Laternumzug - Lantern Festival

Everett is enjoying his little Kindergarten so much. He literally runs to school, not only because he gets a sticker when he is on time, but also because he genuinely loves his friends and teachers. It is most certainly not the same as he would experience in Preschool or Kindergarten in the US, but we are very happy with the results thus far.

Anyway, we just celebrated Everett's first school party. As with most things around here it is based upon a Catholic legend of St. Martin, and this day particularly important in this valley (named the Rheintal or Rhein Valley, for the river that shares its name). All of the Kindergartners in the region make and decorate their own lanterns and then on this special evening all of the parents are invited to come and watch the children carry their lanterns, which are each lit with a single candle. The kids walk through the neighborhood and sing the cutest little song. The parents bring some treats and everybody warms up with some fruit tea and eats yummy goodies. Disclaimer, we are all pretty sure that nobody in the entire world can outdo European treats (No idea why obesity is not a problem out here...)

Everett was in the front row of the walk around the block, and he held his lantern very bravely. We were so proud of him. He knows his little German song super well, and he was awesome. It was so cold!! We thought that we were going to die! It was way fun, but we all had sniffly noses by the end of the night.

These are Delaine's homemade chocolate, marzipan, peanut butter brownies... needless to say, there were none left by the end of the evening.

Liam and Delaine waiting for Everett to come out from the Kindergarten with the lantern.

Everett leading the little procession along the way.

All of the kids sitting in a circle with lanterns lit!

Everett smiling with his lantern!