Zs at Home

All the World’s a Stage

2011-12-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

Sophia and her classmates put on a stunning & colorful performance for the annual Christmas pageant.

Thanksgiving with Family & Friends

2011-11-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

What a treat it was to catch up with family after so many years abroad. We even somehow managed to mix in a trip skating at Union Square & an afternoon Tea with the girls – in between all the Turkey Day festivities.

Exploring San Francisco

2011-11-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

As part of our Thanksgiving pilgrimage to San Francisco, we did a bit of exploring around town.

Indian Summer

2011-11-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

In November we found a late season sun spurt, and we escaped to the lake. The light this time of year in the Northwest is fantastic!

Trick & Treating

2011-11-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Out & About in October

2011-11-01T00:08:00.000-07:00

A visit from Uncle Brehan started the month off right

Then came Sophia’s first Cross Country season thru Lower Woodland

It was a crazy WILD ride (video to come)

Then Sophia & I walk a different way home from school whenever we can, and often find fun things like horse swings to enjoy!

Celebrating a few birthdays including Papa’s

and my birthday weekend with Troy in Suncadia, and the Harvest Festival (the giant chicken was a little freaky…)

and then HALLOWEEN!!!

In the middle of all of this Troy went to 8 cities in Europe and Toronto, and we managed to hold it all together – some kind of vacation looks really good at this point!

However, he was able to see our friends Kate & Marc & kiddies in Paris (jealous!!)…

Scenes of September

2011-09-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

OK, so we are a little behind here with our posting. Life is just so crazy & is moving at full speed. Plus, without living in Europe, we just don’t pull out the camera quite as often. So here is a bit of an overview of the month.

School started for both girls. Sophia back in uniform, and Lexa going down the street for preschool 3 days a week. She LOVES it!!

The sun finally came out & we were able to enjoy the summer!!

Sophia & Troy went to camp Orkila for an Indian Princess weekend, and the school had the first fundraiser of the year – Jogathon – with Sophia’s class winning first prize for costumes! They were the Dashing Disciples – Sophia was Mad Star Mary!

And Lexa met the fire fighters from the local fire house!

Camp Orkila

2011-09-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Sophia & Troy spent the weekend at the YMCA Camp Orkila with many of our good friends. The property happens to be amazingly placed on the North End of Orca’s Island in the San Juan Islands, facing the city of Victoria. We both had to pick Indian tribe names, so I introduce you to Wachiwi (dancing girl) and Winterhawk. Sophia went rock climbing, archery, pottery, and is eyeing the zip line for next year.

The Dashing Disciples at 2011 Jog-a-thon

2011-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sophia ended up running 26 laps at her school’s jog-a-thon. And although they didn’t win the overall running award, they did win bragging rights as the class with the best costumes – as the Dashing Disciples. Sophia’s name – Mad Star Mary!

Backyardigans

2011-09-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever seen the kids show – Backyardigans – you know it’s all about kids who use their imagination to transform their back yards into just about any adventure they can think of. The girls use our backyard for the very same thing – making daydreams come to life.

First Days of School

2011-09-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

For the first time since leaving Germany, both Sophia & Lexa have their own schools this year. Sophia returning to start 2nd grade, and Lexa joining her in school but at the other church on the hill for preschool. We are back a bit into the Episcopalian hold for the next couple of years, and it is very good!

and back in uniform – YEA for mornings!!

And pure fun for Lexa!

Something about Sisters

2011-06-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

Puppet Shows

2011-06-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Sophia’s class did a performance called “Sebastian & the Magic Pebble” but had a lot of practice acting in our so called in-house theatre – which shows nightly from Sophia’s closet door. Last weekend she played out the full play of Cinderella with Lexa, complete with stadium seating in her room.

Lord of the Dance

2011-06-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

This was Sophia’s second Irish Dancing performance, and unlike the first one where she only danced twice – she asked to be in just about every dance except the hard shoe dances. Despite the fact that she was half the size of many of the dancers, she jumped in – quite literally.

Sophias progress...

2011-06-11T13:40:00.001-07:00

Fly Girls

2011-06-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon at the Boeing Airspace Museum South of Seattle, and viewed vintage flight attendant uniforms, stepped into a few cockpits, and then boarded the Concorde + Air Force One. There is a great history of air flight here in Seattle with the roots of Boeing Corp.

