It is May...

yes, it is true and next thing we know school is out for the summer.  I say it all the time but where does the time go?  It obviously passes by so quickly as I can find more grey hairs on my head, and both girls keep on growing.  To me it is a little like a double edged sword - I love seeing them grow, getting more mature and independent but somewhat on the other side I want them to stay innocent children for as long as possible.  Don't get me wrong…I think {or at least hope}it must be a dilemma many parents face.

All of us have been super busy these last few weeks.  Mia Rose participated in the Talent Show at school dancing with two of her friends to Roar…oh yes,  this Mama is quite proud

Alena on the other hand has been enjoying Girls Inc. and was so inspired that she set up shop in front of our house to sell her handmade Rainbow loom bracelets.  She sold quite a few and no, not just to our friends :)  I watched everything from the inside, as I - bad me - caught myself starting to micro manage her little store…

The parental units have been busy with work; and now I almost forgot - yesterday was the day that both ladies finally got ear rings.  They had talked about it for so long, asked and they just caught Ron at the right time when he promised them "yes, Wednesday after work we will get your ears pierced".  Lucky girls - their Mama was not quite ready yet :)  Anyway we made our way down to the piercing studio, met Ron and now both of our girls have earrings.  Yes, they are super proud…and Daddy scored a lot of points from his girlies…

Snow Fun at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood & Pasta Alfredo {#milkfree}

How was your weekend?  We had a super long weekend here as Portland Public Schools was closed on Friday and yesterday {Monday} was Veteran's Day.  Friday was spent pretty much like any day; the girls did their homework while I also got some work done.  So we really did not - as the girls said - do anything fun on Friday.  Oh, those poor ladies....

You probably know that we like to spend time outside and I am getting really excited to go skiing again this winter; but you know comes with that, right?  Yup, sledding...we usually do not get snow in Portland but Mt. Hood is just a quick 1-1/4 hr drive away and luckily there is already snow at Timberline {which is as high as you can drive up with your car}.  Government Camp still is green...but up on Timberline perfect snow for sledding.  Well, of course also snowboarding as well as downhill skiing if that is your thing - we are more cross-country people.

 

Anyway - we packed snow pants, snow boots, and mittens for both ladies in anticipation to go sledding...and we were not disappointed.  Here is a short little video Ron took

Okay - if you are here for the Pasta Alfredo you are most likely ready to read about it.  Right?! Alright I will get to that part now.  It was already dark by the time we got home and I knew that the chicken was not ready for cooking; good thing there is always pasta, right?  I do get tired of pasta olio e'aglio and was trying to think of something else...Pasta Alfredo.  Yes, it must be possible to make it without "cow"milk...and let me tell you, yes it is :)  It was the very first time our girls ate Pasta in Alfredo sauce both asked "what is this white stuff?" they were hesitant at first but the absolutely LOVED it. It was a two serving dish for each girl and Ron was not disappointed either.

You may know that the girls are allowed to eat Parmesiano Regiano and I like to us it quite a bit as it is the  perfect way to add calcium to their diet.  I used plain Soy Creamer in lieu of the "cow" and together with Earth Balance it turned into a rich creamy Alfreado...I am so excited but {sad face} I do not have a good picture at all.  Just this...but it was so good

Pasta Alfredo {Milkfree}

• 1 box of your favorite pasta cooked according to directions
• 3 Tbs. Earth Balance {or your favorite vegan margarine}
• 2 Tbs. flour
• 2 C Soy Creamer {one full container be sure to use plain}
• 1 C Parmesiano Regiano grated
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 C fresh Italian parsley chopped
• Salt, Pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to directions; as pasta cooks prepare the sauce
2. Melt Earth Balance in a pan.  When melted carefully stir in flour creating a roux.
3. Slowly pour the creamer into the pan,  stirring the roux to eliminate and lumps 
4. Stir in Parmesiano Regiano, lemon juice as well as parsley
5. Add salt & pepper to taste
6. Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl; pour Alfredo sauce over pasta mixing it into the pasta.

Enjoy!

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup = memories of a castle hike {Hocheppan Alto Adige}

Oh the sweet memories of vacation...I am so glad that it is still summer, giving me time to recreate this delicious syrup.  Minty - yet lemony Mint & Lemon Balm Syrup; good things both are growing like weeds in our yard :)  The girls first taste of this delicious drink was at our hike to Hocheppan, Sued Tirol {Alto Adige}.  Let me just say it was a well deserved break - we hiked down a very steep canyon from Perdonig to Hocheppan then after a break continued on to Schloss Boymont and then back to Gasthof Steinegger our hotel. This was the longest, most difficult hike of our trip however it was so worth it; as a side note if you go on this hike be sure to wear sturdy shoes :).

