanghai this kind of place would be absolutely packed. It's all just a matter of how you look at it, I guess.

Anyway, the girls were happily playing in the water for hours, just coming back to us on a regular basis to refuel on snacks. 

Unfortunately we had to leave early as some dark thunderclouds were approaching rapidly and they were closing the beach. 

The girls continued playing inside and Sophie and I were invited for a delicious home-made Chinese vegetable and noodle soup. 

Musical Chairs

Sophie has been making more friends as two more girls have joined our neighborhood. They are Sissi (6) and Jessica (3) who moved here from Shanghai with their parents - talk about culture shock. 

It was Sissi's birthday today and she invited the kids from the neighborhood to celebrate with her.

 There was cake and candy and a few games such as a potato run and musical chairs.

(I apologize for the terrible picture quality)

Sissi's dad explaining the rules...

...and off they go. 

When has musical chairs ever not ended in tears?