Christian's Birthday Party

For Christian's 50'th birthday he had organized a big party in Munich. For us it was a great opportunity to meet all our friends from the "LSU gang" again - the last get together has been already a few years back.
We drove in in the morning and just made it in time for a lunch with Weiswurst and beer at the Bratwurstherzel close to the Viktualienmarkt.

 Since it was Mia's first time in Munich we then took her Marienplatz and other sight seeing spots

At 8 pm the official party started at he Turkish restaurant next two doors from Christian apartment.  Mia had a seat at the kids table with Klara

She also had a quick talk with the DJ

Then we practiced or birthday song that Uli had written to the tune of "The night old Dixie died"

We also had a special present from the "Ganf"

Then it was time for our song

After that the dancing started

Mia had to be carried to the hotel at 11 pm

Strasbourg

Ascension Day is a public holiday in Germany and also Father's day. The weather was wonderful and we decided to drive the 90 minutes to Strasbourg -  a city at the German French border Ji really enjoyed during her first visit almost 14 years ago.
We found a good parking spot and walked to the heart of  medieval city around the cathedral first

The city center is on an island in the river Ill and the water gives the old city lots of charm

The square by the cathedral is very lively with street musicians and restaurants with outdoor seating

Inside the church is an ancient astronomical clock from 1567.

 

In the afternoon we did a river cruise on the river Ill in an open boat. It went around the island that was to the center of the medieval city and past the section build after the 1870 war to the European parliament

After that one hour cruise Mia desrerved an ice cream in the Petit France section

 Before we drove back she also wanted to check out a playground by the river

Family Bike Day

On the first Sunday in May the city had organized a family biking event. Since the weather was very nice - sunny but not hot - and one of the starting points was only a few minutes away in the school yard of Mia's school, we gave it a try.
On a course through the city one had to complete certain stations that were set up by local sport clubs. In Wieblingem - a part of the city were we never been before - Mia could measure how strong her kick is:

At the final stop she could complete a special parcour

She also tried a wavy round course for scooters or bikes

Forrest Playground in Leimen

A colleague had recommended a playground in the woods outside Leimen which is only a 20 minute drive away.So on a sunny Saturday morning we drove there to check it out
A climbing three was not really an official part of the playground but still was fun

There were some goats that liked the bread Mia had brought

 Later we went for a little hike and Mia also fed some deer

After a few hours in the woods we drove down the street for a few minuted and stopped at a fancy beer garrdem

Mia helped some other children to look for tadpols

The same lake was also used for some wedding shots but all worked out

There was also some art work Mia enjoyed