Frohe Ostern

On Sunday we got up bright and early to hop a train to Cottbus to celebrate Easter with Julie and her family.  We all have fond memories of our Easter celebration at her house 6 years ago!!  Well, Benjamin doesn't quite remember as he was just under 2 but the rest of us remember it well.

The weather was teetering between wet/cold and snow/cold.  In other words, not great.   We arrived to warm arms, Easter decorations and a delicious smell wafting from the kitchen.  We toasted with a nice glass of champagne or juice and talked and laughed.

The meal was "wild boar" which didn't go over so well with our resident vegetarian but for the rest of us it was so so yummy.  I guess it is all about the name and just calling it pork would have been more appealing. 

The meat was cooked perfectly and was topped with a delicious gravy.  There was also savory potato dumplings and shaved carrots and zucchini, also cooked to perfection. It was honestly the best meal I've had in Germany!

After lunch we all went outside for the hunt.  Josie has spent the ENTIRE week previous making homemade gifts for everyone.  She hid those and Julie hid gifts and chocolates that she and her mom had bought.  It was super fun and we all definitely got our fill of Easter candy and treats.

After a leisurely afternoon eating, drinking, Easter egg hunting and conversation we headed back to the train station to head back home.  All of us full, happy and content.  Thank you Hinzmann gang.  What a lovely Easter celebration.

Benjamin wrote a diary entry about our day at Julie's.  One thing they are REALLY big on here at the school, and maybe Germany in general, is writing in cursive and having good handwriting.  Both of the kids struggled at first, Benjamin much more than Josie.  His handwriting was really super sloppy and nearly illegible.  He is now being taught a method of writing where his letters have "tails" that will make writing in cursive easier.  He will begin cursive writing next year in 3rd grade.  Still has trouble getting the "j"s to go in the correct direction.