Monday September 8
Ute was so impressed with my new silicon mini loaf thingy and my recipe for the Zwetschgenkuchen that we decided she needed to try it out and see for herself. We didn't have the plums (season is over) but I had granny smith apples. We adjusted the recipe and it turned out really very well.
We had to go shopping and buy her birthday present from us for her to take home.
Yes, Monday was a day of shopping, playing cards, chatting and packing a package for Helen and William who anfortunately not have the pleasure of the family visit. Hopefully next time!
Monday night Maren and Gregor came back from NYC but so late that they just took an uber from the airport to Sarah and Wade's house.
Next day, Tuesday 9/9, was the actual birthday of our twins. Yes, on 9-9 they turned 9. Before going to the schoolbus stop Maren wanted to take photos of them with the balloons we had brought to the party. Look at the photo and you know what happened with both. Lucky that Omi had not stopped with the requested 9s. Lovely photo!
Sarah had arranged for the fundraiser permission to paint the large rock in front of the elementary school. I knew the starting time for the work was 2 pm and I was planning to have a look. But Sarah had texted that she of course had to work but Maren had volunteered and we were on standby for their transportation.
When we arrived work was already in full swing. The first photo shows the official school site.
We were supposed to show Ute the park on the River James just down the street a bit. James and I know it well because there are lovely trails we have walked several times with the boys.
So said. Somebody had carved becautiful creatures from tree stumps. I have photos I have taken with William and Caleb standing next to them. I think termites might be the culprits here.
There was a large assembly of water rescue people present at the park and we just arrived when some even went into the river.
Quickly back to the place of another action. Maren and Gregor had progressed nicely.
I could not resist. This type of things I love to do.
Maren is putting the last "seams" on the project and ...
... done!
By now it was late afternoon and we had had no lunch yet. I had wanted to take them to Torchy's Tacos because they had seen some photos of "bowls" I had taken before. Everybody was happy.
When everybody was back from school and work we were back at their house because James and I still had to deliver our gifts to the twins. Sarah had suggested tickets to an Alex Warren concert on 9/25.
Well, they really were excited to get those.
Wednesday was their last full day. As always I got them at 9 am and we had a breakfast which really was more of a brunch. We had such a good time.
Maren always remembered the time we had in a cabin in the Shenandoah Valley after Sarah and Wade's wedding and especially the billiard tournament between the English and Germans (only how many years ago? You can watch it HERE! ) I thought we needed to have another tournament.
Everybody likes the bagatelle game. I remember it well from the times when we visited James' family in Windsor when our girls where still children and this game was in the spare room and we all had fun playing it whenever there was time. We were happy that it ended up in our house. James remembers that he played it when he was a child. How old might that game be? 60 or 70 or 80 years?
Oh, the fun we had. We actually played 3 rounds.
I had plans to take us all to have "all you can eat" at Maza Sushi but having had that late brunch and so much fun we just not were that hungry. We ended up with a run to our ALDI and getting their surpreme pizza.
At 5:30 pm I had to be at the Car Rental to get a loaner because my car was still in the car body shop. Oh yes. Gregor came with me to drive our CR-V home.
And soon we realized that it was getting really late and the boys have to go to bed and were probably waiting to say good-bye.
Thursday September 11
We had plenty of time. The flight departs IAD around 6 pm.
At 9 am I picked Maren and Gregor up with their suitcases. Ute was packing hers upstairs. Since we are down one car there was plenty of packing and re-packing in the middle of the garage.
Ha-ha, Maren saw suddenly a gigantic enameled red and white bowl on a shelf there. I had received it from our friend Julie Crews but never needed it. She would be very happy to know that it is now in Germany being used to hold big portions of special homemade salad. Yes, there was still room in Ute's suitcase.
The loaner this time was a Chrysler mini van. Traffic was not bad at all this time. Reaching the airport we missed the entry to the parking. I wanted to drop them off at "Departure" and then park but Ute didn't want a "long good-bye". I understand that. And one never knows how long immigration and security takes.
So, James and I were immidiately on our way back. Well, times have changed anyway. We have What's Up and FaceTime. Oh, how different from 50 years ago when we came to the USA. We only had rotary phones. 13 numbers to dial. No redial button yet. And then "all circuits are busy please try again". It sometimes took all day until one had finally a connection. And then you could not talk long because it was so very expensive. Yes, times have changed.
Helen had asked whether we might stop at IKEA. She wanted some information. James thought it would be good for us to walk a little.
Yes, and get a cup of the free coffee because I have a IKEA friend card in my wallet. The Swedish meatballs could do with some more seasoning though.
James is test-sitting for Helen and feeling the fabric.
We were home in good time and even dropped the rental car off. The house feels a bit empty. But we are so grateful for the good times we had. Thank you for coming, Ute, Maren and Gregor!
Thank you, Lord, for bringing them back safely!
No comments:
Post a Comment