The windmill family and snowmen+

Oo, Oo, Oo feeling all warm and fuzzy despite the minus temperatures and snow of the last week. We have had so much snow in the last couple of days that the shrieks of joy from the grown ups drowned out the excitement of the kids. I don't know how many times I peeked through the curtains to check the snow level last night. We have also been bracing ourselves and racing out each morning to check the thermometer. Maybe it would be a good idea to buy one of those indoor/outdoor ones... but nowhere near as fun. The lowest temperature was on Thursday when it registered -10oC. The poor kids have been so rugged up that the Mouse can hardly move let alone roam free. Now we are on the look out to buy a sled. Though there is no rush as this week is meant to be warmer, today was -2oC and practically barmy. All those warm climate people may think a sled is just for the occasional weekend of fun but here is the news...we can take the kids to kindergarten on it! It was so amazing and, I must say a little north pole-esque to see a couple of sleds lined up at the kindergarten gate, oh I so want one. That said I am happy for the snow to melt as it is harder to get around when I can't ride as it takes a bit more organising and timing, not to mention all the extra layers of clothing that are virtually impossible for small children to put on themselves that are driving me insane.

Due to extreme temperatures (not just in my Australian eyes, it was all over the news) we hunkered down from Thursday afternoon assisted by some good telly for the Bear and some great birthday presents from aunties for the Monkey. What else can you do when it is cold but to put on the oven and drag out the sugar. We baked thousands of biscuits on Friday afternoon with friends then ate birthday cake for dinner baked and brought over by our very lovely Monkey the First. It was quite an epic journey for the birthday cake. Frau Zeh's bike broke so she walked the cake 30 minutes to us (see, it isn't just me with an aversion to catching the bus). Then the bike situation got worse when Herr Fitz called to say he would be late to help eat said cake as he had a flat tyre and was pushing his bike to the repair shop, locking it up there and walking home. All this in -8 oC.

Also lots of catching up with family via telephone and skype and seeing friends this weekend has been so lovely. The cousins got to talk and of course show all their favourite things to each other, we have made stuff, hung out and eaten a meal with many new friends and we have been getting festive and have made some Christmas decoration that I now have to work out how to hang up.

We finished an absolutely amazing weekend with the very monumental making of our very first snowman and a trip to the windmill for the St Nikolas Markt. The old windmill is just down the road from us and for anyone in the know is a little like "Old Sydney Town" but without the financial difficulties. As St Nikolas comes tonight there was a little market and a visit by St Nik and his helper "Black Peter". St Nik gives the kids a small present in their boots which must be cleaned and left at the door while"Black Peter" (his evil twin) hits naughty children with his switch. No fluffiness about this occasion. It was wonderful seeing the windmill village with snow and as much as we are used to crafting (you just need to see the floor at the end of the day) Herr Fitz and I were amazed at what can be done with a tee light, some nutshells, fir tree branches etc and of course a hot glue gun and some fake snow. We proudly carried the kids creations home and carefully placed them on the table, lit the candles and let out a whole family sigh of contentment.

FIRST CONTACT

Sneaking up

Incoming snowball

A friend with a sled, the monkey is on the back.

I think we should live in a windmill.

Listening to the St Nikolas.

Our advent candles and the kids craft creations from the windmill market.

Kids cleaning their boots for St Nikloas.