Just a quick update to let you know we are back home in Texas. All of our final travels went off without a hitch. Sunday we left our apartment in Bielefeld, took a 4 hour train to Mainz, checked into our hotel, and then hopped a train to Bingen so we could take a boat trip on the Rhine River. Today, all the kids once again did fantastically on the 10 hour flight from Frankfurt to DFW. Now they are crashed out in bed. The temperature is around 104 here in the shade (but we have air conditioning now.) We'll sure miss the chance to enjoy the outdoors as much as we did in Bielefeld.
We owe a huge thanks to our neighbors, the Wallaces, for watching over our house and keeping our yard looking immaculate. Also thanks to our friend Kristen who watered our plants, checked on things inside the house, and picked us up and dropped us off from the airport. And tomorrow she starts giving swimming lessons to the kids. (And she's getting her Ph.D. in math - not sure what we'll do without her when she's gone!)
When I get the chance, I will post one more blog, with photos from our final days of our journey. We are headed to Houston Wednesday through Friday for a math conference, but after that, we'll stay tight to home for a while. Well, except for Dave, who'll be going to Norway for two weeks in a month. The excitement never ends for us.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Playground greatest hits
Today was slightly less rainy than Wednesday, so the kids and I spent most of it downtown, at one of their favorite playgrounds. But first, some photos from yesterday.
This picture of Isaac reminds me of one of those poses you might get at Sears portrait studio. He was just chilling out in the chair next to the computer yesterday morning while I did some work.
The kids built a fort in the living room and made it into quite the comfortable living space. By the time they were done, Sam had all the pillows and blankets under there, and Katie had transferred the contents of the pantry into their "house." They even had a fireplace built out of Legos.
This is Kuba (a Polish nickname for Jakob) playing in the fort. He's Jagoda's two-year old brother.
Playing in a fountain downtown today by the Hauptbahnhof. The hot weather is gone, and we are back to highs in the high 60s (fahrenheit). Ahhh. We are trying not to think about the 110 degree highs they've been having back home in Arlington.
I got the biggest kick out of Sam's choice of outfit today. I think he looks like Dorf (that Tim Conway character), ready to go golfing.
Had to take a picture of this steeple as we were walking to the playground. I'm always amazed at how trees seem to be able to grow even in the most inhospitable environment. It's at the top of a church steeple, for goodness sakes!
Grace loved this bouncing teeter-totter at the park.
The playground is a pretty simple one, but the kids love it. We had it to ourselves all afternoon. Grace and Isaac each took a good nap while Sam and Katie were doing some heavy duty imagining. (Even I nodded off on the park bench a few times.)
It rained while we were there, but it was light enough that we didn't need to seek cover.
Today, we finally saw the outdoor ping pong tables in action. A teenager and his mom played at one of these tables for an hour and a half or so. (It was the rhythmic bounce of the ping pong ball that lulled me to sleep.)
This beautiful orange rose was growing in the corner of the playground. Its aroma was incredible. Sam said, "I wish I could eat that flower, it smells so good."
This evening, the whole family was watching "Upps!", which is the German equivalent of America's Funniest Home Videos, goofy announcer and all. The humor of a chubby guy doing a bellyflop into the pool is universal, no matter the language. Last night, we watched "The Love Bug." We are seeing some great classic movies from our childhood while we're here, all dubbed into German of course.
Grace was eating popcorn using her favorite technique. First, dump out whatever Mom gives me, then eat it off the floor.
I have figured out that Isaac is usually content as long as he has something to clutch. Set him up with a toy he can put in his mouth, and he is ready to go. He is nearly sitting up by himself. I think it is going to be a tight race to see who makes it to walking first - Grace or Isaac. Grace is showing an interest in standing up, so she might get there before Ike. Either way, it'll be a miracle if our stroller makes it to the day they are both mobile. Dave has noticed that the back wheels are looking loose on their axle. It just has to hold out a few more days until we are back to the US. That stroller is our minivan these days.
This picture of Isaac reminds me of one of those poses you might get at Sears portrait studio. He was just chilling out in the chair next to the computer yesterday morning while I did some work.
The kids built a fort in the living room and made it into quite the comfortable living space. By the time they were done, Sam had all the pillows and blankets under there, and Katie had transferred the contents of the pantry into their "house." They even had a fireplace built out of Legos.