Now take  a look at the castle {can you find Alena}....

There are not that many pictures of our hike as -
shame on me - the battery ran out -> ooops for not charging the battery properly....but Ron did make a video of Mia Rosie's favorite friend Sascha on the visit...

Anyways now we are back in Portland and I have memories of that delicious drink.  Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup in sparkling water - oh yes. I am happy to report, that the experiment of recreating the syrup worked out :)

We first harvested the herbs in our garden, washed the lemons, cut them, brought the mixture to a boil and let it sit for a couple of days....

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup

• 1 Bunch of fresh mint 
• 2 Bunches of fresh lemon balm
• 5 organic lemons washed, and sliced
• Large pot
• 10-3/4 C of water
• 4-1/2 lbs. sugar
• app. 5 wide mouth quart sized canning jars {I ended up with three jars and three bottles}

1. Rinse herbs, then pluck the leaves off and place in the large pot
2. Add the lemon slices, and water to the pot
3. Bring to a rolling boil, cover and remove from the heat
4. Leave covered for two days at room temperature.  Stir occasionally
5. Remove herbs, as well as lemons from the mixture.
6. Place the pot back on the stove, adding the sugar.  Bring mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently.  Boil for about 5 minutes then remove from the heat and fill the syrup into prepared jars and bottles. 
7. Prior to filling the jars and bottles, place cheesecloth on top of the jar/bottle.  Be careful not to burn yourself.  The syrup is very hot!
8. Add to Sparkling Water, or Prosecco, or White Rum, or.....the options are endless :)

Enjoy!

Last day of school interviews....

Remember our first day of school interviews from September 5th, 2012; well here we are in June 2013 and school is over for the summer.  I interviewed both girls in the morning of the last day of school...

Mia Rose talks about First Grade - and yes, she is super excited for summer break

Alena talks about Third Grade - she is also super excited for summer break

Mia Rose's tribute to her lost cat...{#video}

You may remember that we lost one of our cats in September of 2012; Mia Rose still misses our Zeppy and in her class she wrote a little book as a tribute to Zeppy.  Me - the mothership - thinks this is so sweet and this is why I am sharing it with you today...

#Video Mia Rose sings Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni Ya

Have I ever told you, that Mia Rose loves all things Chinese?  Well, she does and has it all figured out. When she is grown up she wants to live part of the time in China, part of the time in Porltand, and part of the time in Germany.  Yup - that is her plan :)

In school she gets about an hour of chinese lessons a week and for the Chinese New Year's Celebration the Chinese teacher performed this song with a bunch of 1st graders.  Since this has been Mia Rosie's favorite song and she sings it all the time.  Ron captured her perfectly - and if you watch until the end you can also see her Cross Country Skiing :) Thank you! ~ Signed by one very proud Mothership Bea

Alena's #story in #song {#Newbornscreening} #video

You may have read Alena's story before on my blog, or at another site - just in case you are not familiar {and are interested} here is our story again.  For the full story please click on this link, in a nutshell  at 6 days of life Alena's Newbornscreening test came back positive for Classic Galactosemia.  We were already in the hospital, the diagnosis came in, she was taken for a spinal tap, and by the next morning E.Coli had grown in her spinal fluid.  She seized, was transferred to the PICU {Pediatric ICU} where she was diagnosed with E. Coli Mengengitis which can {does not have to be} a effect of Classic Galactosemia, and the baby's exposure to Galactose {at least that is how I understand it - I am a Mom a layperson so double check with your physician}.  As far as I understand it is not understood why some babies with Classic Galactosemia develop E. Coli Mengengitis.  Let me just say that was THE worst moment of our lives.  We are so thankful for the Newbornscreen because without it Alena would most likely not have survived.

Now, what does this have to do with a song?  Well, Ron {my dear husband} makes New Years Resolutions {unlike me} and his 2012 goal was to write one, and publish one song a month.  Congratulations, Ron because you did it yay :) - I am not off topic - really just bear with me....for the December song of 2012 Ron put his recollection and memory of this frightful event into words.  You know, unlike me, he really does not like to talk about that time.  I am so glad he got it out - it is a song for me, for us, for our kids, and also to tell the world about the importance of Newbornscreening.  In his song, he put our fears into words and beautiful music. It brings me right back to that time and yes, it makes me cry....and yes, we are the lucky parents because our child survived.  Both of our children are alive because of Newbornscreening...Please share our story with your friends, those that are expecting babies, or those who just like to listen to music.