Yard Artists

2011-05-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

The girls decided to try on the new yard for size – and went to town with a huge bucket of chalk.

Move in Ready

2011-05-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

The big moving day is finally here, and 289 boxes later – we had a brand new house with boxes everywhere.

Moving day arrives !! It's official...

2011-05-13T22:59:00.001-07:00

Evening of Entertainment

2011-05-11T23:40:00.000-07:00

Sophia’s school held their annual Evening of Entertainment, and I’m not sure who was more enthusiastic – the kids or the parents. Sophia told us she had a reading part, but we had no idea she was kicking off the entire event – for all the classes. Couldn’t be more proud…

Sophia’s First Sock Hop (Troy’s too)

2011-04-30T23:09:00.001-07:00

Sophia’s school had a father/daughter Sock Hop, and of course we couldn’t resist. Sophia looked fantastic in her poodle skirt, but was not to be undone by the endless groups of pink ladies (ala Grease) at the dance. Sophia spent the first half of the night hiding out with her friends, and the second half dancing away. Most of the dads were just a little sore the next morning thanks to some little kiddie toss & turns, and the limbo stick...

Moonlight Tea Party

2011-04-29T22:49:00.001-07:00

Moya & Sophia were seeking enthusiastic royal fans to watch the Royal Wedding of William & Kate, and they found equal partners in cousins Mary & Cynthia. So they spent the weekend in San Francisco and woke up at 3 am for a proper tea party and to watch the wedding. Moya remembers as a little girl when Lady Diana was married, and I’m sure Sophia will remember her Moonlight Tea Party with her Nouna and Thea for the rest of her life. While in San Francisco, they were able to meet the newest Z cousin, James Jr.

Turning a Big 3

2011-04-26T22:59:00.001-07:00

Lexa was lucky enough to have two birthday parties – one at the Lake and one in the City, although she did have to share her birthday with Easter... She was a very proud 3 year old, and now all things have to come in 3s – 3 stuffed animals in her bed, three books on her bedside table, etc.

Celebrating Easter

2011-04-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

Nothing brings out the excitement of the girls like Easter – decorating eggs, chocolate, and then of course the hunt. We had fun dressing up, going to church service, and sharing time with family.

Lake Living

2011-03-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

As we await the illusive Spring, we found ourselves spending our weekends by the Lake. It created a perfect environment for the girls to play, us to relax, and for us to live as a foursome. After the busy and stressful weeks, it became a wonderful family retreat.

St Patrick’s Day Ceili

2011-03-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

Sophia has continued with the Irish Dancing lessons she started in Munich, and had her first performances over the weekend at the Seattle Center for the beginning of Irish Week, and then in the evening at school for the parish & school Ceili… She was a bit nervous, especially at the center because there were around a thousand people watching, but once the music started she found her groove.

Corn Beef (cooked in Guinness) and cabbage for dinner. Notice you don’t see either of those things on the girls plates. They settled for butter on bread, butter on carrots, and air…

Hanging at tullys...

2011-02-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

On Monday's after school Sophia has Irish dancing, so Lexa & I get to hang out together doing lots of waiting. This is only the first of many coffee shops we will visit over the next 12 years as we wait for one activity to begin & another to end.

Good Morning, Vancouver!

2011-02-22T00:43:00.000-08:00

We were awakened with a view of a perfect morning over English Bay and the rest of Vancouver. Our hotel put us in a room on the 28th floor of a high-rise rich city. So we spent the morning exploring the play areas and the Totem Poles around Stanley Park.

Vancouver & A Day on the Beach

2011-02-21T00:24:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Vancouver on Sunday afternoon for a couple extra days of R&R while Sophia was off of school. We were welcomed with a beautiful sunny day, and found all of us on the beach – playing in the sand, chasing the birds, and imitating life in the statue garden just off English Bay. After a quick swim in the pool, we were all done for the day.

Having a Ball

2011-02-20T09:46:00.001-08:00

We have a few days off so we’re on a weekend adventure with the girls.

