Time to Catch Up!

Every time I think I am getting closer to being in a routine and figuring out life...life happens and throws me off kilter again. Here's a quick rundown to get caught up! 

The children all started school and we finally found a Kindergarten that had a spot for Boston. Kindergarten is not a part of elementary school here and fills up entirely. Boston's school is very non-traditional, (and looks a little eerie here). It's called Waldorf Kindergarten (read Granola Kindergarten). They don't have any plastic toys, they make various organic porridges and homemade applesauce with the kids for breakfast every morning, and every Wednesday is "Wandertag" where they go into the forests to play with pinecones and chestnuts and build forts and shelters etc. They may bring a "Broetchen" and a drink of water or herbal tea--no sugared drinks or treats please. Boston  has grown to love it. It's been a great opportunity to try something new and very different.

We braved the Oktoberfest while Bruce was at work one day and were glad to have made it out of there without being thrown up on, or a child short. It was plain crazy, packed with drinking people from around the world and it was only 2 in the afternoon (they start at 9am)! I'm sure it is the biggest party on earth that lasts three weeks every year. The people here in Bayern call it the 5th season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Oktoberfest! The funniest part was having Americans stop us to take pictures of the kids in their cute German attire, only to be disappointed when I spoke perfect English to them.

Neuschwanstein Castle

My parents came to visit us in Germany when I came back from my trip to America. Sadly, they had another funeral to attend for my dad's last sibling that lived in Germany. She lived a long, happy life and was ready to transition on to the other side. We had a wonderful time with them seeing some of the beautiful sites in our area. 

Rosie sitting on the castle wall

The three amigos and the grounds at Linderhoff Castle


It was a simply gorgeous day, even though it started out pretty chilly. Check out that blue sky!

Omi and Opa at Linderhoff Castle
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Lastly, we spent one somber morning at Dachau, one of Hitler's first concentration camps. The frigid air outside matched the cold, dark feeling inside the camp. It's something everyone should experience once so as never to forget the atrocities which took place here due to one crazed leader.

Entrance to the camp

All prisoners would enter through these gates which read: "Work will set you free." In reality, the people were often worked to their death here. 

One cell which may have housed up to four people

This cell was split into fourths and used as a torture chamber where one only had enough room to stand. They would be left here for up to 72 hours with little or nothing to eat, almost no light and very poor ventilation. I can't imagine how awful it would have been, and to think most if not all people sent to these camps were entirely innocent. It was certainly one of the darkest times in the history of the world.

On a happier note, we are enjoying the beautiful fall colors and trying to take it all in. Driving through the countryside is one of my favorite things to do right now. This is the view we have from the top of our driveway, except the trees are all golden now. This building is one of our city's two main churches. We are awakened by the bells every morning at 7 am sharp, yes that's on the weekends too! I used to think the ringing church bells here were so quaint and charming.......