First Day of Christmas Break!

The girls are nestled all snug on the sofa, eating pancakes and sausage, and watching Frosty the Snowman. Kyle is out for a wintry walk. I am enjoying the surprising quiet of a morning with all the kids here. The sun is up over the mountains. We are eagerly looking forward to more light, though the dark has taken on a very cozy feeling this year and the girls have been reveling in what the tilt of the Earth brings to us in these Northern parts. It is almost too easy at this time of year, in this place, to talk about Jesus the Light of the World...but there you have it. He brings light in so many ways as to astound us.

 11 am December 22.

I "made" them watch Frosty the Snowman. Turns out they didn't think it was too bad. Also, Irene is on the verge of reading, and takes every moment to practice.Evangeline is so good at reading that she is happy to reverse the effects of literacy with TV watching.

Early Christmas present from Grandma and Pop Pop

Advent Midweek 2

Agnes carefully held little baby Jesus while the choir practiced. In addition to piano lessons, Evangeline is learning to sing parts with the expert alto section.

Auntie Gingerbread

Miranda's very sweet Christmas present to the girls was to make gingerbread houses with them. Agnes napped throughout (I went shopping by myself throughout), but that didn't stop her from getting in the picture right at the end. And eating a lot of candy from their houses.

Birthdays, Bears, Sushi and Santa

After a near-tears hour, I discovered it is actually super easy to get my pictures on here. I expect I can find and even easier way.

I decided Irene's birthday was a far back as I dare go in pictures, lest I open a box of summer, and that's just too much.

Right now I am sitting at the table with Agnes, looking out the window on a blustery 45 degree December day, watching the snow melt and the wind blow. This week is going to be full with church, concerts, rehearsals, caroling, and who knows what else, so it's nice to take a minute to stare out the window while Agnes is not crying and saying things to me I don't understand and then crying because I don't understand.

Irene surveying her birthday decorations. German flag colors.

6-Year-Old

 Birthday Friends

Painting is better with both hands. That French bulldog agrees.

4 seconds after crying me into putting on this backpack and helmet.

Irene is into counting. This was by her bed. No wonder she was so tired in the morning.

Evangeline reading a cat book to Loretta, who is eating the snack Evangeline brought her.

If I had ever imagined the first book Evangeline would check out at school, bring home, and read within a day, this would not have been it. But well done, Evangeline.

Irene stayed home for a few days with strep throat and scarlet fever. She didn't go blind.

Agnes assured me this wouldn't be too scary, and just cute.

Kyle got me a warm coat. It is my first one since we moved here, and when I wore it for the first time I thought "Hm. I'm not cold."

This failed Advent photo session took a really long time.

Evangeline's head as flame.

Extra mystery flame on Agnes.

Two pastors.

Irene: "Reindeer are Caribou. We could eat this"

I took Irene and Evangeline out for sushi/tempura/teriyaki after the Christkindlmarkt. Christmassy.

The chef was kind and sent us over some tempura oreos. I made sure they ate enough raw fish first.

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Happy Birthday To Me

Kyle got me a new computer for my birthday!

I still gotta figure some things out, like how to get my newest pictures, but here's to a new computer and a hopefully revived blog. Hooray!

I can even add captions again.

Some Stuff Happened!

Since I managed to post as recently as May 15, some things have happened...
Evangeline finished Kindergarten, lost some more teeth, and started 1st grade.
Irene "graduated" from pre-school, didn't lose any teeth yet, and started Kindergarten.
Agnes is as I write this standing in her diaper ransacking her sisters' things while they are at school, has gotten more teeth, and is talking A LOT.
Kyle and I went to England and Scotland!
We all had a wonderful summer and are watching the leaves turn yellow, and enjoying lots of rainbows since it has been raining a lot this fall.

Here are a few pictures. I cannot add captions because blah blah iPad blah blah.

Evangeline recitals;Agnes twos.

Saturday was a busy day for the Mietzner girls (and the mom and dad). Irene and Evangeline went to school. While Kyle and Agnes were off collecting them, I put together a little birthday party for Agnes that was to be wedged in between getting home from school and Evangeline's ballet recital. We had a fine party with only the five of us in attendance (plus Loretta who later enjoyed the spoils of an unattended cake), some snacks and a cake the taller sisters picked out for Agnes. There were also lots of Cheetos and the like so really nothing could go wrong.

Agnes was thrilled with her wedged-in party, Evangeline gave a wonderful performance with her class, and she loved being on the big stage at the Performing Arts Center. I said "Merde" to her when I dropped her off backstage (which, after two dress rehearsals there, was proclaimed to not look as good as you think it should and there are too many pipes everywhere) and it turns out it is almost completely impossible to explain that to a seven year old.