Snow Bunnies

2011-02-20T09:30:00.001-08:00

While Sophia was out of school she met a classmate and good friend and went up to the slopes as a “Mommy & Me” day out adventure. After not skiing since last Christmas, Sophia jumped right in and loved going down the slopes. Going straight down, long swooping curves down the mountain – she was doing it all. It was a perfect sunny day to be on the slopes, but after living in Europe for 6 years – what’s with the no-beer at lunch?

Lexa at the Locks

2011-02-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

At the edge of Seattle is the Ballard Locks, where Lake Washington meets the Puget Sound – the connection point between fresh water and the Ocean. The waterways through Seattle are 22 feet above sea level, and kids and adults are fascinated by the boats that flow through endlessly. There’s always much to do – bridges to cross, waterfalls to watch, and fish to look for. Unfortunately, there were not many Salmon in the fish latter, which can have thousands during the summer months. But that didn’t dampen Lexa’s love for the locks.

Ski day!

2011-02-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Lexa’s Day

2011-02-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

Shortly after Lexa’s baptism we did a photo shoot in her “big girl” dress. She keeps saying that’s my “baptism” and “my church.” Although she was quite restless during the ceremony, she remembers it with great fondness. It seems to have connected her to the Church and the community, exactly the way a baptism is supposed to. Now whenever we go there, Lexa says it’s her church and Sophia’s school – so they share ownership.

Hangin at the Lake

2011-02-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

It’s amazing what a little outdoor time will do for the spirits. We spent the weekend at the Lake for a little R&R. No matter how many times we go, we never get bored of the experience – the perfect place for reconnecting with your family.

Our Little Dancers

2011-01-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

Sophia has been taking a mixed ballet & tap class with her buddy McKenzie. It has been a nice continuation from her lessons in Munich. It has been so much fun to see her “big girl” personality come out on the dance floor – confident, mischievous, and fun.

Dance the Night Away

2011-01-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

I’m not quite sure how it got started, but somehow the lake living room has become quite the dance studio. Perhaps it’s the laid back feeling around the lake, perhaps it’s the time together as a family, perhaps it’s the nice wine (for Moya and Troy at least). But throw a CD in during the afternoon or evening, and there’s dancing going on.

The Colors of a New Year

2011-01-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

In the days following the first of January, there was a strange but beautiful hue in the sky every night at the lake. It was like the Aurora Borealis showed up in Western Washington. Fortunately, Troy was experimenting with his new camera lens. The evenings were beautiful – frosty cold, but with a dash of color wherever you looked.

New Years at the lake

2011-01-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

As in past years, we celebrated the New Year by playing up at the lake, and ringing in 2011 with a few fireworks and hot chocolate! Last year we were watching the chaos of the Munich celebrations, and trying to avoid getting hit by the bombs going off around us, so we were really happy to just have a few sparklers & poppers, and know that no one was going to lose an ear…

The rest of the week was spent recovering from the excitement & exhaustion of Christmas, fighting off colds, and lots & lots of sleep…

Boxing Day Dinner

2010-12-26T23:28:00.000-08:00

After the rush of Christmas, and having it seem like it is over so fast, Boxing day dinner is a wonderfully relaxing event.

and Troy was able to play with his new lens… Fun all around!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

So far, we have still been able to have a bit of a lie in on Christmas morning, and today was no exception! The kids all slept until 8am, and then it was the chaos of presents for hours it seemed. There is just nothing like Christmas chocolate for breakfast…

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

Our traditional Christmas Eve celebrations were so much more fun this year because the girls were so excited they could hardly stand still! After dinner & singing around the tree, we could finally open presents. YEA!!

Christmas Activities

2010-12-24T19:24:00.000-08:00

I’m not sure who was looking forward to Christmas Vacation more, Sophia or I. She was excited for Christmas & I was looking forward to catching up on sleep & not having a 7am ritual on a daily basis…

We spent one day visiting the reindeer & camels that rest at Swanson's Nursery during December before their long night of work. The animals weren’t too interesting to the girls, but the train held their fascination for quite a while!

an afternoon at the play “The Best Christmas Pageant EVER” then it was decorating Gingerbread houses to make the hours of Christmas eve speed by faster…

Considering most of the candy was from at least 20 years ago when I used to do this, there was relatively little sugar eaten. But I think I did see at least one of the girls sucking on the end of the icing canister… And Lexa’s house had finger lanes all over the back where she decided there was far too much frosting (snow) and she had to eat it off. Luckily It was almost time to go!!

