What we are learning

A while ago, someone in the ward here asked if there was anything I would miss about being in Vienna. I've been thinking about that question. I think the main thing I will miss is having an endless supply of things to do, as in, places to go see and take the family. In almost two months we've barely made it to a few of the major museums and sights. You could spend months here seeing new things every day. And, we haven't even gone to a single concert or recital or musical production (that's not our stage of life right now).

Henry watching the garbage trucks.

At the Billa grocery store.

I have learned to navigate Austria and Hungary with four children. I have learned how to feed a family in both these countries. I have learned to recognize a number of German written words and some spoken words. I usually can get the idea of what people are saying to me (it costs this much, the elevator is over there, etc.) since my interactions are limited to sort of the same things every day. I can say a few phrases and ask for a few things in German, but not as much as Kirk, of course.

On the S-bahn train.

Andrew has learned that Heavenly Father hears and answers his prayers. He knows how to navigate public transportation using maps and timetables. He said something in German to an Austrian for the first time this week. He also learned how to construct Lego sets and that he really likes crème fraîche. [Did you like crème fraîche when you were nine? Did you know crème fraîche existed when you were nine? Crème fraîche is common here; it is a French version of sour cream that is thicker, sweeter, and very nice on fresh fruit.]

We went to a restaurant once (that was enough)
so we could have "typical Austrian food" (also once was enough).

Edward has also learned that Heavenly Father hears and answers his prayers. He knows about antiquities and castles. He can talk about Austrian military history, from his perspective. He can build Lego sets. He knows some German words and can read signs and understand some of the announcements on the U-bahn.

Lucy at the Archduke Ferdinand's car.

The blood stains and bullet hole in his uniform.

Lucy has learned to count to 10 in German, adding to her knowledge of those numbers in English and Spanish. She now plays "going on a train trip" with her dolls and Henry. She can get on and off of escalators, trains, and elevators, mostly without help. She can help me go shopping in Austrian and Hungarian grocery stores.

Lucy playing in the brown sand at a park.

Henry playing at a park.

Henry is learning more words and has even asked for some things using a word. He knows how to sit patiently in his stroller (most of the time) for long stretches of time. He is learning how to play on playground equipment. He recognized a Raphael painting we saw in a museum when he saw it later in a book at the apartment. He pointed it out and kept "talking" about it in his funny Henry way.

Sitting in the stroller.

Altarpiece and burial place of St./King Leopold and his wife Agnes.

Henry at a park.

Henry.

I'm not sure what Kirk has learned since he's on his way to Amsterdam right now and can't tell me. I suspect he has learned tons of stuff about his research project. He knows much more about Central European countries than he ever thought he would--and he's just beginning the research. He also has learned that offices are wonderful spaces and he wishes he had one here in Vienna. It would have been nicer for him to be in Budapest because he has an office to use at the university when he is there.

At the museum (the statue is of Jacob and Rachel).