Christmas Markets in Germany

This post is being written with a little bit of planning and a lot of haste. I am presenting at our school's Tuesday Morning Club next week about Christmas Markets. I thought it would be easier just to share about them via my blog and I will be able to share with you, future traveler to Germany and family and any potential visitor during this season, as well as those who live here now. Christmas markets are something I LOVE about the Christmas season here. They do not have Thanksgiving here, and now that St. Martin's is over (another blog post about that, I believe), they are decorating and gearing up for Christmas everywhere.

Last year there was a touch more magic to the Christmas market season because we were able to attend a few Christmas markets in the SNOW. This was at the beginning of all of the glorious white stuff, so it was still quite magical. (It lost its power when it was still snowing in April. We had literally one small snow the year before!!) We attended the Düsseldorf market and the market at Schloss Dyck in the snow and FREEZING temperatures. Just be truly prepared, stock up on the Glüwhein or Kinderpunsch, and dress warmly!!! 

Düsseldorf usually has one of the first markets to open, so it is always the one I go to first.  Because of all the construction going on downtown, this market is divided up into lots of little markets with themes. It is nice, but certainly not my favorite (and not just because my wallet was stolen there last year.) It does have its moments, however, plus a really nice big Ferris Wheel to watch it all from high above.

A typical stall at the Düsseldorf market

This felt like Narnia!

My oldest at the market.

Never thought I would capture the cartwheeler in snow!

People decorate with these paper stars in their windows for Christmas - so I had to get one!

The infamous smokers!

The cool trees that provide shade in the summer and just look funny in the winter.

Because of the size of the Düsseldorf market, you can find a great variety of items - it is just really spread out. Thus making it more difficult to find the good stuff. We went to this market with a good friend visiting last year (thanks for making time to see us, Rob!) and enjoyed the roasted chestnuts and Glüwhein in the cold. 

Later that weekend we went to one of my favorite markets, Schloss Dyck. It is extra special because it has a Krippenspiel. What is that, you may ask? Basically, it is a live Nativity! But not the kind you just come and see the Nativity - instead, we walked through candle-lit woods to come upon Mary & Joseph heading to Bethleham. Then you meet an Angel sharing news with the shepherds. Further down the road, you run right into the wise men. Then finally, baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph in the stable in Bethleham - singing traditional German Christmas hymns! (For a taste of that, go here.) The castle is cast in softly changing lights to your left the entire walk. It honestly feels a little magical - and last year in the snow??  Even more so. The vendors at Schloss Dyck are great, too. French soaps, homemade woodworks, knit items - I felt like they were a bit more unique than what I saw at Düsseldorf. But it is only open for 3 weekends, so take advantage while you can!

We arrived to a gorgeous sunset.

This is how you need to dress.

It was a heavy wet snow - and it was beautiful at this palace in the woods.

Lots of lights, fires, candles, lasers...

This is Mary and Joseph - the trek to Bethlehem was especially cold that year.

Gregorian chanting accompanies the sudden appearance of the angel. (Prepare your little ones - in the dark this can be quite suddenly startling!)

Winter wonderland!

They were freezing...the other boy was already at the car!!!

Schloss Burg is another one of my favorite markets. It is only one weekend, and this year it falls on Thanksgiving weekend. Not the best timing for us Americans celebrating over the weekend, but if you can make it, it is well worth the little drive. The coolest thing about this market is not only that it is within the castle walls - it is INSIDE the CASTLE!!  I didn't take many pictures because I was trying to keep up with the rowdy crew I was with, but it was so neat to move from room to room in the castle, down narrow outdoor passageways and winding staircases, through bedrooms and meeting rooms. The vendors had some great items, and it was a fantastically fun time. Some really good lunch food as well!

Need dental tools anyone???

Schloss Burg 

A great find for her little one!

Inside the chapel at Schloss Burg - better in person, I promise.

The only other market I have visited is in Essen. It is a great market, a lot of variety, easy to get to (just take a regional train to Essen or park at the Essen Hbf), and apparently beautiful at night. I went during the day, so missed all the lights at night, although they did look like they would be nice during the day. This market is great because of its vendors - you can get some legit shopping done here, making it a worthwhile market just for that alone. (They had a medieval market, with people dressed and cooking medieval food, selling products. Very cool.)

