Christmas is Coming!

Last weekend we got our Christmas tree and had some extra help with decorating it - in the form of Jonah, our friend's kid, who we were looking after (as well as their dog) for the weekend.

The kids actually did a really good job on the lower branches and they had a ball!

If only we were as photogenic as the kids

Flynn's Birthday

Our beautiful big boy turned 7 in November

The morning started with a cupcake and candle, then Flynn's requested breakfast - baked beans, toast and fried egg - with a chocolate fluffy.

For lunch he requested Pad Thai (thai noodles) and for dinner, Sushi. That's one boy who enjoys his food!

It was presents before school

Lego, always a hit!

A cool NZ t-shirt!

Some great books! (Benjy does his Captain Underpants impression)

And birthday cake number one

Benjy hates sushi but a bowl of pasta gets a grin

Boy do we love birthdays!

A couple of days later we had the party at the same indoor playground as last year, Nepomuks, in Germany. The kids LOVE it!

Cake time again!

Later, outside to try out the new remote-controlled car

Flynn had a great birthday and loved his presents and cards, thanks to everyone for those!

Herbstmesse (Autumn Fair)

One of the reasons we love Autumn here is the Herbstmesse - the Autumn fairs, which are on at four different sites across the centre of Basel.

This Autumn has been amazingly mild which has made the fairs all the more enjoyable. Some years it has been so cold we were in full hats, gloves and snow-regalia.

Setting off on the tram

Ah joy!

There is an enclosed kids' area at one of the fairs, which you pay to enter but once within, the kids are free to do whatever rides and activities they want, free.

We love it here as we can sit with a Gluhwein (mulled wine) while the kids run off and play.

Pizza making

The kids start by grinding the grain into flour!

They have a castle, dress-up costumes and a knight that rides around on a mechanical horse chasing and sword-fighting with the kids! They loved it.

There was a very long wait in the queue for candle-making

But finally the boys were up

Outside this kids' area is the main fair with all the rides and stalls 

We never get sick of the Herbstmesse!