SHAFFHAUSEN

Today, Lia and I took the boys to see the Rheinfalls (the largest waterfall in Europe, volume-wise) and we also discovered the village of Shaffhausen.  The waterfalls were certainly impressive, although it was packed with tourists.  We did walk through a very eclectic museum that told the story of the waterfalls through the ages-about the trade that occurred near it and of the many famous artists who have been inspired to create an impressive variety of artistic renderings of it.  However, the highlight of the day was visiting Shaffhausen.  It had a beautiful old town with a great pulse, but it wasn't saturated with tourists.  We hiked up a steep hill laden with switchbacks to get to the Munot, a fortress built in the 16th century to overlook the city.  It is surrounded by vineyards.  Both the structure (we got to walk up a spiral cobblestone ramp to the top) and the views of the city and countryside from it were spectacular.  We also visited Shaffhausen's romanesque-style Cathedral, built in 1103.  The courtyard was stunning, and watching Isaac step in-between all of the shadows of the columns lining the courtyard as we walked around it-(as if he was stepping on stones of light)-was one of my favorite Mom moments of the day.

RIDING AN ASIAN ELEPHANT IN SWITZERLAND

Luke is attending the local Swiss school.  He has been doing fabulous with the adjustment and I'm hoping he gets fluent in German (or rather, Swiss-german) sooner than later so he can translate for me-or at least read cooking directions on food packaging to me!  One of the differences of Swiss school that is working in his favor is the schedule.  He gets out of school everyday from 11:45 to 1:45 for lunch and goes back for afternoon class on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays he doesn't have to go back.  He is a free man by 11:45!  So, on a Wednesday afternoon-Lia and I took the boys to Rapperswil, a charming village on the southern tip of Lake Zurich.  We toured the small castle, and a church, and then decided to head to a children's zoo that we heard was there.  An unexpected and surprisingly random highlight of the outing was that Lia and Luke and Isaac got to ride on an Elephant!  Wow, riding on an Asian Elephant in the Swiss alps...not bad for a regular 'ole school day afternoon.

BA BA BLACK SHEEP

Aunt Lia has been a real doll.  She has helped me finish putting the place together, been amazing with the boys, and as always has been awesome company-sharing her great positive energy.  She has lived with us in Atlanta for two summers while working at an internship, so the boys really consider her a part of the family.  
The hardest part about Lia coming is that she has to leave...we really would
 just love her to stay because she fits right in!  And, now that the boys have gotten used to her extended stays, anything less than a month just feels like a tease.  BUT, we are grateful for any time with her and have been having a blast.  If you are reading this, Lia, thanks so much for coming and helping!  On the first day of Lia's visit, she was looking off the front deck across the street at our neighbors-a little flock of jet black sheep.  She was pretty tired from the time change, and she looked at me and said, "Is that little lamb wearing a rain jacket...or was it just born?"  Turns out, it was just born!  He was still stuck in the amniotic sac.  The boys (and Lia and I) were amazed as we got to watch him take his first wobbly steps.  What a treat.  Switzerland is feeling more quaint by the minute!