Our First Fasching

Fasching. I don't really know anything about it, but here is what I have gathered (without googling.) It is like a German Mardi Gras, it seems to go on for about a week on Thursday it was Women's Day, where apparently all of the women all go out partying and if they see a man with a tie on they cut it off. Thursday, Tess came home with her face all done up with paint and sparkles, compliments of one of her teachers, Frau Butz (pronounced boots.)

Friday, her school celebrated with their own Faschingfest! We found out about the party several weeks ago and being the very American parents, her teachers were quick to set us straight. When they told us about the party they explained that it would have a "Magic" theme and she would "dress up as something magical, no cowboys and no pricesses" = Nothing the American's might choose on their own. I gave her the deer in headlights look and she said "Tess will be a fairy." Good I can't mess that up.

Last week was the sign-up for what each person would bring for the party. Since they only speak German at her school, it is a big success if I figure out what we are supposed to be doing. The bulletin board for the parents frequently has signs posted that say "Lieb Eltern," which means "Parents" then a lot of Deutsch that I can't read. So I memorize or jot down what I think the main words are, go home translate the best that I can and then return that afternoon and just ask for clarification. By the time I returned to the sign-up for what to bring , the only opening was for "zwergentoastturmchen" so, I had to go back home and google what the heck that is. The answer: Dwarf Toast Towers. Still clueless, I waited until the next morning when I saw German mother that I knew spoke English too. She explained them as "layers of bread with something between them and then you cut the sides at angles." I just put my name at the bottom next to Eingen Ideen, My own idea.

Since Fasching is kind of like our Halloween in many ways, and Gummies are a big deal here, I thought we could do the Oreo dirt udding with gummy worms burried in it. When Erik asked about bringing something sweet, the language was difficult so he started babbling about desserts and what not. Frau Noori, said "You bring fruit." Errgh. Not what I had in mind. So I decided to do mini fruit pizzas, even though I was very nervous that they would be angry that I sent something so sweet. I was really relieved when Erik said there was a lot of distractions with all of the little fairies and the teachers were dressed as hexen (witches) so the sweet little treats were just slid in.

Fasching will not end until Tuesday, and there will be parades all over! I plan to take the kids to the one downtown Heidelberg on Tuesday, and expect it to be quite the cultural experience.

While I am updating my posts, I want to give everyone an update on our Graham. He has just completed his second full week of 3rd grade. Though he misses his second grade teacher Mrs. Peterson, he really likes his new class and is enjoying Mrs. Williams. He is also adjusting to his new work load and getting caught up with the other 3rd graders with the instruction that is all new to him. Since I have been substituting at the school, I have been lucky enough to get to join him for lunch lately. His evenings are busy with piano, cub scouts and his basketball team, where Erik is his coach. Even with his busy schedule he is working very hard and making us very proud!

We Made it to Germany...Then Stopped Blogging

The whole purpose of our blog was to keep everyone at home up to date on what we are doing. So it is ironic that we finally made the big move, we stopped blogging. So I have been working on my time management and I do have time to blog...I just have to make the time! I have completed (and published) all of the blogs that were drafts just waiting to be published. Now I am going to post our 2009 Family Christmas Letter and start fresh for 2010. So anyone who gave up on our blog, and bothers to randomly check-in and notices that there has been a change, please come back!

Weihnachtsgrüße! Merry Christmas!

We are excited to announce that in July the Hendrickson’s went international and are now serving up good cheer in Heidelberg, Germany. Leaving the sweet tea of Georgia for the bier of Deutschland has had its share of cultural, linguistic and logistical issues, luckily bier costs less than water and is acceptable anytime of day. Everyone agrees the local pastries and chocolate are justification enough for the move, and provide relative compensation for our small military issue apartment. We are enjoying our new home that now includes a carefully selected Tannenbaum from the tree farm.

In reviewing the year we have to take the bitter before the sweet, and mention that in November the Rosenberger Family endured the loss of their beloved patriarch and Angela’s grandfather, Paul. He was a truly wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Ethel is in our prayers.

For the sweet, it has been a wonderful year of seeing and doing new things. We made a pilgrimage to the small Georgia towns of Plaines and Warm Springs over Presidents Day. We toured FDR’s Little White House, and heard Jimmy Carter speak about the accomplishments of his presidency. No one in the room had the heart to tell him that his recollection of his time in office was a touch distorted, but Rosalynn did correct him on some of the dates.

Graham and Angela had a full year of their favorite “extreme water sport,” fishing. For Mother’s Day we took a charter off on the coast of South Carolina. Graham caught flounder. His mom found the ugliest fish in the ocean called a clam cracker; it was promptly tossed back. Graham also caught his birthday dinner of 8 trout from a lake east of Heidelberg. True to his fishing form, Erik’s thumb was smashed in the mouth of catfish from a pond in Indiana, but he continues to persevere against his aquatic nemesis and will feebly continue to fish.

Graham attends the American school and loves his teacher Mrs. Peterson. He continues in Cub Scouts, Baseball, and has a new piano teacher, Ms. Corina. With the Scouts, he and Erik spent a weekend on the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier. The ship was amazing, but the staff denied Erik from the officer’s quarters, and he had a hard time fitting in a sailor’s bunk. We look forward to a scout trip this month to Belgium, where we will see re-enactments of the Battle of the Bulge. He will make his first communion, on Mother’s Day. All of this pales to the excitement over Grandma Suzy’s chickens. He is the “chicken whisperer” and if they wander too far, he asks them “Why did you cross the road?”

Tess is in a German kindergarten where she is picking up some of the language, and making many friends. She was Alice in Wonderland for Halloween, which was celebrated throughout our “gated community” with lots of tasty warm beverages, candy and even a bouncy house! Tess likes being in the children’s choir, dance, and is getting introduced to the piano by Ms. Corina. As we walk Tess to and from schule, she stops to visit the Kaninchengarten, which is a small fenced in yard, belonging to one of our German neighbors with two bunnies.

Angela continues to volunteer, and most recently began helping the Sisters of Charity in Mannheim. She is pursuing a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, is the Secretary of the PTA, substitutes, and joined a book club. Last summer she and Erik took part in Brookville’s Canoe Fest, Erik and his partner won the Bank Race. Ang and her friend Randi teamed up, only sharing with the other that neither had ever canoed minutes before the race. Depending on whom you ask, they may have won their race or finished in the top 20. They did great, the official who saved them from a rapid said so!

Erik has a peculiar fear of T’s kindergarten teacher Frau Noori, who is quick to let Erik know if he is even 1 minute late! He ran the Georgia Marathon in the spring, and his Fort Gordon team won the Marine Mud Challenge in the summer. He is a leader with the Cub Scouts. He is currently working with Administrative Law for V Corps, and is the legal officer for the 18th Engineer Brigade, and likes his work.

We wish you all a wonderful holiday and a great year ahead!