Carnival Break, Feb. 2014- Portugal

Sunday we took it easy and got some things done here.  It rained most of the morning so once it cleared up after lunch.  Jason and Jacob ran and Sean rode his bike and they went to the pirate ship park downtown.  Amber and I made her cupcakes for her valentines party tomorrow she is having.  I told her she could only have a few people over.  After the boys got back Jason pulled Amber around in the wagon.  Then Sean thought he needed to go in it as well.  Jason had quite a load to pull!  Amber and I got the table ready for her friends with Valentine's plates, etc.  I got everyone packed for our trip to Portugal this week. 

Monday morning we got ready for Amber's little Valentine playdate with a few friends.  Only 2 of them ended up being able to make it as 2 others were sick.  Not with what Amber had, but just not feeling well.  So it was Amber and 2 other friends who decorated cupcakes, did some Valentine's worksheets, played a few games and then the boys had set up a freeze dance with songs already picked out and Jacob had it all lined up on the ipad.

The boys even made a little video clip for the kids about them being the DJ's for them today.  It was cute and they had fun doing it!  Once the kids left Amber and I took the goodie bags and cupcakes over to her 2 friends that couldn't make it.  By the time we got back it was dinner time.  Jason just worked from the house today.  As far away from the noise as he could get!
I finished packing and got everything ready for our trip tomorrow.

Tuesday morning a painter had to come over to estimate for the painting of the house that Jason's company will have to do when we move out as per the contract for the house.  He was here at 9am.  Jason was up late last night and was still in bed.  While the guy was on the second floor measuring I had to go upstairs and wake him up!  Someone was suppose to come over and take the guest bedroom closet today, so this morning I got it all cleaned out. Well never heard from them today- ugh!
After lunch we had chiropractic appointments and then in the afternoon got cleaned up, had an early dinner and left for the airport to fly to Lisbon, Portugal.  We were meeting some friends there and looking forward to some sunny weather!  We are also excited to see how we do with the Portuguese since we still remember a bit from Brazil!  Our flight was late- 8:30pm it left here and landed a little after 10pm their time.  I had scheduled a transfer so we got there a little after 10:30.  Our apt. was great.  All hard wood floors, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, nice kitchen, family area and dining area and nice views out the window and little balcony.  So it was perfect for us to be able to spread out!  Our friends had already arrived and had left us some art work by our door- too funny! 

So we just got settled and then went to bed.

Wednesday morning we slept in until about 7:30 or so when the kids started waking up and then our fresh bread was delivered in rolls in a bread lady that hung on our door.

Our friends had gotten in earlier yesterday and had picked up some water and milk for us.  They were in the apt. right above us and they brought that down for us.  I had packed some cereal boxes so with this and the bread we could at least get something to eat before leaving for the day to explore.  Once both families were ready we headed out for the day.  It was very hilly and lots of steps in between the buildings to get up the hills without having to walk on the streets.  The street our hotel is on is a tiny narrow little street.  When a car stops to pick up or drop off anything at the hotel or wherever it blocks the whole road.  So we started out by walking more uphill and spent the morning walking around the ruins area of a castle. 

View from castle.

 

 

From here we walked to a neat church on the way out to lunch in another neighborhood.

This was mostly downhill now.  Tile is everywhere here.  Here it is on a building.

We found a Portuguese restaurant and enjoyed a nice meal there.  Look at the tile picture on the wall in the restaurant.

Our Portuguese is slowly coming back.  It is pretty easy to understand them as well.  From here we walked along the riverfront to a big square. 

It had a big arch at one end.  It was a very pretty square.  From here we started walking back uphill to a church where a man had brought gold from Brazil to decorate the church with.  It was covered in gold.  That would be one heavy suitcase! 
We stopped and got ice cream from the step uphill walk.  Then back down hill and walked through some more nice squares

and then to the tiny store front at the bottom of our street to get some food for us.  It was slim pickings so we got some basics and all headed uphill to our apt.  It was mid afternoon now and Jason had a lot of work to do so he spent the rest of the day working even through dinner.  The kids enjoyed running back and forth between the apts and playing.  Then we headed out for dinner, minus Jason, and went back down all the steps to an area with a bunch of restaurants.  We did an Italian one this time as the other family really likes that type of food.  It was funny b/c a lot of this trip was just me and my kids and their family which has 4 kids.  A girl Sean's age, then another girl, then Amber's BFF, and then a little boy.  So a total of 7 kids between the 2 families.  They get along great.  But we looked really funny walking around with so many kids.  We were laughing saying people are going to think we are from Utah or something!  After dinner we hiked back up all the steps and brought Jason the left overs so he was happy for dinner delivery!  The area we saw today was the old town and I felt like everything was really on top of each other, and there were not many places to eat, besides this one street of a group of restaurants together.  View of the castle where we started out today.

Views from our apartment.

After walking around the city all day I had the kids all get cleaned up and ready for bed. 

Thursday we got the warm rolls again for breakfast and this time enjoyed some jelly with it!  This morning after we all got ready we headed out and walked to the tower/elevator that was built by the same man who built the Eiffel tower.  This one not quite as big or pretty but a lot easier to get up! 

The elevator was a big wooden panel room, neat. 

Pictures from the top of it.

Here was an old church with a man guarding it and a neat door.  Maybe there was something more too it?

From here we took taxis to the Belem Tower and now it started to rain.  This was an old watch tower.  So we walked around it and up the levels of the tower.  It is along the river. 

 

In all the castles and tight stair cases we have been in over the course of 3 years I have never seen this electronic stop light on the stairs!  It is a good idea.  So before each entrance to the stairs was an electronic arrow keypad and it said how much time was left to go up or down depending if your light was red or green.   After here Jason left and went back to the apt. to work and the rest of us took taxis to the aquarium.  Next to the aquarium was a big Brazilian steakhouse.  So we ate lunch there.  Everyone loved the rice and beans.  Our friends had never had that before.   After this we spent awhile in the aquarium.  It was neat.  They actually had some big ice formations on the rocks in the penguin exhibit.  We also saw another family from school there! 

After this we walked down the street trying to find a cab, but found an ice cream store instead so we made a stop in there.  It was still raining and we were all starting to get soaked.  After this we went walking again looking for a taxi.  Once we got one we took it to this big square we were at the other day.  It was really pouring by now.  We went to the tourist office and it took awhile to sort it all out but we booked a mini bus for tomorrow for all of us to go to 2 towns that are really popular here, but about 40 min. away.  One is a mountain town and the other a beach town.  Then we walked about 15 min back home up hill.  We were all wet and cold and tired by the time we got home it was around 5pm.  Jason had left the apt to go to a University here and meet with the person there who is going to possibly be running this recruiting program there that his company will do.   So we hung out at the apt for a bit and then met up with Jason for dinner with all of us. 
Pretty building on our walk to dinner.

