Garmisch, Bavaria
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Author Archives: cbt
Our backyard for a week.
I’m not kidding. It’s stunning.
Just a dad, his kids, and a castle in the Bavarian Alps.
Okay spoiled doesn’t cover it. I feel lucky beyond belief when I think of the amount of traveling we have been able to do this year. Inexpensive travel within Europe is one of the great advantages of living in Portugal.
The kids are on midterm break so for this week we are being hosted by friends in the Bavarian Alps. The ski conditions are very poor, but you won’t see me complaining. It’s a stunning place to just ‘BE’.
This is my family standing in town below the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle.
We took a side trip there and it was just stunning. Bavaria is Beautiful. Normally days of long travel leave my husband feeling quite grumpy, but throw in a German beer at the end of the road and all is well with the world. For me and the kids it’s the sugar and when it’s powdered on deep fried dough even better.
Baby it’s cold inside….
Okay Connecticut, yes you’ve gotten slammed with snow. We haven’t here in Portugal, that’s true, but what we also don’t have that you do, is warm houses. In Colorado, the heat was up so high that our clothes would dry overnight. Here, it takes 3 days and they’re still damp. Our houses are cold.
It’s a combination of construction that makes houses cool escapes in the summer and expensive heating bills that keep the indoors cool. So this Valentine’s Day I gave both my kids water bottles.
They love them.
Kung Hey Fat Choy
On Saturday morning after having hosted Lana’s birthday slumber party and all the girls had left, I asked the question of what the kids had for homework. I assumed, incorrectly, that Nuno would have a weekend off since his class had just presented their class presentation on Chinese New Year at the Primary School’s Assembly. No such luck. The assignment was to write a three stanza poem in Portuguese on what they learned about Chinese New Year. Arghhhhhh!!!
After a deep breathe I decided we should brainstorm 20 key words and look for rhyming words.
It surprisingly was easier than I thought.
Enjoy…
Reboot
Here I am on January 29th and I have fallen behind on my New Year’s plan. But colds happen, moves to a new apartment happen, kids happen and we adjust. But each day is a new day. An opportunity for a fresh start.
This morning I got back on the yoga mat. I walked away from a very messy house, a half built bookcase and a ‘to do’ list that was longer than my arm. This picture was taken post workout.
I’m oh so glad I gave myself that gift.
She did it!
For the past few months this kid has been swimming 4-5 times a week. Sport was never her ‘thing’, but after joining her new swim team she has embraced the sport. This past weekend we went to Divisionals and the young lady pictured above managed to qualify to compete at Champs in the backstroke!!! We could not be any happier. Well done Lana Banana!
Traffic
Action on the bus
A bit of a delay today on the ride home from swim. As we drove down the road between Aspen and Snowmass someone ran up to the bus driver. I figured she missed a stop. Nope. It seems her snowboard has flown off the outside ski/snowboard holder. Just another day in the valley.
Another First
First ride on the poma lift. They did it so they could ride a LONNNGGG one at the top of the mountain. No problems here.
