Week of Oct. 20th, 2013

Sunday.  Today Sean decided he didn't want to leave the house so he was going to stay in his pj's all day.  Ok, but that didn't stop him from playing out in the backyard!
Since we now know we will be moving back to the states I have been looking at so many houses online all the time- ugh!  Not very exciting.  We had really hoped to finish out the school year here.  The kids are happy and I still have a lot of places to visit!!
One of Amber's friends from last year moved to London over the summer and they were back in town for the weekend, so the little girl came over for lunch and a playdate today.  It was good to see her and her mom again.  I did the boy's religious education with them.  I tried a new recipe for dinner and it turned out good.  Jason visited the Great Wall of China today.  Jason was on the newer section, built around 1000 years ago!

Monday Jason accidentally called us from China at 4:57am!  Amber never fell back asleep!  This morning I went to the other mall b/c it was the only place I knew that sold crocs.  I guess when we came back here I forgot to bring back Jacob's crocs and sandals, oops.  Of course here they are like double the price so not happy about that, but with us going to the Canary Islands this weekend he needs something.  So this and grocery shopping, home, exercise, lunch, and then got ready and went to my friend's house that took our pictures to pick up the disk.  We reviewed the pictures.  The color and sharpness of the pictures is so clear compared to my camera.  They turned out really cute.  Sean totally stole the camera.  If you don't catch him right he can get this goofy smile, but he looks great in all the pictures. 

The price came a bit more then I expected, b/c when I left I had a ticket on my car!!  It said that 2 of my tires were on the sidewalk and it was a $65 fine!  I was parked in her driveway and my back 2 tires were on the sidewalk.  She couldn't believe it either!  She said someone must have called and complained.  I was there for about 50 min.  I couldn't believe it!  Ugh!
After school Jacob had cross country and Amber went to the park with a friend.  When I picked her up later she was covered in mud. 

Tuesday morning Jacob had early band and I had to get up early to make the pin wheels I was bringing in for the middle school United Nations Lunch today.  So each grade in middle school was assigned a starter, main dish, or dessert and then you write down where it is from and the kids get to try foods from all over the world.  The pin wheels were a hit.  Kids also love the sushi the Japanese moms make.  I had yoga this morning and then ran home to get ready and back to school to help get things ready for the luncheon.  The kids enjoyed it! 

After I helped clean up from this I went over to Amber's classroom as myself and 2 other moms were doing a Halloween party.  We talked about what Halloween is in the states and trick or treating.  Remember some kids have no idea what this is!  I had baked cupcakes.

I brought in Halloween bingo, we did pumpkin drawings and my friend brought in 3 pumpkins and the kids got to carve them and pull out the seeds.  We had little goodie bags to hand out when class was done.  The kids had fun! 
After school Amber had a friend over and Jacob had guitar after dinner.

Wednesday morning was make a flag day with Amber's class.

Here is a picture of us before we put the stars on it.  So that was nice.  When Amber was done with school I picked her up and 2 friends.  We came home for lunch and play time and then back to school later for ballet.  Sean had soccer and thank goodness the rain had stopped from the pour down that was this morning.  After dinner I took Jacob back to school as they had a middle school Halloween party at school.  Jacob had a good time. 


Thursday morning Jason called me at 3am by accident- ugh!! Today was the lower school United Nations luncheon.  So this morning I made rice krispie treats and put some American flags on them.  They were a big hit!  A few other moms had made some but they were all hard.  The kids dressed in red, white and blue.

I went in before lunch and finished helping set up and serve food.  The kids really enjoy it.  You should see them cruising the food tables! 
After school Sean went to a friend's house and Jac had cross country.  After running they had an end of the season party since not everyone will go on to the finals.  So Jacob enjoyed that and is happy he will be going to the finals.
Jason got back late tonight and the kids were trying to wait up to see him.  Thank goodness it is Friday tomorrow!

Friday morning Jacob had early band so Jason was able to take him and then went and got his hair cut.  I had a few last minute things to do and then tennis. 
Today when I went to pickup I looked in the lost and found at the Lower school and thank goodness I found Sean's jacket that he hasn't seem to be able to find.  Otherwise we were going to have to go to the upper school building and the sports building and look in their lost and founds.  He left on the soccer pitch during recess so I wasn't sure it would find its way all the way back to the lower school, but it did!
Jacob's group- one other boy and 2 girls, won the hid your pumpkin competition at school for all of 6th grade!  He won a book, candy and a certificate.  He had come up with the idea of making it into a hot air balloon with a Bunsen burner under it.  Cute idea!  So he was excited.
Today was Amber's friend last day here.  Tomorrow they fly to New Zealand to start life back there again.