We went to one of our favorite places!! Hard Rock Café!!  It was about a 15 min walk.  It is our 9th country eating at a Hard Rock!  All the kids enjoyed the American food.

It had stopped raining when we left for dinner so that was nice.  Then a walk back up the steps to get home!

Friday we had rented a private tour bus for us to go the mountain and beach towns today about 40 min away. The meeting point for the bus was back in front of the Hard Rock restaurant.  Jason walked down there with us but had to work today so didn't come with us.  We had ordered a bus for all of us, but I guess it got a flat tire so they came with 2 mini type vans.  That was a bummer b/c we were spending the day driving around and wanted to be together and now we had to split up.  So I took my boys and their oldest girl, and they took Amber and the rest of their crew.  I think Amber has become an adapted member of their family!  This is her BFF's family.  I took both girls names and combined them to Amvery!  B/c they are always together so now it is just easier to call them- ha!  So we 1st drove to a lookout point over some cliffs and the ocean.  It is the most Western European point.  It is the same latitude of New York!  Pretty cool.  It was super windy here- there went my hair today! 

 

 

Then off to the mountain town through the forest on the mountain.  About 25 min.  The road was narrow and windy.  There were these huge rocks/boulders in the forest.  I had never seen anything like it b/c they look like those smooth white pebble smaller rocks you find, but as big as a house almost.  So here we went to see the romantic castle, Palace of Pena.  The guy that bought the land to have this built in the 1800's only paid 750 Euros!  And he wasn't sure what he future wife would like so he had it built in 6-7 different styles of architecture  and then painted 6 different colors!  Unfortunately his wife died 1-2 years before it was finished.  Then when he married again and they moved in, he died 1 year later.  Sad.  About 4 years later the state took it over and now you can go in and tour it as it is a National Heritage site.  All the furniture and dishes were left and you can see all their furniture from then!  We have seen a lot of castles over here but not many with all these great original furnishings!  And all the royal dishes in the hutch!  Really neat.

From here we drove to the old part of the town.  Here we had time to walk around and have lunch.  While shopping Jacob and I picked out some tiles that spell our last name.  Very popular here.  Here street signs, inside house walls, outside house walls are tiled. 

A castle in the middle of the town.

 

After lunch the vans came back and we drove around town.

This elaborate hotel hidden here on a cliff, but it was a good spot for a picture with the castle in the background.

Views from the hotel.

 

 

I guess Clinton stayed here once.  Rates start at 1000 Euros/ night!  From here we drove through the rest of the town and then on to an opened up cave.  So it is right on the ocean and over time from the waves hitting it it caused the roof to collapse.  Now you could look right down into this water cave.  On the other side you could hear the sound of the waves coming in and then this whooshing noise.  It was pretty neat.

Lastly we visited the beachy town.  It was an old fishing port.  The kids ran on the sand.

 This house is someone's private residence!

Then we went to part of the square and got some ice cream- just what we need in the cold!  To head back we drove along the coast as long as we could and then back to Lisbon.  We got back at around 5:30pm so a long day.  Since we were already out I called Jason and we met up with him and ate dinner in a neat square.  It was nice.

It was our last night here.  After dinner we walked back to our apt and said goodnight and goodbye as our friends were leaving early the next morning. 

Sat morning we got up.  Our friends left early.  We got ready and packed up and then went for a walk down their main street where we had only walked as far as the Hard Rock restaurant.  It was a nice morning, so we walked around for a bit. 

 One of the set of steps we walked up all week back to our apt.

Our street that our apt. was on.

Just another set of narrow stairs.

 

 

Sean needed a post card for school.  Then once back at the hotel we checked out and bought our little bread man that would hold the bread for us.  We had a bread girl for part of the week, but I liked the bread man better.  Then the big van came and picked us up and off to the airport.  When we landed here earlier in the week it was this huge area with shops and restaurants so we figured we would just eat lunch there.  Well I guess we arrived in terminal one, but were flying out of terminal 2.  There were 2 stores and McDonalds.  Oh well.  Mcdonalds for lunch it was.  The flight home was good.  Then we ran to the store in the gas station that is a nice store and picked up some things for our late dinner as it was a bit before 7pm.  Jason fixed some spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner.  It is always nice to come back home!

 

 

 

Week of Feb. 9th, 2014

Sunday was a busy day of selling!  I made waffles for the last time and cleaned up the waffle maker and packed it up for my friend to get.  Before lunch the guy came to buy the kitchen table and Sean's desk chair. So now our fine dining table in the kitchen is this.  My friend let us borrow it. 

Poor Sean he lost like half of his furniture today.  Then after lunch someone came and bought his desk and an extra TV stand I had the whole time we have been here and never used.  Then the couple that came by last night to see the dresser picked that up and then decided they wanted Sean's book case too!   Next was a woman who bought a pink car seat.  When we moved here I had bought a lot of stuff used from people moving from here.  So now I don't need to take it back with me so I am selling that stuff and then some things we bought but I don't really need to take them back or they just won't work in our new house.  Jason had gone grocery shopping with my list of items to start getting the new house there stocked with basics- toilet paper, paper towel, etc.  It was warm in the house when Jason came in.  "First thing I am going to do here is turn this down," he told me!  Yesterday he went and looked at basketball hoops for outside and a pool table.  I asked how it went and he found a basketball hoop he liked and a few pool tables.  But he said, "I have already bought a house you haven't really seen.  I don't think it would be good for either of us if I start decorating the house!"  Ha true true!

Monday morning I ran to the store then home to workout and get ready.  Before lunch the girl who tried to find my house last week and got lost came back and found it today.  So she bought some things.  Then another person was suppose to come and look at a few things in the afternoon before pickup but something else came up so she just called and said she would take them without seeing them.  After school Jacob had his friend over that still has his foot in a cast.  Hopefully it comes off before they go skiing! 

Tuesday we got Jacob to school early for band and then back later for the other 2.  Then off to yoga.  Then home and someone came over to buy the coffee pot.  Then after lunch a plumber came to unclog the drain in the sink in the basement laundry room that has been clogged for a couple of months now.  It works great now!  Then emptying Amber's closet so someone can buy that tonight.  I was baking pumpkin bread before school pick up and of course I had 2 loaves in the oven and I really needed to get going but was waiting until the bread could come out.  It will be lovely to have 2 ovens again!  So was running to pick up today.  Jacob had basketball so we picked him up later.  Then after dinner a nice little Vietnamese man came to take apart and buy the closet.  It was big and a lot of boards so I helped him get it apart and carry it down the 3 flights of stairs.  Now Amber's clothes are all over her room in piles.  Jacob's guitar teacher is out of town so it worked out well that he didn't have it tonight.  Plus he has come down with my nasty cold from last week so better he rest. 

