Hello again

We are back from America (since last Thursday). In fact, it was one of our easiest overnight flights - the kids slept and/or watched TV without much fuss, and then because they were so tired, quickly adapted to the European time zone. So that was nice.

So lets see what the photos remind me of. First, we spent a lot of time at the cabin on the cow farm. We took 3 day canoe trips (there was too much risk of flash floods to stay overnight), and these were very fun - the kids loved jumping of rocks, swimming in the water and even learning to paddle a small canoe. Also, Bluet really got into fishing and caught a number of different fish with her kids fishing rob (as she calls it). However, I have no photos of these water based activities as I didn't want to drop my phone in the rivers. Here are some other things we did
One game the kids invented while they were away was to run round and around the Ozark cabin as fast as they could





Here is a photo Bluet insisted I take



Back on the other farm, more playing in the paddling pool, here with Thane doing his best American Ninja Warrior impression



Not pictured: Ilona falling down these stairs twice





Then the other cousins, Lila and Nate, came to visit



OK, more tomorrow

America

We have been back in the U.S.A. for a week. We have split our time between the farm in Charleston and the cow farm out in the Ozarks. In Charleston, Bluet and Ilona have been spending a lot of time with their cousins Ruel and Thane. We also spent a fun day canoeing down the river. Bluet and Ilona thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the water in their life jackets. However, most of the pictures I have so far are from Charleston. Not pictured: heat and humidity. Here you go.


 

At a neighbours swimming pool



On the playground Wayne built in the garden



Spot the pumpkin



Ilona and Ruel





At Thane and Ruel's house


At the cabin, Bluet tries on one of those antlers that 'make boy deers beautiful'

Graduation

Today was the last day of Bluet's first year of kindergarten. She is now no longer a raupli (caterpillar), she is now a somer vogel (butterfly), ready for next term. We are very proud. Here is her certificate:

Busy weekend III

So yes, finally last Sunday it was Zuri-fest, a tri-annual celebration of Zurich. This, to us, mainly meant that for once there was something to do in the centre of Zurich on a Sunday.


From across the river, Bluet spotted the big wheel. As a fan of being up high, of course she wanted to go for a spin. So we all did. Note: we were holding on to the kids very tightly






Then Bluet found a thing that span round and round. As no-one else is a fan of getting dizzy and feeling sick, she rode on her own. She was very happy






So in conclusion I think we all agreed that Sunday's in Zurich would be much improved if they always had Zurich fest going on

busy weekend II

So then last Saturday we did the usual Saturday things - Bluet's English class, a trip to nespresso, then on to Sihl City to pick up some new trainers for Bluet, Burger King (which almost blew Bluet's mind when the toy was SpongeBob Squarepants). Fortunately they got matching toys. Then a ride home.



It was a long, tough morning



Just wait til you see last Sunday.....

busy weekend part I

So this term Bluet has been learning all about pirates (piraten) at kindergarten, and on Friday we got to go to the school after work for a 'Piraten Fest', followed by cake etc. It was very interesting to be on the other side of the school play for the first time. Obviously this one was in German, but it seemed to be about some pirates who set sail for new lands, found some islanders, fought of a boat with cannonballs, cleaned the decks and caught some fish. Bluet dressed in a long dress as one of the islanders, and sang the songs and danced the dances with concentration. She was also very happy to see us in the crowd, and smiled and waved from the stage as soon as she saw us there.



Meanwhile Ilona was more interested in enjoying the big kids playground than watching the play



As was Bluet after it was all over