More time with William

Thursday October 10

Sarah had suggested that the National Museum of the Marine Corps might be a good place to show to William. Was she ever right! 

James and I were also impressed. Here are only a few photos of the incredibly many different exhibitions so well done. 

There was so much information in every exhibition that I found it impossible to digest everything I saw. There is no question: we will have to visit there again.

When we had "information overload" and it was after noon we found the "pub" one story up.

On that level were large windows where we could see down into the exhibitions we had just wandered around in downstairs. 

And yes, you leave the museum through the gift store. William doesn't often voice a wish but he wanted an eagle. Time to do some spoiling, Omi!

And it was time to find our way home. At 2:30 pm we were again at William's cousins school. Today it was the twins turn to be taken out of school a little earlier. 

They were ok to go to "Sweet Frog" instead of the Science Museum (as their brother with us yesterday). And because Helen was done with her teaching for the day she was finally part of the fun too. 

Afterwards we stopped at a play ground for a while to run off some steam (or sugar?). 

They were questioning why they were dropped off earlier as their brother yesterday but of cause, Caleb didn't get any ice cream either. The explaining one has to do. 

How about Sarah's Halloween decorations?

Yes, Helen and William had to do some packing. We had a quiet evening. But then Sarah alerted us that one could see the Northern Lights outside. There had been talk about it on the news. 

It was a warm night (for being in October) and we walked a bit along our street. 

We had a lot of fun seeing it. Helen voiced that it was the perfect ending to their visit!

Friday

William is his mother's perfect travel buddy. Both were up at 4 am and William woke me up short after. I had offered to make coffee to drink and take along etc. 

The car was soon packed and they were on their way. 

James and I had to play "Five Crowns" by ourselves again. But this started out very strange though. No bad points for either of us. 

Unfortunately that changed half way through. Unfortunately for me but a "historic event" for James ... no points at all for him. That happens almost never!

Thank you, Helen and William, for visiting us. It is always so much fun to see the 4 cousins together. James and I are thanking the Lord for our family!!!

Time with our visitors

Monday Oct.7

Helen had to work every day which she can do anywhere with WiFi. But William was supposed to have a great fall break. And we were determined to make that happen. 

William likes history so we suggested Historic Jamestown. He had been at the Jamestown Settlement, the recreated living history museum at least ones if not several times. He thought that sounded like a good idea.

It had changed quite a lot since James or I had been there. We didn't know you need a National Park Pass (which was left at home) and an entry ticket to the excavation part. But that was ok. I just need to learn to carry a purse and all memberships again.

It was a gorgeaus day. There was a guide at 11 am and what she was telling us was very interesting. The tour took about 1 hour. I took more photos but they would need extensive explanations. I noticed though that every time you visit a historic place you learn something new.

The tour ended at the museum. When I came to this exhibition I was startled ... that was not a real person but a lifesize cut-out.

All museums have something in common: after a while you have "information overload". And it was past lunchtime! But it was too early to drive home. We decided to drive to Yorktown. There is a pub at the river York where James and I have been several times already. It is a lovely area.

There were at least 2 dozen children and adults swimming and playing in the water. Yes, in October. But no photos of those.

Next day, Tuesday, we decided to drive downtown to the Valentine's Museum. The GPS got us first to another place and we parked opposite in a park house. OMG, as soon as we were walking towards the exit the alarm rang. It must have been something like a fire alarm. It was loud and awful. But it was a false alarm and we were happy when we found it we should leave because we were at the wrong place.

When we found the right place we were told that a tour had just started. They decided not to bother with taking our money and quickly brought us to the tour guide. There was only one other couple and the guide was great. The historic house was very interesting. For example: the decor on the walls which looks like reliefs are all painted. Unbelievable. 

Never seen a staircase like this before.

We enjoyed this visit very much. Aaron Burr had been a guest here at a time because the owner was his defense lawyer when he was accused of treason. 

