Papa may have to disagree......

For those of you who know my Dad, you know that he enjoys owning and taking care of a truck. For example, his current truck is a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel- pretty heavy-duty:). This morning while out for a walk, Britta very excitedly pointed at this truck and said, “look Mom, a truck JUST LIKE Papa Donavon’s truck!!” “Well Britta, as much as Papa Donavon loves you, I think that he would strongly disagree with you:)!”

Papa's truck in the background- see any difference??? 

Foreigners Delight

During one of our recent shopping outings, Britta and I recently struck gold.  While shopping in a new store (similar to a SMALL scale Target), I saw “Internationale Spezialitaten!”  They could also call this section, “Foreigners Delight!!”  This section had American popcorn, BBQ sauce, mustard, Caesar dressing, Hellmann’s tarter sauce, syrup, generic mac n’ cheese and more.  Even though these items are always very inflated in cost, we stock up (I guess they know if people want something bad enough, they will pay for it).  Regardless, it made my day…it is so strange the things that delight me over here! 

Hair:)

The other night, Britta was taking a long time going potty.  I went to check on her AND she was washing her hair...with hand soap!

It is official….Britta is 110% girl.  This summer, whenever we visited a swimming pool, Britta’s favorite activity was pretending to wash her hair.  She would pretend to put shampoo in it (the shampoo often being sand:), then conditioner, then shampoo, then conditioner- you get the picture.  Elle would be swimming around like a fish and Britta would be washing her hair:)!!  It was VERY CUTE.  Then after swimming, Britta would always request to take a shower…”Mom, I need to wash my hair- for real.”  Britta’s reasoning for this “obsession” is that it will make her hair grow longer faster:).  Whatever the reasoning, it is very cute to watch and she is very happy doing it- so, wash away Britta!! 

Britta checking herself out in Matt's shades:)

Marchen Paradies

Last week was a fun and very busy week.  Not only did Elle start school on Wednesday, every afternoon we met up with some of our besties for some extra daytime fun!  Besides going to the Pinocchio Indoor Theme Park, we visited Märchen Paradies Königstuhl.  To get to Märchen Paradies, I literally had to drive up a small mountain (I told myself to not look down!!).  But the drive was worth it!  On the peak of the Königstuhl (which means Kings Chair), was 48,000 square meters of woodland fairy-tale paradise!  The girls enjoyed looking at some of the well-known figures such as Snow White and the seven dwarfs, riding the children’s railway and the electrical horse rides through the forest.  I think the girls could have stayed on the horses all afternoon, but of course the horses were popular amongst all of the children.  It was a great afternoon and we even had some left over tokens…I guess that means we will just have to go back soon:)!! 

Interesting Cheese:)

Recently, I was shopping and found some interesting cheese (to say the least).  It appears this cheese offers some pretty big promises:).

Britta's new "school"!

This week has definitely been a big one in our household with Elle starting her new International Preschool.  And with this big event, Elle has of course been receiving a little more attention than usual, though I can assure you, Britta was not going unrecognized:).  But Britta thought otherwise… already by Wednesday night, Britta was telling me that she needed a backpack, a snack container, her clothes laid out, etc. “just like Elle;” TRULY she was requesting the whole gamut of “pre-school preparation.”  I said to Britta, “why do you need a backpack filled with a snack container?  You need to be three before you can attend school like Elle.”  AND THEN, Britta came up with the idea that she could PRETEND that going to the daycare (the girls call it the play area) at my fitness center could be “her school.”  I thought- ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!  I needed a little push of motivation to get back into the gym, so “yes Britta- great idea!!”  So on Thursday, after we dropped Elle off at school, I said to Britta, “and now here we go to your school.”  She looked at me like I was completely NUTS!!  She said, “it is really not a school Mom- just a play area.”  Sometimes, I just cannot win:)… but two great work outs later, everyone is happy and feeling proud of themselves!!  Elle feels proud that she already sang a solo in circle time Thursday, Britta feels proud that she is going to the play area at my fitness center without Elle, and I am proud that I have not passed out while working out in a fitness center that does not have air conditioning!!  May next week continue to be as positive for all of the Tripp Ladies:)!! 

I tried getting a picture of Britta walking into her "school" but she was too concerned with this child.  She kept saying, "who is this boy Mom. Why is he in my picture??"  She keeps me laughing...and her talking and imagination blows me away.  She is such an amazing and interesting little girl.  Oh, and Britta tells me how to do her hair EVERY morning- today it was, pig tails with braids and then twist them in buns-
look, it is Princess Leia from Star Wars:)! 

Pinocchio

Yesterday, after we picked Elle from school, we met up with friends at the Pinocchio Indoor Theme Park- it was SO MUCH FUN!!  It was fun for a variety of different reasons…

1.    It was Maddie’s birthday, so we enjoyed celebrating with her on her actual birthday (the girls had a blast at her party the Saturday before). 

2.    EVERYONE had fun- no matter if you were 7 years old like Leena or 2 years old like Britta:)!!! 

3.    There were TONS of activities for the kids to do.  If they got tired of doing one activity, they moved on to another…and another…and another (see all of the pictures below)!!

4.    And best of all, it was air conditioned:)!!  Not by “American standards” but cooler than the outdoors!

We will definitely be back again!!  

Cable cars that the girls had to pedal to make move forward

Maddie catching Britta:)

Go Elle!!  Climb that volcano!

And, down the volcano she goes:)!!!!!

Another fun slide....Drew watching!

Taryn helping Britta...such sweet helpers:)

Leena giving Britta a ride.....Britta looking up to her friend:)

Taryn giving Elle a lift

Of course Britta must now climb the volcano...

Britta sliding down the volcano:)

Elle giving Drew a ride down:)!!  

And there she goes.......UP the slide

My Wild Child:)