Feeling Hot Hot Hot

It is possible even here, if only for a couple of days a year: the temperatures hit a toasty 99° F / 37° C and no clouds in sight. I am not complaining.

Here is what the kids where up to after some indoor play time during the greatest midday heat.

(Actually this shot was taken a few days ago; today the kids were naked.)

Captain Hook's Pirate Ship

As this might be our only week of summer and warm temperatures, I have decided to let all house chores be and spend as much time as possible outside with Sophie soaking in the sunshine and warmth. 

Today we were going to meet our new friends Jonathan and Lia and their mum Tali at the water playground in Volksgarten. They had just moved to the Duesseldorf area via Munich from Israel last month. 

 Jonathan seemed a little bit overwhelmed by the crowds - poor guy. He was concerned for Sophie who was just running wild in the park.

 Jonathan found Sophie as they are walking by the pirate ship. 

Towards the end, Sophie found yet another playmate.

Irrland in the Heat

One day of 80+ degree weather - off to Irrland (the amusement park near my mum's in Geldern) to try the warm weather attractions. Packed with a huge picnic enough to feed the people around us and then some. 

 Although the water play areas were very crowded, we found a nice spot in the shade.

 Sophie taking pictures of us.

 That is Sophie's finger. My mum was annoyed that she had not brought her bathing suit. 

 We took Sophie on the water slide nearby a few times, but the water they used to wet it with was brutally cold. Berit yelled out "bladder infection" as soon as she sat down in it for the first time. Of course Sophie insisted on sitting in our lap - stinker. So instead we organized some spray guns and checked out the huge water gunfight terrain with fill-up stations, a labyrinth, bridge etc. as obstacles. Berit and I, being the oldest warriors in the terrain, soon had a considerable number of enemies to spray. Sophie exclaimed at one point that she no longer wanted to get wet, but continued to happily spray us - little stinker.

 ...meanwhile a goat was born in the adjoining stables.

 Finally a couple of pictures of Irrland's latest project: a play airport. But we will save this for a shadier day (soon that is).

Now headed back to Geldern for a BBQ.

Summertime Play

The gorgeous weather is holding up, so after Sophie's ballet lesson today we scouted out a water playground that was said to be in the park near the gym. My last stupid words to Sophie were: "Try not to get too wet," as I had not brought a towel, but how was that going to be possible. 

 Off she went, and for a full hour she was running around like a maniac having a blast. 

 I caught her with that "Oh my god, I'm having so much fun, I can hardly control myself" - face. 

At the mega-waterpistols

The nice thing was that they had lounge chairs for the big people.