The Nutcracker Night

2010-12-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

We spent the evening yesterday at the Nutcracker enjoying an amazing performance! It isn’t the traditional telling with a Sugarplum fairy, but a bit of a modern take, with Clara/Marie being a much more important character. We took Sophia 2 years ago, but being jet lagged she slept thru the last 30 min of the performance. No problems with that this year. Even Lexa was enthralled for almost the entire show!

Oh Christmas Tree…

2010-12-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been 6 years since we’ve cut down a tree for Christmas, and what a day it was. The tree farm it running a little low on trees, but the girls had a blast running (or trying to) thru the remainder of trees, tripping over stumps, and generally hunting thru every single tree on the property before hanging our hat on one, and beginning the laborious process of felling a tree. Luckily Dad & Troy could take turns sawing, while the rest of us leaned &/or pulled to help. In the end we chose a beautiful tree, hopefully with lots of strong branches – now to find the time to put it up!!

The Boys, and Thanksgiving #4

2010-11-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

Our last Thanksgiving celebration was with Troy’s friends from growing up in the Sunset hood. Amazing food, with a different menu than the other 3 celebrations. It has been years since we all have been together, and it was so much fun to hear the laughter about the old days – now that most of them are over 40 we can call them the old days…

the next generation (all girls by the way) had a pretty good time, especially when they were able to watch disney on the big screen!

Sunset Beach

2010-11-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

Troy grew up never really playing at the beach, but it seems like every time we are in San Francisco the weather is beautiful & we have a great time there.

As is tradition we start with lunch at the Beach Chalet…

almost 6 years ago we ate here after applying for our French Visa! No Lexa!

Then it was across the street to play in the sand. We had forgotten that Lexa has never really played in beach sand. Most of the beaches in Italy & Croatia that were close to Munich had really rocky beaches…

She started throwing sand up in the air, and then a poof right into her face. It looked as if she had done a face plant. And she made everyone smile!

Thanksgiving, takes 2 & 3

2010-11-25T17:04:00.000-08:00

We have the fortune of being able to celebrate multiple Thanksgivings this year. In San Francisco we celebrated both Wednesday & Thursday evenings with lots of old & new friends. Thank you to Mary & Cynthia for hosting us & all of your amazing cooking – including the turkey & the gravy…

Sunny Views

2010-11-25T15:06:00.000-08:00

We had the most amazing views of the city this week. From our room on the 27th floor to the view from every hilltop, San Francisco was stunning!

A photo shoot for Lexa

2010-11-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

Troy & Lexa spent the morning around Moscone Center playing in the sun, discovering shadows & playing with color. Needless to say they both had a blast!

The Cousins Tea

2010-11-23T16:11:00.000-08:00

The girls & I spent the afternoon with Mary, Cynthia & Julia having tea at the Secret Garden Tea House. It was so lovely to have the girls enjoying it as much as the adults did! It also helped that they had a great dress up corner where we could all get dressed up in boas, sparkly necklaces, and perfect hats for tea!

Carousels again?!

2010-11-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

It never fails. All the world over we are surrounded by carousels and are drawn to them no matter what time of the day or night it is…

San Francisco is no different, and the fun & joy continues…

Slumber party

2010-11-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

For almost 18 months Sophia has been asking to have a sleep over at Nouna’s house and she finally got her wish. Julia & Sophia had a great night of giggles and lots & lots of doudous.

Play at Moscone Center

2010-11-22T20:40:00.000-08:00

As San Francisco competes with more family friendly cities for conventions the city planners have really put some thought into making the area around the convention center a lot more fun. I took the girls over in the late afternoon, but it gets dark so early now, for some run around time outside of the hotel hallways.

And then there was also a carousel!

Sunny San Francisco

2010-11-22T19:53:00.000-08:00

Now that we are back in the US, we can continue the old tradition of spending Thanksgiving with the Zs in San Francisco… Luckily Sophia had the week off from school, so we were able to spend a lot of time!