Wednesday was fairy tale day at school for Amber.  So while most girls were fairies or princesses Amber went as a Dragon!  It is funny b/c it is her Dino costume that she just loves and she just said it now was a dragon and that was what she wanted to wear.

Here they don't even send home a notice or a teacher email to let the parents know.  It was just the kids responsibly to tell there parents at the end of the day that tomorrow they needed a costume!
This morning I went to our book club's first meeting.  I brought my pumpkin bread.  We had read Behind the Beautiful Forevers which is a true story about people living in a Mumbai slum in India.  It was hard to believe some of the things she wrote about.  So it was a good book, but also sad to read about life there.  So it was nice to meet the people there.  I only knew my friend that hosted it.  I had to leave early to go pick up Amber and 2 friends for lunch, playdate and then back for ballet.  Then Sean had his sports class after school so when Amber and Sean were done we picked up Jacob and then went and got the boy's hair cut.  We stopped by the flower store and picked up a beautiful purple container with some flower bulbs and some other things in there to take to a friend's house for dinner.
Jacob got some homework done and then we went to Sean's friend's house for dinner.  My friend is Italian and made some Italian appetizers, and lasagna, very good.  Not the traditional kind we are used to at home.  It was lighter and a white sauce with some meat and just a little bit of red sauce.  Then salad and a beef Carpaccio and bread.  Then for dessert was a like a frozen ice cream dessert with a type of crushed up biscuit in there, again all very good.  So we had a nice time. 

Thursday I ran to the store for the weekend food now.  Then my friend that hosted the book club came over to return my polish pottery dish that I had brought the bread on and we had our own chat about the book.  It was nice.  And she was here for about 2 hours.  Then lunch and a little workout then got ready.  Today normally I don't go back to school until later with the kid's after school activities but b/c 4th grade had their concert tonight they canceled their activities for after school.  So I had to go and pick up Sean.  Then Amber was suppose to go to Rainbows but she sees me there and is like oh mom I don't feel good.  I think I have a belly ache and I am hot. So both Sean and Amber came home after school.  Jacob had basketball practice and then they had a pizza party b/c now kids that didn't make the final competition team are done practicing and Jacob made the team so he will continue on until the championships in March.  Once at home Amber was tired but really fine.  Sean and I made the dough for sugar cookies so he can bring them to his class tomorrow for Valentine's Day.  Amber already has someone coming in, so I didn't need to do anything for her class.  I feed these 2 dinner early.  Then back to school to get Jacob.  We were planning on just staying at school now, b/c there was a middle school disco that Jacob was going to go to and then the rest of us were going to go to Sean's concert.  Well Jacob gets in the car and says, "mom I have so much homework tonight I can't go to the disco."  I felt bad for him b/c I know he wanted to go.  So I dropped him off at home and he got to work on his homework and the rest of us went back to school for the concert.  It was just 4th grade.  The classes were either told to wear a green, red or yellow shirt.  The flag colors of Africa.  The concert was based on the sounds of Africa.  So it looked nice and bold with their colors up on stage.  They sang, played instruments, played their recorders and then those in band did a song too.  Sean played the symbols.  Once home we rolled out the sugar dough and Sean and Amber decorated all the heart cookies.  Of course I couldn't find a normal size heart cookie cutter so the one I had was very big and now the cookies are as big or so as my whole hand! 

Happy Valentine's Day!  Today Sean brought in his cookies to share with the class today.  Amber's class was having a mom go in and do crafts and some cookies so she was all set.  Today Jason was flying back in, so I told the kids we would celebrate Valentine's at dinner with dad instead of normally they would get little gifts at breakfast.  The boys were ok with it, and Amber had to think about it and wasn't really crazy about the idea- ha!  So Jacob had to be at school early for band.  After I dropped the other 2 off later, I came home and made an angel food cake with mashed strawberries to go on top of it.  I love it, so of course had to take a little nibble!  Then I had to leave a little early for tennis b/c I wanted to stop by my new favorite florist to pick up a little something for my friend at tennis that has let me borrow her rackets for 2 years!  As I was driving there I passed Jason in a cab on his way home.  Today was my last day of tennis.  As the rest of my Fridays are starting to get booked with other things I decided to stop now.  My tennis teacher who I have had for 2 years wasn't there today.  So I was bummed not to be able to say goodbye to him.  I said goodbye to the 2 other ladies in my class.  Maybe I will bake some cookies and bring them to a class or something before I leave.  So on my way out I gave my friend her gift and her last racket I had.  Kind of sad to be ending something here. 
Then I came home and Jason was sleeping.  So I got some things done.  He got up a bit later.  They are still doing construction across the street from me.  They use the main street, not my street to actually bring all the trucks in on, but today a 3rd concrete mixer had been blocking my driveway for awhile, at least an hour or more.  I wasn't going to be able to get the car out of the garage nor did I fancy having to go to the construction site and try to explain in French I couldn't get my car out.  So I walked up to where I have parked Jason's car on the street and took that.  I got Amber and then Sean went home with a friend, but he gave me his back pack and the cookie container on his way out.  Jacob decided last minute to go over to a friend's house.  So I just brought Amber home with 2 extra backpacks as well!  She was so excited to see Jason!  Later I went one direction to pick up Jacob and thank goodness Jason was home b/c where Sean needed to be picked up was the opposite direction and traffic was really bad and it took me 30 min. just to get to Jacob's friend's house.  So once we were all back at home we started getting tacos ready and had a nice Valentine's dinner with our angel food cake and strawberries for dessert.  Then the kids got to open their gifts.  And Amber was excited to finally open her gifts, which she got Monster High pjs, and a Frozen book.

Saturday Amber was up for 2 hours in the early morning complaining of a couple of things.  Then up again at 7:30am.   So needless to say we didn't sleep well especially Jason who was so tired already.  So this morning after breakfast I took Amber to the Dr. and sure enough she had strep throat!  But by the time we left the house and got back home it had been 2 hours and she was miserable and crying.  They were running behind at the Dr. office, then we had to wait about 15 min for the results of the strep test, then the pharmacy was a mess.  So once home she ate a little something, I got all the medicine in her and put her down for a nap.  I had a list of things for Jason to do today (:  We had some boxes that needed to be broken down and some things that needed to go to the recycling center, etc.  We don't have a dump here, just a recycling center.  Amber slept for 2 hours and woke up happy and back to her self and felt good the rest of the day.  So hopefully the medicine keeps working and she gets well soon!  2 people called about the car today and one came to see it.  I started working with the kids on their new address back in the states.  Then late afternoon we went to see the new Lego movie!  I had bought tickets online last night since today was the first showing of it.  It was pretty busy.  It is funny going to the theatre here, b/c they only play English kids movies maybe one movie every couple of months, so we always see people we know.  Today we saw 5 other families we know.  Then we ate at a restaurant in the movie theatre area and came home.  We liked the movie, but Jason and I were so tired we both fell asleep a little bit during it!  It is also 3D so you have to wear those silly glasses. 

