SUNDAY - WE'RE THANKFUL TO BE TOGETHER IN VIENNA

Marriott Courtyard, Vienne-Messe:

LG sleeps until after 7:00am and we're soon up and dressed. We have to pack for checkout after breakfast. Great news--we can leave the car here until early afternoon and take the U-Bahn to the Spanish Riding School this morning.

Everyone might be interested to know that we've been early everywhere we've gone this weekend! Great coordination. Breakfast is even better today as we've discovered double and triple espresso drinks. DM counts 4 espressos so far for his mom--me! I think that is just the right number. We've kidded that we should give three-year old KF a shot of espresso first thing in the morning, as she starts her day CRABBY most days. Just joking! Please don't turn us into to DCFS...

When we arrive at the Spanish Riding School we discover there's an 11:00am performance--we'd expected to just watch the Lipzanner's morning exercises. We'd already decided that MK would go with KF and LG, while DM watches NJ and grandma explores more of Vienna on foot.

DM reads and makes an attempt to relax in the cafe at the SRS, while I chase the rays of the sun, stumbling upon two more Easter markets and lots of window shopping. NOTHING is open in the center of Vienna on a Sunday except cafes and tourist shops. Surprising, as the Austrians, like their German cousins, are not religious. Must be more about family time on a Sunday...

Another gorgeous day in Vienna. The weather has exceeded our wildest hopes.

KF, especially, is entranced by the Lipizzaner stallions. LG was here for the first time when she was three and in love with horses. KF chooses a small black plastic "pony" in the gift shop, while LG finds a clear bouncy ball with a small white horse embedded in the center.

I finish out my morning in the gardens of the Spanish Riding School with a cup of tea, reading two Austrian gossip magazines. I know, class will out...

DM And MK head back to get the car while LG and I find the McDonald's Cafe in Stephansplatz. LG wants a hamburger, French fries, and CATSUP. Yes, ketchup is very important.

By 1:30pm we're at Sudentiroler getting our return tickets validated. The Bratislava bus leaves at 2:00pm, so we sit in the sun and chat. It takes 1-1/2 hours to go from Vienna to Bratislava Centrum via Flughafen (airport) on the Post Bus. I settle back and close my eyes, and when LG accepts that I truly plan to rest, she entertains herself with pen, paper, and her vivid imagination.

When we arrive home, KF and NJ are delighted to welcome us. Soon they're eating sliced pears faster than I can prepare them--especially NJ. She eats about two whole (small) pears all by herself, stealing from KF when she can. MK prepares fried fish, mashed potatoes, and a cucumber salad for dinner. DM makes a Tesco run for Coca Cola Light, eggs, fresh vegetables, etc. Everyone eats well.

After dinner we video conference with Papa. KF is especially chatty. She's been wanting Papa to get on an airplane and come to her house. I'm missing him, too, so it' very good to visually and verbally connect. Yea, Skype!

Soon the little girls are in bed and quiet. All the adults relax with their electronics--DM with the Chicago Cubs game on the Internet, MK with her favorite Slovak T.V., and me with MK's iPad.

Good night, all. Sweet dreams. Three wake-ups and I'm on my way home with lots to tell, tons of photos, and sweet memories.