Living the Life

So I've been in Germany for a few days now and I'm still getting adjusted to the time difference. For everybody who I text at my 8am, I'm sorry because it's your 2am.  I've loved every part of Germany so far! The first full day I was here I was woken up at 5am (thanks Isabella) so we colored, watched German cartoons and tried to occupy ourselves until Rivers woke up around 7.  They went to school and I went back to sleep. Brandon (the mom) and I went to pick up the girls from school (they go to "kindergarten" which is just another name for preschool) and we drove around so I could get a feel for where they lived. We went down to the river and while Brandon was explaining that German's throw themselves a going away party and she and Chad decided to do a river/float party.  As she was explaining what it was, one floated by. It is this huge woodish type raft with a band and a bar and everybody drinks and floats the river, it actually looks a little frightening but so fun! We then went to a little beer garden by their house and while Brandon and I had a casual afternoon beer, the girls played on the swings. I'm amazed how consuming an alcoholic beverage by a playground in America would be totally illegal, here it is encouraged.

On Saturday we decided to have a picnic in the English gardens. If you have never been to the English gardens or never heard of it, google it right now! It is beautiful! The Engligh garden is bigger than Central Park but has kind of the same vibe to it. It is this huge land of green green grass with a lot of trees, a river, people picnicking, dancing, kicking the ball, laying out, or just enjoying the day. We enjoyed a nice picnic with our pretzels and beer!

We then went into the Chinese Beer Garden, it is one of the biggest beer gardens in Munich and very touristy. When I was in Germany last year, our bike tour rode through that area and stopped and had a beer. Again we sat by the playground so Brandon, Chad and I could enjoy our beers and the girls could play. Nights are filled with coloring, playing in the yard, watching cartoons, and reading lots and lots of books!

On Sunday we went to another beer garden close to the house. Brandon said this was one of the nicer beer gardens and very kid friendly. Again it had a huge playground, a massive trampoline, swings and a train. We met another family that has kids in Isabella's class. Ferdinand and Isabella immediately took to the playground leaving Rivers and I to explore our food selections. We decided on a pretzel larger than her head and an eis (ice cream). 

Sunday seemed to be some sort of German festival so the music was playing, and Germans were decked out in their leiderhosen and dirndls. Then we biked back home, if you know me you know I'm not a fan of bike riding. It is just a little challenging for me and I'm just not very good. So after a few beers, I became a little more fearless on the bike which is probably a good thing. 

I have a good feelings about this summer. Germany, I like you a lot!