This is Kuba (a Polish nickname for Jakob) playing in the fort. He's Jagoda's two-year old brother.
Playing in a fountain downtown today by the Hauptbahnhof. The hot weather is gone, and we are back to highs in the high 60s (fahrenheit). Ahhh. We are trying not to think about the 110 degree highs they've been having back home in Arlington.
I got the biggest kick out of Sam's choice of outfit today. I think he looks like Dorf (that Tim Conway character), ready to go golfing.
Had to take a picture of this steeple as we were walking to the playground. I'm always amazed at how trees seem to be able to grow even in the most inhospitable environment. It's at the top of a church steeple, for goodness sakes!
Grace loved this bouncing teeter-totter at the park.
The playground is a pretty simple one, but the kids love it. We had it to ourselves all afternoon. Grace and Isaac each took a good nap while Sam and Katie were doing some heavy duty imagining. (Even I nodded off on the park bench a few times.)
It rained while we were there, but it was light enough that we didn't need to seek cover.
Today, we finally saw the outdoor ping pong tables in action. A teenager and his mom played at one of these tables for an hour and a half or so. (It was the rhythmic bounce of the ping pong ball that lulled me to sleep.)
This beautiful orange rose was growing in the corner of the playground. Its aroma was incredible. Sam said, "I wish I could eat that flower, it smells so good."
This evening, the whole family was watching "Upps!", which is the German equivalent of America's Funniest Home Videos, goofy announcer and all. The humor of a chubby guy doing a bellyflop into the pool is universal, no matter the language. Last night, we watched "The Love Bug." We are seeing some great classic movies from our childhood while we're here, all dubbed into German of course.
Grace was eating popcorn using her favorite technique. First, dump out whatever Mom gives me, then eat it off the floor.
I have figured out that Isaac is usually content as long as he has something to clutch. Set him up with a toy he can put in his mouth, and he is ready to go. He is nearly sitting up by himself. I think it is going to be a tight race to see who makes it to walking first - Grace or Isaac. Grace is showing an interest in standing up, so she might get there before Ike. Either way, it'll be a miracle if our stroller makes it to the day they are both mobile. Dave has noticed that the back wheels are looking loose on their axle. It just has to hold out a few more days until we are back to the US. That stroller is our minivan these days.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Almost time to pack
Well, only a few days left in Bielefeld. Today is rainy, so the kids are playing with their friends inside. Hopefully the next few days will be good weather, so we can go out and enjoy our favorite places one last time before we leave Germany.
Making up for the lack of Isaac pictures in the last journal entry.
These plants are starting to pop up around town. These are outside the door of the IBZ. I call them sweetpeas, but I'm not sure if that's right. We used to have them growing next to the house where I grew up in Minnesota, along the driveway side. They would grow right up out of the gravel.
Waiting for me to open the door to the IBZ. The orange building in the background is one of the university kindergartens.
On Monday, Katie and I both had our first experience with chewing gum removal. Katie got a big wad of peppermint gum stuck right on the top of her head. (Sam had something to do with it.) Turns out the old peanut butter trick I had heard about really works. Thank goodness.
Yesterday afternoon, Grace and Isaac had a nice chat at snack time.
Meanwhile, Sam and Katie were knocked out. They stayed up too late the night before watching "Bedknobs and Broomsticks." The German voice that was dubbed in for Angela Landsbury actually sounded a lot like her.
Grace caught up on the news, while waiting for Sam and Katie to wake up from their naps.
Making up for the lack of Isaac pictures in the last journal entry.
These plants are starting to pop up around town. These are outside the door of the IBZ. I call them sweetpeas, but I'm not sure if that's right. We used to have them growing next to the house where I grew up in Minnesota, along the driveway side. They would grow right up out of the gravel.
Waiting for me to open the door to the IBZ. The orange building in the background is one of the university kindergartens.On Monday, Katie and I both had our first experience with chewing gum removal. Katie got a big wad of peppermint gum stuck right on the top of her head. (Sam had something to do with it.) Turns out the old peanut butter trick I had heard about really works. Thank goodness.
Yesterday afternoon, Grace and Isaac had a nice chat at snack time.
Meanwhile, Sam and Katie were knocked out. They stayed up too late the night before watching "Bedknobs and Broomsticks." The German voice that was dubbed in for Angela Landsbury actually sounded a lot like her.
