And than there were 2...

What happens when you have a sick mom and wife? Well, sometimes disaster strikes, sometimes the family turns into nurses and sometimes in the rare occasion the family pulls together to make the Mom feel better! Well, the last senerio is what happen at the beginning of the month! I wasn't feeling so hot, I was exhausted with a terrible cold, and Ethan and Scott set out to buy a Christmas tree!

Now let me explain in my ten years of marriage and tree purchasing I have never bought a tree from a lot! I have always enjoyed the unique American experience of hiking out into the wilderness to find the perfect tree! In Germany however this was not an option! Here every village has multiple stands in which to by your trees and the local hardware store also sells them! So, at our local OBI (think Home Depot) there where Scott and Ethan (two men) checking out which tree was best! They came home with a lovely 7/8 foot tree (really the last 2 feet were just bare pointing top)! The tree was prefect, I sat curled up on the couch snapping photos and enjoying the family moment!

We opened our boxes of ornaments, remembering babies births, wedding days, vacations, and the last 15 Christmas' that Scott and I have shared! Ahhh memories! Christmas carols played softly and the house was glowing...the perfect moment!

WEEK 1: All who come over ohhh and ahh that we have a Christmas tree! Wow, look at you! So lovely! The house looks great!

Week 2: The bottom branches have reached the ground! It is starting to look a little sad! It isn't taking water, hmmm but Christmas is almost here!

This Past Saturday: Ornaments started falling! Branches are now pointing down!

Monday: The tree is a crispy mess! I mean deep fried fire hazard! We are those people!

Yes, that is right our Christmas tree is DEAD! Well, that isn't going to work! I am an outrageous fan of Christmas, of the spirit, and tradition! Plus we have visitors coming...our tree must look its best! Scott called it right away and off he went to buy me a new tree (insert laughter...yes 2 trees people!) So, Monday night he came home with a very earthy, very tall, lively tree!

Here we go undecorated the old, a tangled mess of German lights (not at all like American lights, can't even explain it), ornaments everywhere, tree stuck in stand! Ugh! Than the moment, the new tree is in! Yeah, the house smells of pine. We are all excited, well for 10 minutes! Until I realize that it is already 8pm on a school night, than family Christmas fun turns into hurry grab an ornament! Now, I am yelling, the kids ask to go to bed, and Scott is trying to figure out who to help!

When all is said and done, we have a tree, well two trees, one tossed in the backyard, and one standing in our living room! We can once again grip on to tradition and to Christmas in a new country! But most of all we can laugh at ourselves!

May you season be lively, and filled with memories that make you smile because what else is family and holidays for! Merry Christmas x2!

Say Ahhh....or Ugh! (The Dentist)

Another week in the life of an expat in Germany has begun! Another week filled with lessons beyond my German language work books continues! Lessons of dental hygiene brought to you by the local dental practice.

Yes, a trip for me and the kiddos for our 6 month cleanings! Now, even state side a trip to the dentist was more often than not something I feared! As the mother, it was the shame of "your children should be brushing better;" "How often do you see them flossing?” And for me, maybe a little embarrassment..."maybe a little less coffee!" So, you know before you even go into right, this is gonna suck! Not only will the appointment be filled with shame and embarrassment, but now I get the joys of misunderstanding and lack of knowledge on the "German" way!

Now I will say that we went a couple weeks back for our dental meet and greet! Kind of a customary thing here in Deutschland! Say hello, let them check out your teeth, and then set up the appointment! When we did that we were able to meet both doctors (Zahnarzt), and the one assistant that spoke English! It is a lovely office, but there are some differences!

So, my poor son was the first one to go, and not only did her need the cleaning but also his teeth sealed to prevent any growth of cavities! Ugh! This is a painless procedure, however they wanted his entire mouth dry...so to suctions later and a couple cotton pads shoved in that kids mouth his was ready to go! He did great, he survived all four molars being sealed, a polish (the first time) and a painted on fluoride treatment! When all was said in done they gave my giant 9 year old a sticker, you should have seen his face as a look of "What the.." came across his face! All that for a sticker, can’t even get a new tooth brush!

Now me...cleaning would actually be a poor description of what happens to your mouth! They remove either willingly or by force anything and everything that is/could/or may someday cause damage to your teeth! As I sat in that chair cringing as they excavated all canals and trenches of my teeth, I couldn't help but think that the tooth fairy must be German, man they love themselves some white teeth! After the cleaning, comes the polishing...which is basically sand (no flavor) being scrubbed across your teeth...think sanding wood floors! In the end, I am doing everything wrong I could use a better brush and better floss, and maybe I should pay closer attention to my teeth! In the end I thought, man, my teeth actually hurt (they were in pain for over 18 hours)! Crazy!

