ROBIN HOOD

Being the Robin Hood fans that we are (our good friends the Axtells are from Nottingham!), I bought tickets months ago for a performance in German at the famous StaatTheatre in Wiesbaden. It was in German, but we did pretty well following along. It was very festive down in the central area-this photo is about a 20 min walk from our house!

Christmas Preparations..WINTER PERFORMANCE

I have spent a few days down at the Wiesbaden Christmas market. It is so festive and traditional....just all that I love about the season. I heard about a book called "Unplugging the Christmas Machine" that I plan to read while home. Anyone read it?? I think Chris and I have done a good job of remodelling our Christmas. More focus on being together, baking, seeing, doing, advent calendars, advent wreaths, simpler decorating. I plan to continue this while in the states and its something my sisters and I share. We are all going to a children's service together on Christmas Eve...there will be 15 of us. Im really looking forward to this!!

Layne had her WInter Performance at School. She was the child who got to welcome everyone and then thank everyone for coming. She LOVED the microphone and all her "roles" and when the principal came up..she stuck close. WHAT A HAM!!!!

Dec. 6 St. Nicholas

St Nicholas came last night! In Germany, children leave their boots out on Dec. 5 for St Nicholas lto come and fill with some sweets, treats and maybe a small present. Luke and Layne left their Christmas lists in their boots and recieved chocolates, a pocket knife for Luke and a doll sweater for Layne.

Its really nice preparing for Christmas here. My German teacher broughtme a small box of homemade traditional Christmas cookies. Very sweet. Its all about the preparation-advent wreaths everywhere, advent calendars for the children, old fashioned Christmas markets, its just very "old world" and a welcome change from the consumerism/ flash/and over stimulation of some Christmas in our past. We are looking forward to flying home and spending the holiday with our families. I can actually say that I am looking forward to Christmas this year ( and most of you know in the past it was NOT my favorite holiday.) I encourage everyone to prepare their hearts and spirits for the season.

Snow in Wiesbaden

Its been snowing a lot lately...to the right is our house and above is the castle which is across the street