 

She is the one in the middle.

So I said goodbye to her mom as well.  It was sad.  When we moved her 2 1/2 years ago Amber was in Preschool and there were 5 kiddos that clicked- the Fab Five, 2 boys and 3 girls.  Well she is the first one to move one.  So she and her family will be missed.  

Sean and my friend's 2 boys wearing their jerseys for wearing something from your country.

 

Tonight after dinner I dropped my car off at the dealership so while we are gone they can change the oil, b/c it takes a whole day in which then I would be without a car here.  Of course Jason was super busy at work and they were going to be closing soon, so he had to call a cab to pick me up and take me home. 





Week of Oct. 13th, 2013

Sunday I woke up with a horrible head cold.  I really had it by the time I went to bed last night and didn't sleep well.  Today I got my Polish Pottery out for a goodbye coffee I am having this week for my friend, also named Kerry, who is moving back to New Zealand.  Her daughter is Amber's age and they have been friends since we moved here.   I haven't used the tea set yet so I had the kids help me peel all those awful stickers off the pottery.

There were 3 stickers on each piece!
Jacob had a friend over after lunch.  Then I took Amber to the girl that is moving, her going away party and her brother turned 3 so they combined the parties. 

Monday I had the Grade 4 coffee right after drop off.  This is where parents can come together and hear the room parents tell what they know about how the year is going to be.  We do it at a café right across from school.  So that was nice.  After that I ran to the store then home and tried to rest as I still am very stuffy and not sleeping well.  Jason got up super early as I think his flight left at 6:20.  I can hear the plane and I always think it is his flight!  He flew back to MI for the week. 
Amber had a field trip today.  They went and saw a play.  She said it was mostly dancing.  But she enjoyed it. 
After lunch I tried to rest for a bit but don't think I really ever fell asleep.  Then before pick up I had Amber's grade coffee.  Same place.  So it is also a nice way to meet other moms.
After school Jacob had cross country in the rain. And a little boy from Amber's class had invited her over for a playdate.  He lives about 25 min or so from the school.  So we just decided Sean and I would come over too.  So that was nice to get to know them.  They are from the UK, but have lived her for about 8 years but are new to the school this year.
When I picked Jacob up from cross country he was really excited.  He had gotten picked to be on the final team that goes to competition.  It is in November and they leave on a Friday and come back late Sat.  They go to Antwerp, Belgium.  They get to spend the night in a hotel and everything.  He is super excited!

Tuesday I took Jacob in early for band and then back to school later for the other 2.  I still wasn't feeling good so I didn't go to yoga. Today Sean went on a field trip to a cave in Belgium.  He was excited.  But it was a wet, cold day.  I took it easy and then got things made for my coffee I am going to have tomorrow.  I made a blueberry coffee cake, apple dumpling cake, berry salad, and before bed I made zucchini bread.  After school Sean had a friend over, and then when his brother finished his drum lesson he came over to play with Jacob.    Today at school a samurai came to school.  He performed for the school which of course the boys thought was super cool!  He also has a book series, so Jacob bought the book for his age and Sean would like one of the books for his age.  After school Jacob and I were talking after school and all of a sudden he just points to something.  It is writing on the wall!  We go and look at it and it is a self portrait and then the person signed their name!  Any guesses?  It was Amber!! 

I couldn't believe it!  This is a picture of it after we tried erasing it too!  I called her over to take a look at it and she knew I was mad and was already about in tears when she saw what I was talking about, but she said she didn't remember doing it.  She said maybe someone else did it, but I told her that she signed her name to it!  It was her!  She never admitted to doing it but just kept saying she was sorry.  She tried erasing it but it didn't come off.  The walls here are concrete so not really sure what kind of paint this is.  So after her time out she went under the dining room table to hide and then up to her room and put herself to bed and that was at like 4pm!  So around 5pm I went up and woke her up.  Then dinner and back to school for Jacob's guitar lesson.

Wednesday morning after I dropped off the kids I had some friends over for a coffee to say goodbye to our friend that is moving back to New Zealand.  Her daughter is Amber's age.  So we had a nice time and enjoyed using my Polish pottery.

