We awoke to the first chilly and overcast day of our vacation. This was Elisabeth Bauer's fifth birthday and the decorations were up by breakfast. (Although it would be difficult to tell by us, as we slept late again.) The plan had been to surprise Elisabeth with a doll carriage, but the plot unraveled when the ever curious five year-old noticed the assembly instructions sitting on the coffee table. (Ooooppps!) Armed with this clue she quickly found the stroller hidden behind the couch.
 
An early afternoon downpour did not dampen the celebrations or the children's irrepressible energy. Oma Luisa Bauer, Tante Erika and her son Lorenzo arrived just after Mittagessen. They were accompanied by Vincent and Tobi (Uncle Stefan's boys). This was the first of several rounds of Küchen, Kaffe, singing "Happy Birthday" (along with the German equivalent), and blowing out the candles. Later in the afternoon Friederika, Charlotte's sister, also joined us for Küchen.

Toward the end of the day Michael returned from working on his parent's house. He was joined by Opa Bauer and Michael's brothers, Klaus and Stefan. The men had Küchen and beer, while Jonathan went outside for a walk with Oma and Opa Hauck. Walking back to the house, Jonathan's friend Maximilian joined us.

The Bauers live in a new development in this small village of some 1500 people. Still an active farm village, Böhmfeld is one of the many places that has become a bedroom community for the nearby Audi factory (now with 30,000 employees). With so many new houses and new families arriving, there are plenty of children in the neighborhood. Action central is the playground, which is right next door to the Bauer's house. (Imagine having one in your own side yard!)

The day of celebrations wound to a close with Abendessen - one last chance for Küchen and another round of "Happy Birthday". Once the children were in bed the adults sat down to look at pictures and share a glass of champagne!