Trip to Cologne

Claudia had invited us tto a big party for 50'th birthday in Rösrath not too far from Cologne. Before we went we stopped at Oma's place for lunch and a little walk with Mäxchen

Mia could walk Müxchen a bit as wll

The birthday party was not so exciting for Mia. Luckily Andreas showed up a bit later with his children and Mia could play with Carolina. One of their ideas was to throw apples that had fallen from an apple tree.

Carolina could throw the furtherst All the way ithrough an open nto the living room where most guest had gathered in a circle to sing peaceful spiritual songs. The apple came as a bit of a surprise..

The next morning we met for a little walk in the woods

Kid's Theater Festival

On a beautiful sunny October afternoon Mia and Ji checked out a theater festival for children on the Neckar. Before the show there was enough time to play.

The play in the tent was really nice and when it was over after 45 minutes we had dinner at a nice restaurant in Neuenheim

Heidelberger Herbst Festival

This weekend we checked out the Heidelberger Herbst Festival that was taking place for two days at many locations all over the Old Town and other parts of the city.
First we checked out the main squatre

Then we had lunch Kornmarkt at a smaller square where a Bundesliga soccerhad sponsored a stage with music and activities

We came back in the evening to see some medieval  themed performances at Universitätsplatz.
First a jester

Then Mia tried to climb a rope ladder

It was very difficult - looks like nobody could do it. Even Mia failed

 Then we walked back

 ..and stopped for an old fashioned carousel

T
he next day we returned and Mia tried some free bounc house

 And we ended back at Universitüatsplatz before we headed for dinner with our new neighbors

Circus Bely

Thursday afternoon after school we headed to see a little circus that had set up the tent in Walldorf right next to the Autobahn exit. It was a really charming show with many animals set up by the circus family that is its eight generation.
No picture taking was allowed during the show but we took some in the break were the children were invited to see the animals outside

The pigs had been part of a show with farm animals that also includes cows, geese, sheep, and dogs

The zebras didn't perform in the show

 T
he circus people took a break playing Foosball

The black horses had started the show

The show by the dogs in the second part was one of the highlights

After the break children could pose for pictures on a camel for small fee

 After the show Mia could ride a horse in the circus tent - also for small fee

First Day of School

The first day of school for first graders was on a Saturday - probably to make it easier for parents, relatives and friends to attend.

It started with a church service at the Lutheran church nearby which was really nicely done. Before we got there we already had helped Mia's teacher find the place when we saw him walking the wrong direction even though the church bells were hard to overhear. He is is just out of university and new in town.
 
The new first graders were sitting in front

It ended with a blessing for the new first graders

Then everybody met at the gym of the school - which is a very nice building from 1906 directly at the river Neckar.

 Again the first graders were sitting in front

After a speech from the principle and parents from different committees it was time for a performance from the second graders

Then the new first graders took the stage and walked to the new class rooms. Mia's class - the 1 A - has only 14 children the other one - 1 B - has 15.

The parents had 30 minutes for coffee and cake

Then we could see the classroom

 And Mia could look into her Schultüte

The day before had been the last day of a three week camp Mia really enjoyed. There she drew a little picture for the first day of school