We spent Monday morning with the Nounas, (probably not grammatically correct Greek, but it works for us!) and ice skating at Embarcadero with Julia & Paul. It was Alexandras first time on skates, Troy forgot to bring his skates, Sophia’s skates are in our sea shipment, so we all had rentals & had a great time!

And to the ferry building market for lunch

Then it was off to the office for Troy & back to the hotel for naps for the girls & I with more adventures to come!

Softly leaves are falling

2010-11-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

What a joy it is to have a true fall. Beams of sunlight thru red trees, followed by days of torrential downpour, such a joyous change from the past couple years – No Snow forecast for at least the next 14 days!

I took the girls up to the lake to enjoy a questionable day, and we were blessed by sunshine, and the joy of raking leaves. And the bigger joy of jumping in them. Combine that with throwing rocks in the water and swings at Nana’s park, well, it is no wonder that Lexa never took a nap!!

and Sophia has lost another tooth!!

All Hallows Eve

2010-10-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

Sophia has been so excited for her first Halloween & of course Lexa just follows along with her, not really understanding, but enjoying the excitement!

We spent the weekend preparing for the great pumpkin arrival by carving & painting pumpkins, although at one point Lexa thought hers needed a bit of love…

Hanging out with Cleo before the candy adventure…

and with Scary Sean to protect them from other goblins, our Hermione & Dorothy were on their way!

Halloween begins

2010-10-29T16:16:00.001-07:00

After a pumpkin play & the class Halloween party the girls were ready for an afternoon of trick or treating at daddys office. Our hermione was thrilled with the the hogwarts dorm drapery & dorfy (dorthy) was thrilled as well to be in the witch's castle!

Carousel heaven

2010-10-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Alexandra had her first big girl carousel ride at the zoo. An addiction begins!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

We had the joy of taking the girls to the pumpkin patch today, on a beautiful weekend, for their first pumpkin patch outing (Sophia was 7 months & teething the last time we were in the US), and boy did it live up to all of our expectations!

We wandered for about 2 minutes before the wheelbarrow was laden down with huge pumpkins, and the girls were tripping over all of the vines in their eagerness… If it wasn’t for the size of most of the pumpkins, we wouldn’t have made it past the front of the field to where the true mystery lead… if you build it they will come… and a few photo moments -

life on the inside of a jack-o-lantern driving legally at 14 with a farm license hopefully the only time they will ever ride “standing up” in the back of a pick-up. and a bit of posing…

1st Grade!!

2010-08-31T23:16:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos from prep day…

with Fr John after picking out her seat – middle of the class, front row. I tried to suggest other, but she was insistent… with her seat mate Jenna,

and the first day of school – uniforms & everything! Sophia is one of 3 new girls to her class, all of whom are friends of hers… (she is counting!) And we like all of their names! with mommy & Lexa (who didn’t want to leave, and kept asking for her own little chair as we walked away from Sophia!! Its going to be a challenging year)

Christmas in August

2010-08-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

Our Air shipment was finally delivered and our girls are in heaven!!

It makes temporary living a little bit more like a home…

Family Portrait

2010-08-03T20:55:00.003-07:00

It is now that I remember what we missed so much about being in Seattle. Family time at the lake. Troy, Moya and the girls, hanging out and hamming it up on the hammock.

Beauties at the lake

2010-07-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

One of the things we love most about the lake is the opportunity for our girls to play with no restrictions. Games are made up & made complicated, or it remains remarkably simple, as long as there is a lot of laughter, a little smile, and fun all day long.

a break for otter pops… and lots of family time. It’s heaven to do jet lag at the lake…

Good Morning Seattle

2010-07-09T23:50:00.000-07:00

After an interesting travel day, running from one flight to another after a 4am wake up call, and giving up our great rental cars, add 14 hours, and we arrived in Seattle. In time to listen to the German – Netherlands semi-final on the Spanish AM radio channel on the way home, and a great welcome from Nana & Papa… After a bit of bad planning for our first temporary apartment, and an overnight at Nana & Papa’s house, we arrived in our 2nd temporary apartment on the south slope of Queen Anne. The views make it all worth it!