The one in the middle is the one moving.  I didn't think of taking a picture until the end and some people had already left.  My friend on the left side is the one who does the professional pictures.Amber went home with her friend for lunch and back to school for ballet.  Jacob had early dismissal just by an hour so he just met me where I pick Amber up after ballet so it worked out well.  Sean had soccer after school and then went to a friend's house. 

Thursday I still wasn't feeling too good, so I spent the morning at home doing some nutrition articles for my credits I need.  Then before lunch was my dr. appt.  He said I had the start of an ear infection and a bad cough, congestion, nose thing.  So here when you get medicine you get like 6 things you need to take!  I got the antibiotic, probiotic, nose spray, nose pill to take, cough syrup and a cough thing to take that helps break up the mucus.  So then on to pharmacy. 
After school today Jacob had cross country and Amber had a Halloween party for Rainbows so she went as a witch.

 
Sean had a new friend over to play.  He is from Buenos Aires.  They had a fun time.  Then I took them back to school later to drop off the boy and pick up my other two.  Today Sean brought home his procession set from school.  He was so excited!  He would take it out and play it and then put it all away.  Then a bit later he would take it out again and play some more.  So funny!

Friday morning at 5:30 Amber woke up complaining that her throat was hurting.  Oh no I thought, her best little girlfriend just had strep so I wondered if maybe she had it now.  She went back to bed though.  Jac had early band this morning and the other 2 didn't have school today for conferences.  So this morning we did Amber's first, as usual she is doing great and nothing to really say.  Her writing book is so cute though!  So cool to see her writing. I love it, just not on my walls!
Sean's conference this year included him.  So it was good with Sean and the teacher going over his goals and things.  It went well too.  After this we grabbed a sandwich at the bakery near school and then on the Dr. to check out Amber.  She didn't have strep just a viral sore throat so that was good.  After this I took Sean to a friend's house to play and Amber and I came home for a bit.
Once Jacob finished school I went and picked him and a friend up and then we went back to pick up Sean.  The boys had fun playing here and at the park.  Jacob friend stayed for dinner then went home after that.  Tonight Jason flew from MI to China.

Sat. was trick or treating in the late afternoon.

The weather was great today!  It was sunny and warmer.  The Woman's Club puts it on b/c they don't do Halloween here and the 31st is over fall break here.  So we went with friends and the kids had fun!

It is in a little subdivision here, around 30 or so houses participate, and when it ends the kids play at the park and they sell hot dogs and chips.  After this we came home and had a movie night.

Week of Oct. 6th, 2013

Sunday morning, nothing beats waking up in a castle!!  Opening the windows and looking out was just so cool! 
Our room key I think weighted 8 lbs or so!

We had breakfast there.  I was hoping for some pancakes but no such luck, just a European breakfast, breads, meats, cereal, yogurt, and hard boiled eggs.  Fruits too.
Then I took a lovely bubble bath in the tub, no shower here, and they even had these little medieval candle holders, so relaxing!! 
View from breakfast window.

After breakfast we figured out how to get up on the top wall around the castle.

 

 

Since it wasn't raining today we got a chance to walk around the gardens today. 

View of castle from gardens.

They had a giant chess board.

A cool tree house with castle like furniture inside of it!

 

And a great view of the town.

Here is just a little cozy spot on the way back from the garden overlooking the river.

From here we just headed home.  It took over 2 hours with the traffic and closed roads- geesh! 
It was a great time, one that we will remember!!

Monday I got my Monday errands done, exercised and then got ready to go and visit my friend still in the hospital.  I picked her up a paper, one place that I know sells them in English, and a cute little glass vase with pumpkins and fallish things in it.  It was nice to see her and I think she enjoys the company. 
After school Amber stayed at school to play with a friend who they were staying to wait for a bit.  And Jacob cross country.  The went and ran in the valley and Jacob really enjoyed it! 

Tuesday Jac had early band, and then after I dropped off the other 2 I had my yoga class.  My friend said that she thinks I fell asleep during the relaxing part at the end!  I must have b/c I don't remember!
After class my friend and I went to the mall to look for a few things.  Jac could really use some long sleeve shirts.  When we were home this summer those really weren't out for sale yet.  Then we ate at my favorite new place there- the sushi counter! 
After school Amber stayed and played with a friend at school and then came home later.  Jacob had guitar after dinner. 