Grace caught up on the news, while waiting for Sam and Katie to wake up from their naps.
One of the hedge-lined walkways on the way to the market.
Hanging out before bedtime.
The strawberry shack now has blueberries! Nature's perfect snack. The kids gobble these up like candy.
Hanging out before bedtime.
The strawberry shack now has blueberries! Nature's perfect snack. The kids gobble these up like candy. Monday, July 6, 2009
Hamburg with 4 kids in 4 hours
Time to catch up on our weekend activities. Saturday was lowkey - we played in the garden with the neighbors and went for our usual stroll to the market.
The roses along the walk in front of the IBZ. 
Sam climbing at the playground on the way to the market. We ran into a family in the market square who we met in the first week or so of our stay here in Bielefeld. They are from Kansas City, and moved to Bielefeld last year. They sold their minivan, house, motorcyle, and now they have bikes (no car) and live in an apartment with their three kids. The wife is originally from Germany (but accidentally gave up her German citizenship when she forgot to file a particular paper.) They said the only thing they really miss about America is their church - it's hard to find a church in Bielefeld that isn't super liberal (according to them.)
Sunday we traveled to Hamburg - it takes about 3 hours of train riding each way from Bielefeld. On our second train (from Hannover to Hamburg), Sam and Katie had great fun playing hide-and-seek with a six-year-old German girl named Milana. Look closely for Isaac in this photo, as it's the only picture of him you'll see today. We didn't give him much face time in this set of pictures.
Grace (who you can see on the right, playing under her table) entertained her seatmates by putting Isaac's hat repeatedly on her head and chuckling. (Another object she knows how to use!)
The view as we hit the ground in Hamburg, outside the train station.
This vehicle made us chuckle. It's called a bierbike - it's a bike that's outfitted with a bar and stools for beer drinkers to ride along on. They traveled through town singing some rousing songs. Were it not for the kids, I think Dave would have hopped on.
The Altersee in Hamburg. Cranes are all around the city - lots of new development. It's the second biggest city in Germany.
The side of the Rathaus. More of that magnificent building to come.
Hamburg is crisscrossed by oodles of canals and three large rivers. It has more water and canals than Venice. 
The front of the Rathaus. We couldn't get over how ornate it was. So much to look at. There was fine netting covering every possible place a bird could nest. It was so unobtrusive that I didn't notice it - Dave pointed it out to me.
We paused to see this lock in action. These rowers (who looked to be in their 60s) were traveling with packs and sleeping bags - what a neat way to take a trip.
On our way to our real destination - a playground. Dave found one within walking distance of the train station by looking at a Google Earth satellite map of Hamburg. If I didn't already have two full-time jobs, I would write a travel book focusing on the best playgrounds to visit in Europe. Doing the research would be a blast.
The playground (spielplatz) was located in a huge green park, filled with fountains, botanical gardens, and walking paths.
We got there with time to play for an hour.
Katie can officially claim that she is an expert swing pumper now. She put the finishing touches on her technique in Hamburg.
This boat was so cool - the kids could get it rocking back and forth so that it was almost sideways vertical (it's suspended by chains from the posts). It even creaked like a real boat. Once one kid would jump off, the rest would get catapulted off the other side.
This area of the playground was a kid's dream - a little creek of water flowed through mounds of sand. There were wooden dams kids could use to build mini lakes, and then cause great floods by releasing the waters. A kid could truly be a kid at this playground - lots of opportunities to get dirty, wet, and happy.
Grace spent some time in the swings (but had to give up her spot because the swings were highly sought after.) Mostly she did some serious digging in the pebbles.
You can see Sam in the red shirt, wading in the water. The water from the play creek all ended up in this pond, which was only a foot deep.
Here he and some other kids are following a remote control ship.
Katie tries her hand at the boat.
It's all mine!
Our time at the playground and Hamburg was too short, but it certainly whet our whistle for more. Someday we'd like to come back when we have more time to dally and enjoy.
Isn't this park beautiful?
We walked by the Rathaus again on our way back to the train station. This is the side of the building. 
The gates at the front of the Rathaus.
Back home again.
Thanks to Dave's encouragement, I'm letting Grace have a go at using a spoon. I think I probably coddle her too much. Sure enough when I gave her some yogurt and a spoon, she knew exactly what to do. Some of it even ended up where it was supposed to.
