The Christmas Market officially opened yesterday!

I stopped here first for a bratwurst sandwich. 

I missed my opportunity to buy a kartoffelpuffer (fried potato patty with apple sauce on an edible wafer plate) during the Heidelberg Herbst, so I bought one here.

Alli, Hannah, Lauren, and Madison win the Superman Award for November 25!

The ladies of Room13B win the Superman Award for showing the most improved room since the previous week.

Meeting the students' parents - Part II

Since my previous post about meeting the parents of 10 students, I have met the parents of 5 more students.

On October 23, I met Bryan's mom while he facetimed her.  I had knocked on his door to offer cookies.  When I learned he was facetiming his mom, I had to rave to her about Bryan's great work as an R.A.

On October 24, I met Alexa's parents while she skyped them in the breakfast room.  I had walked down to the breakfast room to put something in the student kitchen.  Upon learning that she was skyping her parents, I poked my head in front of her computer screen to say hi to her parents. We chatted. They told me a vendor on the border between France and Germany gave Alexa a matching bracelet to go with the necklace she bought from him because her speaking in German impressed him.  I enjoyed chatting with Alexa's parents.

On November 23, Tawni leaned into my apartment and announced that her mom was in the house. I invited Tawni and her mom to sit in my living room.  Tawni's mom is an alumna of the Heidelberg Program.  She tells me that the visiting faculty apartment looks different from how it was when she was a student.  I believe her because Moore Haus underwent a renovation this past summer.

Hours after Tawni's mom left, I discovered a heartfelt note that she had written to me. I thanked her for her note the next night at the Thanksgiving meal at Essighaus.

On November 24, I met Mac's family at the Thanksgiving meal at Essighaus.  I invited them to come to Moore Haus to get a feel of our living environment.  I also invited them to make a stop at my apartment. I am glad they did both.

On November 28, I met Jack's family on the Hauptstraße as I walked to the classrooms.

In the evening they joined us for Christmas cookie frosting and tree decorating in the reception room of Moore Haus.

On December 2, I met Joe's parents at the Christmas dinner.  They are visiting from California.  

 I met Joe's fraternal grandfather about a year and a half ago.  I am glad I finally get to meet his parents.

   

Mac and me

Mac's mom took this picture of Mac and me.  I like it.

Thanksgiving meal at Essighaus tonight!

The panoramic view of the dinning room at Essighaus for our Thanksgiving meal. 

The manager welcomes us and proudly announces the Thanksgiving menu.

Tawni's mom, a Pepperdine and Heidelberg Program alumna, visiting from California, joins us for the Thanksgiving meal.  Dr. Sattler and Dr. Lerner have taught both Tawni's mom and Tawni.  (These two professors have also taught Sydney's parents and Meredith's parents.)

Mac's family, visiting from Colorado, joins us as well.

Mac's mom tells me she follows my blog.  (O.K., a total of 5 people now follow my blog.) 

Buttery green beans, buttery mashed potatoes, buttery corn on the cob, and sweet potatoes with marshmallow on top.

Two of the seven small turkeys prepared for us.

Hannah shows delight with the Thanksgiving spread.

The men stay seated until the women get their food first.

Michael and Sam

Rudy and Madison

Tanner frowns because he does not have his food yet.

A Thanksgiving plate.

Jack and Bryan cross arms in eating their pumpkin pie.

Is Dylan in a food coma?

Hannah and her German language tandem partner

Tanner reigns as Champion Eater.

We enjoy our meal.  We enjoy each other's company.  We are thankful for each other.

White chocolate coconut macadamia cookies for Sydney's birthday (November 24)

To prepare for Sydney's birthday today, last night I baked what she had requested: white chocolate coconut macadamia cookies.  Joel and Omar could hardly wait until today to eat the cookies. so they sneaked  a few of the cookies last night.

A plate of the cookies for Sydney

Sydney with Omar, the Bearer of Birthday Cards.

Baywatch Manny in November

I have heard that the American T.V. show Baywatch is called Malibu in Germany.  Instead of going by "Malibu Manny," my boy can go by "Baywatch Manny."  

Manny's foster mom sent me these Baywatch pictures of him from this past weekend.

So handsome with the wind blowing against his hair.

Poised to rescue a drowning victim.

The Baywatch run in the water.  (Pippin, his best friend, stands nearby.)