I intend to go to a few more markets this year (Aachen, Koln, Oberhausen). But sometimes illness gets in the way and I have to resign myself to just the little local one in Kaiserswerth - but at least they have the Glüwhein! Invite a friend and enjoy the markets!

Test anxiety

I was in the upper school today and notice students bent to their papers today, taking a test. I literally felt a little of the anxiety creeping in- you know the feeling. A small lump in your throat, dry mouth, heartbeat thumping, sweaty palmed anxiety we would feel over the hopes we would be able to regurgitate what we had learned, and even occasionally apply that knowledge to a new situation. That made me reflect on school for my younger boys here. I haven't really shared a lot about the boys' school situation here. They are in an international school that uses the IB curriculum throughout the entire school. At this school, that means no homework or tests in elementary school. NO HOMEWORK??? I know that is what you are saying- whether from envy or disbelief! I LOVE the no homework policy for the younger kids. They are really so overwhelmed with the 7 hours in school. The no homework policy allows time for them to take a break in the afternoon, do all their after school activities directly after school, and we can have family dinner every night. I know. EVERY NIGHT. Quite frankly, the pace I will be returning to in the US makes me nervous. I remember the days of Chick-Fil-A 4 nights a week, practice and games at different fields, and a husband on the road. No thanks. Although we have our moments of stress here, it usually involves how to be in two places at once with only one car. (Yeah for public transportation!) And of course, Stuart and/or I over-committing ourselves. I would love to say we are cured of that, but that would be a lie- we are still learning the hard way. But back to school thoughts. I do recognize that my boys are not moving through their material as fast as they would in the US, particularly math. However, I have also noticed a broader understanding of the material as well as a significantly greater ability to communicate their understanding. They spend a lot of time analyzing, understanding, and reflecting on their learning. They also make connections to things they already know, helping them remember what they learn and further apply it to their own lives. Public speaking and writing skills are emphasized across the subject areas. So they begin to work on technical writing as early as kindergarten! They also do their first presentations in K5. All of these things I LOVE.

I recognize they will have to move back into the US system. And the younger two may indeed be behind in some subject areas. But I think the exposure to other cultures, their ability to be articulate, contributing members of a group, as well as their second (& third for Silas) language abilities will make up for the first few months back when we are struggling through homework and catch up work. In addition, they have become independent and responsible thanks to catching public transportation to and from school, relying on their own wisdom when/if they miss their stop. (Happened to Zee yesterday!)

I really miss the US- but I don't miss the frantic pace of life, and the constant attempt to beef up the kid's résumé starting in kindergarten. I think the biggest plus for me though is in my boys- particularly my middle one. He is transformed into a much calmer, confident, and motivated learner. He is much improved at public speaking. And he likes school.

We were so lucky in the US to have a great preschool and fantastic teachers in the elementary school we were in- but their hands (at least in the public elementary school) were tied when it came to what material they had to cover and even in some of the ways they had to cover it. And the testing...well, in a kid who failed his hearing and vision screenings in kindergarten because of the people around him, does he have a chance in a test taking situation with kids all around him? He was handicapped before he started- the test was testing only how well he could calm himself down and tune out the noises around him, not his actual reading comprehension. However, his nervous system has matured now, he has more confidence. I think he will be ready to enter that world when he hits 6th grade.

So I am truly thankful for this time of education for the boys- for my oldest to thrive, for my middle to gain confidence, and for my youngest to continue to love learning. I'm glad they don't associate learning with test anxiety and the possibilities of failure. I know that tests are a necessary evil (Silas has a Spanish test tomorrow), but I am grateful for the elementary school policy that protects our little ones.

I have no proper conclusion and I am tired, so this is it. This post all started with those middle years students test taking and ended with me wanting to create a post entirely on my phone. Yeah! Done! (Editing not so easy on the phone- please ignore all poor grammar and spelling- although it may be my own fault, you should still ignore it!)

Normandy & PARIS!! Part deux

Hello Friends!

I know, I know.  But we have been doing things here.  I will do a post on sports again soon (just went to a tournament in Rotterdam with Luke - playing International Schools from all over - what an opportunity), but I wanted to get back to our Fall Break trip we enjoyed so much.

