Playmobil Fun Park

The main reason for our trip to Nürnberg was the Playmobil Fun Park in Zirndorf just outside the city. We had been there four years earlier and liked the park which has no rides but many different play options.
Many of these play options include water - which was good because it was really hot

Some oversize Playmobil figures were available for group pictures

We packed a swimsuit since we knew it would be a good idea to have one

Mia got special permission to wade into the pirate ship pond and recover a lens cover the mother of her friends had dropped

 The mission was successful

Since the children enjoyed the park so much the all wanted to return for a second day. First stop was the gold mine

It was another hot day

Trip to Nürnberg

A friend and neighbor whose two children go to the same school as Mia had asked us if we would like to accompany her on a trip to Nürnberg to see the Playmobil Fun park outside the city. Of course we said yes.
The came by bus and we met by the old castle were all children like to climb on the big sandstone rock

Then we showed them around in the Old Town a bit

By the river Pegnitz an area was set up so that children could play in the sand and adults could have a beer 

An interesting art installation

Dinner at an beer garden by the Pegnitz

Playing at  Kettensteg - the oldest suspension bridge in Germany from 1832 -

 Evening by the river

Deutsch Amerikanisches Freundschaftsfest

The German American friendship festival is a big fun fair at  former American military installation in Heidelberg. All the American soldiers are gone for some time now but is is nevertheless a huge event with many rides. We went on a Wednesday where all the rides were half price
Mia always likes the fun house - in this one she could stay and play as long as she wanted

 She also tried to be inside a big plastic bubble for the first time

The huge ferries wheel was something for the whole family

Mia met a class mate and her father in line and the joined as for the ride

She also did her first back flip at the bungee cords

We also met a colleague and his family and had a beer with them while Mia explored the fair ground with his 8 year old son. Unfortunately we had to leave early because we had to leave early for s trip the next morning

Amira's Confirmation in Spellen

Because Ji is the godmother of her friend's daughter Amira we were invited to her confirmation in Spellen - a small village at the lower Rhine.
We always liked their huge garden with a chicken, a playhouse and lots of vegetables. Mia got a little tour by Amira's sister.

 In the evening some neighborhood children wanted to talk with the visitor

Mia tried out a wave board

On Sunday morning everybody dressed up for the big event

Not too many play options at a church

Luckily Mia had borrowed a book from Amira so she could make it through the two hour long church service

After the service it was time for a big meal outside in the garden

On the way back we changed trains in Cologne

The train took us along the scenic part of the Rhine

 Loreley

We had a 45 minute delay but finally made it