Trip of the 3 Bs, Part One

The kids had a week off from school the last week of February so we decided to explore more of Europe.  Lots of planning later we had our itinerary and were ready to go.  Our trip affectionately became known as the Trip of the 3 Bs.  We planned to go to Berlin, Brugge and then Brussels.

At the airport the boys heard the announcement to guard your bags and took it seriously.  :)  They told me they were ready to do Taekwondo against any bad guys.

After arriving in Berlin it was pretty cold but we did our best to have fun and explore the city and all its amazing history.  The walk from the apartment we rented had some giant almost playground type features so of course we had to stop for a few minutes.  

 The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe was both beautiful and haunting.  Located next to the US Embassy in Berlin it contains 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights.  The site is remember the more then 3 million Jews killed during WWII.  It was amazing to see the shear size of it.

Next we walked down to the Brandenburg Gate, one of those recognized landmarks in Berlin.  It was started in 1788 and lead to the Royal Palace.  Since then it was isolated and inaccessible because of the Berlin Wall.  The gate got lots of media coverage when the Wall came down since it was so close to it.  

It was bitter cold, but trust me, Charlotte is in there under all those layers.

 After a quick stop for some hot chocolate to warm up it was on to the Reichstag building.  The reconstruction really made this building impressive to look at.  We had hoped to go in and see Berlin from the glass and steel dome on top, but the line was long and kids were fading.  

 Super Charlie was spotted in Germany.

A rare picture of Bryce smiling....

Ohh wait...back to normal....

Charlotte decided that Daddy was cold and needed her scarf.

Another rare picture, Sean and I without the kids.  Of course I don't know why my hand looks like I'm going shooting him.

Shopping! ;)

I decided to have a little fun messing with the boys.  I told them on Saturday that I was going to take them shopping for clothes.  Said it was going to be hours and hours of trying things on and walking around the mall.  Poor Bryce at one point started crying, he does NOT like shopping.  After we got to the mall and ate lunch I told them not to worry too much, we were really just going to see the new Star Wars movie that they wanted to see.  

Shock and minds blown.

And of course no movie date is complete without ice cream afterwards.

 

Charlie got her own special Daddy Date and I think there was donuts involved. 

February Brings a Break in the Weather

 Middle of February and the weather wasn't too cold so our neighbors suggested a hiking location that was near our house.  It was a gray day with clouds which made it so beautiful!

Of course someone has short legs so I got an extra good workout by carrying her up most the way.  :)

The hike had amazing views of where they used to quarry for marble.

Let them have a silly face or two and then I can get a shot of their sweet smiles.

At the top of our hike we discovered an old church built into the mouth of a cave.

Time to do some cave exploring!

 

The rocks were covered in green from all the recent rain and dampness.  Made them seem like they were glowing.

The little church still contained icons.  While most the time in Greece buildings and locations will get covered in spray-paint or vandalized, people will NOT do anything to damage a church.

We had lunch and a show getting to watch rock climbers working their way up.  The kids thought it was so exciting and kept waving at them.

The way back down was just as beautiful. 

 On Valentines Day Charlotte brought this home from school for me.  Her preschool has Cookery once a week and whatever they make comes home to be shared with the family.  Well, this week they made their moms chocolate truffles!  

This school sure knows the way to my heart!  :)

School!

Today, Feb 1st, it became official......Charlie started school!  She was so excited that she kept trying to run for the door!

Though I did managed to get her to slow down enough to take pictures of her with her brothers.

Front door of the Junior School.  Have a great first day baby girl!!

Way to end the month

The end of Jan actually brought us some snow!  Of course it didn't last long but it was pretty.

Charlie and I also spent a bit of time at Campion because in Feb our baby is starting school!  Having her start school and be in the same place as her brothers was amazing.  She loved being able to see her brothers during the day.

Crazy faces in her new school uniform.

Showing off the olive trees at school.

Can't believe my baby is so very grown up.  A few minuets of tears, but she loved it!