We celebrated Jackson’s 4th birthday on Saturday!  For months he has been asking for a camping party. I browsed a few blogs to find some ideas and here is what we ended up with!

there were big storm clouds all day so Seth put the tent up in the living room

I made fish using cardboard and duct tape. We put magnets in at their mouths. Unfortunately we used a metal bucket which more often caught the “hook” than the fish

One of Jackson’s friends father makes amazing cakes. He brought a chocolate truffle cake. I had things ready to toss on the top for decorating. We found marzipan rocks at a shop here that looked like real rocks!

Nama read Curious George Goes Camping in the tent!

overseeing gift opening

And due to the weather and being nervous about lighting a fire with a bazillion kids we continued the fun and on Sun night we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores!

At bedtime after the party Jackson was already brainstorming next yrs party. I didn’t have the heart to tell him we will be living out of suitcases, moving who knows where and that his guest list would be none of the kids from this party. Each yr is quite different for him. Proud of the little guy he is growing into!!

I am backtracking big time. Somehow I forgot to put up some pics of our 4th of July festivities. We had a VERY low key celebration this year. Seth had to work a fancy work party for the Swiss but when he got home we grilled and had a homemade cherry pie. We tried to make it as American as possible! It was kind of a homesick day. Since Swiss National Day is coming up Seth was able to find some mini fireworks. The only funny thing about the fireworks is that they were silent….I guess so as not to disturb your neighbors.

when I asked Jackson why he thought I was cutting a star in the top he replied with great enthusiasm “because Daddy is a rockstar?!” We have been out of the US way too long apparently when our child is this confused on the 4th. Not that Seth isn’t a rockstar, because he is but he doesn’t have a National holiday for being one…yet.

Owen held Jenny’s hand during our mini fireworks show. He wasn’t so sure.

Jackson of course loved it!

Looking forward to spending our next 4th in the US of A!

We said goodbye yesterday to my cousin Jenny. She spent a month with us here in Switzerland! It was so fun having her around and getting to visit parts of Switzerland with her.  She survived having two adopted siblings (mostly thanks to our baby gate that at least allowed her to occasionally escape) and I think even had a little fun with them.  The boys loved following her around so much that they are still looking for her even after she is gone. Jenny, we hope you made lots of fun memories and enjoyed the break from Indiana!! Come visit anytime.

Here are some picture highlights from her time here with us!

“Bye Jenny, we’ll miss you!”

Last Saturday we took a short day trip to take Jenny to Ballenberg. It is a giant farm museum with farm buildings representing the regions of Switzerland. We barely got through a 4th of it because it was so big. They have bread-making, farm animals, old homes, displays of traditional Swiss farm fashion…they most certainly did not call it farm fashion but you get the idea, carpentry, pottery and on and on. If you are interested in learning more about it here is the site.

Here are some pictures from our day….

The highlight of the day for Owen was playing with the cowbells

(this picture is for my sister-in-law Claire….if I am remembering right she loves poppy’s)