Week of May 20th, 2012

Sunday morning we couldn't get the kids to go back and do more things at Disney so we ended up driving home.  I was a bit disappointed, but I wasn't going to drag them around there if they didn't want to go!  So we left and headed home.  At least I got an early start on the vacation/Monday morning laundry pile.

Monday I had to go to the Chiropractor to get my back adjusted after going on all the rides, with the jirking my back was very sore.
After school Amber had a friend over.  The 2 of them put the stamps they were using on paper all the way up their arms.  I can't even get it off in the tub!

Tuesday my French teacher couldn't do class so I got some other things done instead.
Amber had her friend over for lunch and then gymnastics class.  Oh last week the 2 of them were in her friend's car and the mom starts talking about visiting the states and Amber says to her friend "I didn't know you were from America too!"  Too funny!
Jacob had tennis and since Jason is actually in town this week he was able to pick him up from it so that was nice.

Wednesday I met my friend for coffee at the other mall since I had to pick up a few things there.  In the middle area of this mall they had this cute area of little bunnies.  They were so cute.
Amber had another friend come over today for lunch and a playdate.  They were very busy.  Later we went back to school to pick up the boys from RE and drop Amber's friend off.  Then Jacob had a b'day party to go to at Lazer tag so we dropped him off over there and then I took the other 2 and invited one of Sean's friends and we went to the play place down the street.  We stayed until Jacob's party was over and then went back and picked him up.  With the party I had to cancel his guitar for tonight.
Before bed I made the yummy tortilla roll-ups for the teacher's luncheon tomorrow.

Thursday morning I collected my class's contributions for the teacher's luncheon and after dropping off Amber went upstairs to start helping out setting up.  All the food looked very good.  I couldn't stay to work at the luncheon since I had French, but I guess it went very well. 
Today Amber had her 2 weekly playdate friends over.  They have a good time together!
This week we have been having a heat wave here.  It is in the 80's!  I got out my short sleeve shirts and the boys got out their shorts!  End of May so about time.  But there is no air conditioning here in the houses or Jason's work, so it can get a bit stuffy if most of the windows aren't open. 
It looks like the weather is suppose to go back down to the 70's for the weekend, but at least no rain!
Amber came back down after I put her to bed and then fell pretty much asleep on Jason.

Friday I had a bunch of errands to run as we are going to have an American BBQ for Memorial day since it is another holiday here and we have it off as well.
Amber had show and tell today so she brought in her Disney audograph book that the princesses signed, and a family picture of us on Big Thunder Mountain with Amber just screaming.  So cute. 
In the afternoon Amber and I made a cake.

Sat. I ran to the butcher in the morning for stuff to BBQ tonight and for some ground beef for hamburgers.  They didn't have any patties pre-made.  They didn't even have any ground beef he had to grind some up for me.  Then we went to the big garage sale they were having on the other side of town.  It is in a big parking lot.  It is mostly expats selling their stuff.  One of my friends was selling her stuff.  There were a lot of people there selling and shopping.  I bought about 11 books for Sean.  Those english books aren't sold here and if they are they are double the price.  Jason got some books, and then Sean is a Roman Hero in his Roman play coming up so we got him a sword and shield!  Yesterday I ordered a costume for him from Germany so we will see if I get it!
Then we went downtown, it was such a beautiful day.  We went to the farmers market and got some veggies, and then a very expensive watermelon.  Hope it is good!
There are a bunch of areas to eat, and most have outdoor seating so we ended up eating outside under some umbrellas at Pizza Hut- blah!
Then we came home and the boys got busy with yard clean up.  Then they washed Jason's car and vaccumed it.  Amber helped with the washing and came in soaking wet! 
Jacob helped me make a red/white and blue cake.  I can't wait to see how it looks on the inside!
One of the things I had gotten to BBQ tonight were some lamb skewers, and everyone liked them.

Week of May 13, 2012 and Disneyland Paris

Sunday was Mother's Day, so Happy Mother's Day!  We had a nice big breakfast and then all the boys, plus Amber on the back of Jason's bike went for a bike ride.  Mom and I went out walking. 

About half way to down town mom and I ran into them at an intersection.  Then we walked over to the Pirate Park and ran into them again.  So we stayed for a bit and then all went to the other big park.  We saw 2 kids from Amber's class there. 
After that we pretty much just took at easy around here and had a big rib BBQ for dinner.

Monday I took my parents out to the mall and we had coffee/tea and a pastry at my friend's and mine little cafe there.  They liked it.  After that we just walked around the mall, it is small, and over to the grocery store. 
Then I dropped them off and went back to the dr.  My sore throat does not seem to want to go away.  So he thinks it might be acid coming back in it and gave me some medicine to help with both.  I hope it goes away soon b/c it is very painful right now.
After lunch we took them to the park in the forest and Amber had a great time running around there, since there really wasn't anyone else there.
Here are Amber and Grandpa on the zip line.

From here the Villeroy and Boch china outlet store is right around the corner so we stopped by there to show them that as well.  Then off to school to pick up the boys.  After school they had their haircuts so my parents took Amber to the park right by the lady's house who cuts their hair and then we met up with them after the boy's haircuts.
For about a month or more it has been staying light out pretty late into the night.  Tonight it was light until 9:30!  It makes it hard to get the boys to bed!

