LUZERN

In honor of Luke's seventh birthday, we took a trip to Luzern with some Swiss friends.  They were kind enough to meet us at the main train station (Zurich HB), and escort us to Luzern.  It was a scenic ride on the train, and when we got there, we just let them lead us through town (stopping to feed some swans), on a bus, and to a fantastic interactive transportation museum geared towards families.  What a perfect place for a boy to spend a birthday weekend!  We learned all about trains, trams, cable cars, planes, cars, construction vehicles, bikes, spacecraft, hot-air balloons, paragliders, boats, and believe-it-or-not, even more!  It was an exceptionally well done museum, and our day was spent with exceptionally friendly people.  We had a great time, and the views of Lake Luzern and the mountains served to whet our appetites for another visit.  We'll be back, Luzern...we can't wait.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...MAKE A WISH?!?

Luke turned 7 today.  I cannot believe it!  S-E-V-E-N.  How is that possible?  We are still living with our bare essential rental furniture, and do not have our things yet, so it is pretty sparse around here.  (I did smuggle in a cake mix and some frosting for Luke's birthday in my luggage)  I ran to Migros today (the local supermarket) to buy a hand mixer, a cake pan, some cake decorating supplies, and some candles.  We had a lovely birthday dinner (he requested Spaghetti...thank you Giada for your easy recipe) and then got all set to sing "happy birthday" with his cake....stop the music...I forgot to buy matches!!!  It was too late to run to the store to buy any...in our lovely Switzerland everything closes by 6:30...so our little trooper Luke smiled for the camera, and pretended to blow out 7 flameless candles.  He is so great, he just laughed about it and was as good natured and flexible as ever.  I felt terrible!   I guess turning seven in the Swiss Alps might make up for the forgotten candles a little bit...I hope.  Here's to Luke, and to his seventh year that will be full of European adventures!  I love him so much.

SWEETNESS

I was tucking in Isaac tonight, and he got up to pull three tiny, wilted flowers out of his jeans pocket that he picked for me at school.  I am still melting.