I have marked the date; not only in our calendar but in my phone and in my palm: Friday, 29 April at 9 am; I am going to watch the royal wedding and nobody could stop me.
I thought I was hiding my excitement and the growing anticipation. But my husband know me too well. Apparently, he recognized my 'obsession' because early this morning; he woke me up and said, 'you might just miss the show!'
Well, it was already 8 am and the royal wedding TV coverage is supposed to start at 9 am! I laughed and thanked him before jumping out of bed to prepare our breakfast. I resisted turning on the television until we have finished our breakfast. The rules at home are: Nobody is allowed to watch the television before noon and nobody watches TV while eating!
My husband teased me about the show which got the girls interested. I explained to them that the prince is marrying her princess and they both asked, 'are they real prince and princess?' I nodded and they loudly confirmed they would join me.
My girls and I ended up glued in front of the television sighing and screaming with the crowd. What kept the girls interested were the lively crowds wearing costumes and those in tents; the musical bands; the clothes of the groom and his best man; the dresses and hats of the ladies and of course, the carriage ride and the kiss.
In between, they ended up on the floor play-acting a wedding.
Just after the crowd started dispersing and I finally turned off the television; I got invited to a royal wedding featuring Barbie and Ken. The girls wont allow this opportunity to pass. They would try to re-create the wedding and I am to prepare the food and drinks!
Anybody wants to play the crowd?
P.S. I see a very positive effect in watching this wedding with the girls as they became more interested to know more about countries with kings and queens. This is a chance to introduce geography using the royalties. You know what, we have started tonight and the girls are enjoying it! Of course, this is also a way to let them learn through current events.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunny Easter
It is the first time in more than 50 years that the Easter weekend in Germany is sunny and more than 15 degrees warm.
Can you just imagine the small whisper of panic on what would happen to the chocolate eggs? My girls are already asking if the ants would reach their gifts and surprises; and if the chocolates would melt if they dont find them fast!
We told them the Easter Bunny would be very careful on where their surprises would be hidden to avoid the ants and the sun so they could sleep peacefully the night before. My husband and I took time to mow the lawn and clear the garden so that the girls could move around without any restrictions.
Easter Sunday came. My husband and I woke up at 6 am. Each of us holding bags of gifts and sweets, as we took turn in scattering chocolate eggs from the girls' bedrooms down to the garden where we hid their gifts. This is already a tradition; the girls would find an empty Easter basket beside their bed where they would follow and collect all the choco eggs until its time to search for their gifts.
They always thought that the choco eggs were left by the Easter Bunny to help them look for their gifts! They have kept that notion, although IC would always tease me, 'Mama, I know that you are the Easter Bunny!' And I would always respond with a laugh.
There was additional surprises waiting outside, though. When we opened the garden door, there were additional Choco bunnies waiting for them! I know they came from our neighbor so I asked the girls to ring the bell and bring some Easter surprises as a gesture of thanks.
Oh and as tradition goes, they wanted to visit Oma and Opa (Grandma and Grandpa) to look for their gifts, too. Although they are aware that Oma and Opa are both dead, they urged us to bring them in the cemetery as they dont want to miss their surprise as 'other kids might already found them.'
It is up to me to keep the tradition going. Good thing I always have small items and extra chocos. So I packed them in two separate Easter bags and kept them away in my big bag. Upon arriving in the cemetery, the girls took off to get some water for the plants; and I took the chance to strategically display the 'surprises'. Of course, they saw the bags of goodies right away and were happy. They took time in watering the plants and in the end, thanked their Oma and Opa for the gifts.
The day's been saved! Though IC nudged me on our way back home and said, 'Mama, next time please add more items in the bag.' :-D
Can you just imagine the small whisper of panic on what would happen to the chocolate eggs? My girls are already asking if the ants would reach their gifts and surprises; and if the chocolates would melt if they dont find them fast!
We told them the Easter Bunny would be very careful on where their surprises would be hidden to avoid the ants and the sun so they could sleep peacefully the night before. My husband and I took time to mow the lawn and clear the garden so that the girls could move around without any restrictions.
Easter Sunday came. My husband and I woke up at 6 am. Each of us holding bags of gifts and sweets, as we took turn in scattering chocolate eggs from the girls' bedrooms down to the garden where we hid their gifts. This is already a tradition; the girls would find an empty Easter basket beside their bed where they would follow and collect all the choco eggs until its time to search for their gifts.