You go to the house and back out through the museum which mainly focuses on Richmond/local history. 

It was very interesting and I am sure we will visit it again.

William had been sad that he might not see his cousins again on this visit because they didn't have a fall break from school like he did. And in the evenings they had a commitment with their sport teams to participate in the trainings. But Sarah and I found a way. Tuesdays and Thursdays the twins have baseball practice and Caleb is free. So Sarah sent him to school with a note that I was allowed to pick him up a bit earlier. 

We went straight from the school to the Science Museum which both boys like. They had about 2 hours until they close and they took adventage of that whole time and enjoyed it. 

I found these pictures very interesting. They were upstairs were they have classes and workshops.

The subjects of this one is obviously the pollution of our rivers and beaches.

When the Science Museum closed for the day we went back to the house but stopped for Chinese take-out which we and Helen enjoyed on the back patio. After that of course we had to bring Caleb home. But the cousins had a nice time together. William even helped Caleb with his math homework. A little tutoring. 

Papa’s Birthday

 … is in the beginning of the month and this year on a Sunday. You can imagine how happy we were when we heard that Nashville schools fall break was in the week after and Helen + William were planning to come for a visit. 

On Friday they left  very early to drive the whole way. Helen keeps us up-to-date with their progress. She texted this photo from Bristol which is about half-way.

More progress! This is the overlook on I-64 in the mountains before Charlottesville. Can't wait to see this handsome young man in person.

Helen wished for Flädlesuppe, a soup my mother used to make whenever I arrived in Germany after the long flight. I had not made in a while and was happy that she wanted it. It is definitely comfort food. 

The previous photo and the next where both taken by Helen. I had also made Zwetschgenkuchen. It is a cake made with fresh Italian plums. Don't forget the whipping cream. 

Saturday morning we had a nice breakfast. Of course it had to be soft-boiled eggs. 

William is used to our "family game": eat your egg carefully so not to break the shell too much. Put the shell upside down into the cup and offer it to somebody else because "you had eaten enough". If you are on the receiving end you know of course what it is but you pretent to be fooled. So silly but we always have fun with it.

Saturday lunch? Beef rolls, red cabbage and potato dumplings, of course with lots of wonderful gravy. I always have trouble finding the right cut of meat but sometimes it is kind of close and I try my best. James agrees that it is one of the favorite recipes. 

After lunch we had a soccer game to go to. How could I have forgotten to take a photo? Well, it was a very close game and Caleb is the goaly for the team. He even goes to special goal keeper training to get better.

And after that Helen and William went to "the cousins' house" to spend the night. Any time for the cousins to spend together is precious. Since they don't have a fall break it is a bit more difficult to arrange.

Sunday - Papa's birthday! The whole family was in church. Caleb, Colin and Owen are familiar with our services and I think, quite enjoy the children's sermon and sunday school during the sermon part. William went out with them but I directed him to Dan and Thomas in the parish hall which was more age-appropriate for him. Over the years since covid Dan has developed a quite sophisticated streamed service for our small congregation. I think William loved seeing how it all works and Dan even let him do a few things. And they talked "youtube shop" for a while. 

This was later after service at the coffeehour. 

And then the 9 of us went to eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant. 

When I booked it I must have mentioned why and after the meal the servers came to sing. 

Back to our house for dessert. Caleb had made a birthday cookie with his mother. 

It was a very nice day with blue sky and a few white puffy clouds. And we even heard some music. Around the corner from us was a "garage concert". Neighbors are always invited (I remembered reading about it) so we walked over. 

And wouldn't you know it: the back drop was the famous corner in Rothenburg ob der Tauber where we all had been just a few months ago in Germany. 

We played the "left, center, right" game.

And Caleb tried the mancala game with William.

James said more than once that he had had a wonderful birthday!

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PS: William had picked out most of the photos. We wanted to write the blog together and I had very much looked forward to that. Somehow though we could never find the time to do it ... and then he was gone.

I hope we can do one at the next visit.