Week of Feb. 2nd, 2014

Sunday I had definitely come down with a cold.  We had church in the morning then from church Amber went home with a friend.  Once at home the people came to pick up the trampoline.  They live just up the street so he took a few things off it and then just rolled/carried it up the road and threw it into his backyard over the high hedge.  Someone else came by to buy the coat rack.  Then the boys had a playdate with another set of brothers.  So Jacob and his friend stayed here, and Sean went with his friend back to their house.  I got chili made and frozen for when Jason is here with the kids.  Then for dinner tonight I made a good chicken rice vegetable soup.  I need to double that next time as there wasn't much left!  Then Amber got dropped off from her playdate and we went and exchanged the boys back.  Jacob had a couple things of homework to do tonight. 

Monday I went grocery shopping and then home to meet with the relocation lady to go over the exiting checklist of things to do or get done before we leave.  I just keep thinking we will be on our way out and all of sudden they will be like, no you can't leave you forgot to do this or that!  Ugh!
Then I got the sugar cookie dough made and put in the refrigerator overnight.  After school Sean went home with a friend.   So later I went over to pick him up.

Tuesday I was pretty tired as I still had a painful cold/sinus headache and at 2am Amber came in b/c she was having a bad dream and so I told her she could climb in bed with me.  And it took her an hour to fall back asleep. She was tossing and turning and kicking me- ugh!  Then when I set my alarm I must have accidentally turned the volume down as I woke up to it 11 min. late!  Today Jacob had to be at school early for band and I needed to shower so I was trying to be fast but so tired and still not feeling well.  I got him there and then back again for the other two later.  Then I went to yoga with my Kleenex box and my floor mat (:  I was starting to feel better after drinking this special medicine/tea drink.  So after yoga my friend dropped me off at my house and I picked up my bread I had made and then we drove over to our other friend's house who was having the book fair sale today.  She had a lot of great books so I got some for the kids and stayed for awhile.  Then home to make cookies for the shower.  I had gotten baby cookie cutters, so a carriage, teddy bear, rocking horse and onsie shapes.  I had made the dough yesterday but it needed 8 hours to refrigerate so now I rolled them out and baked them.  Then on to school to pick up Amber and Sean, Jacob had basketball.  Then we ran to a florist to pick up a pretty flower to take to dinner tonight.  Then home to make brownies to take to dinner.  Then I got cleaned up and we ran back to school to get Jacob and then went to our neighbor's house for dinner, who we had given the trampoline too since we were moving.  They have a girl a year older then Amber who Amber enjoys playing with and then a 4 year old boy.  We had a nice dinner, but then had to run b/c Jacob had guitar back at school.  Then home and someone stopped by to see the car.  Really exhausted by this point so went to bed after all the kids did (:

Wednesday morning I ran to the store to get the last few things I needed for the shower tomorrow.  Then a lady that had seen my car wanted her husband to see it so they came by this morning and looked at it and we did a test drive.  I tried to get in a workout from a show I have on the apple TV but couldn't find the remote- ugh!  Then someone came by to buy a transformer.  Amber went home with a friend for lunch and then back for ballet.  I got the baby cookies frosted and tried to draw/decorate them.  I can bake but I am not the best artist when it comes to decorating things!  They are frosted pink and white.  Then back to school to pick up Amber from ballet and a bit later Sean from fitness class and then Jacob had his friend over that broke his toe and is in a cast so we helped him into the car with his crutches.  Tonight I got most of the 3 appetizers made, but not baked.  Then I got the cake frosted.  It turned out pretty good. 

Tonight the lady that had brought her husband over today sent me an email and they decided my car was too big for here- ha!  They only have 2 kids so wanted something smaller. 
I got Sean's b'day confirmed for next month.  A bit early also, the theme this year, but this way he can have a party with his friends here since by the time his b'day comes he will be in a new school. 

Thursday morning I got up early and got ready, then got the kids ready and off to school.  I had the cleaning lady come and clean just for the morning to get the 1st floor looking nice.  Then my friend that I am having the shower for, her mom sent a gift but they tried to deliver it yesterday and I wasn't here so I had to go to the yucky post office I do not like and pick up the gift this morning then back home and finish getting things ready.
It was a luncheon shower. 

So people started arriving around 12:15.  I had made 3 appetizers, and some drinks, non alcoholic for this luncheon!  Then I gave everyone one their pink baby clothes pin and if you say the word baby and someone hears you then you lose your clothes pin so the one with the most won a pink rose petal soap bar.  Then after a bit we had lunch.  I had made 2 quiches, one vegetarian and one with ham.  My friend had brought tuna sandwiches, another friend brought a fruit salad.  Then I made a salad and had my lemon blueberry bread.  It turned out nice.  After lunch I had everyone look under their place mat and there were little pink diapers, game size.  And everyone had to look inside and whoever had the poopy diaper won that game.  Then time for dessert.  I had made a pink and white checkered cake.  It turned out nice.  Then some baby shaped sugar cookies, then a friend had brought some fruit filled cookies.  During dessert I had a game that you had to think of a baby necessity starting with every letter of the alphabet, so what does a baby need that starts with a, b, c, etc.  Only one of us filled up all the letters!  Then time for presents.  The first present I gave her was from her mom and she recognized the handwriting right away and opened the card and got a little teary eyed.  She couldn't believe her mom had sent a gift over here.  So that was nice.  She got cute outfits and blankets for the new little girl.  They have just one boy now.  Then people stayed for a bit that didn't have to go to school for pickup b/c our kids had after school programs today.  Then the cleanup starts.  It takes like 2 days to clean everything up from stuff like this!
Later I went back to school to pick up all the kids from their activities.  Then someone came over to look at the kitchen table and he said he will buy it and pick it up this weekend, so that is good.  Today in the states Jason had our walk through for our new house.  But by the time here it was midnight so I was in bed.  He said it went well. 

