Polish Pottery Trip {Round 2}

I first went to Poland last September over the Labor Day weekend.   It just so happened that my BFF Chrissy was visiting from the States, so I absolutely wanted to take her there.  Gosh, I thought I did tons of damage last year. 

Check it out people.

This actually doesn't look so bad....but I must admit that it doesn't count all the dinner and salad plates, glasses and mugs, two boxes full of Christmas and Easter decor, or the big box of miscellaneous gifts I bought to pass out over the next year or so.

  Nope, doesn't include them.

I'm so ashamed. 

Basically...I'm never going back to Poland.  Ever.

It's funny.  I never had an interest in Polish Pottery.  I used to see it all the time at the PX back in the States, but thought it was for old fogies.  Not to mention the fact that I wasn't really into the signature blue color on all the pieces.

Then you get to Poland and into stores just lined with them and you're just beside yourself trying not to buy everything.  It's insane.  What's cool is that you're never alone doing it because you're bound to be dodging other tourists (mostly military spouses from all over Europe) doing the exact same thing.  It's complete and utter chaos.

I went with pretty much the same group of ladies as last year, minus Chrissy and one other person.  We had a great time and I can't tell you how much of a help they were when it came to taking care of Sina (as Malu was gone at yet another drill).  I'm thankful that, for the most part, Sina was well-behaved which made for some enjoyable shopping.

I showed my mom some pieces that I got over Skype today, including a tureen that I bought for her.  She was over-the-moon excited and begged me to take her to Poland the next time she visits.

Looks like I just have to go back one more time.

What?  Who am I to say no to my own mother? 

*Wink, Wink*

Prague {Easter Weekend 2012}

If you're interested in learning more about Prague, feel free to read this excerpt from Wikipedia because I'm way too tired to go into the city's history and blah, blah, blah.

Here we are having a grand ol' crazy time in the Czech Republic!  Notice we're all pretty bundled up.  Yeah...it was pretty chilly that weekend.

Basically, we weren't in Prague long enough.  We were only there for a few hours before we had to head back to our friend's house, which was a three-hour long trip.  Anyway, Prague is AMAZING and we're definitely going back because we didn't even come close to scratching the surface on all the wonderful things to see and do.  We were mainly there for the Easter market and that, unfortunately, wasn't too impressive.  However, we were right in the middle of Old Town Square, where it was bustling with energy. There were shops and restaurants of all kinds and beautiful, historical buildings/landmarks to admire.

So now, I'm just going to let these pictures tell the story (with a little bit of commentary).

The inseparable three--Malu, Madisen and Vaiosina

One of the towers to the Charles Bridge, which was completed in the early 15th century.  We didn't get to see the bridge, as this view of the tower was obviously taken from within the city.  However, the bridge is still considered to be one of the most astonishing gothic-style buildings in the world.

The Prague Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square.  First installed in 1410, it's the third oldest clock of its kind in the world and the oldest one that is still functional.

Not sure what this building is, but I just thought it was really pretty.

The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, also located in Old Town Square, built in the 14th century in the gothic style.

A closer look at the Church of Our Lady.

Team Finch-Eric, Madeleine, Madisen and Mackinley (in stroller).  Our partner family :)

Team Aetonu in Old Town Square!

A really cool doorway.

Easter eggs at the market!  Can you believe I only walked away with three?

Another view of Old Town Square and the Easter market.

At the top of every hour, a costumed trumpeteer plays a happy tune and parts of the astronomical clock move.  That was really cool.

A statue smack-dab in the the center of Old Town Square.

Another view of the Church.

Cool sewer covers.  At least we thought they were cool.

Sina swatting her daddy with her mini-May pole stick thingy.  They were being sold all over the place.

Hard Rock Cafe Prague.  No, we didn't eat there.  Why would we drive all that way to eat in an American restaurant?

On our way back to our cars.  Exhausted!

It was pretty late when we left.  We got home even later, but not because there was traffic or anything.  We almost ran out of gas on the autobahn which is a huge no-no in Europe.  You can get fined up the you-know-where if you're found on the side of the road with an empty gas tank.  I mean, it was a Sunday and most places are closed on Sunday in Germany, but a major gas station at the border between Germany and the Czech Republic?  Really?  Now we know.

Like I said, we're definitely going back to Prague for a four day weekend sometime in the future.  In case we never get around to it, at least we can say we've been there and have a Starbucks city mug to prove it!

Next stop is Poland...as in this weekend.  This will be our second time.  Can you say "addicted to Polish Pottery"?

The Best Thing About Prague

By far, the best thing about our visit to Prague on Easter Sunday...

The trdelnik--a traditional cake and sweet pastry native to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary.  Trdelnik is derived from the word trdlo, which is the wooden stake around which the dough is wrapped and grilled.  Once it's cooked, the hollowed pastry is dusted with a sugar and walnut mix.  We even saw a stand where a guy slathered a generous amount of Nutella inside each trdelnik.  I fell in love. 

You guys, this stuff was amazing.  I think we each had a double serving.

Not sure how trdelnik is pronounced, but we guessed that it almost sounds like "turtleneck," which is exactly what it looks like.  Don't you agree?  I mean, it even looks like a turtle shell!

You really can't just have one.  I mean, look at it.

Look at Sina...she's trying to grab daddy's trdelnik.

Dough is wrapped around a trdlo and grilled to perfection.

Then it's coated with sugar and nuts.

The trdelnik...among many reasons to return to Prague!

