This year was simple. One drop of blue food coloring deep in the bristles of his toothbrush (I held it horizontally for a few seconds til it dried). Then wait til the next morning for the shriek.
APRIL FOOL'S!!! 
We enjoyed a drink and a snack on the terrace in the courtyard after the tour and visit to the treasury, and explored the grounds a little before heading back.
It was a beautiful day for a drive and a wonderful time with two of my loves.
(No, it wasn't permanent...)
Thursday night I got to watch my Soldier re-enlist someone. When this part of our life is over, that is one thing I will miss the most. Watching him encourage and teach other soldiers. And he's SO GREAT at that. He cares about them. He has impacted so many lives. And he looks pretty good in his uniform. ;)
And yesterday, on a beautiful, sunny Good Friday, we went to what is making a pretty strong argument for being voted our favorite castle so far.
Burg Eltz.
The castle has been in the same family for 34 generations! Apparently the current family members visit from Frankfurt every couple of weeks. "Hey kids, it's a long weekend. We are going to our castle." "Aw, mom, again?" The three branches of family that have lived there have held various titles such as Lords, Counts, Councillors, Erbmarschall, and one Imperial Arch Chancellor Prince Elector (whew!!).
We parked and had a 15 minute or so walk around the hills to get to the castle. The little tributary was flowing along below us and the boy had a lot of fun exploring above us..
No photos were allowed on the tour, but we took some in the courtyard.
The tour was great! We got to see several rooms-so many interesting details like the slate in the fireplaces, little window seats/benches in every room to maximize light, gorgeous wooden beams and painted ceilings, family crests everywhere, and a kitchen largely untouched since the 1500's. The castle is built in an out of the way place and that, combined with the obvious care the family took of it, has it in beautiful condition for being so old.
And on our drive back we passed a medieval walled city and another castle....
And as we get ready to celebrate the Savior's resurrection tomorrow, I am reminded anew of the love of our Father we see every day, in every hour. Every spring blossom is a glimpse of new life, every chirping robin is the hope of fresh beginnings, every whispy cloud is a promise that there is more beyond the beauty He has given us here.
This word was not made to satisfy us, but to give us a tiny peek at the beauty He has waiting for us if only we accept His gift. THAT is love.
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