Friday the kids didn't have school because of a teacher institute day.  So we could sleep in a bit and no early morning band- yeah!  This morning the moving lady came over to access everything were are going to be taking back.  At home it took the packers 3 days to pack and load my container.  Here she says it takes a week!  I am not even bringing back some the big furniture I brought here.  She said that American packers are the worst.  Here they take all the things out of drawers and wrap everything up.  Oh dear.  She was nice and was laughing at my Polish Pottery that all the Americans love this stuff.  But she said she likes it too and has it as well!  Then my Villeroy and Boch stuff too- dishes.  She was chatting away and then I was suppose to be at tennis.  Then a guy called and was trying to make an appt. to get a new freezer door put on since the babysitter broke the handle off of it like a year ago.  He got mad at me when we couldn't find a day that I could sit home for 4 hours and wait for them to show up.  He only gave me a few options and I already have something on those days.  So then he got mad at me!  I told him do you know how difficult it is to wait for 4 hours hoping they actually show up during that window.  If he could give me an actually time I would be happy to make an apt!  So Jason will be back here the end of the month working from home so I told the guy I would check with my husband and get back to him.  Ugh!
By this time I was totally late for tennis.  It was half over.  Amber came with me and enjoyed helping pick up the balls and when it came time to practice serving my teacher got her a small racket and helped her try and hit the ball over.  So she enjoyed that too! 
Then home and on to lunch for everyone.  Then Amber had a b'day party to go to this afternoon and Jacob's bball team had games.  So Jacob wasn't playing in this one game tonight but will play tomorrow.  So I drove to school and my friend picked up Amber for the b'day party and then took her after the party and drop her at our other friend's house, that is close to her house, for a sleepover.  Then Sean and Jacob went up to the gym together and watched the bball game together and with their friends.  That was cute seeing them go off together.  Of course later I get the call from both of them asking to have friends over and sleep over tonight!  But while everyone was gone I got the rest of things cleaned up and some items packed up and organized for people to come and get.  Then I went back to school and picked up the 4 boys.  Sean's friend spent the night and Jacob's just hung out for a bit.  Never found our Apple TV remote!  Today in afternoon back in the states Jason had the closing of our new house!  It went well.  Nothing like owning 2 houses and renting one!

Sat morning we had to be up early as Jacob had to be at school for his 9:15 bball game.  So Sean's friend just came with us so the boys hung out.  Jacob did really good.  He played half the game and scored 4 baskets and had a really good block.  After his game the boys wanted to stay and watch the under 14 boys play so I went and picked up Amber from her sleepover and got a card table and chairs from them too since someone is buying our kitchen table tomorrow and taking it.  Then Jacob called a bit later and back to school to pick up the boys.  Then home for lunch and someone came to see Sean's desk for sale, but isn't sure they can get it home so they have to think about it.  People and their little cars here- ugh!  Then in the afternoon Jacob had a friend over.  And in the evening someone came over to look at a little dresser and bought it but said they have to come back tomorrow and pick it up- very nice Finnish family that are new here. 

Week of Jan. 26th, 2014

Sunday was a catch up day.  After Jacob's 2 busy days he had a ton of homework/projects to work on.  So he did that part of it until after lunch and then he had a friend over.  I got the other ones to help me clean off the chairs and table outside so hopefully my friend will be by this week to pick them up.  We bbqed out for dinner.  We finally got this puzzle finished that Jacob had gotten for Christmas.  It only took us a month! 

It is one of those 1000 piece puzzles.   It is of Luxembourg.

Monday morning Jason got up super early and was on the 6:15am                

flight back to the states.  Quick trip here and back!  So after school drop off I ran to the store and then home for a quick workout, got ready and then a painter came over to estimate the price for the company to have the house repainted when we move out.  I think they need 2 painters to give estimates so this was one.  Then I went to lunch for a friend's b'day.  It was an Italian place by school.  I tried the lasagna.  It was very good.  Then off to school to get the kids.  Sean had a friend over.  Then Jac had guitar later.  Someone made an offer on our house at home but it was so low we said try again!

Wednesday I had an appt. at the mall and ran in to the store to get a few things.  I was having Amber and her 2 friends for lunch and a playdate, but the one really likes smoked salmon sandwiches.  And she is a bit picky so I figured I would buy some of that for her.  So I picked up some of that.  Then I got some shoes for my brother's wedding.  One pair is really cute with rhinestones attached to a bow on the top of the shoe.  So I get home and go to spray them for weather protection and drop one of the rhinestone shoes and the big rhinestone thing falls off- ugh!  I find my super glue and glue it back on but now I will be bringing super glue in my purse to the wedding!  The 2 pairs of shoes were so expensive- $200, and they are just dress heels, so crazy!  Annoyed.  I really can't order dress shoes online b/c my foot doesn't stay in a lot of the shoes.  Then off to school to get the 3 girls.  One wants a grilled cheese, one salami and cheese rolls, and then the salmon on bread with a sauce.  The salmon lover didn't want to it eat!  She looked at Amber's lunch and the other girls and said, "I will have some of that and some of that"  Ok short order cook here I am!   Then back to school for ballet.  After school Sean had his sports class but my friend wanted me to take her son because she was busy but he didn't have an after school activity so he brought his book and we just read and talked until Amber was done with ballet then she went home with a friend.  We waited until Sean was done and then walked over and got Jacob and his friend and headed home.  The boys all played and later Amber got dropped off and the boys picked up.  I made some taco soup and a vegetable pizza, the kind made out of croissant dough.  Those people that put that low ball offer in bumped up their price so we countered but only went down a bit.      

Thursday morning I had a lady come over and look at the bedroom set.  She doesn't think her bed will fit on my frame since I am selling the bedroom set, minus the mattress.  And our mattress are the American size so difficult unless you already had an American bed.  We will see what she wants to do.  Then she bought a few toys and took those home with her.  Before lunch I met my friend at a mall I hadn't been to in about a year.  It is about 25 min or so away.  But our favorite jewelry store is there and downtown.  I was looking for some earrings and a necklace to wear for my brother's wedding.  I found some nice things!  Then I checked out the sales at the Superdry store Jacob really likes and I got 4 things for the same price he paid for that sweatshirt last weekend.  I will save them and use as gifts for him.  He will be so excited!  I grabbed a sandwich at a bakery and then headed home for some stuff to do around the house and cleaned out the car as someone is coming tomorrow morning to look at it.  Then tomorrow also I have someone coming to buy 4 things so got those out and ready to go.  The kids had all their activities after school so I went later and then I realized that I didn't think the car wash is open right away in the morning so we had to stop by the car wash on the way home, which is no where near on the way home.  So then home later and had left overs and homework, but it was a late night for the boys with homework and Jacob had to get ready for his basketball trip tomorrow.   Those people looking at our house withdrew their offer.  I think they thought they could get it really cheap and we are not looking to go that low.  It has only been on the market for 3 weeks.

