Learning New Skills

Last week we finally had some cooler temperatures which was such a refreshing treat.   And despite Peter and I being down and out with a stomach virus for 36 hours each, we still managed to  have a fun weekend.   (Peter battled his virus in a hotel in Portugal and then brought it home to me.   The girls haven't gotten it yet, so we are keeping fingers crossed that they stay well.)    Susannah had a big break-through with her swimming lessons when she swam halfway across the big 25 m pool by herself, and SA is still learning new things everyday.   She is "cruising" along the furniture and wants to do everything her sister does.   She is especially interested in coloring and has been sitting at the "big girl table" in the playroom.   She eats the crayons more than she actually colors, but it is clear that sitting in a chair like her sister makes her feel very special and grown up.  

Here are the pictures from the week:

Sarah Avery can get in and out of the playhouse by herself now.   She and Susannah play together so much more now.    

Susannah mastered the big pool last week at swimming lessons.   She swam over half the 25 meters three different times.   

She was so proud, but so exhausted at the end of class.   

Peter brought this sled home from his run one morning and the girls LOVE it.   Maybe this winter we will have enough snow to really use it.  

Peter flew to Lisbon Wednesday afternoon so he took the morning off and let Susannah ride her bike to school.   (She had applied her own sunscreen to her face.  Can you tell?)

Saturday was a beautiful day.  Peter was over his stomach virus and it hadn't hit me yet, so we headed to the zoo after lunch.   Susannah wore her cat mask all day.

SA was intrigued.

Susannah enjoyed all the playgrounds at the zoo as much as she did the animals.  

And she never took that cat mask off one single time.   

The meer cats are always a hit.  

Susannah timed herself at the "are you faster than an emu exhibit?"   I don't think she is.   ;)

Sarah Avery liked checking out the big birds too.

And the polar bears were out and so fun to watch.

My favorite part of the Stuttgart zoo is, hands down, the gardens.   It is so beautifully and meticulously manicured.   The perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday. 

Both girls really enjoyed the aquarium.

This face cracks me up.

Two sisters checking out the fish.

After the aquarium, we found a spot of grass and had a little snack break.   

Susannah had a ball running barefoot.

Pure joy.

Here is one of the coloring sessions I mentioned.   

I can't get over how grown up SA looks in these pictures.  

As Sarah Avery grows and is more capable of destroying Susannah's stuff, it isn't always happy and rosy between these two.  

But in general, Susannah is still so patient with her and loves to teach her things.   

Sunday the stomach virus wiped me out so it became Daddy Day.    They all had a good time and went out to a couple of different parks.   Hope all of you had a nice week.   Lots of love from Stuttgart!