Easter 2012

This year, Sina was old enough to actually go out to do an Easter egg hunt.  She could have done it last year (although she wasn't quite walking yet), but we were late to the post-wide egg hunt and missed it all together.  Last year = mega-fail.  We were determined not to make the same mistake this year and actually made up for it!

The Easter bunny visited us twice on Easter morning!

After returning from our trip to Prague (which I'll blog about sometime this week), the adults (we spent the weekend with the Finch Family) stayed up until the wee hours of the morning stuffing zillions of plastic eggs for Sina and Madisen (their  4-year old daughter) to find first thing in the morning.  We also laid out their Easter baskets.

Imagine their surprise to find all kinds of eggs right in their rooms and all over the house when they woke up.  Sina went and grabbed the first egg she saw after I lifted her out of her crib.  As she grabbed the second and third egg, she said (still groggy from waking up) "more! more!".  When we went downstairs she loaded more eggs into one of her Easter baskets with her daddy's help.

I say one of her baskets because she actually had two--one my mom had sent her (this Hello Kitty one) and another one I'd purchased her and loaded with all of the goodies that my mom and Great-Grandma had mailed to her, as well as all the stuff I'd amassed for her.  You really can't tell here, but this basket was overloaded with candies, a stuffed bunny rabbit, Hello Kitty and Dora-shaped eggs, flashcard sets, books and stickers. 

Thanks so much to our families for everything.  I think it's safe to say that this girl is soooooo LOVED.

Madisen was nice enough to let Sina borrow a set of the butterfly wings she'd received that morning so that they could flutter about the house together.

The Finches had some friends over for an amazing brunch.  We had blueberry french toast casserole, a hash brown casserole, baked ham, deviled eggs, fruits, and other desserts.  Yum!

Sina actually managed to wear a dress that day, thanks to Mattie.  The weather forecast called for cold weather, so I didn't bother packing her a dress.  Mattie insisted that I put Sina in one of Madisen's old dresses just so she could blend in :) I really should put Sina in dresses more often because she was the cutest little thing.  I couldn't, however, get her to sit still in said dress to take pictures, but I did my best.  Here are a few pics of her, Madisen and Mackinley.

Sina and Madisen

Look at those big feet!

There's always time to read a book!

Figures that one of the cutest pics I have of her in the dress is in the kitchen.  I think she was looking for a snack :)

When she wasn't looking for a snack, she was playing with the magnets on the refrigerator.

Another favorite.  I should show this picture to people when the few of them try to tell me that Sina looks more like Malu than me.  Are they blind?  This photo screams mini-me!

Sorting some eggs.  We had to take those eggs and re-stuff them for later on.

Sina absolutely adores Mackinley (and babies in general).  It's so cute to see her get in their faces to say hi to them and then caress them so gently.  I'm so thankful that the folks at school taught her early on to handle babies with care.  This will definitely come in handy when she becomes a big sister...whenever that may be :)

Sina, Malu and Madisen, also known as the Scooby Doo Gang.  I can't remember who is what character when they play, but I think Malu is Fred.  I would have made him Scooby, but hey, it's not my game.

Sina and Daddy.

I hate that I didn't get a picture with her that day :(

After brunch, we went over to another house to do another Easter egg hunt.

There were five kids total, but enough eggs for fifteen.  Since it was cold out, the eggs were hidden indoors.  While the other kids (all were older than Sina) ran furiously around the house to pick up eggs, Sina was more preoccupied with the toys.  Malu and I simply scooped up five or six eggs for her and just let her be.

I'd say that all in all, Sina's first official Easter was a hit!

Thank you God for blessing us with so much, especially wonderful times with wonderful friends, and love and support from our families across the miles.  Thank you also for the gift of salvation through the death of your Son, Jesus Christ. 

He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

Happy 20 Months!

Vaiosina is 20 months old today.

**Tears**

This was her at the zoo last weekend.

We were at the same zoo this time last year.  She was 8 months then!

I can't believe how much she's grown!

We're going to celebrate by doing Easter up big in Prague!

We love you so much baby girl!

Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!



And Then There Were Two

Easter trees, I mean.  Not another baby, which I'm sure my parents would love to be true.  So remember a few weeks ago when I posted about our German Easter tree?  Well, at that point, there was only one.  Let's just say that I've amassed quite the collection of Easter eggs and ornaments.  So, now there are two!

 Around this time, you can find lots of cool branches (some painted) at the farmer's market and some floral shops.  I got a bunch of them and actually had to put them all in a big vase.  Would you believe that I snagged that vase for $1 at a flea market months ago?  I love it.  I've since added over half a dozen more eggs, most of which were painted by my friend, Zinda.  Sadly enough, I don't have any pictures of the beautiful eggs she painted, although a few are pictured here.  Even Sina knows which ones she painted.  I have such talented friends!

Anyway, these are pics of three eggs I picked up at the spring bazaar on post a few weekends ago.  See how those holes have been carved into the egg? 

The design on this one is made of candle wax.

This one is just hand-painted.

Now, here's the second tree...also known as Sina's Easter Tree.



No eggs, just lady bug and bumble bee ornaments that I picked up at an Easter market last year.  I'm definitely going to add to this one next year.  I've only got one more year left of this, so I need to get a move-on on stocking up!

When Malu returned from training, he noticed that the house was particularly decked out for Easter (both inside and out) and loves it.  It's been so much fun.

The fun will continue this weekend because we're spending it in Prague with Team Finch.  And...there's going to be a huge Easter market there!

That being said, it's a short week and I'm already ready for it to end!

I owe you guys tons of posts.  We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend in Stuttgart and spent it downtown and at the zoo.  I'll have to try extra hard to blog about it this week! 

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!