And then, saving the best for last.....my darling take crap for no one daughter! Let the dentist have a shot at her! So when the smaller kids go they basically get a lesson on how to brush! My daughter had to eat a purple tablet and move it around her mouth! This highlights the spot they need to brush better. Well, very little showed up, so the assistant than had to make a point to search her mouth to find these spots! When she succeeded it was time to brush! I shamefully removed Abigail's brand new tooth brush from my purse; you see my daughter has bitten this poor thing to its death! The assistant ask me it's age...defeat; I answer 4 weeks, and Abby looks up sparkling because she has just realized she can shame me into the purchase of a new one with...."No mommy, you keep saying it's new but you got everyone else one and not me!" Ugh...the master strikes! The assistant says, oh yes you must get her a new one!

And that was it! The dentist! Ahhh or Ugh?

Weihnachtsmarkt

Well, the season of Weihnachtsmarkt is here! This means the season of the Christmas markets! Starting the last full week in November cities large and small begin to construct their local market! It is funny because as an American it reminds me of the anticipation for the day after Thanksgiving sales, but here it just a time significant based on the season of Advent. After construction of these small wooden huts is complete there is the opening of the market, and the beginning of a busy time of year!

Almost every larger city will have its own market (for example Stuttgart) and even the small cities will have a traveling market (Feuerbach). Some cities have a themed market representing a time period (Esslingen), while some have specialty areas, like handmade items (Regensburg).

Regensburg was the first Christmas market we visited. This market sits in the middle of this amazingly quaint town. Nestled between traditional Bavarian buildings you find your vendors, selling Gulhwein and sausage (each city in Bavaria has their own special sausage). Regensburg's market is divided up into 3 separate areas; each area embodies the vendors nicely. The main plaza houses the vendors selling fired glass, wooden toys, and ornaments by the dozens! It is ringed by the larger department stores, and public spaces, and overlooks the Dome. The handmade market is in a plaza surrounded by bookstores, and coffee shops it also has a large open area for the fire sculptures. The final area of the market is filled with food, games, even a puppet show and a lovely place to buy a tree!

Next we visited the rather large Stuttgart market. This market is a tourist hub! At even given moment you can find 3 to 4 countries represented at a stand. This market begins on the main passage in downtown Stuttgart and stretches over the streets to cover almost 1k of vendors. It is amazing. As you weave through the games, trains, and rides on the main passage you than make your way to the first vendors and a temporary ice skating rink! Here the vendors begin with a kid favorite...Dipping candles! You take a white candle and dip it into wax to create a colorful child made creation! Such great fun for only a couple Euros! As the market snakes through the streets you find toys, and advent wreaths; you might see a nativity scene or a smoking man (incense burning clay sculpture). Further into the market comes the smells of food roasted fish, roasted chestnuts, candy, gulhwein, kinder punch, and sausage! When you arrive to the back of the market you find yourself starring at a large advent calendar in the windows of the main building. It is a lovely area filled with magic, Christmas joy, and anticipation for the season!

The next day we visited the Esslingen market, a medieval market. Described as "The medieval stands of the traditionally dressed craftsmen present calligraphy, leathery, silver jeweler, dyer’s trade and a lot more." This market is an experience to say the least! The lively characters in full attire that work each booth, the flags, banners, and music! The amazing craftsmanship of the items, and the one of a kind children’s games make for a fun time! Even the food in Esslingen comes with its own flare; Hemp bread, baked bread on a stick, food cooked in giant kettles, and guhlwein in terracotta cups! The atmosphere of this market is also one of a kind...The town is built around the Neckar river and consist of some of the loveliest half-timbered houses (traditional German style) and narrow streets! When you visit this market you just feel whisked away to some place far away!

On Monday I had the privilege of going with some friends to visit the Ludwigsburg to visit what is called a “Baroque “Christmas market. This market is what I would describe as a midsize market! I would say that it had 150 or so vendors. This market is entirely placed in the towns market square adjacent to the main pedestrian shopping area. The market is flanked by giant metal angels that light up the evening skies. While the market isn’t as large as Stuttgart’s it still has a large variety of ornaments, hats, houses, and wooden art. It also had a couple specialty items like homemade liquor, and lovely garden pieces (great birdhouses).

Having been to a few markets now, I can clearly say I have discovered a few favorites! First, the cups! When you get your Gulhwein, hot coco, or Irish whiskey it comes in the cutest cup. You pay a pfund on your cup usually 2-3 Euros’ so in a sense the vendor is charging you for the cup. So, in many circle you will find people that collect the cups!

Next, I am in love with the food! It is amazing, ample, and affordable! We have tried to share everything so that we can keep eating more and more! Finally, the items that are made locally. You really do have to double check! However, when you find one the craftsmanship, detail is mind blowing! Fabulous wooden sculpture, tiny little carvings, and glass ornaments!

This weekend we are off and ready to explore another market!
Maybe get another cup!