those crazy kids

May is such a good time of year in Germany. So many holidays I don’t even know what they’re about. Just that most of them require some thanks to the Catholic government tools. Although I think this week we have the Socialists to thank.

This weekend was augmented with a Friday off, which gave us lots of time to spend with the German’s friend visiting from Stuttgart. They have two small kids. As anyone who has spent time with kids knows, it’s hard enough communicating with a 3-year-old who speaks the same language as you. When they are speaking German Schwaebisch, it’s game over before you start. I made a valiant effort, but after I realized the kid had been saying “Fanta!” on repeat for the past five minutes, I gave up.

Also, kids think it’s funny to kick people under the table. I think it’s pretty funny to kick them right back while maintaining total dignity above the table, but you always run the risk that they’re going to open their big mouths and announce to the general audience what you’re up to. Sometimes you can pass that off as hyperactive kids making stuff up, but luckily this time it was not necessary.