Carpenter German Adventure

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Jack's First Piano Recital!

On Friday, May 27th, Jack played in his first piano recital. It was held in the Orchestra Room at the International School, and there were 23 students who participated, a few of whom were incredibly talented - inspirational. Jack's piano teacher, Oscar, comes from Mexico and is, among other things, a skilled digeridoo player - he just released a CD - Del Silencio - www.delsilencio.nl. (Yes, Palisades neighbors, just like Monte Grigio!)

Our whole family, including Jen, had front row seats for the event. Jack played 2 songs - Money Can't Buy Everything and Seaside Stroll. One was a duet with Oscar.

Being the family member who hides under the coffee table when the doorbell rings, Jack was not excited about being the center of attention. For the three weeks leading up to the event, whenever the subject of the recital came up, he moaned, "Do I haaave to go? But whhhhhyy?" We were not so sure how the evening would play out (no pun intended.). Jack was the second performer, and when his turn came, he marched right up without missing a beat, and played his songs most beautifully! We were very proud!

Jack and I spent the morning after poring through old piano music from my childhood and playing the songs together that I played in my first piano concert when I was his age. Indeed a trip down memory lane!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day 2011!!

Happy Valentine’s Day from a cold and wet Amsterdam! For those of you who last heard from us when we lived in Germany, well…we have news! In August, we moved to the Netherlands to continue our European adventure!! We both have new jobs with the same companies…John is the engagement manager on the global Shell (Oil) account for Microsoft Consulting Services and I am responsible for Mattel’s Northern European business. Life is full and crazy busy!

And then we have the boys.

With their pumpkins outside our home in the Netherlands

Jack just turned 7, and is in the first grade at the International School of Amsterdam (ISA). He’s not sure if his favorite thing in the whole world is playing computer games or eating tacos…guess if he could do the two together life would be perfect. He is a busy guy – taking piano and tennis lessons, playing basketball, and becoming quite the swimmer. The schools in Holland require students to take a swim class due to all the water throughout the country. He misses his friends from California and Germany, but we’re able to schedule a few visits, and Skype helps.

Jack with his zwarte Pieten hat celebrating Sinter Klaas in Holland

Running on the rocks of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Jack on the back of the sled with Erik in Austria

Luke is 3, and in Preschool 1 at ISA. His favorite thing is playing with whatever toy Jack has. :-)He is our little lovebug, always willing to give a hug and a kiss. We had quite a scare with Luke in October – following a terrifying trip to the ER, a night in a Dutch hospital and a trip to the UCLA Children’s Hospital in LA, we learned he’s allergic to tree nuts. (You might be wondering why it took so much effort to diagnose something so common...yeah, healthcare just isn't the same in a foreign country.) Since then, we’ve not had any episodes, but we pack our Epi-pens just in case!

At the lake in Texas

Luke on his way to school

Netherlands jam session

We wouldn’t be able to function without Jennifer, our live-in au pair, from North Carolina. She helps us keep our sanity by picking up the kids every day, and ensuring our household runs smoothly. We love her!

Gail and Jen at Gaudi's Park Guell in Barcelona

We spent most of our vacation days moving to Amsterdam, and traveling to Texas, though we did manage our annual ski trip to Austria, as well as visits to Disneyland Paris, Barcelona, Switzerland and a lovely week in a Tuscan villa with our Palisades neighbors, the Haggenmillers. And we were very happy to share our new city with friends from California and Germany.

In Barcelona, at Park Guell

Gail and Luke with Buzz Lightyear at Disneyland Paris

John apres-ski

In Hamburg, Germany with friends celebrating the Christmas season

We wish you a very healthy and happy 2011, full of love and friendship! Hope to see you soon!

