Our Big Backyard

Okay, so our backyard is not very big at all.  It's really just a patio with steps down to a sloped grassy spot.  But this week, we found some places to explore that make it feel like we have a bigger backyard to play in.  We spent a lot of time just walking the neighborhood hills and taking in the view.  Landon was very excited to find a playground area to drive his tractor (we don't even have a driveway).  This playground is less than a 5 minute walk with a huge slide, swings and sandbox.  Note the castle ruins in the background.  The boys have been enjoying collecting snail shells ("schnecke"), and greeting lizards on the patio too.

There are many farms in the area -- plenty of cows of course, but also we've been seeing plenty of squash.  It is in season now, and it seems as if squash is to this area like apples are to New England.  On Saturday we went to a "kürbis-fest" (squash or pumpkin fest), and we all had such a good time!  It was a great event to go to as a family.  We saw so many varieties of squash (including ones that looked like prickly round cucumbers or a sea urchin...not sure what you do with those).  There were activities for the kids like pumpkin painting, hay climbing, and beer crate stacking.  This is the second time we've seen the crate stacking at an event -- it seems like a common kid's attraction and entertaining to watch!  Alpine music, local beer and squash soup made the festival authentic!  

What really made the festival though was the Mais-labyrinth ("corn maze")!  It was a true maze that you could easily lose children in... and have a blast at the same time.  Within the maze were what I'll call play stations -- places that you could stop and play, including a trampoline, swingset, balance beam, and a zip-line.  We could have been there for hours!  The zip line was a hit -- both boys were able to sit on a rope knot and hang on for approximately 25 meters.