They always thought that the choco eggs were left by the Easter Bunny to help them look for their gifts! They have kept that notion, although IC would always tease me, 'Mama, I know that you are the Easter Bunny!' And I would always respond with a laugh.
There was additional surprises waiting outside, though. When we opened the garden door, there were additional Choco bunnies waiting for them! I know they came from our neighbor so I asked the girls to ring the bell and bring some Easter surprises as a gesture of thanks.
Oh and as tradition goes, they wanted to visit Oma and Opa (Grandma and Grandpa) to look for their gifts, too. Although they are aware that Oma and Opa are both dead, they urged us to bring them in the cemetery as they dont want to miss their surprise as 'other kids might already found them.'
It is up to me to keep the tradition going. Good thing I always have small items and extra chocos. So I packed them in two separate Easter bags and kept them away in my big bag. Upon arriving in the cemetery, the girls took off to get some water for the plants; and I took the chance to strategically display the 'surprises'. Of course, they saw the bags of goodies right away and were happy. They took time in watering the plants and in the end, thanked their Oma and Opa for the gifts.
The day's been saved! Though IC nudged me on our way back home and said, 'Mama, next time please add more items in the bag.' :-D
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Our Good FrÃday
Back home in the Philippines, Good Friday is a strict religious event. The day would usually start with a procession of the peninents, followed by a church visit. The streets would be quiet, in most of the homes, too. All radio and all TV programs would be focused solely on religious themes and on the table would be seafood only. And my parents would usually prevent us from making any trips, short nor long. It is not a great day to travel on a Good Friday, they would say.
That was back home.
Our Good Friday in Germany? It started off with breakfast, without wurst nor cold cuts just the rest of the Easter boiled eggs with butter and bread. Then off we drove to a fishing farm in Odenwald to pick-up our pre-ordered trout which would be grilled for dinner.
The Forrelenhof Lenz is a popular place during Lent especially to those who loves to fish. On Good Fridays, it is always open and buzzing with activities. The girls enjoyed watching the hobby fishermen especially when there's a catch. They were not too enthusiastic seeing the fish being cleaned up; but it was always amazing for them how the fish were prepared to be smoked. There's a small restaurant where they serve homemade cakes and of course, the specialty of the house, trout and salmon trout. We specially love the salmon trout in beer dough.
After a delicious lunch, we packed our fish and passed by the historical Lindel water well for a short hike; treated the girls to an ice cream from their favorite Italian ice cream shop and decided to visit their aunt and uncle. Almost a full day trip, that's why upon arriving home, we decided to just be lazy in the garden while preparing our grill dinner.
After dinner, in our pajamas, we comfortably lounged in the terrace as the girls wanted to watch the falling stars. Well, the day was already a little adventure; that I was not surprised when I discovered I was alone when the falling stars appreared. My husband and the girls were already in dreamland.
A Good Friday, indeed.
But soon, I need to explain to the girls what Good Friday really means. After all, they understand what Easter is.
That was back home.
Our Good Friday in Germany? It started off with breakfast, without wurst nor cold cuts just the rest of the Easter boiled eggs with butter and bread. Then off we drove to a fishing farm in Odenwald to pick-up our pre-ordered trout which would be grilled for dinner.
The Forrelenhof Lenz is a popular place during Lent especially to those who loves to fish. On Good Fridays, it is always open and buzzing with activities. The girls enjoyed watching the hobby fishermen especially when there's a catch. They were not too enthusiastic seeing the fish being cleaned up; but it was always amazing for them how the fish were prepared to be smoked. There's a small restaurant where they serve homemade cakes and of course, the specialty of the house, trout and salmon trout. We specially love the salmon trout in beer dough.
After a delicious lunch, we packed our fish and passed by the historical Lindel water well for a short hike; treated the girls to an ice cream from their favorite Italian ice cream shop and decided to visit their aunt and uncle. Almost a full day trip, that's why upon arriving home, we decided to just be lazy in the garden while preparing our grill dinner.
After dinner, in our pajamas, we comfortably lounged in the terrace as the girls wanted to watch the falling stars. Well, the day was already a little adventure; that I was not surprised when I discovered I was alone when the falling stars appreared. My husband and the girls were already in dreamland.
A Good Friday, indeed.
But soon, I need to explain to the girls what Good Friday really means. After all, they understand what Easter is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)