Alena's story by my dear husband...

Happy St. Nikolaus {St. Nicholas} Day {#video}

Do you know about St. Nikolaus?  We always celebrated "Nikolaus Tag" in Germany and think that many in the United States also celebrate it.  It is so fun...Nikolaus visits in the night from December 5th to the 6th and in anticipation for his visit we leave out our boot{s}.  To be sure that he has easy access to get to them we leave them out on the {covered} back porch.  The girls love it and the anticipation is high the night before he visits, and in the morning.  Will he visit?  Did he visit?  Is he still here?  Did he bring us something?  Or did he bring us "Ruten" {twigs}?  You get the picture, right?

He always used to leave little presents for me when I was a kid, but there was also always a "Rute".  The "Rute" was decorated with "snow" {cotton balls}, and chocolate...always fun...

St.Nikolaus visited...boots are filled

Alena and the "Rute"

So did he visit this year?  Yes, he did and the girlies were so happy. He brought little oranges, hazelnuts, a small ornament for each girl, a chocolate bar for Alena, a box of Tic Tacs for Mia Rose, a box of stickers for each girl, a mini eraser  AND...tahhhh-dahhhh a mini Rute.  The Rute was complete with "snow" and {dairy free} chocolate.  Whoo-hoo, where did he get it...well, I think there was some assistance from a glue gun and this mothership :)  Yup,  it was  is a lot of fun...

and here is Alena to tell you what happened today :)

Do you have a fun tradition?  I would to hear about it....   

Wonder what Mia Rose is #thankful for?

Here it is all documented on video - and would you please let her know what you are thankful for?  Just leave a comment :)

Oh, and yes that is Alena in the background....

#Thankful for #Newbornscreening {#video} by Alena

Here is Alena telling us what she is thankful for this 2012 Thanksgiving Holiday.  We took the video at our hike at Tryon Creek :)

Alena would really love to hear from you :)  Thank you!

Introducing the 2012 Jack-O-Lantern's #video

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch, Jack-O-Lantern Carrot Cake, and what is missing in this line up?  Right, the carved 2012 Jack-O-Lanterns.  Are the not scary? Take a look

And here are the four of us introducing to you our 2012 creations...

Alena carving her 2012 Jack-O-Lantern

Oh, and if you are not really into watching our video no need to fret...here are some more pictures...

Mia Rose and Ron carving their 2012 Jack-O-Lanterns

See the craft we made after school {#video}

We have been collecting chestnuts and today was finally the day the girlies together with a friend made magical crafts.  In the video the three girls introduce the fairies they made.  And yes,  all self created, and unrehearsed...just our healthy girls...

I know it is a little long, but they are so cute and unfortunately I did not have enough memory left so it cut off too early...Thank you for watching :)

#HappyBirthday Mom {Omi;Mama} - this post is for you

Today is my Mom's Birthday...at least it is still here in Portland, and this post is for my Mom, or Mama as I call her, Omi for the girlies, and Marianne for Ron.  Friends would you please join me in wishing my Mom a Happy Birthday from afar?  Thank you!!!

One of the hard things about living abroad for me is that we miss many birthdays.  Last year, we were able to celebrate with my Mom in the beautiful German alps, but this year...well, we are back in Portland, and my Mom is in Germany. In any case - Liebe Mama -  Happy, Happy Birthday - Alles, alles gute zu Deinem Geburtstag. I am so glad that you are my Mom - and I am happy that you spent a lovely birthday celebrating with friends.  Thank you so much for all you do for us, and for always believing in us!!!

Look Alena and Mia Rose are singing a song for you...{disclosure: this was not rehearsed as you all can easily tell}

Here is a cute picture of them

Oh, and here is the picture of the three of you...

one with Ron...

 and one with me...

Happy Birthday, Mama - we love you!

Back to school interview...

with our new third grader Alena, and with our new first grader Mia Rose.  Without anything else, here they are...Oh, and if you are wondering I interviewed both girls :)  And yes, both Alena and I revert to German a couple of times...

Alena

Mia Rose

I should have also done a "post first day of school interview".  Well let me summarize.  "It was great" - "It was a looong day" - "It's like camp" - "I had fun"....Yay!!!

Vesper - Dinner in Germany

A video taken by Ron at a spur of the moment before we had dinner in Germany....