Rhodes5 in Deutschland: Random happenings...

It has been a busy month here with lots of activities. We just finished up Homecoming Week, Mia's school is in full swing, with her first set of pop quizzes behind her (which is a huge relief - for a few days anyway:-)). Camden has been busy with "Raider Team" which is like an intense military type- fitness training, including lifting weights, rope climbing and running. The first sports Season is almost over and I am trying not to wish this time away too quickly. It is really fun to see your kids grow into young adults. High School provides lots of opportunities and as often as I complain about it, I am seeing how grateful I am that they have this opportunity. I am trying to cherish this time, as I know next year a HUGE piece of my heart will be mising in my daily life!

It was very exciting - even though Bailey doesn't turn 18 until 5 days before the election, she was still able to vote Absentee.

It has been very interesting living over here during this election... to say the least!!!

Nothing like getting a random phone call from my friend from Hong Kong, offering to bring us Spring Rolls at lunchtime, simply because she made too many! So delicious and so grateful!!!!

And of course here is Bamberg (just because you haven't seen enough photos of the city ;-)). Always beautiful and always bustling!

Forever grateful that this remains part of our lives!

In one recent poll, Bamberg was chosen as the second happiest city in all of Germany!!!

The Bier might help with the happiness level :-) We met some friends for the famous Bock Bier at Schlenkerla.

And while she can drink (if she wants), she STILL can't drive yet. Bailey started taking a few driving classes here. So funny - she gets to practice driving in a BMW. This was funny too. The instructor only speaks German, and the entire time he chatted with her about the American Presidential Election. She kept wondering "do I turn left or right" and he kept on chatting and asking, "What do you think about this or that....?"

And did you read the news headline about the disaster with 22 kids on the train carrying Hammers? No, because even though there WERE 22 kids on the train carrying hammers, there were no problems at all. Once again (like the "bring a 3 inch blade sharp knife" to school for cooking class in 3rd grade), the kids were required to meet at the train station in the morning and told to make sure to bring their own hammer! Watch out for this crazy girl on the loose!

And these are the fossils that Mia found on the above field trip (using the hammer). Pretty cool!

We weren't able to take pictures of the inside because of privacy rules, but a couple of my friends and I went to a Salt Grotto (see the picture in the background). Definitely an interesting experience. Basically, you lay in a reclining chair all wrapped up in a warm blanket for an hour breathing in the air from the salt walls. Not sure if the health and safety inspectors would let that fly in the US! I couldn't tell if it was really good for you or really bad for you - yikes!

And here is a "Killer Clown" that we found in the woods near our house :-)

Our crazy bunch! Camden's expression is like "wait - what the heck are you doing Mom???"

Bailey's last home game/home coming/ and senior recognition day all rolled into one. Such a fun day and Vilseck had a huge win over Wiesbaden to boot!