It was a big month for us February babies. Lee and Ned lost their first teeth, and one of my fillings fell out. Thankfully, my dental issues aren’t quite so obvious.
 Teddy sent me back with a Sports Illustrated for Kids for Thom. Pretty cute. I returned to Germany yesterday after ten days away. My sweet Thom was waiting for me on platform 7 at Freiburg’s Hauptbahnhof. He was bubbling with news and questions.
Errol and the littles gave me an equally adorable welcome when we got home. My favorite part was when Vinnie and I were getting ready to brush teeth, and I noticed my toothpaste looked a bit different from when I left. “Voo, did you use my toothpaste while I was gone?” “Yes, ours got really dirty and disgusting so I just started to use yours.” Obviously, my skills of cleaning dry toothpaste are unsurpassable. The following is more so I can remember, but this was my USA tour: Feb 16 Bus to Basel Basel to London London to JFK Night in Brooklyn Feb 17 Brunch in Brooklyn EWR to ORD ORD to LNK Night in Lincoln Feb 18 Drive to Minden Kath’s 40th festivities Night in Minden Feb 19-20 Lincoln Feb 21 Mom’s birthday festivities OMA to EWR Night in Brooklyn Feb 22 NYC day Bus to Princeton Night in Princeton Feb 23-24 Princeton parties Feb 25 JFK to London London to Basel Bus to Freiburg  I love to mother, but sometimes it's really nice just to be an aunt. Yesterday while Kate was chauffeuring Ab and Ward to the airport, we hit the town: Y, Target, Hy-Vee. It was especially fun when Aunt Katie joined the party, and we introduced the Pierson kids to the Great British Baking Show.
 I spent today basking in warmth of all forms. Sun was streaming in the house all afternoon, Ward made a beautiful fire tonight, and there was so much love, So much love.
Since I left Freiburg on Friday morning, I have flown over thirteen hours on four airplanes. I am in the homestretch now-only 145 miles to my final destination. Then, the 40th birthday festivities can begin!
I am borrowing a car for the last leg of my outbound journey, and it has been almost six months since I have driven. It’s a little mind-boggling how daily life in Freiburg differs so much from daily life in Nebraska. I spent last night in Brooklyn with Buttless, and it seems to fall in the middle. I experienced the comforting familiarities of America like English and marked-down Valentine’s Day candy, but I felt back in Europe when I was finding my way from the airport to Brooklyn and back. This is challenging no matter how many cities I navigate. I am always nervous I am walking the wrong way, will board the wrong train, or will miss the next one. My brother picked me up from the Lincoln airport tonight, and it felt extremely luxurious. In Mom and Dad’s last days in Freiburg, we tried to give them a real taste of German life: WURST!   We missed making valentines this year, but we had heart pizza and Mom brought us candy from home. Happy hearts!
 Last spring Kath, Phoebe, all my kids, and I went to New York for the day. In our first few blocks, a wheel on the twins’ stroller snapped off.
It was a bit terrible. Tears were shed, duct tape was purchased, we got creative. At the end of the day, I remember running through Midtown with one twin on my shoulders and holding the other, trying to make a train back to Princeton. It wasn’t an easy day. But, even with five kids and all that stroller drama, it was incredibly fun. Happy 40th birthday to my Kath. She brings me such joy.  Today is Mom and Dad’s anniversary. They remarked that on their wedding day in Minden, Nebraska, they never would have guessed they’d be in Milan together 41 years later.
Vinnie spotted a Frida billboard on Saturday, and we tried to see the visiting exhibit at the Mudec this afternoon. Sadly, the wait was too long for our crowd. Voo was disappointed since she had just studied Frida in school. It will be a fun challenge to find another Frida show for her. We also hit the Castello Sforzesco and the Duomo today. Dad and Errol climbed to the top of the Duomo while Mom and I took the kids to a playground. Our 8:15 a.m. timed entry to see da Vinci’s Last Supper gave us an early start. When given the choice, I never choose to begin the day by alarm, but it turned out well today. Milan was extra beautiful with its empty, quiet Sunday morning streets. In the fall I nervously made reservations for eight to see the painting. The twins don’t have the best track record for observing art respectfully, but they were champions today. It probably helps when there are only two pieces to see. We kept the rest of the day light for the littles with a trip to the aquarium and Milan’s children’s museum. Errol, Dad, and Thom spent the afternoon at an Inter Milan game. They reported a great time but missed out on meeting a lovely Canadian family. Two English-speaking kids that also love climbing trees and rowdy play?! Vinnie and the twins were in heaven. |
Anne Thomsen lordWritings on our year abroad. Archives
September 2018
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