Friday was a busy day!  After I got the kids to school a woman came to see my car.  We test drove it around and she seems to like it.  So hopefully her husband will come look at it this weekend.  Then tennis.  After tennis 2 people came by to pick some things up.  One was for the outside patio furniture that the kids and I had cleaned last weekend.  She had to take 2 trips and she brought her maid as well.  A little bit before lunch Jacob left with the basketball team to go to Belgium this weekend for basketball games.  So he has one game at 4pm tonight and then will go with another one of his teammates and they will get housed by a boy from the other team.  They will have dinner at their house, spend the night, have breakfast and then they will bring them back to school for the games on Sat.  A really neat experience for the boys since this would never be allowed in the States!
I got 2 loaves of blueberry lemon bread made for next week and then I froze them.  One for my friend's book sale at her house and the other for the shower. 
Before pickup I ran into Jacob's school and picked up his bookbag he had left for me on the hooks by his locker.  He had 3 bags this morning to get to school.  His overnight/basketball bag, his bookbag and his bus bag with his lunch, snacks, book, etc.  So I told him to leave his bookbag at school and I would just pick it up.  That way he would have one less bag to worry about on the trip.
It was 2 of the kid's friend's b'days today.  One was Jacob's good friend on crutches so I saw him at school and gave him a big hug.  If Jacob wasn't going away for bball he would have gone to his house for cake and dinner so he would have enjoyed that.  The other was Amber's best friend's sister who we do a lot with their family.  So after school I brought her present and Amber gave that to her and we all gave her big hugs!  Amber had a friend over after school then and when he got picked up they picked up a rug they had bought from me too.  Tonight it was a quite night as Jason and Jacob were gone.  So we had pizza and Sean and I got in our one pieces and we rented a movie and had popcorn!   

Sat was a low key day.  Jacob was gone all day.  The other two and I ran to the store in the morning and then hung out.  Someone came by to look at the trampoline and hopefully will take that tomorrow.  Today was a gloomy, rainy day.  I got the cakes make for the shower and froze them, it makes it easier to frost then.  Jacob called around 4pm and said he was about 30 min away and that he tried calling last night and when they got on the bus but his phone didn't seem to work then and the calls weren't going through.  So I don't know what happened.  So then he called again when he arrived at school and we went and picked him up.  He had to good trip up and back.  They played one game Friday night and 2 on Sat.  He scored at least one basket every game, and one game he scored 7 baskets!  Way to go!!!  The family he went home with was an Indian family.  He said they had 2 live in maids.  They had pasta for dinner and he didn't really care for the sauce and I guess that was all that was for dinner.  The boys are always housed in pairs and so the other boy that went to this house with him they had to share a bed, so Jacob wasn't crazy about that.  Then breakfast was toast and some oj.  At the games Jacob bought lunch, but needless to say when he got in the car he said he was hungry.  I had of course packed him snacks as well and there wasn't much left when he got home.  So I fixed him a big dinner and he ate it all.  I had him go shower and get cleaned up after dinner so he could just relax for a bit and then off to bed to get a good night sleep.  Sean and Amber had a fun day of playing together and Sean was glad Jacob came home.  He had a list of things to tell him, cute!  Sean and Amber wanted to sleep together tonight.  So Sean slept in Amber's trundle bed.  So funny!       

Week of Jan 19th 2014

Sunday we went to church after waffles and slushies.  After church we had lunch with another family.  Then the boys went home with this other family.  They had walked so they walked home and stopped along at a park to play.  It was a crisp day but perfect for them to be running around!  So they had fun.  Amber and I sewed another project from a kit she had gotten from her party.  She only poked me 3 times with the needle!  Ugh!  I made a big whole chicken for dinner and then after dinner we rented the Cloudy with Meatballs 2.  The boys were really looking forward to seeing it.  We thought you could just rent it but now you can only buy it.  Oh well.  We watched about an hour of it and then there was a problem and we couldn't access iTunes anymore and the movie froze.  Rats we will try to watch the rest of it tomorrow night.

Monday morning I finished getting my list together here of things to sell, ran to store, worked out and got ready.  The relocation lady came over to talk about a few things and pick up this paper that needed to go to Jason' s work.  Then I sent my sale page out, whoa! I spent the rest of the afternoon at the computer sorting out every one's sales.  Half of it went fast.  I couldn't believe it.  Someone is even coming to possible see my car this week!  So hopefully the rest of it will sell too.  But we still have awhile.  After school Amber had a friend over, and I made Jacob's b'day coffee cake he wants for breakfast tomorrow.  I made dinner, and the kids watched the rest of the movie from last night.  It is a cute movie.  Tonight I got all the decorations out and decorated for Jacob's b'day tomorrow!

Tuesday morning I was up super early and got Jacob's breakfast in bed ready.  Happy Birthday my big man!!! 

So he enjoyed his breakfast and then he had to be at school early for band.  So he quickly opened his presents and then off to school. 

Took the other 2 back later and then off to yoga.  More handstands today- my arms are sore and I had a headache on and off the rest of the day.  I don't think my body likes those handstands!  After I got ready I went to a friend's house for lunch.  She made a great fish soup and a nutty, cranberry bread.  Everything was great.  Then we rented that Identity movie about his id being stolen.  It was great!  I wasn't able to stay for the last 20 min. of it as I had to get to school, but I will have to rent it and finish watching the end of it!  Then to school for Sean and Amber.  Amber made pretzels today so we came home and she shared it with Sean and I.  It was quite good.  Then back to school for Jacob after bball.  We came home for dinner and a little birthday singing, but he didn't want his cake until this weekend with Jason, so I just got a little something at the store today.

Then guitar tonight.  He had a full but good b'day and is looking forward to celebrating more this weekend!
My friend started a book club so I ordered the book and look forward to reading it.  One friend that bought the fuse ball table came and picked that up tonight. 

Wednesday morning I cleaned out the car and the kitchen table as 2 different people were suppose to come look at those.  They never did- ugh!  I got some more inventory done in the basement.  Then after lunch I had the stitch removed in my toe.  It is still a little red so hopefully it will be ok.  Amber went home with a friend for lunch and then back to school for ballet.  After ballet I picked up her and her friend and we waited for Sean to be finished with his after school activity and then Jacob to be done.  Jacob also brought a friend home.  So then we all went home.  Someone else bought some rugs today so that was good.  Tonight I got the cupcakes made for Jacob's class party and then I can frost them tomorrow. 

Thursday I had someone came over in the morning to take a look at a few things.  She bought the fans and a few other things that she will have to pick up later.  I got the cupcakes frosted and some pudding pops made.  We will see how those pudding pops turn out tomorrow for all the boys.  The kids all had after school activities so I didn't have to go back to school until later in the day.  I finished all the inventory for this house- yeah- done with lists!  Then picked up all the kids at school and on to homework.  Tonight I got Jacob's cake made.

Friday I ran to the store for the weekend and then had tennis.  After tennis I went to school as today was the celebration of Jan. birthdays for 2 homerooms for 6th grade.  I brought in cupcakes and then stayed to help the teacher with setting up and cleaning up. 

