Strawbery Banke

Our next stop last Friday was Strawbery Banke Museum. We have visited this museum several times, last time around Christmas for a Candle light stroll. It is always a great experience to step back in time even for just few hours. Again we obtained tickets through our local library (all of us got in for free). The rain was still holding off but the ground was very wet from the previous night.

The girls enjoying tea time.

At a lovely garden.

Sundial but with no sun we had no clue what time it was.

Tavern.

Oldest structure dating from 1695 (that is old for Americans).

 Our last stop was a new exhibit at the museum with hands on activities and what kid doesn't like to put their fingers on things.

Store

Emma sweeping.

Lets see how this thing works.

Nate in the kitchen.

Emma sweeping the kitchen. I will have to get her a broom so she can put her new skill to use at home :)

Seacoast Science Museum

We have been back home a little over a week and rainy weather has followed us back home. In the beginning it didn't matter since we were busy getting back to our routines, doing laundry, finishing up school, playing with toys etc. 

Last Friday I couldn't take the rain anymore. I decided to head out no matter what since the kids and I were getting claustrophobic. Even with rain (no surprise there) in the forecast we were heading out. We took advantage of our local library and checked out a couple of passes to local museums on the coast and made a day out of it on Friday. We packed raincoats, umbrellas, snacks and headed out into the rainy world. 

Our first stop was Seacoast Science Museum. It is a small museum on the shore but with plenty of educational material for the kids (and adults).

 

One of the the kids favorite thing was the touch and feel water tank with live sea creatures.

Blue crab. The museum also has a blue lobster but that one was hiding from us while we were there.

The boys with whale's teeth.

Whale's skeleton.

Outside waiting for the rain. As you can see the clouds were everywhere.

Sam trying to pick up an anchor.

I did miss the smell of the ocean while we were gone. Now if the sun would come out the summer would be almost here :)

Zurich - Switzerland

On our way back home we had a layover in Zurich, Switzerland. We landed early so we made a day of it in the city (the airport is only 10 minutes train ride to downtown Zurich). We have been looking forward to this adventure since we booked the tickets for our Europe trip. 

We were blessed last week with a beautiful sunny day and after purchasing our Zurich passes and getting into the city we headed to the lake for a boat ride where were rewarded with a view of Alps. I believe we were all impressed with their size. 

 We took an hour and a half boat ride on a lake Zurich. We had lunch there and enjoyed the views around us. (Tip for traveling. Pack your own empty water bottles and fill them at the airport. You will save your self a lots of $$. Grandma also packed a lunch for us and we saved even more $$ that way. Just in case you didn't know Switzerland is very expensive).

 Like I said it was a beautiful day and there were many people out enjoying the sun.

I have been blessed with great kids. They love to travel and explore new adventures. They also love each other very much. They do have their moments but they will stand together.

Jo was looking for the I am so bored look. Don't let her fool you. She had a great time.

Picture with a Swiss flag. After we landed back home Emma pointed out an American flag and was so excited to see it. She said:"look mommy, that's our flag". I guess after a month traveling the feeling of being back home feels good.

In the city. Switzerland is a very clean city with lovely people. I was surprised how many people there smoke. People all over Europe are very heavy smokers and that is one thing we will not miss for sure.

We stopped at Grossmunster church (thanks Suzzane for the recommendation) to admire its stained glass windows.

We also visited Uhrenmusum Beyer to see a little of Switzerland watch history. The cheapest watch there was CHF 1,000 (a little over $1,000) Let just say I didn't come home with a new watch. 

We ran out of time to visit famous Sprungli but I did buy some at the airport and we will all enjoy it when we get home. 

We had a great day. We didn't get lost and we didn't loose anybody. We made it back to the airport on time (big relief to Fil) and headed back home to Fil who was waiting for us.

It is good to be home :)

By the way on this trip I realized that the boys can travel on their own. I knew before they are fine at the airport (where everything is in English among other languages). They figured out everything in Zurich on their own. It didn't bother them that everything was in (Swiss) Standard German, Zurich German (Züritüütsch) and Swiss German. They took a map and on their own found out what train, then what tram and what direction to go. What time the boat was leaving and they did way better then I did at the Zürich Hauptbahnhof with its 60 platforms. I kind of took their word for it where to go and we made it to the airport without any mistakes. Way to go boys!!! 

Good bye Prague

At the Prague castle.

A week ago we said good bye to Prague. We took a nice last walk through the city in the morning with the grandparents. I will miss these walks a lot.

Being goofy for the video camera

 We stopped at the Steiger Toy Museum.

Toy robots. Did you know that the word "robot" has its origin from Czech language?

I believe the dolls were a hit with the girlies. Some of them were as tall as they are!

View of the St. Vitus Cathedral.

Barbie

Charles Bridge. I used to walk across this bridge regularly. It is packed with tourists these days still it is something I do miss as well.

What can I say it was a sunny morning.

Good bye Prague (and Czech Republic) We sure hope to be back again!!!