Jacob turned 7 and we all tried something new!

 

Jake had some very specific requests for his seventh birthday celebration, starting with Chinese food for lunch.  He loves sushi, potstickers, dim sum, and pretty much all Asian food these days.  He had to make do with lunch at the Bamboo restaurant on base, which is just okay, but he was happy.

 

The main thing Jakey wanted to do was go to a Kletterwald.  These are very popular outdoor ropes course-type places in Germany and we had never tried one before, but we said we'd do it. We went to Kletterwald Neroberg which is at the top of the hill above Wiesbaden. I had read over the website, which was in German, but I was surprised when we got there to learn that we needed a reservation and that they were fully booked that day! I felt so bad telling Jake, and was sure we would have tears, but he just said, "that's okay, we can just go home and come another day." Rob and I gave him big hugs and thanked him for his maturity and understanding.  We decided to walk around the Neroberg area a little since we were there and saw this lovely spot.

 

From here you could look down over downtown Wiesbaden.

 

We also walked partway down the hill to the nearby Russian-Orthodox Church that I have often seen pictures of but had never visited.

 

It is pretty small, but really lovely looking.

 

After that we headed home and had Jake's requested birthday dinner: hot dogs, corn on the cob, and watermelon. And then we sang Happy Birthday and had cake that I made to his specifications; "chocolate bread with green frosting, and a tank that turns into a robot, and Army guys on it."  He also opened his gifts from us and got to play video games for extra time.  He was pretty happy with everything.

 

Because we were doing all of this on Saturday, we missed going to the Summer reading program at our library.  Apparently they pulled Jake's name in a drawing for this light saber set and emailed me that we could come pick it up at the library whenever.  We went and got it on Tuesday and everyone at the library told Jake "Happy Birthday!" as well. He loved that. 

 

 

Then FINALLY on Wednesday we made it back to Kletterwald Neroberg to do some climbing and zip-lining!  I tried to get at least a picture or two of everyone. There's Jake just starting out with no fear at all.  They do give you a quick training on your harness and how to shorten your rope, and all of that stuff, but this was our first time doing anything like this and I was very nervous.

 

Toby from twenty feet below.

 

This one is hard to see, but those are Charlotte's spider legs which are exceptionally good for climbing. If you can see above her, there are more platforms even higher up.  We were mainly on the Blue courses, then is Red, then Grey, and then a few extra difficult expert ones.

 

Rob was a trooper and started out with the big kids while Amelie and I took photos and then headed to the Kinder course for kids ages four and up.

 

Jake had no problem with looking down at me for a photo.

 

Over on the Kinder course, Amelie and I stayed a bit closer to the ground, though this one did get up to six or seven feet up. Amelie loved it!  She may have a mortal fear of port-a-potties, but she took to this like a fish to water.

 

"I am a Ninja, Mom!"

 

Our admission was good for three hours, which gave us lots of time to check out different courses and there weren't nearly as many people there on a Wednesday as there had been on Saturday. That's Rob on a zipline.

 

And that's my Bear on a zipline! He actually liked the ziplines the least as he got stuck in the middle of them a few times.  This one had a rope that you hung on and here Rob is pulling him back in to give him a bigger push across as he didn't make it the first time.

 

He never quit though, and he was the littlest kid I saw up there.

 

Here comes Charlotte! 

Charlotte and Toby were the only ones of us to try a Red course and they liked it but said it was much harder.  They said they had to zipline into a cargo net and then climb up and across it to get to the next platform.  They were really proud of themselves for making it on their own.

 

 

Meanwhile Rob took Amelie back to the Kinder course and Jake took me up on the Blue course.  I wanted to do it, but I also was super scared of doing it.  I don't like heights and I am not in good physical shape.  I was shaking and sweating from nerves, but Jake was a great encouraging coach and showed me the ropes.  Literally.  Rob snapped this photo at the end of my last obstacle.

 

Jacob is such a funny kid.  He keeps us smiling around here and is always challenging us to try new things, like sushi and ropes courses! He is cuddly and sensitive, but also strong, and if he says he is going to do something then he sees it through with determination.  We love him so very much.

Jacob's Birthday Interview

What makes you happy? "I actually really don't know."
What is your favorite toy? Legos
What is your favorite animal? Cheetah
What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Waffles
What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac and cheese
What is your favorite dessert? Brownies
What is your favorite thing to do? Play video games
What is your favorite movie? Lego Ninjago
What are you really good at? Video games (Mario) 
What is your favorite song? Up and Up (Coldplay)
What do you and your mom do together? Hug

What do you and your dad do together? Ride bikes
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? "China, I want to eat sushi there. I would eat sushi all day if I could."
What do you think your parents are too strict about? "Not having video games during the week!"
Who is your best friend? Alex
What are some of your favorite things to say?  "I say 'ain't' and it makes you crazy. That ain't gonna happen!"
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Hike up mountains
What is your favorite book? Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes In
What do you want to be when you grow up? A blacksmith