John, Gail, Jack & Luke Carpenter

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday at the North Sea

Today was one of the few sunny days we’ve had since we moved to the Netherlands, and we took advantage of the opportunity to head to the beach! It’s been a while since we lived close enough to the ocean to enjoy it at a moment’s notice. And this is a special weekend because our German neighbors, Guido and Iris, are visiting, so we loaded up the cars and drove about 40 minutes west to Zandvoort, on the coast of the Nord Zee.

Thanks to Iris, we packed the boys’ Wellingtons, which allowed Jack to enjoy the surf – ran kicking through the water like, well, a little boy.

Luke wasn’t so sure about the water – clearly he’s forgotten his origins in Pacific Palisades, and the lake in Texas.

The beach was much like California, though really windy. Oh, and there were food stands selling all types of sea food along the water (like the California “roach coaches”) that are pulled down onto the beach by huge tractors (which you can see in the picture below).

We had a lovely day, and now head home, with sand in our hair and smiles on our faces!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Tooth Fairy Visits!

While we were in Italy at the end of June, we noticed Jack's first "permanent" tooth peeking through his bottom gums...BEHIND his baby teeth. As soon as we returned from holiday, we visited the dentist, full of apprehension. (OK, Jack was fine, but I was full of apprehension.) Indeed, the baby tooth had to go to make room for the adult tooth. So, after a bit of creme was applied to the gum to kill the pain, the baby tooth was wrenched from its home. :-( Jack was not so happy, but I was relieved it was done. Jack was very brave, and we celebrated with some gelato, which always seems to make everything much better.

We left with our tooth in a handy little sealed pouch, and happily put it under the pillow for our first Tooth Fairy visit.

We wondered if the Tooth Fairy would find us in this faraway land, but she had no problem. And apparently, in Germany, first teeth are worth 2 Euros and a sword. :-)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Happy Belated Valentine's Day 2010!!

Happy (belated!) Valentine's Day! Hard to believe we've lived in Germany almost two years now - the time has flown by - and we've learned a few things. Here are the highlights:

1. The Deutsch are ALWAYS on time. Us? California time. Fashionably late. Witness our Valentine's Day greeting. :-) Guess that German punctuality hasn't "taken" yet...

2. Ski holidays are a big deal in Europe, best booked a year in advance. (Yeah, after #1 above, you can imagine how challenging it is for us to actually plan a year in advance...but we're getting the hang of it where vacations are involved!)

Jack learned if you sled down a hill with reckless abandon, cut across the (verboten) ski area and head for the parking lot, you will, indeed, sled into oncoming traffic!

Note the parking lot at the bottom of the hill

We've found a fabulous "kinder hotel" in Austria with an amazing waterslide, and a ski class for Jack complete with slalom style race at the end. Jack seems to have the snow ski gene – he came in 3rd after only 3 days of lessons!

3. We learned the Germans LOVE a good festival, no matter the weather, and they are best experienced with friends.

In Wiesbaden.

In Frankfurt with the Coles (from our LA neighborhood) and our neighbors, Guido and Iris
Marquardt (Iris behind the camera!)

4. We learned Luke had not been vaccinated for chicken pox - not something we wish to repeat.

5. We’re not qualified yet to run a B&B, but we sure like trying! We had visits from many friends this year...a good time was had by all, especially those with low expectations of room service!

...our annual visit with the Hellers in October.

Jack & Luke drive the tractor with Parker & Jeffrey Ehlers in August.

Enjoying Federweisser at a local winery with college friend Chris Farney and Jeff...

...with the (2nd generation) Patridges ...

The Ehlers & Kuhlenschmidts...a St. Matthews reunion!

...Granna and Poppa came to visit in August...

Building a fort with Uncle Carl Morrison...before the sword sharpening training ;-)...

Some things never change - with best friend from college, Karen Heller Morrison and food (lecker flammkuchen!)

...with Godmothers, Susan and Helen Love-Cooksey...

7. We learned the magical age of iPod watching is about 2 years old...which made our flights to Texas during the year to visit the family much more tolerable...

...with Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe Nicklo...