Lintorf Handwerker-Markt

There was a handwerker markt in Lintorf, a neighboring village.  It took us about 10 minutes on the bus - nice to not worry about traffic or finding parking:)  The main street through Lintorf was closed to traffic and about 150 craft stalls were set-up.

There were people making buttermilk, wooden shoes, candles, wood carvings, wax molds, metal work, jump ropes, and lots of other things by hand.  It was fun to see the crafters work.

The firemen were doing a demonstration, too.

There were also food stands...we got pretzel rolls, one of our new favorite snacks!  There was also lots of bratwurst and beer of course...the main staples of gatherings in Germany.

We bought a few items.  We chose a wooden car for Kaleb.  It's just the right size for his little hands, and definitely something he'll grow into and be able to push around.  The big boys loved the wooden weapons that one person had made.  We opted for wooden knives with holsters.

We also got some all-natural handmade dolls...yes, even for our boys:)  (We have to balance out the weapons, right!)  They are "Wichtelpuppen" dolls made in the tradition of Waldorf dolls from Westfalenstoffe fabric which is produced without chemicals.  The doll Kaleb is holding below fits perfectly in his chubby hands and has a rattle inside.  He's a fan.  The other doll Liam has claimed:)  There are pictures below.  It is called the "Guten Morgen, Guten Nacht" doll ("Good Morning, Good Night").  It's very cute.  You flip it over to have the awake or sleeping baby.  They're both made from very soft fabric.

Kaleb with our new treasures - two dolls, wooden car, and wooden knife with case.

 

guten Morgen

guten Nacht

Here's the doll sideways so you can see how to flip it over to wake or sleep the baby.

It was a hot day but we had a good time wandering through the market.  That evening we went out to dinner with other JCI ex-pat families.  It was a great restaurant along the Rhine with a playground for the kids - a bonus since when you go out to dinner it can take an hour at least to get your food.  The boys were exhausted by the end of our busy day.