The weather has turned to summer, although in the 75-85 range, rather than 90-100 like in Munich, and there is air conditioning in almost every store! The girls are a bit confused about why we aren’t staying with my parents, hopefully they get used to sleeping in the same room quickly… In the meantime, we do have amazing sun rises, and colorful sunsets…

Goodbye

2010-07-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

Summers are full of transition for many in the international community, there are a number of other families that are moving on as well, and we were able to celebrate with them at a lake in the country. The kids had a great time, and it was a fun thing to do for all the kids to say goodbye! and now it’s all done. We’ve been checked off & are checking out of the hotel.

Goodbye to our amazing, now empty, apartment… and THANK YOU to our wonderful friends who made this adventure so enjoyable, we look forward to seeing you again!

The Z family

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

What other way would we celebrate 4th of July in Germany, than at a Beer Garden. Seriously, what is more American than BBQ, Brats, and Beer? Throw a playground in, and it would be heaven for most people in the US…

For us, one last chance to see friends before the big move, and a great way to spend a (last) sleepy Sunday afternoon…

we even had a few sparklers left over from New Years I think…

The kiddies – we brought the flags, and I felt like I channeled a bit of the Baker 4th when all the kids lined up for the photo, and ice cream… Thank you all for joining us & making our send off so amazing!!

Last run thru the Hofgarten

2010-07-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

We spent our last Sunday morning at Starbucks, and running with the girls thru the Hofgarten next to the Residenz. and what better way to observe the “no walking on the grass” sign than by sitting on it…

Packing Begins…

2010-07-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

After all this time, our life is beginning to be packed up! It will take 2 days to pack & load onto our 40 ft container, and 2 air shipment containers (each about the size of our US baby crib.)

I can’t believe our stuff is going to fill this. On the way over, almost 6 years ago, we filled half of a 20ft container. We are entitled to the larger size now because we have a bigger family… I’m pretty sure we need it!

So for now we have moved into a hotel where the girls are getting used to going to the spa pool every afternoon, we can’t quite get the a/c working in our room, and room service will get to know us quite well… And our girls are still playing dress up!

Sophia's Final Assemblies

2010-06-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

A combination of the assemblies for the end of the year...

Sophia's Goodbye! from Moya Z on Vimeo.

End of year Assemblies

2010-06-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sophia’s school does such a great job with transitions for all of the children. Every Thursday there is an assembly for the lower school where any child who is leaving the school that week is asked to stand up & have the “good bye” song sang to them. (It makes me cry almost every time…) Sophia & Hugo with their good bye certificates…

Then at the end of the year, there is the magic door. The children say good bye to their current teachers, walk thru the door, and are greeted by next year’s teachers on the other side.

We now have a Grade 1 student!!

(video to come!!)

Sports day

2010-06-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

At the end of the school year, the entire lower school is split into 4 colored teams to compete in various activities on the quad for the day. Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue all race around the grass playing tug-o-war, 50 meter dash, spoon race, croquet, and more…

This year the weather has been so bad, the day was postponed twice before finally being scheduled 2 days before the end of the school year. It actually was quite nice having something so fun to do, just as the year was ending!Sophia was on the blue team, and wore her USA shirt, and then was so excited to be walking across the grass & have the older kids start chanting “USA, USA!” We are in the middle of world cup fever…

I love this photo with all of the missing teeth, and Sophia actually pulled out her 3rd tooth right after this! Then it was off to the races… Where our darling girl got 2nd!!

Salzburg for a day

2010-06-23T14:16:00.001-07:00

Not having much time left, we’ve been thinking about the things we really want to do in Munich. It doesn’t look like we will be able to climb the Olympic stadium, and U2 isn’t scheduled until Oct, but I really wanted to get back to Salzburg.

So today was my day. A little strange because while both girls were in school, Troy & I were in 2 different countries, and neither were the country our girls were in. But I could have run across the border so I felt pretty ok about it…

It was beautiful, and just amazing to be back “home.”

I actually drove right to the Stiegl Brewery, and loved what they have done to the Brewery Museum! (loved their May Pole!!) The beer garden in the courtyard was amazing, and I know it would have been one of our hangouts – if only it was open when we lived there. Now days, (sounding so old) the kids live across town & would never come to this area…

After picking up my kitch, I parked in the most amazing parking lot under the Moenchsberg, and walked thru town. The cathedral is finally finished – no more photos of Kylie Minogue on the outside – and looks clean, beautiful, and very peaceful considering the scene outside.

