SNOW!!!

We had LOTS of real snow today... powdery, fluffy snow perfect for snow men and snow balls and snow angels and all things that are snowy fun! It started coming down a bit this afternoon. Christian and I started on our trip to get groceries at about 4:30, but I ended up having to turn around and come home. There was a very thin covering of snow on the ground that I was worried about freezing after dark (5:30ish). As it turns out by 4:30 there was a much thicker blanket of snow covering absolutely everything, and it is still coming down as I type. Christian and I bundled up and played in the back yard instead. We threw snow balls and played tag, but his favorite game was making shoe prints in the snow that I would follow. Cliff joined us for about 15 minutes, but then he had to get back to his homework. Poor Cliff. After playing in the back for a while, we walked around the neighborhood. All the neighborhood kids were out throwing snow balls, making snow men (2), one had a sled and running around in general. Christian ran around with them for a while, and then we ran down the street and pretended to be trains in other people's tracks and made glove prints, and had a great time. It was so much fun! Then we came back inside for hot chocolate for me, tea for Christian and Christmas cartoons. Cliff came back down for dinner and has now joined us for a Charlie Brown Christmas. This was SO much better than grocery shopping. :)

A little snow, glasses and computer

We were so excited to wake up to snow, because it usually doesn't snow here until January or February.

After playing in our little bit of snow, we headed inside to warm up. Christian was playing, and came over to us wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses. It was so funny! He knew he was being funny, too. He wanted Cliff and I to take turns wearing them, and then he took photo evidence.

Now for some pictures by Christian...

Later he decided to play on his computer for a bit.

Early Christmas

Christian's Christmas came early this year, but I only have a picture of Cliff assembling his garage. Mom thoughtfully sent his gifts to us there so that we wouldn't have to carry it back to Germany on the plane. He has enjoyed playing with it. It has 4 levels, an elevator, a helicopter landing pad, a car wash, a gas station, a toll booth, 4 cars and a helicopter. What little kid wouldn't like it? :) She also sent him a tractor with a scoop and a trailer that he can ride on, and a truck that carries 3 cars on it's trailer. I had to give him the gifts early, because they came in the original box with a full size color picture of the contents. There was no way to hide it from him or distract him from asking about it. Already a good Christmas for him. :)

St. Martin's Day

We celebrated St. Martin's Day with our village today. It was really fun. Everyone met at the church. All of the kids (except Christian) had a lantern they had made (most of them at made theirs in school). Something went on in the church. I couldn't understand what they said, but the church was pretty. After that everyone lined up behind St. Martin, who was on a white horse, and we walked to a little bonfire. St. Martin talked for a bit, and then we all followed St. Martin to a community center. St. Martin called each child's name and gave them a bag of treats (a loaf of bread shaped like St. Martin complete with a little plastic pipe in his mouth, a couple of pieces of fruit and LOT of candy). After getting the candy, there was gluhwein, hot chocolate and cookies in the next room for the adults. Everyone stayed around and mingled for a bit. We really felt like part of the community. When they went around to collect money for the kids' candy and see who all would participate, they made sure that someone came to explain everything to us in English. During the celebration, he and his wife walked with us part of the way and lent Christian a lantern to carry. Everyone has been so nice to us.

A strange picture of Christian and Cliff just outside the church, I think.

A better picture

Christian and I waiting for the walk to start.

The beginning of the walk. You can see St. Martin wearing his red robe riding the white horse up ahead of everyone.

In the walking crowd

This is the room where we waited for the kids to get their camera. Everyone is watching St. Martin. The lady with the blond hair and blue scarf, Julie, is the one who lent Christian the lantern and explained the festival to us while we were walking. She was really nice, and had two little girls that Christian played with a little.

Christian getting his treat bag from St. Martin

Here he is with the very generous supply of candy and a few healthy things.

Picture with Santa

This is Christian's first picture with Santa for the season. It was at the AWGK bazaar. Christian was excited that Santa gave him a piece of candy. When Santa is brought up now, he associates him with giving candy.