Third Advent

On Sunday we had a very leisurely day around the apartment in the morning and early afternoon which all of us desperately needed.  Josie spent most of the morning working on homework. Benjamin did too but he has far less than she does.  I went on an hour long walk by myself while the kids read.

In the afternoon we met Clayton, Gavin and Shantal at the Zehlendorf Christmas Market.  We keep meaning to go and we finally got the chance.  And to go with friends makes it all the better.  The kids had such fond memories of "ice skating" - it is not real ice but fun all the same - with Elliott and family last Christmas so I was worried that this year wouldn't live up to last year and probably for Josie it didn't but Benjamin had a ball with his buddy and Josie was an incredibly good sport skating around with her brother and his friends.  She even played along with their little games and pushed them on the plastic toys.

I promised them a treat.  They had a hard time deciding but opted to split a long gummy snake thing and a chocolate covered apple.  It was SO cold I decided that if they

saved their sweets they could also split a hot cocoa while I enjoyed a warm gluhwein.  I never really understood it before but now I see it is a winter drink meant to be shared with friends outdoors and it really does warm you up.

They guzzled down the cocoa in no time.  Our tummies were all warm and ready for a bit more homework, lighting the third advent candle and an early to bed night for all of us. But not before the kids lit the third advent calendar candle and Benjamin helped Josie study for her Social Studies test.  It isn't normally like this, the two kids sitting side by side actually helping each other but when it happens it is beautiful.

Happy Third Advent from Berlin.