Pretty boring day today, but in a good way. Millie woke up asking for breakfast which means the bug passed through her quickly.

We took an Uber to catch our early-but-not-too-early flight from Porto to Düsseldorf. We’re starting to fall into a good airport rhythm, like who carries what bag, whose hand Millie holds on escalators, etc. and she is getting used to the choreography of getting through security, to the gate, and onto the plane.

An aside: European airports have these fun play areas for toddlers and small kids, it’s great.

The flight was 2.5 hours and went smoothly. There were no freakouts when it was time to put the iPad away. We picked up our rental car and drove 30 minutes into Essen. Essen was described to me by my German neighbor in Austin as “the Columbus Ohio of Germany” but as we drove the streets I think he was selling it short. It is very green and pretty.

We are here on a family mission to visit where my grandmother was born and grew up before moving to England to flee nazis. It was strange to imagine an alternate timeline where this could be my hometown.

We stopped at a grocery store to get some essentials and then checked into our Airbnb. We built a fort, played card games, drew, and played charades until it was time for dinner. Here is Millie acting out being a coconut. I have no notes.

Unfortunately Nick started to burn up and now has a fever. At least no one else can get sick now?