The roses along the walk in front of the IBZ. Sam climbing at the playground on the way to the market. We ran into a family in the market square who we met in the first week or so of our stay here in Bielefeld. They are from Kansas City, and moved to Bielefeld last year. They sold their minivan, house, motorcyle, and now they have bikes (no car) and live in an apartment with their three kids. The wife is originally from Germany (but accidentally gave up her German citizenship when she forgot to file a particular paper.) They said the only thing they really miss about America is their church - it's hard to find a church in Bielefeld that isn't super liberal (according to them.)
Sunday we traveled to Hamburg - it takes about 3 hours of train riding each way from Bielefeld. On our second train (from Hannover to Hamburg), Sam and Katie had great fun playing hide-and-seek with a six-year-old German girl named Milana. Look closely for Isaac in this photo, as it's the only picture of him you'll see today. We didn't give him much face time in this set of pictures.Grace (who you can see on the right, playing under her table) entertained her seatmates by putting Isaac's hat repeatedly on her head and chuckling. (Another object she knows how to use!)
The view as we hit the ground in Hamburg, outside the train station.
This vehicle made us chuckle. It's called a bierbike - it's a bike that's outfitted with a bar and stools for beer drinkers to ride along on. They traveled through town singing some rousing songs. Were it not for the kids, I think Dave would have hopped on.
The Altersee in Hamburg. Cranes are all around the city - lots of new development. It's the second biggest city in Germany.
The side of the Rathaus. More of that magnificent building to come.
Hamburg is crisscrossed by oodles of canals and three large rivers. It has more water and canals than Venice. 
The front of the Rathaus. We couldn't get over how ornate it was. So much to look at. There was fine netting covering every possible place a bird could nest. It was so unobtrusive that I didn't notice it - Dave pointed it out to me.
We paused to see this lock in action. These rowers (who looked to be in their 60s) were traveling with packs and sleeping bags - what a neat way to take a trip.
On our way to our real destination - a playground. Dave found one within walking distance of the train station by looking at a Google Earth satellite map of Hamburg. If I didn't already have two full-time jobs, I would write a travel book focusing on the best playgrounds to visit in Europe. Doing the research would be a blast.
The playground (spielplatz) was located in a huge green park, filled with fountains, botanical gardens, and walking paths.
We got there with time to play for an hour.
Katie can officially claim that she is an expert swing pumper now. She put the finishing touches on her technique in Hamburg.
This boat was so cool - the kids could get it rocking back and forth so that it was almost sideways vertical (it's suspended by chains from the posts). It even creaked like a real boat. Once one kid would jump off, the rest would get catapulted off the other side.
This area of the playground was a kid's dream - a little creek of water flowed through mounds of sand. There were wooden dams kids could use to build mini lakes, and then cause great floods by releasing the waters. A kid could truly be a kid at this playground - lots of opportunities to get dirty, wet, and happy.
Grace spent some time in the swings (but had to give up her spot because the swings were highly sought after.) Mostly she did some serious digging in the pebbles.
You can see Sam in the red shirt, wading in the water. The water from the play creek all ended up in this pond, which was only a foot deep.
Here he and some other kids are following a remote control ship.
Katie tries her hand at the boat.
It's all mine!
Our time at the playground and Hamburg was too short, but it certainly whet our whistle for more. Someday we'd like to come back when we have more time to dally and enjoy.
Isn't this park beautiful?
We walked by the Rathaus again on our way back to the train station. This is the side of the building. 
The gates at the front of the Rathaus.
Back home again.
Thanks to Dave's encouragement, I'm letting Grace have a go at using a spoon. I think I probably coddle her too much. Sure enough when I gave her some yogurt and a spoon, she knew exactly what to do. Some of it even ended up where it was supposed to.
Here you can see her focused on her task this morning. Shortly after this picture was taken, I left the room and returned to find the yogurt dumped on the floor. I guess I gave her a bit too much leeway.
At lunch today, Dave's colleagues asked what we did this weekend. He reported that we traveled to Hamburg. When asked what we saw, he got quite a few laughs when they found out our trip revolved around finding a good playground for the kids. To each his own - it's actually a pretty nice way to get a feel for a city. Based on our playground experience this weekend, Hamburg gets six thumbs up.
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