My 40th Birthday

I can’t believe I’m 40. I remember in my 20’s thinking that 40 seemed so old. But 40 is the new 30, right?! I’m trying to focus on the fact that I’m lucky I’m still here. Simon and I were thinking of celebrating by going on a trip, just the two of us (which we haven’t done since Quinnie was born 7 years ago!), but we figured the timing wasn’t quite right. Oma and Opa would have to take the girls for about a week and Kiera isn’t ready for that yet (since she wakes up at night fairly often and only wants Mama or Papa). So we’ll delay the trip for a bit (I’m thinking Prague… Have to take advantage of the fact that we live so close to so many amazing places!). My birthday plans for the day were scrapped when this one woke up with a fever…

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But that’s OK. I got lots of cuddles on my birthday and she is one of my favorite people after all…

The girls gave me “fancy birthday hair”- lovely, right?!

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(the light bulbs in the lamp over the table horribly discolor photos)

A few days later (once Kiera was feeling better) we celebrated my birthday with family. First we went to check out Tante Bärbel’s rehearsal space/ apartment. Bärbel is a talented Theater actress and is in Köln preparing for a play. She and her partners Juliane and Diana write, produce and perform all of their own material. The girls had a blast checking it all out. Quinnie especially liked the wigs and high heels. Then Bärbel performed a few of the songs in the play for us (and dedicated one to me since it was my birthday!).

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Friedel, Marion and Bärbel (in wig).

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Quinnie is such a ham and loves the attention- future actress, perhaps?

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Diana showing Quinnie the costumes and wigs

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Bärbel performing for us (in wig).

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Then we all went out for dinner across the street. By the way, Simon’s birthday was 8 days before mine and we all met up for dinner at an amazing Spanish restaurant (amazing Tapas there!). I was pretty busy wrangling kids and unfortunately didn’t get any pics. Quinnie isn’t the biggest fan of eating at restaurants because (she says) she has to “act mature” (as she rolls her eyes).

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It was a lovely day.

 

Random Photos 2013

I have a folder in iPhoto where I keep pictures I like (or think are interesting) that may some day turn into blog posts. But I figured since it’s the start of a new year I’d clear them out of the folder and put them in one big blog post together (with some captions to further explain some). Enjoy!

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The needle- like structure in this photo is lovingly called the “Post Penis” by most locals. Whenever the girls see it they always exclaim in a very loud voice “POST PENIS!!”. This happens a lot since this is a very tall structure that you can see throughout much of Köln. Kiera announced “POST PENIS!!” very loud on a quiet train the other day, and followed it with “AND PAPA HAS A PENIS TOO!!”. Lovely.

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Just Married couple- love the balloons and cans dragging behind them…

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Neumarkt Square

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We love our Thai food!

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Kiera did her own hair 🙂

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Our little fashionista with peacock feather

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Quinnie and her friend Helena climbing a tree

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Check out the heels and bracelet- it’s all in the details people!

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This just cracks me up- Kiera looks like a Santa who’s had a ROUGH night.

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This is so Quinnie- she takes such joy in playing. Notice the rock arch she built on the windowsill and ribbon “decorations” in the background.

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Kiera insisted on “ballerina hair” and then needed to put on the matching outfit.

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I love this photo of Quinnie and her cousin Maxim- it totally represents their relationship. She loves to be around him and he politely tolerates her (lol).

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She cannot resist. Poor birds.

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I especially love Kiera’s morning hair- must have been a rough night!

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Sorting the “treasures” she found at the park (mostly pine cones, feathers and bottle caps).

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They sure do love their Papa!

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Quinnie and her beloved Steiff “Lucky Pig” from Tante Ruth

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When Quinnie dresses herself…

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I know this shows my immaturity, but look at the destination stated on this bus- Come On!!

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If the girls had their choice they would always ride “The Fire Train!”

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Germans take their mustard seriously- check out the Mustard Museum (SenfMuseum)!

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I. LOVE. THIS. PHOTO. Kiera’s face! This is a favorite game of the girls’- if you hook up all of the circuits correctly this disc flies up into the air.

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Rainbow near Weckschnapp

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Not a bad view to look at while drinking your tea or coffee in the morning…

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Store window- wow- that’s a lot of Americana in one place (lol)!

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Quinnie and her Playmobil

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Kiera making a smoothie

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Quinnie across the street from The Weckschnapp using her Walkie Talkie

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Not often that you see a train gassing up at the local gas station

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I want to nibble those cheeks! Poor girl had a fever this day.

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We see some interesting things floating down The Rhine from our place- like Houses?!

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Storm Trooper luggage

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Brand new subway station

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Kiera wearing the crown her teachers made her for her birthday.

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View up to the stairs from where I sit at the computer. Kiera loves to perch up there and float down paper snowflakes or feathers at me. And she makes me watch them fall every time- over and over again. It never gets old (for her!) Or she’ll noisily climb up there and then say “Boo! Mama, I scared you!” Too cute.

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Quinnie asked for Indian Princess hair (we had just watched Pocahontas for the first time). She was very specific about how it must look.

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Simon needed new underwear so I went shopping and found these (No- I didn’t buy them!). Strangely, men’s underwear and undershirts are crazy expensive here compared to The States. What I wouldn’t give for some good old Fruit of the Loom!

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Kiera LOVES riding her bike!

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So does Quinnie

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Rainy day view from our Living Room window.

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Our little climber

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Love this. SO Kiera.