Polish mountains....Druga Czesc (Part 2).....

The next morning we woke up with a very overcast sky and two hyper children ready to do some more exploring.  We decided to go to downtown Brenna and walk around a bit.  We found a really cool zipline/climbing area.  You could almost see Christopher salivate at the sight.  So of course I figured- why not?

So here we were the instructor telling me the important instructions in Polish and I had the job of translating to my son who was just beside himself with excitement.  He listened attentively and learned the rules so quickly- I was pretty impressed.  I was too busy taking pictures to think about the fact that there were no nets if he fell (again- mother of the year- cast your votes ladies and gentlemen!).  He of course went on the green course (beginner) first and did so well I was going to have him do the higher blue course but the thunder and lightening and rain that began forced Christopher to only be left with a need for more climbing and ziplining.....oh I think my son has got a need for speed....(anyone shocked?)

The following day we went to Ustron (another small town in the mountains).  There we went to Czantoria.  It is an area that is visited most during the winter months for awesome skiing and other winter sports.  We took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain but unfortunately the enormous slide that was there was closed due to the weather.

Katie and kids on ski lift

Afterwards we drove through the mountains, and into the Czech Republic!!!  That's right- I could not pass up the opportunity to make my kids enter yet another country for a picture.... we were only about 15 miles away from the border and I couldn't help myself.  My kids dutifully got out of the car and posed for the pictures (they are so used to the drill by now!)

Czech Republic welcomes Chris and Olivia!

A very serious game of War is about to begin

The weather drove us back to the house where we spent the rest of the day reading(me), painting (Chris and Livvy), and playing intense games of WAR (Livvy, Chris, and Katie).  There is something really cool about a thunderstorm in the mountains and Katie and I ended the day with a nice horror movie to add to the storm.

So we are now back in Zabrze.  We have been spending the last few days hanging out with my grandmother.  I am suddenly aware that my time here is winding down.  On Saturday we fly back to Germany and next Tuesday we fly back to the states.  I am both sad and relieved.  Traveling with two kids is hard work and exhausting. If I am this exhausted- I can only imagine how exhausted the kids are becoming.  I see it in their behavior and mine (the quick tears, the sudden impatience with each other).  Living out of a suitcase for 5 weeks in two different countries is something they haven't done.  I am grappling with other emotions as well- my family is here....my grandmother.....the thought of leaving makes me so sad....