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. 

The First Annual Robertson 4th of July BBQ

There was no question though we left the U.S. that we would continue to celebrate the American holidays like Thanksgiving and the 4th of July. Any reason to have a party, right? 

Our friends and neighbors were happy to hear that and we managed to get quite a fun crowd together for our first 4th of July BBQ in Duesseldorf. 

The planning was half the fun. 

I am quite proud of my little cheese cake creation. Not quite 50 stars, but 13 stripes! And it must have tasted ok, as it was gone in a heartbeat.

We went all over town trying to find a flag post to properly hang the flag Andrew had purchased on Long Island. We could only find fixtures for boats, so our bedroom window had to make do. 

Ah, the master of the beer and the burger meat fairy, alias uncle Ralph and aunt Helga, have arrived. Let the party begin.

Well, we opted for German beer instead of an American brew. That's understandable, right?

I think this was 8 lbs of ground beef. Twelve hours later, there was none left.

We could not have lucked out more with the weather. Probably the only nice day with California blue skies in the first three weeks of July. The rain arrived two hours after the end of the party and was to stick with us.

Two of Berit's friends - Li and Dennis hanging out in the beach basket.

We extended an automatic invitation to next year's BBQ to everyone who was present today.

More red, white and blue than I ever used to wear in the States.

Let me guess, airplane talk by the grill?

Kids' corner was in our neighbor's garden.

Lina's little brother Philip taking a siesta. He was to have a rude awakening when he was in the line of fire of a water pistol squirt from his big sister.

Andrew wearing his Hawaiian airplane shirt (making sure the grill does not catch on fire?)

Caught the kids finishing the candy underneath our dining table.

Finally, sparklers for the kids. For next year, we will save some proper fireworks from New Year's. 

The party went on for many more hours. Our margarita was flowing faster than the beer until we ran out of all three bottles of tequila. 

We thank everyone for coming and celebrating and look forward to next year's bash. 

Any Excuse For a Party

We have been very busy this last month especially with traveling (be ready for loads of pictures) that I am only now starting to find time to catch up with posting pictures. 

A few days before we left for Britain, we all went an hour north where Uncle Gerrit and his girlfriend Gerdi live. They had sent us an invitation to a garden party already back in January making sure that we would all be able to make it. 

 Uncle Gerrit is ready for the party or a beer. Fortunately, the weather was gorgeous. Sophie was excited to see her cousins again: here with Talea and Thore.

My brother Stefan joins Uncle Gerrit in entertaining the kids

Talea and Sophie surrounded by pink balloons...

... while Kiron is showing off his chain saw (!) to cousin Thore.

Although there was more delicious food apart from dessert, devouring the mousse au chocolat made for the best shots.

So yummy.

So after the meal, we were stunned to find out that Uncle Gerrit and his girlfriend Gerdi had eloped to a light house by the North Sea two weeks previously and were now celebrating their wedding with all of us. Like I said, we take any excuse for a good party. Congratulations!

Waiting for the toast.

Cheers to that!

Now I'm Four!

When I woke up Sophie this morning and told her that it finally was her birthday today, she said: "Now I'm four. Just like Lina. Lina is my best friend." - Lina is the neighbor girl two doors down, with whom Sophie had played once so far. Life seems so much simpler for kids.

We had a big day ahead of us!

 This is what a four-year old looks like.

 One present before preschool.

Then it's off to celebrate there. The birthday girl was greeted appropriately. While she treated her classmates to muffins, Sophie got to wear a crown with the number 4. 

 Back at home, wearing her new outfit from Granddad and Debra, a few presents were waiting for her. Oma and Berit had come the evening before to join the party and help prepare. I would have been lost without them! Sophie received a Princess Lillifee bike helmet, a Snow White barbie and a sled from Oma. Mind you, Sophie had probably never seen a live sled before, but she immediately exclaimed: "I did not wish for that!" It took some explaining that it might still snow and how much fun a sled could be then.

 While Sophie was busy undressing her Snow White barbie, the rest of us were in the kitchen drinking champagne (and doing some baking and cooking). I have to say it was quite tasty (not just the bubblies). I also made brownies for the first time - believe it or not - from scratch. 

 I'm impressed how many neighbor kids about the same age as Sophie came after less than two months of us living here. I think there will be no lack of playmates for her. 

 Sophie's birthday brownies cake. 

 The kiddos played very well together. Still no need for having to entertain them with games.

 It was quite a multi-national crowd again.

 California Princess

 Last but not least: one round of dress up with her new best friend Lina.

The aftermath.

Cheers and good night!

...and for her fifth birthday she wants a raised bed with a slide. Arrgh!

Princess Tea Party

With Oma being gone on vacation, us girls planned a Princess tea party for tonight and invited a few more (big) girls over. Special treat for Sophie: she got to stay up late to watch the big Disney Quiz show on TV.

 So we started baking muffins from a never-before-used muffin recipe book I found at my mum's. I have to say it was the first time I truly enjoyed baking with Sophie (and she helped a lot - easy-peasy recipes). Not too tired, not a million other chores on my mind, not rushed - I love not having to work. I can't say it enough. And I really appreciate the fact I get to have this time now. 

 OK, enough being cheesy. Here is the result of our baking frenzy: Applesauce & oatmeal, peanut butter & chocolate chip, and Bavarian beer & cheese muffins.

 And if that wasn't enough, we needed piggies in a blanket. Or as Sophie translated to me: "Schweine in der Decke" made with love by Sophie.

 Halfway through that it was time for a little lie down on the couch before we needed to get ready for the party.

 Sophie dressed as Sleeping Beauty, combing Berit's, alias Pocahontas, hair.

 Having a glass of children's bubblies on the teddy bear throne.

TV dinner is served.

Sophie enthralled in the quiz show. Her first (of many I fear).