Cainan's 14th Birthday

Today our boy turned 14 years old!

What a joy it has been to watch him grow.  This past year he went through a huge change from a little boy into a young man and grew over 6 inches!  Cainan is the kindest, sweetest, most generous boy.  From the first time we saw him at 14 months old to now, he has changed so much.  He is quick to smile, the first to offer help, the kid who still hugs me goodnight every day.  We cannot imagine our life without this sweet boy.  I cannot wait to see what the future brings him.

 Finley made him a bunch of stickers on her circut machine.  These speak volumes about their relationship

 Almost all of his presents were of the digital nature for his Switch.  And thank goodness because we have not had access to Amazon for months.  

 We had a zoom sing with my parents, AJ and Tricia and the Orlandos.  It was a lot of fun!

 Wrapped up the celetraion with some Black Forest cake.

Hiking Around Basel

The kids were busy with friends today, so Mat and I rented our mobility car and took a drive to do some hiking.  We didn't go far - just about 20 minutes away from our house and still part of the Baselland Canton.

Our first stop was the town of Nenzlingen where the Riccola herb gardens are located.  We were able to park right in town, for free and hike easily to the gardens (about 15 minute walk).  The gardens are beautiful and surrounded by the Jura mountains.  I have been here a few times with my Basel Walkers group and it never disappoints.

We spent some time hiking the area and then exploring the Riccola Herb garden itself.

On our way to the Riccola fields

 Riccola Herb Garden.  It is free to walk around

After the Herb garden, we got back in the car and drove a little further to Pfeffingen where the Pfeffingen Castle Ruins are located.  Again - we were able to find free parking very close to the bottom of the hill leading up to the castle and then walk.  This hike was a bit more difficult as it is up hill.  The beginning is pretty steep, but as you near the Ruins, it levels out a bit.

The view from the Ruins was spectacular.  We spent time exploring them (this is a free activity) and enjoying the view into the heart of Basel from the top.  You can, of course, see Roche tower from here as well.  Always gives us a giggle.

On our way to the castle ruins

 Pfeffingen Ruins.  Originally build in the early 1200s

You can see Roche tower in the distance

 

 There was a school at the bottom of the hill.  Built in the 1700s

 These are all over Basel.  They are places for Bees

It was a great way to spend the afternoon

A Small Hike Around Riehen

Mat and I are trying to use our weekends we have left to see a few places not that far away.  I have done several hikes with the Basel Walkers group and he has never gotten to come along.

The ones in Riehen are among my favorites.  Today we chose to walk among the vineyards that are on the hillside.  IT wasn't a long walk, but it was beautiful.

Life is Returning

Well - it has been 100 days and I FINALLY got to go to a restaurant with friends.  The restaurants opened about a week ago, and today I met two friends at one of our favorite Portugese restaurants.  (Spark) We sat outside, and all of the tables were 2 meters (6 feet) apart.  The waiters were wiping down all the tables between patrons and also about once an hour.  They had blown up the menus very big and were standing them near the tables to prevent having to hand out menus to everyone (and have to then wipe them down).  All the wait staff were in masks.

It was a good set up to allow restaurants to be open again.  And the food was delicious as always!  I was grateful to be out.

Mat and I sat by the Rhine later that day and relaxed in one of our favorite spots.  This spot is at the top of my list of places I will miss most about Basel when we move.

Arlington's Last Day of High School

Today is Arlington's official last day of school.  Due to Coronavirus, the school was able to speed up the final testing and requirements for the seniors, so she finished up today.

I cannot believe she is finished with high school.  She started this school year as a high school junior, but by early fall it was clear that she would be wrapping up her high school career this year.

So she became an official senior and started to apply to college.  5 college acceptances later, she chose University of Massachusetts and started making plans for her future beyond high school.

Coronavirus didn't slow her down.  Thankfully her school was able to continue classes as normal online and get the kids all of their requirements to graduate.  And today - that all ended.  Arlington is officially a high school graduate.

Here in Switzerland, "pomp and circumstance" is not really a thing.  There are no cap and gowns or big parties.  No graudation ceremonies.  Since compulsory school ends at age 16, and kids decide at that time to go to jobs or technical school or continue school in their gymnasiums (high level high schools) and head off to college.  What is celebrated is their accomplishment and what is coming next.  They are becoming adults in the eyes of Switzerland and that is a good enough reward.

Because we are Americans, I did get Arlington a cap and gown in her school colors to celebrate her graduation.  We had to wing it for the rest since I don't have access to Amazon right now to get any kind of party supplies.  At least we have cake.

This summer when we return to the United States we will celebrate with family.  We will pull out all the stops to remind her how proud of her we are.  Although - we can take a page out of the Swiss handbook, and just wish her well on her future journey.  Because what is behind her is no where near as exciting as what is in front of her.

Look out world - here she comes.