Wednesday I had an appt. to get my eyebrows waxed and I showed up and she said I didn't have an appt. but they could take me in an hour if I wanted- ugh.  So I rescheduled for tomorrow morning and went to the store instead.
I got a little treadmill time in and then back to school to get Amber and 2 friends.  We came home and they had lunch here, got a little playdate in and then back to school for ballet.  The little girl on Amber's left is moving back to New Zealand in a few weeks.

Since this year the parents aren't allowed in the new school the ballet teacher meets us by the reception desk and takes them and just brings them back when they are finished.  There are no chairs or anywhere to sit so I left and ran to a shoe store to see about getting Sean a new pair of shoes for our picture shoot this weekend.  The traffic was pretty bad so I got back a few minutes late, but my friend had grabbed Amber for me.  So from here we went to the upper school building where they have an area to sit and hang out and wait and we waited for Jacob since he doesn't get out early on Wednesdays like the other 2 do.  Then walked up to the soccer pitch to pick up Sean from soccer.  He really enjoys it!  From here I had made hair appts. for the kids so they all got their hair cut. 

Thursday morning Jacob didn't have school but we had his conferences.  So we dropped the other 2 off at school and then walked over to Jacob's school.  He now does the conferences with us.  I like it better that way they can get feedback from the teacher.  So Jason was able to attend a few of them with us, but we did 5 teachers.  So first German, then Science, Math, French and English and Social studies, those 2 are together b/c same teacher.  So it went well besides having to study more for German and French.  But those German words are tricky!  After this we ran to the store and I had a quick appt.  Then we ran home and dropped off Jacob and groceries with the cleaning lady.  I ran to my friend's house that is going to do our family pictures this weekend to go over things and see the photos of the area she scouted out.  It looks really nice.  I had said I wanted a Luxembourg setting so it is in the valley with the bridge and old stones, etc so hopefully we have good weather and they turn out ok.  I didn't get the top of my hair colored so no close ups of my head! 
After this I came home and Jacob and I ate the sushi we had picked up from my favorite new spot!  I think I should get best customer this month!  Then he went to a friend's house and I ended up staying for a bit for some tea and a chat so that was nice.  Then back home for a little bit and on to school.  Amber had rainbows after school, so I picked up Sean.  Jacob and his friend came back to school b/c they thought they might have had cross country but they didn't so I took them back to our house.  They played here until we had to go back to school for Amber and I dropped off Jacob's friend on the way to school.  Amber really enjoys rainbows! 

Friday Jacob didn't have school again b/c his teachers still doing conferences.  So Jason took the other 2 to school and then Jacob and I ate breakfast together.  We had some things to get together for our movie night we are hosting tomorrow night and then we had appts. at the chiropractor.  After this I had tennis.  When I got home from tennis Jacob had eaten lunch but had made me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and had cut it in half and given me half an apple cut in half too and a glass of water.  It was super cute!  After I ate we went to the pool where we meet 2 of Jacob's friends and one of their moms.  It was a great time to go to the pool as there was no one there.  So normally I really don't get in the water as most of the time it is too cold for me, but my friend convinced me I needed to do laps with her.  So for about 15 min. or so we did laps and then just sat and chatted.  It was nice.  From here I took all 3 boys with me to school to pick up Amber as Sean was getting a ride to the b'day party at lazer tag he was going too.  So then we came home and the boys played.  When I had to go back and pick up Sean after the party I just dropped off all the boys at their houses.  I think Jacob had 2 nice days off!
I ironed and got everyone's clothes ready for picture day tomorrow.
Tonight we got some more stuff ready for movie night!  The kids are excited.  I made some mint brownies.

Sat. I got up at 7 and ran to the store for tonight.  Then we got ready for pictures.  We met my friend down in the valley at 10am.  It was a good day for pictures here, no rain and not sunny.  So we spent about 1:15 walking along in the valley and taking pictures.  It was really neat with the background to really show the old Luxembourg.  The only problem was it was really cold and we were walking around with no coats.  It went well and hopefully the kids smiled good!  I talked to her later in the day and she took 570 pictures!  We were so cold by the time it was done we walked to a restaurant I had wanted to try down in the Grund right next to the valley and had hot chocolate and lunch!
Picture just someone took with my phone, after lunch so we had warmed up a bit,  but you can get an idea of the background.

After this we went home.  We were suppose to have movie night but the 2 families had sickness of a couple people so we had to cancel.  My kids were so bummed they had gotten stuff ready for tonight.  So I still made chili and the boys had chili dogs, and we just rented Pirates of the Caribbean 4.  We love those movies!  So we had a nice evening, just not what we had planned.