Sand castles, medieval castles and football

The pressure if off for traveling away to new cities and countries, and the weekends have become more mundane, in a very good way.

With the end of the school year looming, the kids have numerous birthday parties and end of the year events to attend, summer concerts at school and even sports day. And I am busy running around getting teacher gifts and planning class parties like a well versed room parent thank you very much. This, combined with working part time (yeah!) and planning for a month long visit with friends from home (another cheer, even louder), makes for busy days. Of course husband has many a late night these days too, as work load has increased as the climate worsens (okay maybe climate change is not at fault, but new work organization has put the pressure on him for sure.)

But between all that, we managed a perfectly lovely weekend with a medieval fair at our local castle. By local I mean a 10 minute walk up a forested hill, where we emerged into another time of bards and bagpipes. The Burg of Bad Godesburg was celebrating its 900 year birthday in style.

Of course there were modern events in town too, like sand castle making, where we attempted our hand at replicating the Burg in sand. And bungy jumping too. You know it is a party in Germany when the shops are open on Sunday and folks are out drinking beer.

A lovely part of staying in town for the weekend is running into friends while out and about and inviting their kids over to play. And sitting in the garden in the sun reading a book, working on a rocket with Noah for his boy scout project, and jumping on the trampoline with the Louise. Ah summer is here, and I hope it stays.

Best of all, on this relaxing weekend in June was however, the football. I love the enthusiasm for soccer and the fever has been building in Germany, and around the world over the last month. I was even given a German flag to put on my car when I took it to the car wash. Flags are hanging out of windows and covering buildings. In the United Nations parking lot flags from just about every country are waving too. The bakery is making soccer ball buns and the candy store sells chocolate soccer balls and trophies. It really is fusball mania here. So we were pretty pleasesd that the USA hung in there against England 1-1, its just too bad we can't cheer for Sweden this year though.