Sammy

 Since the portrait post on Emma, people have been clamoring for a similar Sammy post.  Here we go:

 

 

Playground with Marion

One of the nicest things about our temporary living arrangement in Von Kettler Straße is the little playground just across the street.  Today Möne came to hang out in the afternoon.

Squiggles came along to ride on Emma's bike 

Stringing along

 

We had a nice trip to the violin maker today.  Emma was very in love with the cello (as you can see below) but we've rented a violin for her for the moment.  She carried it all the way home herself and was very proud.  It's a 1/16 violin which you can see Sammy wielding below.

Emma continues to insist (as she does in the video) that everyone needs to be quiet while she plays, unless they are part of the song, that is. 

Emma

A quick collection of nice Emma shots from the 13th. 

She insists on wearing this new dress backwards for reasons we don't really understand.  But Emma has her ideas and that tends to be that.

Fathers Day with Papa

Happy Fathers Day to all of our family fathers! (US Fathers Day, that is.)

Since Karola was away this weekend, the kids and I enjoyed a Fathers Day weekend together.

We did a fair amount of playground time

but we also managed to get downtown for an international festival in Luisenplatz, which included folk dancing and food.  The kids favorites were dance from India (Emma), dance from Somalia (Sammy) and cupcakes from Turkey (both)

Sammy wanted to go to the library but since the local branch in Eberstadt is closed weekends we went to the big one downtown and enjoyed reading books with their large collection of stuffed animals.  Outside we danced with the statues (which have moving joints!)

We also made it out to the zoo which has a cool playground as well as a petting zoo.  Of course they also have ice cream, but that didn't end up getting documented.

 

It was a fun time.  But we were glad to have mama back last night anyway!

Sammy's Birthday Video

We had some presents (for both kids) in the morning and then Sammy celebrated with his Kindergarten class with strawberry muffins before coming home in the afternoon for our family party.  Here is a rather exhaustive "glimpse" (you may want to give yourself some time for this one, as it definitely takes a while...maybe get a snack):

Stay over in Sydney

It has been frustrating to be stuck in airline limbo for 36 hours, but we did get to use the time to enjoy a bit of Sydney.  Lemonade from lemons, as it were.  We found the city to be (similar to Brisbane) a really fun blend of 19th, 20th, and 21st cent. architecture: whimsical, unpredictable and interesting.  A lovely urban landscape.

Also the monorail system is as sleek and futuristic a city transit as we've seen.  Look how small the track is supporting a full passenger train!

Also similar to Brisbane, woven into the downtown is a magnificent Botanical Garden.  We had an especially good time looking at the succulents and getting exotic ideas for our Albuquerque garden:

 

And right in the middle of the Botanical Gardens is the shockingly beautiful Conservatory of Music!  Sydney certainly seems to have some sympathetic priorities! 

Of course the iconic landmarks (the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge) didn't disappoint.

Yes, those are people up there!

I guess being trapped in an airport is at least good for doing blog posts!  Hopefully next time we'll be broadcasting from the Northern Hemisphere.