Danube River Bike Ride

We enjoyed a lovely bike ride along the Danube River with our neighbors!

We started among the cornfields in the town of Freiningau about 45 minutes from our home and rode about 25 minutes to Melk. We saw plenty of corn and pumpkins growing, the beautiful Danube River between the rolling hills, and the stunning Melk Abbey. We stopped for ice cream at a little restaurant on the River, where the kids could play at the playground before we rode back!

I sometimes wonder— do my kids have any idea how lucky they are to be growing up here?!

How blessed we are!

New School Year in the Pandemic

While no FUS students can study in Gaming this semester, our children went back to school last week!

To monitor COVID-19, the country as a “traffic light” system. A region or school can be green, yellow, orange or red. When school started we were “green,” so everything started normally. But over the weekend we learned on Monday we will be elevated to “yellow” status — so elementary children will have to wear masks (I think everywhere except for in their classroom and outside).  Kindergarten children still do not need to wear masks, although parents entering the school building (which is still permitted, I believe, at this level) do have to wear a mask. I teach the Kindergarteners’ English lessons on Tuesday mornings—so I’ll find out!  It may be the case that in order to sing and move around we’ll have to have the lesson outdoors, which I wouldn’t mind given how lovely the weather is these days. 

So here we go school year... we’ll just see how it all goes!  The kids all look forward to going each day, especially Isaac (no tears from this first-timer), so we’re definitely off to a great start!

Enjoy the kids’ first day of school photos:

Ellie’s first day of Second Grade! 💞📚✏️ She wants to be a mom, homeschooling teacher & farmer when she grows up! 🤱👩‍🏫👩🏼‍🌾 School (at the Volksschule) started back normally, no masks, opening church service at the parish Catholic Church 🎉

Francis’ first day of his final Kindergarten year! 💙🧩🎨 He wants to a policeman, fireman, worker man, professional soccer player, and ninja when he grows up. He doesn’t want to get married. (He also noted that if you get “the corona” and you get married you’ll give it to them because you have to kiss on the lips.) 👮‍♀️👨‍🔧👨‍🚒 Isaac will join him at Kindergarten tomorrow, full immersion German-speaking, 3-6 year old Montessori style; it’s going to be a great year 🎉







Isaac’s first day of Kindergarten! 🧡🖍🚌 He was definitely ready to join his big brother at school & on the bus! He may not be sprechen Deutsch yet, but he loved it!🎉 I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up as we passed a field with cows— so, naturally, he responded that he wants to be a cow 🐮





















Clare is 13 months & loves wearing her sister’s clothes, being a chill baby, and taking her first steps when I’m not watching! 💗





❤️

Window Boxes, Firewood, Chimney Sweepers & Plums

Just a few of my favorite “almost Fall” things here in Gaming!

It’s our first year having window flower boxes with flowers that really grew!  Thanks to my neighbors who keeping them alive the seven weeks we were gone this summer!

It’s our sixth year (I can’t believe it!) having our firewood delivered by tractor - and I love seeing it every time! And am extremely thankful for all our neighbors who help move it into our garage - the kids enjoyed “helping” this year too :)

Not pictured, but the chimney sweepers came and did their job.  Inspecting and vacuuming our chimney. They come several times every fall & winter to inspect our fireplace (our only source of heat besides some tiny space heaters).  Only once a year they typically sweep the chimney & I love it (except for the black soot that get everywhere)!

Another favorite- plums!

It’s our second year being able to pick them from our friend’s garden. (Garden means yard here; plums grow on trees :)

It’s my first year cooking with plums. So far I’ve made a plum cake and plum jam! Both were a hit with the kids :)







💗

Maiszinken Date Hike

Brian, Clare & I enjoyed a beautiful morning hike!

We’re trying to make it a new routine—after the three big kids are off to school, we go for a walk and pray the rosary. 

We decided to change up our scenery on Friday and drive to nearby town of Lunz to hike up Maiszinken! If it weren’t for the cloud cover that morning, we would have been able to see the lake below! It was still beautiful though :) And refreshing to grab a drink from the top; I love the Austrian “beer wells”—which also have juice!

It’s very odd not having the students here this semester, and having Brian home a lot more, but we’re trying to enjoy all the unique blessings each day brings!