Obviously setting up for a concert. I hope the weather holds!!

I did notice that the streets were rather empty for the end of June. Maybe the weather in Europe is finally getting to the tourists (I’ve never see the rivers so high), or the world economy is finally taking it’s toll, but Hugo Boss is gone… Sorry.

What a day, thank you…

World Cup Fever

2010-06-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

I forgot to post this, with all the end of school year excitement, but now that the US has moved on to the next round, along with England, I can share with pride the night we tied…

who knew I was married to Captain America?

The group watching from inside the sports hall was quite intense, so I was part of the “outdoor crowd” that just ran to the screen when things got loud…

As an American, I was thrilled with the tie – And after 2 weeks of world cup fever, even Sophia knows how to chant “USA! USA!”

Sophia's Irish Dancing

2010-06-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

Just a bit of video from the performance on Saturday. The little girls, and then one of the 6-hand reels with the big girls. Enjoy!

Sophia - Irish Dancing from Moya Z on Vimeo.

Irish Dancing Performance

2010-06-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

Sophia has been taking Irish Dancing at school for the past year, and is loving it! Today was their end of year performance, and it is amazing what their teacher has been able to teach them, and how much fun they have had with it!

And Brehan & Caro were able to come down to see it! She was so excited!!

Another one gone

2010-06-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Sophia passed another milestone today, and was able to pull out her front tooth at school!!

You can already see the big tooth coming down already!! And then Alexandra had to be in the photo as well ~ luckily Sophia doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight…

The beginning of Goodbye

2010-06-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

Ever since we arrived in Munich, and Sophia saw the indoor play areas, she has been begging for a party there. I always said she could have one when we were leaving, and so today was the day.

So we hosted a “goodbye to Sophia/ 6-1/2 year old birthday” party. It was, unfortunately, the last of amazingly hot days this week, but it actually was even too hot for the kids to be outside, and it meant that there weren’t too many people inside with us!

Even Alexandra had her own friends to play with!

I was actually serving Apple Juice to the kids, not beer. But the parents were able to enjoy the beer!

Back to Munich

2010-06-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

After racing back to Munich from Provence (crying in our wine at night), Troy headed off to Seattle for some meetings, and the girls & I dealt with an amazing heat wave that had the temperatures in Munich increase by 40 (seriously it went from 55 to 95) in 2 days. It was such a shock to the system!

We went to beer gardens,

sat out on the terrace & attempted to listen to Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood while some jerk across the courtyard decided to have a Karaoke party with windows open at the same time! This new art arrived on our street on the back side of the construction wall for the Lenbachaus museum. I had been quite surprised that no one had tagged the wall (the security cameras from the aEon building probably scared them away), but they finally came up with an agreement from one of the schools because there are now about 25 characters greeting us every time we turn on the street. Sophia & Alexandra decided the floor was the coolest place to be – personally I would have been on the tile in the kitchen, but I was cooking in there.

And ice cream on the terrace!

Given early dismissal on Fridays, we were actually able to make it to the swimming pool after school! Pizza for dinner, eaten poolside. Nice…

Bonnieux, jour deux

2010-06-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

We just had to go back. A small hill town, and the site of a wonderful family lunch last year, and we loved the market. So back we came, and it was as wonderful as we remembered. Plus we actually drove thru the upper town, so we saw some areas that we hadn’t found last year, and were able to admire the views again…

No photos of the market, but lasting images of a quiet walk (we were there early again), an acoustic guitar player in the middle of the square (which kept everyone speaking just a little quieter than normal), and lots of locals kissing each other in greeting. We purchased our last tablecloths and pottery, and then back to the estate for the warmest (hot) day of the week, and our last time to play by the pool.

Delightful to be here, but next time we need 2 weeks…

Roussillon – the red town

2010-06-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

In an area where there isn’t a lot of color on buildings, except for the shutters & windows, Roussillon is a beautiful sight for the eyes… We actually got up & out really early, 9am, and made it to the market while there were very few people in the town. A bit of shopping & a nice walk thru the village up to the church at the very top, and we were able to really appreciate the view, and the colors. Amazing… Alexandra loved finding the geckos on the walls…