We debated the trip to Mont St. Michel because of the drive.  It was 2 hours plus some away from where we were staying, and an old abbey in the water didn't seem that interesting for the kids.  However, we all LOVED it. (Thanks to my sweet friend Dawn for encouraging me that it was worth it!!)

If you want to know more about the abbey itself, check out its Wiki page here. I had read about the abbey in several fiction books, but had no idea about its reality. Then, while in Bayeux visiting the tapestry, there was a scene played out at Mont St Michel on the tapestry. It showed soldiers drowning in quicksand and the hero saving the day (later he was the bad guy, but isn't that the way of most stories? Who we think is bad is good, and vice versa??) Quicksand experience was all it took and my boys were IN! 

You saw from the previous post we broke up the drive there with a stop at St. Mere Eglise and continued from there to Mont St Michel.  I will let a roll of pictures demonstrate the fun that ensued.  The construction prevented me from truly capturing the majesty and beauty of this place. All I can say is GO!!  It is worth it.

Taking the shuttle to Mont St Michel

A lot of construction because they are restoring it to its state where it is surrounded by water at high tide - a bridge will reach it now, instead of a causeway.

Love how they closed the gates! There are actually a few bed & breakfast hotels on the island.

Family portrait made by fellow touring Americans.  This is from the abbey itself with the marsh in the background.

boys will be boys!

Zee snaps a portrait.

Luke snaps a portrait.

Zee posed me and snapped the picture!

In the quicksand.  It was chilly that day, but the boys braved the cold water!

Love them!

Quicksand socks!

This is from behind the abbey.

We headed back to our hotel with full hearts, so thankful for these experiences.  The sun truly did shine on us that day and we would love to go back.

The next day it was on to Paris.  Let me just say that this drive was no problem - until we reached the city.  It took us 1 hour to get around the circle to where our apartment was.  UGH.  And the roundabouts reminded me of Italy - no lanes, just go as soon as you can and wherever you can.  And hope you reach your exit.  ("There's Big Ben, kids.  And there it is again.  Look, kids, Big Ben!  And again...")

Our favorite thing we did in Paris was the Fat Tire Bike tours.  Truly, a great way to see the city and something active for all the family.

Who doesn't love the behind the back shot while bicycling??  I know, I know.  Safety first!

Look at this great tandem bike for Zee - he felt like a big guy with the rest of us!!  

Our kids were the only ones on the tour - and they behaved so wonderfully.  So great to keep them busy by bike riding!

Enjoyed it even in the rain!

Our bikes had names - he is checking to make sure this is his!

What is Stuart thinking?

Showing their calves like all the Louis's did in their portraits.  We learned so much on this tour!

 I think it says a lot that we loved this tour even in the rain.  They also offer walking tours, Segway tours, and a variety of bike tours.  Stuart and I plan to do their all day Versailles tour soon - we hope!

The rest of Paris went by in a blur of going to the top of the Eiffel tower, trying French cuisine without knowing exactly what we were getting (some successes, some failures!), and generally getting to know the city a bit. The kids loved the science museum there, and we spent a good part of one day there, avoiding the rain and exploring. It is easy to get around on the underground there, and we had so many Parisians help us out. Our last night we did a boat tour on the Seine. I think this could be magical, if it is not cold, rainy, and foggy. However, we did see a lot of sites, and enjoyed a warm beverage or two. And the Eiffel tower lit up at night on the hour is a must-see. Really.

The boys look out over the Seine

Temporary art display around the Eiffel tower - bears representing every country.

The Arc de Triomphe

No fear - 2nd level - Eiffel Tower

A lot of fear - at the top. (we went into the glassed in area immediately after this picture!)

This nice Parisian shared his bread with us.

By the EIffel tower

Thanks to the shared bread, this happened.

Pizza delivery in a crowded city

Science museum fun

He can fly!

Lit up on the hour!

The Notre Dame in Paris during our foggy boat ride

Notice Stuart's eyes closed on the last night of our trip - always at the end of a week long trip, I cannot get a picture with his eyes open!  ;-)

We really did enjoy both Normandy and Paris, although Normandy was the highlight for all of us. I hope you enjoy the pictures, the thoughts, etc.  Vive la France!