We went to a friend's birthday recently. The children were asked to dress up as a historical or literary character. Then at the party, they gave 3 clues as to who they were, and all the other kids guessed. We all had fun thinking of which character they should be and dressing them up as such. Very unique birthday theme. Jonathan went as Joseph, and Ethan was Jacob.
Katherine went as Heidi, and Aimee was Pollyanna.
We had the chance recently to visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, about an hour drive from us. Johann Gutenberg was born in the early 1400's. He began his life's work as the inventor of the printing press at an early age out of his sheer enjoyment of reading. His patrician family helped run the mint in the Mainz. It was here that the idea of printing words on parchement began to form in his mind. He worked for over 40 years in secret to invent the press. In the end, because he couldn't meet a deadline to produce a fully functional machine, he had to hand over all his equipment and resources to his debtors.
This is a later model of the press. The origional was, of course, wood.
An illuminated book. Very beautiful.
Just across the courtyard from the museum is the Mainzer Dom, or Mainz Cathedral. This cathedral was origionally built in the 11th century.
Taking a break.
One of the many altars in the church. Ethan wanted so badly to blow these candles out and just couldn't understand why he couldn't.
Being silly.
The kids hiking a hill near our house.
This is Pepper at dinner time. He is supposed to stay in his bed while we eat.
