Birthday Party with the Neighbors

Mia's birthday this year was on a Tuesday and probably her favorite present were the inline skates

But since the common room was booked for a board meeting that day the birthday party with the neighbor's kids was a day later.
Sylvia had brought the parachute game again

 Ji had made a chocolate cheese cake as the birthday cake

Mia got her first Barby doll - Fashionista Raquele - from Chloe

Cookie Baking Get Together

For a long time a get together of friends from the German school was planned at Kristina's place in Annapolis. It turned out to be a grey cold and rainy day - so what could be better then to meet with friend
The children were delighted that Kristina's family had two cats. An older one and a playful kitten that was just a few weeks old

The adults loved the kitten as well

 After lunch the baking started.

The cookies turned out really good

 

  

The kids took a little break and watched some TV

The adults enjoyed the Glühwein and other goodies

Since it was St Nikolaus day there was a surprise in the shoes of the kids

And things got even better. Some stayed for  a sleepover and breakfast the next morning

 Then we went for a little Sontagspaziergang in the neighborhood before heading home

German Army Christmas Market

This year we went to the Christmas Marked set up for one day by the German army at an office they have close to the Dulles airport - not too far from the end of the new silver line. So we could take the metro and didn't have to worry about drinking too much Glühwein - which we could already smell together with waffles when walking closer - just like a real Christmas market is supposed to smell.

The Germans in uniform did a great job with the beer, Glühwein and food

Of course Mia had to have the cotton candy

 Mia was not scared by Santa's helpers in southern German costumes

Mia posed with Santa Claus. She remembered that she was too scared for this two years ago

Nicolos Birthyday Party

Nico turned two and of course Mia was invited. Just for this occasion she dressed up as super girl

Sylvia had ordered pizza for the kids

Then she did the parachute game

 Mia had to be close for the lightning of the birthday candles

At the end everybody posed for a group picture

Stump Pass Beach State Park

Thanksgiving Day we went to see Stump Pass beach state park

 For lunch we found a beautiful spot

 Mia fed some popcorn to the sea gulls

 It was a bit to windy for the freebee

Ringling Circus Museum, Sarasota

A friend had recommended the Ringling circus museum in Sarasota and it was really impressive.
Many of the exhibits showed the circus during its golden age around the 1920'ies.
Mia tried a tight rope

 and a horse

 A big model showed all the details from the circus train, to the kitchen tent and the main tent

 The outside was very nice as well. There was a great playground

 

There was a beautiful mansion build in the 1920'ies by the bay

There was also am exhibit with circus trailers - one that was used for a human canon. Mia liked the books in the little library there

When we left we saw a beautiful sunset

We didn't even have time to check out the art collection in another building. Maybe next time