This morning we set off into Zurich for some Christmassy adventures. Living in a foreign country means our kids get the best of both worlds - celebrating both English and Swiss traditions - so today we started with an English one - a visit to Father Christmas.
We did a spot of shopping at a small Christmas market and picked up some English books for the girls, as well as a new piece of art for us. Then the girls decorated cookies, while they waited to see Father Christmas.
Father Christmas was in a small room with just a few elves helping him, and Emily was actually surprisingly bold this year. She went in, marched straight up to him, told him her name, and whipped out her Christmas list to explain what she wanted. After that she was done, and had no interested in posing for a photo or anything cute like that. Sofie was a little more chatty, and happy to oblige when it came to picture taking. She told me afterward that she was pretty sure it was the real Father Christmas too.
From there we went to have lunch with friends and then off to enjoy something a little more Swiss - a ride on the Maerli Tram. This is the
third year Sofie has ridden the tram, and the first time for Emily. We did get Emily a ticket last year but she
changed her mind at the last minute, however this year she was third in line, and couldn't wait to get on. She loved it, and this is another small sign of just how far she has come in the past 12 months. So the kids rode around Zurich on a tram driven by Samiclaus and staffed by two angels, and the adults raced over the road to the Christmas Market for a quick Gluhwein, and everyone was happy.
It's starting to feel a bit like Christmas.
Neat...totally the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely magical day. I loved every word and every picture - in fact, I think you've given my Christmas spirit a little kickstart! Your children will remember these experiences for the rest of their lives.
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