On Friday evening our family participated in Jackson’s class lantern parade. His preschool class made lanterns and walked around the neighborhood near the school singing and shining their lights. I asked the teacher what the history of the tradition was and she said she had no idea. So, sorry I have no idea where the tradition comes from but it was fun!

so much for all of the matchy ,matchy winter gear. I got the boys all set with hats, gloves and scarves and we battle everyday for them to wear them. A Swiss friend offered Jackson this hat/scarf/earmuffs which he happily wears!! Thank goodness we found something he doesn’t find too itchy!!

brrrrr! so cold!

Twinkle Little Star

rollin’ with it…cold and tired!

If I am honest it was fun for Jackson but a very frustrating night for Seth and I as parents! There was confusion with the director on whether or not Jackson was coming so she didn’t have his lantern ready like the other kids. Thank goodness some sweet teachers found a stick like the other kids after the director told me to go out in the dark and find him one. It’s a long story but all of it made me so happy about our decision to return stateside for a bit. I get so weary of the cultural hurdles and mama bear comes out when I feel like we are treated differently….and with little respect. Just so happy that I can walk into kindergarten with Jackson next year and just be one of the parents with one of the kids.

For the past month or so there has been a really neat, FREE light show in downtown Bern. The laser light show is done using the gorgeous parliament building (The Bundeshaus) as the backdrop. It is so creative!! We went when it first started and really enjoyed it but didn’t have our camera. So Sunday night after church we bundled up and took Nana downtown for the show.   With the camera this time. These pictures won’t do it justice because they obviously lack the music, motion and bitter cold!

looking a bit like an orphan. He didn’t want his hot dog at dinner so I wrapped it in foil and he ate it during the show!

snowing!

my favorite. They had kids voices going during this hand print and color splash part!

Our friend Daniela and her baby Anna joined us for the show..Daniela offered Nana translation and insight for all of the Swiss German!

If you happen to be local, head downtown and check it out!

All of you know by now that my Nana came a little over a week ago to have a Swiss adventure…read here if you missed the whole story! Don’t get confused by the title of the post linked….Nana isn’t a spider. You’ll have to read to catch up! 

Slowly we are getting into a new routine and trying to balance her desire to get out of the house with the need to also rest and lay low. It makes life more than interesting. I often find myself pushing the stroller with Owen bucking in the stroller seat, Jackson on one side hoping to speed up and Nana on the other struggling to hold tight enough. We are quite a spectacle for the Swiss to behold!

Last week Nana got to experience play dough time with the boys, lots of book reading, an outing to the river, raclette, dinner at a beautiful lookout restaurant and then after church on Sunday night we walked her downtown to see the Rendevous Bundeshaus light show! Here are some pictures from her first week in Switzerland!

playdough time!

Owen sticks closer than a brother! He is Nana’s watchdog!

rock throwing demo for Nana…don’t worry dad he looks closer to the edge than he is!

raclette night

looking innocent…she tends to get them riled up and gets Owen wrestling her!

evidence!

and this is just tiny sneak peak at the light show!! More to come on this…maybe tomorrow!

So that catches you up on our week! I will try to stay up with uploading pictures because I know many of you that know and love Nana would love to see what she’s up to!

he looks so little yet feels so big!

brothers

helping with leaves

looks like he caught something….all of the trees look like they are leaning with him!

he wrapped it up and slipped it into his pocket

hope you don’t mind the company fisherman! they were hooked!