Ice Skating show

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ruthy's wedding

Ronnie and Talia's Hebrew school teacher got married yesterday. It was a national strike and the school was closed Thursday so that worked out well for us. 

It was held in Vendenheim, at a location apparently used a lot for Jewish events. It was a real mix of different religious people. It was funny as there were quite a few we knew because of the groom, whom we don't know.

There was a famous French actor, of course I never heard of but I'm no fan of French "cinema". Pascal Elbé. He's from Colmar originally. Here are his Wikipedia entries;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Elbé

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Elbé

When I saw the pool, I though, oh no, hot day, how do I keep my kids out? I was only marginally successful. They got their feet wet during the reception.

The girls wore the sort-of matching dresses I made for them last year. Same pattern, different material.

Talia wouldn't pose with the cows but Davina and Ronnie did.

Ronnie is in the baseball cap.

The bride is hard to see with the canopy. 

We did snag a picture with the bride upon leaving. Notice the wet kids. 

Father's day

The day after the gymnastics show was Father's Day. We went to Mittlehousebergen with Nicholas and Samantha, then stopped in Benfeld to visit the grandmother on the way back.

These are just random pictures of the village. Very typical Alsatian houses.

I finally got to show the kids the creepy dolls making wine. Would you believe the owner came out to talk to us? I told him I put his dolls on YouTube but he didn't seem to understand. He's put a automatic stop on it for kids who press the button too many times. There is a sign saying to only press them once! Missed that...

I've posted this before but here it is;

Hanging out at Benfeld. Nicholas, my mother-in-law and myself;

Ronnie and Samantha on the couch playing with her phone.

Here's the "cousin photo";

Féerythme, the Big 20th Anniversary Show with Strasbourg GRS

Saturday night was the 20th anniversary bash with Strasbourg GRS. It replaced the casual affair they usually hold at the gym. It cost 17,000 Euros and even the parents had to pay for tickets, which disappointed some.

In addition to the 5 routines Talia had to learn for her CP3, her group also did three for this. They "introduced" some of the elite gymnasts for the club.

It was a long day. Talia had to be there at 5, Davina at 5 and it started at 7.

Davina was disappointed that she couldn't wear this for the show. A friend gave me this when she moved back to the States. It was from a niece who had used it for a show back there. This is Davina with Amy, in her group. Davina was good friends with Amy's big sister who is now in the older group. We love Amy. She's super cute (how she acts too).

The cousins came in from Paris to see the show. Here is Samantha drinking next to Ronnie, who wisely brought his DS.

Finally, the show got going. There was a great number with 50 of the girls from the club together. Neither of mine were in this group. The little ones came on later and Talia was in the special costume doing something else...

When the little ones came out, everyone owwwed and awwwed. They were precious. All they did was wave scarves but it was cute. They weren't in it very long.

Here are the photos from the Strasbourg GRS site. Davina is just behind the president, with her arms up.

Third from the left.

In the middle, with her back to the camera.

Here are the "fairies" comeing on. Talia is first.

The girl is yellow comes on next. No, it wasn't supposed to be together!

Papa's little fairy.

How did I miss getting Nichols in on this photo? At least I got the other two. I also missed getting Davina in the costume she wore.

The highlight was having the French National gymnastic team visit. They were really amazing. This is from the Strasbourg GRS site. They were too fast for my camera!

Making Challah

For the last Talmud Torah class (or "Hebrew School" if you prefer) the kids got to learn to make Challah. It was at Rachael's home and Alice, who is a professional baker came to do the "lesson". It was open to other children in the Jewish community.

Rachael and Alice are in the left photo. Ruthy, their instructor, is on the right in the right photo.

Talia was very proud of her creation.

She didn't want Davina in the photo but I insisted. 

Since baking can take awhile, Alicia had them make simple cookies while waiting.

The end result. Notice they kind of had to make Talia's Challah all round. 

Then Rachael's kids broke out their Guinea Pig Nugat.

Nugat in a group photo;

My next attempt at Challah was much more successful, although there is much room for improvement. Thank you Rachael and Alice!