There were 5 b'days to celebrate so a lot of treats.  I stayed in Jacob's class and we played some fun games with the class.  He didn't seem to mind that I was there as I was the only other parent there, but we are allowed to come in for their b'days just no one else did.  Oh well it is always nice to see how your kids interact in the classroom and are with their classmates so it was good.
After that I ran home got some things done around the house and got Jacob's cake frosted and decorated for tomorrow night.  Amber went home with a friend after school, and Sean had movie night at school, and Jacob had bball games.  So I didn't go back to school until the games were starting.  He made the A team for basketball so that was good so he played at 4pm.  Then after that Sean's movie night was finishing up so I walked from the gym back to the lower school, quite a hike.  Then where Amber was playing they were nice enough to drive her back to school and drop her off to me so I didn't have to leave so that was great.  Then we all walked back up to the gym.  Once there Sean realizes he left his lunch box, so goes and runs back to the lower school.  At least he remembered it then!  Jacob's next game was at 6:30 but it was the B team playing and that is right when Jason got there.  Amber was so excited.  She just sat on his lap for awhile and was just waiting for him before that.  But then I took Sean and Amber home to start getting dinner ready since Jacob wasn't playing but had to stay there.  We were housing 2 boys from the other team.  So I made some spaghetti, garlic bread and cut up some veggies.  Jason then brought all the boys home.  The boys were 8th grade twins.  They were taller then me.  They were half Greek and half American from the International school in Belgium.  They were very nice and all the boys had multiple helpings of dinner!  We had the pudding pops and left over cupcakes for dessert.  Then they watched the old Gremlins movie, they had actually already seen it.  Kind of funny!  Then off to bed. 

Sat morning I got up early to get breakfast ready for all the boys as they had to be back there at 8:30am to warm up and get ready for their games.  Jacob's first game wasn't until 10am, so he hung out there until then and then Jason went but it wasn't the game Jacob played in since it was team B.  Would be nice if the coaches could just let us know which games they would play in!  The rest of us stayed at home and I made some chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.  It was a new recipe and used chocolate pudding.  They were a little dryer then I would like.
So the next game was suppose to be at 12.  So I fed Amber and Sean and made sandwiches for Jason and Jacob and we went to the school.  We get there and Jason says oh we just found out they are now not playing until 1pm- ugh.  So we sat there for an hour while other games were going on and then at 1pm Jacob played.  So at 2pm he finished, but long day of being there and not playing much.  This is in the gym and 2 other schools came, but it is girls and then boys teams also.  Then there are the under 14 teams and under 12 teams so a lot of games to be played. 
After the game ended I took the younger 2 home and Jason took Jacob shopping.  Jacob wanted to buy something from the Superdry store here with his b'day money.  It is downtown in the city center.  I don't think they have them in the states.  It is an Asian company.  It is super- ha, popular here with the older kids.  I think it is only adult sizes so Jacob bought a sweatshirt and it is an XS.  But this store is also, super (: expensive.  So all his money and he only got a sweatshirt- $100! 
After shopping they stopped for some hot chocolate at this cute little chocolate shop then came home.  Jacob got cleaned up and I then took him to his poker party and we brought the cookies.  Everyone liked the cookies.  The party ended around 7 so we picked him up a bit earlier and he wanted to go out to dinner to celebrate his b'day.  He wanted to go to this Brazilian restaurant but when I looked it up it has closed.  So 2nd choice was this steakhouse that you grill your meat on a hot plate in front of you.  It is pretty neat, but it smells so bad of smoke from all the meat!  So we went there and the boys enjoyed cooking their steaks right in front of them.  Then home for cake and ice cream!

Jacob had a great day and enjoyed celebrating his birthday like 4 times!

Week of January 12th, 2014

Sunday Amber's friend had spent the night so we made pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  For lunch we met Amber's friend's family at Pizza Hut.  It tastes better then Pizza Hut from home.  But this place was packed.  I think we got the last 2 tables.  So that was nice.   Our house pictures from home came back from the realtor and they look really nice!  I would buy the house! 

Monday morning Jason got up and left for the airport a little after 5am.  His original flight had been canceled so they had to reroute him and he got there only a little bit later.  His new position starts back in the states today so he is now back there.  Nothing like living on 2 different continents!
I felt horrible when I got up.  Really bad stomach cramping so after I took the kids to school, quickly got my errands done and I went back to bed for 2 hours.  When I woke up I came downstairs and looked out the window only to see a ticket on Jason's car! Ugh!  So I go out there and I am pretty sure it says he parked in a no parking zone.  Ok so this is right in front of our house on this little street that leads to a cul da sac.  We have been parking here for 3 years.  Not everyday but friends park there too.  I was so annoyed.  So I moved his car up the street where I believe it is ok to park.  Watch now I will get a ticket for staying there too long or something.  His car has the neighbor sticker on it so it is allowed to park on the streets in the neighborhood for free.  We will see how this goes!
Our house back home had it's first showing today!  Hopefully someone will like it as much as we have (: 
After school the kids had haircuts and then home. 

Tuesday I started back up with yoga.  I am not too sore yet so that is good!  We did handstands today in class.  I did more inventory today and a couple people called about the moving process that we need to deal with.  After school Jacob had basketball and then guitar after dinner.  One of my friends tried making sushi and gave us some.  It turned out pretty good and the kids enjoyed it!  It is really time consuming to make. 

Wednesday morning Sean woke up with the belly bug.  So he stayed home from school today.  We dropped the other 2 off and had to go to the store then we came home and he rested on the couch.  At the deli counter he understood what the lady said in French so I was glad to see he understood!  I told him he could watch TV but it had to be in French so he watched the Nickelodeon station for a bit.  We had lunch and then went up and did inventory of his room for the move and he read and laid down for a bit.  Amber went home with a friend for lunch and back for ballet.  After ballet we picked up Jacob and went to the chiropractor and then home for dinner. 

Thursday I got a lot of moving stuff done.  I went to the Import store b/c they have the low fat Hellman's mayo and then got a few other things.  Since the Woman's club has stopped carrying groceries this store has almost no American items in stock anymore.  I am going to have to ship it to my friend's back here when I move back!  All 3 kids had something after school, boys basketball and Amber rainbows so I didn't go back to school until later. 

Friday I had tennis and just more inventory stuff for both houses.  After school Amber went to a friend's house for a sleepover with another girl.  She had so many things she wanted to bring that she needed 2 bags!  Jacob had a friend over and Sean had a friend over to spend the night.  They all played at the park and Sean's friend slipped and fell in the mud.  He was so filthy so he changed into his pjs and I washed his clothes.  When Jacob's friend was leaving the mom came to look at some of the stuff I am selling.  I had made tacos, salsa and guacamole, and peanut butter kiss cookies for dinner.  Sean's friend just gobbled everything up!  We all enjoyed it!   Amber had a fun time at the sleepover!

