Fasching! - its a week long EVENT!

Fasching is a HUGE celebration in Germany. Especially in our Town of Neuhausen. Its rather similar to Mardi gra in New Orleans - but maybe a little more kid friendly - maybe....

To gear up for the celebration, Nick dressed up Thursday, Friday, Monday in Kindergarden. They will have their own kindergarden parade on Tuesday.

The mom's of the kids got together on a week night to make their scare crow costumes. That night as I sat in the room with a handful of German wives I got a taste of what daily life must feel like for Nick. I have a general idea of what they were talking about. I followed along the costume making steps. They practiced their english with me. I wish I could put into better workds what that feels like. Maybe someday Nick will.

This was the first day of dress up

Fireman Nick - in honor of Grandpa Roy!
Can you tell he is pretending to have a hose in his hand?

Fireman Nick! Onto Texas Ranger Nick - this was his Friday's costume - but we will be using it on Monday since he never made it to Kindergarden on Friday. He was too sick and we hit the Doctor's ofice instead. He chilled the rest of the day Friday and ended it by watching the Little Mermaid (one of mom's favorite movies)

This morning he woke up using all his stored up energy! Its snowing again today - but we are getting outta the house! Even it that means dragging the sled through the downtown. Now its time for the Annual Neuhausen Fasching Parade as well as the newly chrisened Stone Party! Shannon, Bernie, Erin and Kristen decorated their home and cooked lots of goodies to start the day out right. They also had a great location to the parade. You could see it from their window (so we could sneak in if it got too cold - or wander back for more beers and a potty!)

Shane got to fashion his SUPER SHANE costume that was passed along from Evan Carson - he surely fills it out =)Nick requested a scary face.... GrrrrrrrrrrrThis is a photo of what Chris's hair would look like if he opted not to cut his hair.... ever......Onto the parade.... As I was looking back at my photos, I started to think that parade photos can start to look like those dancing photos. Fun as you are taking them, but kind of lose their luster as you are looking at them the next day. So I will try to spare you and only point out the highlights.

First - the Cabage men!Yes, they tossed out REAL cabage - sauerkraut - Bernie literally begged them to target Shannon. She was a good sport - but hid during the next parade. Smart girl!They had a band full of only ladiesThey had a kick line full of only men (yes, they are dressed like ladies - but I am convinced their kick line was better than anything I ever did in Cheerleading!)A viking boat!Even Frosty made an appearance.Nick, Erin, Eve and Anna were targeted numerous times for candy drop offs. This was a goat of sorts filling their pockets. I was VERY proud of Nick. He stoof in the front the entire time and was never spooked! i guess as long as Anna was by his side....Even a pig needs a beer every so often! Just a little song and dance to get you in the German mood =)

Tuesday was the Kinder parade. It was JUST as crowded as the regular parade and super cute (they just marched along at a bit of a slower pace)

Here is Nick in his scarecrow custome. His teachers did the face paint. Super cute!Nope - we couldn't scare away the wild boars
This costume was titled 'Virus' Maybe the HINI?Yup, even dogs got into the festivites. Whether they wanted to or not!

Here comes our little man! Here's a cute video. Let me know if your stomach can hack it. its tough work hugging your muchkin and filming at the same time. Odviously he was thrilled to see us, but motored on to the finish line.

Happy Fasching!