Ribbons Undone

Yesterday (May 1st) was May Day- a national holiday in Germany (no work/school/stores open). It’s similar to our Labor Day in America (but different as well). I had no idea it was such a big holiday here. Here’s a link describing May Day in Germany…

I remember Simon telling me in a letter (when we were teenagers!) about the German May Day tradition of a man planting a tree in the front yard of the woman he loves/ wants to marry, and thinking it was so romantic.

Simon said that May Day is also the day when citizens riot/ demonstrate (especially in Berlin and Hamburg) to remind the government that it’s the people who are really in charge. He said they are largely left alone (on this day) by the police. He also mentioned that there are guidebooks that even tell you where you can best watch the demonstrations without getting hurt. By the way, vandalism is NOT covered by car insurance in Germany (I’d make sure your car wasn’t in Berlin on May Day!).

some Spring pics…

A few months ago the trees in front of our place got a serious pruning. This is what they look like now (below)…

Spring is definitely here!

This Easter was pretty low-key because I was sick. I caught a bad head/ chest cold the last day of our vacation in Bavaria, and still have it now-2 weeks later (just trying to be thankful that I didn’t get sick at the beginning of our vacation!).

As usual, our early- riser Quinnie was the first one up (which meant Mama was up too if I wanted to snap any pics).

Notice the plate in front- the girls always leave out carrots for the Easter Bunny. Looks like he loved them- there were even teeth marks if the last carrot left on the plate!

I love the look of wonder on Kiera’s face when she sees that the Easter Bunny ate the carrots.

Judging by Kiera’s expression, the Easter Bunny did a pretty good job this year.

They ate most of their candy within a few hours. On Christmas and Easter I let them go hog-wild since it’s a special occasion.

A few days later we met up with some of their friends for a play date at the playground. I brought lots of candy- filled Easter eggs for an Easter egg hunt. They LOVED it.

The other kids had never done an Easter egg hunt before. Chloe (their Mom) told me that they don’t sell those fill-able plastic Easter eggs in Australia (where she’s from) or in Germany. I’m glad I brought mine from the States- the girls would have been seriously bummed- Easter with no Easter Egg Hunt?! Chloe thought they were so great that she was going to try and buy some online.

After all the candy was eaten, the kids played “Easter Egg Hunt” over and over again with the empty eggs. Even kids we didn’t know from the playground got in on the action! I didn’t get any good pics of the actual egg hunting- Chloe and I were busy helping the little kids hunt (before their older siblings found them all!).

Kiera and Annie

Hope you all had a great Easter!