Sat. Sean's friend got picked up and his mom looked at a few things I am selling.  Then I went and got Amber.  I did Jacob's religious education and then we had lunch.  After lunch we took Jacob to a friend's house to play.  She offered to bring him home on their way out so that was perfect I wouldn't have to load up the other 2 to get Jacob.  Then before dinner we took Jacob to a b'day party at his friend's house.  They had to bring their laptops and it was a computer coding/programming party!  I am not really sure what that means, but they had so much fun!  The other 2 rented a movie here at home.   

Week of Jan. 5th, 2014!

Sunday morning we got up and got ready for Jacob's b'day party today!  So he was having a bowling party at this newer bowling place that we had been to in November.  It went very well!  Jacob had 10 friends plus him they had 2 lanes to bowl on and then Sean and Amber and Jason and I bowled on the 3rd lane.  We had the place to ourselves most of the time.  It was perfect!  They got lunch and cake and bowled 3 games.  2 of the boys bowled pretty good.  Jacob had a great time and enjoyed all his presents at home.

What is so cool here is all the countries represented at Jacob's party!  We had USA, Luxembourg/France, Iceland/Germany, Holland, Korea, Italy, Mexico, and Denmark!  A Canadian boy didn't end up making it.   

Monday after I dropped the kids at school I went to the store.  I had one thing in my cart and had to go to the bathroom so I parked my cart around some areas where you could wonder and look at things and left my grocery bags and ran to the bathroom.  When I came back my cart was gone!  Someone stole my bags- ugh!  And here we have to put money in to get the cart and then when you return the cart you get your money back, so I lost my money too!  So of course I had to buy more bags when I checked out- annoyed! 
I worked out to one of my exercise shows and was pooped when that was over!  After lunch and getting cleaned up I went to the paper store across town and got some things for the baby shower I am having for my friend.  Then on to school where I turned in the paperwork to withdrawal the children from school in April.  So sad ):  I just had to fill out this form and I was like really there isn't more that I have to do.  She said, "you have to do so much to get into the school, but one form and it will get you out of the school!"  Over break we got all the dates for moving/movers decided so now all the busy work starts!  After school Amber and I made some blueberry muffins for breakfast tomorrow.  I am starting to use things up. 

Tuesday I got some things done in the morning around the house and exercised and got ready and then went to the mall to drop off the car at the car cleaning service.  Unfortunately they said it would take 2 hours.  I didn't need any groceries.  I had called and this was the only time the beginning of the week I could get in.  So I had lunch at a little place in the middle of the mall then shopped around.  I got some place mats for the shower and a few little things.  Then after about 1 1/2 hours I went back down and they were finishing up.  Then I took the car home and dropped off my stuff and drove up by the park and took a bunch of pictures of the car so we can get ready to sell it. 
I picked up Amber after school, Jacob had bball and Sean went to a birthday party.  I told Sean to give me his bag after school and I will give him the present b/c he was riding with the b'day boy to the party.  So we are waiting for awhile and Sean never comes out of school and now most people are leaving.  So I go inside and ask one boy if he has seen Sean and he said no, then one teacher said, "I think I see him outside."  So I go back outside and he started swimming today and he had to walk all the way back to the lower school building from the pool which is very far so it took him awhile.  I knew he had swimming but I didn't realize it was at the end of the day.  So later I picked Jacob up from basketball and then we all had dinner and took Jacob back for guitar and then went and got Sean from the b'day party who was starving b/c they didn't have dinner.  I was hoping they would have served pizza for the kids since it was after school until 6:45pm.  Then back to school to wait for Jacob to finish his lesson.  By the time we got home Sean was super starving. 

Wednesday I had Jason take the kids in and I left about 7:15 to go wait in line at the walk in office hours for the dermatologist.  When I called in Nov. to make an appt. she said I couldn't get in until March- ugh!  She is the one I have seen before, but this is a problem with all offices so it is frustrating!  So it opened at 8am and I was 5th in line.  I waited about an hour and 15 min.  She saw my toe which had some inflammatory reaction to something and this was growing outside the skin.  So she said she needed to cut it out- ugh!  She put a needle of numbing stuff in and it killed.  I was in so much pain.  Then she cut it out, didn't feel that.  It was gross.  Then she put a stitch in it and said I have to come back in 10 days to get it taken out.  Since it is quick I got an appt.  But my toe was throbbing after I left.  I just pray that it heals and is ok.  Jason wants me to go out to dinner with this other couple that may be moving here for work tomorrow night and I am not sure how I am going to get my toe in any dress shoes! 
Amber was done at lunch so I picked up her and her friend and we came back here for lunch and playing before ballet.  After school sports started this week, so Sean had a fun fitness class today.  He needs to do something after school on Wednesdays because he gets out at 2:20, but Jacob doesn't get out until 3:30 and Amber does ballet until 3.  So this works out well.  Then Jacob went home with a friend today and the rest of us went home.  Before dinner we went and picked up Jacob at his friend's house.  I spent some time working on the inventory lists for the move. 

Thursday my toe was still a bit sore so I hung around the house and got some things done between putting my foot up.  I didn't have to be back at school today until 4:30, b/c all the kids had after school activities so that was nice!  Sean was done at 4:30, 4:50 for Jacob and 5pm for Amber.   I called the MI schools today.  They have been closed all week.  I had some questions about things.  So they were nice and hopefully all will go well.

Friday I had coffee with a friend at school.  Amber and her BFF wanted to dress a like today, so they had their matching BFF shirts on with purple skirts!

I thought I could play tennis but my toe was still too sore.  I spent about 15 minutes just trying to get the bandage off my toe.  I couldn't just pull it off as the dried blood was stuck to the skin.  It was painful to get it off so I slowly cut it away.  It looks like it is doing ok.  So I asked my friend if she wanted to meet me at the Sushi counter for lunch at the mall/grocery store so we had that for lunch and then I did my grocery shopping.  Came home and got snacks ready.  Then off to school.  Jacob went home with a friend and Sean had a friend over and Amber had 2 boy friends over. 

They all had a great time!  After friends left, I got Jacob. Jason and I went out with this couple that may move here from Switzerland and join the company.  So it was nice.  They brought their 3 year old daughter so she was quite entertaining.  She only spoke Italian so couldn't really talk to the little one.  The for sale sign went up in front of our house today at home.

Sat. we hung out at home and did more getting ready to move stuff.  One of my friends came over to look at our couch and then take a few things she bought that I don't need anymore.  We made our gingerbread men since we didn't get to that over break.  Jacob had some homework to do and the other two did some work as well.  Late afternoon Amber's friend came over to spend the night.  So we had dinner and painted their nails and watched a movie.