The Pickett Children Come to Warsaw

We spent the first two full days in Warsaw...showing Jamie, Caroline and Melissa

Polish history, where we shop, where we eat...and sights in and around the city.

Though we had cold, crisp spring days, we enjoyed being outside.

We climbed the steps of the viewing tower next to the historic St. Anne's Church (which is at the entrance of Warsaw's Old Town) and had a great panoramic view of Warsaw. 

You can see the Warsaw stadium in the distance that will be used starting this Friday (June 8th) for the 2012 Euro Cup.

The Royal Castle is directly behind Jamie and Caroline. 

This was the royal residence of many Polish monarchs and sits at the entrance of Warsaw's Old Town.

It was completely destroyed by the Nazis during World War II but was rebuilt and reconstructed in the 50's. 

We walked through and into the middle of Warsaw's Old Town (Stare Miasto). This was an area that was also totally destroyed by the Nazis during World War II. This area was rebuilt based on drawings, pictures and citizen recollections.

We enjoyed walking the cobblestone streets and saw small shops, churches, restaurants and 

Lody (ice cream) shops! 

Here we are in one of the many ice cream shops that open during the spring/summer season.

We introduced Jamie, Caroline and Melissa to Lody and Polish Hot Chocolate!

On our walk, we stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier..

and walked through the surrounding park. Can you believe how green this park is?

The bright green grass and trees were so beautiful!

It's a beautiful green day!

Jamie and Caroline were adjusting to the time change...and took advantage of a few minutes to rest while riding Metro back to our home.

We wanted to show our children where we shop for food, household needs, etc. We took our children to Obi (a store much like Home Depot)....

To Real (a grocery store)....but beforehand we went to a Polish McDonald's that is located inside the Real Store building.

Enjoying Polish french fries....

and a few McDonald treats...

We also went to the Chopin Museum...

Chopin was born in Poland and the Polish adore him, his history and music.

We also enjoyed learning and listening to music from this great Polish composer.

It was a rainy spring day but it did not keep us from showing our children this historic city.

On of our challenges would be to decide which of the many great Polish restaurants to take Melissa, Jamie and Caroline to...here we are at Folk Gospoda....a great place for traditional Polish food!

Our American children loved the food, touring and enjoying this beautiful city!

We are having so much fun together!

Happy Mother's Day.....Our Children Come to Visit

Mothers' Day in Poland 2012

What more could I ever ask or hope for on Mother's Day... then to have my children with me...here in Poland!

For months we have planned, waited and anticipated our children coming to see us...and the day finally arrived!

Melissa would be staying for 10 days before returning back to Washington D. C. and Jamie and Caroline would be staying for almost 2 weeks! 

Our little Skoda could not have fit us all together with their luggage...so we found a larger taxi and then we were able to come home together.

Cisowa 9A .... would be Melissa, Jamie and Caroline's home for almost 2 weeks! We were thrilled beyond words!

They arrived to our home happy and hungry...our first meal together was homemade chicken pot pie, a tossed green salad, and rolls....simply delicious!

After our Sunday Mother's Day lunch, we went for a walk in our neighborhood park. When we came to the top of our "80" steps this is what we saw...this beautiful rainbow!

We enjoyed walking in this beautiful, green park...a cool refreshing place on this spring day.

A great Mother's Day....filled with conversations, laughing, listening...and being together!

Just a brilliant day all around!

This will be a Mother's Day...I will always remember and cherish!

Another Spring Day in Amsterdam

Springtime...sunshine...pink blossoms and our last day in Amsterdam! 

While walking to the Rijksmuseum, we saw a number of trees filled with pink blossoms. I'm not sure what kind of trees they were but they did remind me of visiting Melissa in D. C. in the springtime.

Happy thoughts!

Here we are at the entry way to the Rijksmuseum.

It is considered one of the richest museums in the world ... and the most complete of any Dutch art.

The museum has been under reconstruction for almost 10 years.  There are about a million items in this museum but currently, only 400 are showing from the Dutch's Golden Age. 

Inside are displays of masterpieces ... works from Rembrandt, Vemeer and other artists from the 17th C. 

We were not disappointed as we took another self-guided tour and learned much about the art work, artists and culture in this Dutch land.   

Pieces of Delft pottery

Also called Delftware...blue and white ceramic pieces that are hand-painted. Many were created near the town of Delft in the Netherlands.

Mark is learning about some very unique Delftware flower vases. We saw similar but smaller vases in a number of shops on the streets. The holes at each level and on each corner are for where the flowers are placed...often tulips.

These unique vases come in different sizes...but I still think I like my tulips displayed the traditional way.

The doll houses were amazing!
These were not toys for children...but serious hobbies for some wealthy women.

You actually could stand on a ladder to peek inside for a closer look.

The items in the doll houses were made to scale....often using the finest craftsmen to create the pieces.
Some of the dollhouses were so expensive...that with the same amount of money one could have purchased a real home!

Here is a statue of....Cupid....in a whispering .... "shhh be quiet pose". 

"The Milk-Maid" by Jan Vermeer

A self-portrait by Rembrandt

One of my favorite paintings by Rembrandt... The Prophetess Anna reading from the Bible....a passage from Isaiah.

Rembrandt's most famous art work..."The Nightwatch".

Here we saw a very unique clock...someone actually draws the hands on the clock,

erases the minute hand...

and then finally draws the new minute hand and you have the correct time!

What a job!

Sunshine and a small treat were needed before heading back to our hotel and homeward bound.

My choice...waffles and icecream...Mark...raspberry/lemon muffin! Yum!

 Another great day in Amsterdam...

So...good bye to thousands of bicycles...

and bike riders...

Good bye to Dutch menus and restaurants...

Good-bye to Dutch cookies...

Goodbye to train stations, Metros and trams in The Netherlands.

After we went through security at the airport, and walked across 6 moving sidewalks, we came to an outside terrace. We continue to see and learn that Europeans love the outdoors and love to relax! 

We had never seen anything like this at an airport in the US!

Good bye Amsterdam...we have loved visiting this beautiful country!