Tuesday in the morning we just hung out here for a bit and then I took them to the big other mall/grocery store that is here.  We walked around there for a bit and then went over to school to meet Amber's friend that comes to gymnastics with us and pick up Amber.  Of course right before we get to school it starts pouring and then hailing!  It hailed a couple of times today.
After I got Amber we went out to a cafe close by that I had never tried with my parents, Amber and her friend.  It stopped raining when we walked to the restaurant from the car, but was of course hailing when we left the restaurant to get back to the car!
The girls had fun at gymnastics class and then back to school to get the boys.  Sean had a friend come over and Jacob had tennis later on.

Here are pictures of Amber in her Dino costume a friend had given her, too funny!  She loves it and puts it on all the time.

Wednesday morning after we dropped the kids off at school we went to the airport as my parents were flying home today.  They had a nice time and we enjoyed having them so hopefully they will come back and visit! 
Amber went home with a girlfriend today so my lunch friend and I went out for lunch today! 
The boys RE was canceled today so we went to the toy store after school and picked up a bunch of presents for all the parties and events the kids have coming up.  From here we went to the orthodontist office as today was the day Sean was getting his retainer!  It is a blue color.  He was a little scared about it, but the visit went well.  The price of the retainer came in 100 euros less then what she thought, but it still cost me $660!  Then I ask if I can get a case to keep it in and she said she doesn't have them here b/c the company wants her to sell them for $7.  Are you kidding me I am thinking! I am already spending so much money on this $7 at this point is nothing and at least it would keep it safe- ugh! 

Later Jacob had guitar and then we had some friends over.  They picked up dinner and brought it over and all the kids played and then she got the mower for her husband for the weekend.  We had a nice time and the kids had fun playing together.
Sean's teeth were sore tonight.  It is to help push his front teeth back, hold his tongue back and help correct his crossbite.  But b/c of the tongue thing it is hard for him to say "S".  So we will see how this goes!

Thursday was a holiday here so the kids ended up having a 4 day weekend!  When the kids came down for breakfast this morning I had some Disney shirts over their chairs that my parents had bought in Paris at the Disney store.   I then told them that we were going to Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney) for the weekend!  Jacob's eyes just light up, it was so cute.  Amber wasn't excatly sure what it was and Sean was like ok.  So we set off for it after breakfast.  It is about 3 hours away.

We drove to the hotel first and tried to check in.  It was one of the hotels that was just a shuttle bus away from the park.  There were 4 hotels out here and it worked out well since the bus stopped at our hotel for pickup and dropoff first. 
The hotel was good.  It had 2 indoor play areas, and a pool with some water slides and then a pirate ship with a dumping bucket. 
So we ate lunch in the car, tried to check in but couldn't get our room so got on the shuttle bus to the park.  It was about a 10-15 min. ride if we had to pick up the other hotels.  Sometimes the bus went straight to the park.
The bus dropped us off and then it is a short walk to the main entrances of either Disney Village, Disney Studios or Magic Kingdom.  We did Magic Kingdom today.  It was around noon when we got there and there was a long line to get the backs checked.  I had pre-bought our tickets online so we wouldn't have to wait in the ticket line.  We get to the entrance and hand her my papers which look like a ticket and have bar codes all over them.  She tells us that you have to take these and exchange them for actual tickets.  Ok what was the point of buying them online?  So the ticket lines are super long.  We find a shorter one and get the tickets.  Once in the park it looks similiar to Disney in Orlando but a lot smaller. 

This is the back side of the castle.

Here you can go up into the castle, just one floor up but they have pretty stained glass on the windows.

We walk down main street and head over to Frontier Land and Adventure Land and did these 2 areas.  This is the Swiss Robinson Family Tree house.

Then by a bit after 4pm the kids were already tired and hungry.  So we walked out of the park and over to the Disney Village and ate at Planet Hollywood.  It was yummy!  Everyone that worked anywhere in the park spoke English, so that was good for us!
We walked through Disney Village after dinner, which consisted of maybe 5 restaurants and a big Disney store and that was it. 

Friday morning we had to pick a time for breakfast so they can space people out so we did 8:15 and then spent the morning in the pool.  We grabbed a quick sandwich at the hotel for lunch and then headed out to the park.  It didn't seem as crowded today and we went over to Discoveryland and the boys did space mountain while Amber and I waited 35 min. for fast pass tickets to the Buzz Light Year ride!  Then we just split up and Jason stayed with the boys and I did rides with Amber.  We waited about 15- 45 min. for most rides.  We met up for the Buzz ride then split back up and met up again for dinner. 

We had tickets for the Buffulo Bill Wild West Dinner Show. 
Amber and Jacob got their pictures taken with Mickey before the show.

Everyone got cowboy hats. 

It was very similair to a Medieval times show at home.  There was an oval arena in the middle and seats 3/4 of the way around it.  The show was all in English.  I didn't even think about that.  The people next to me only the mom spoke English so wonder what they thought of it.  Every once in awhile they would have a guy come out and speak in French.  The menu was set and it was a Tex- Mex dinner.  The meal was served in a metal like frying pan and metal bowl.  The people next to Jason were trying to figure out what the chili was.  Then they served Ribs, BBQ chicken, cornbread, grilled round potatoes, and a sausage.  For dessert it was a yummy apple crisp.

The show was good and we all enjoyed it except for Amber who didn't like it when they brought out fire and when Annie Oakly came out shooting things.  It was with cowboys and Indians and the Indians were really Native American Indians.  We were wondering where they actually came from.

This is Mickey, Minnie and Chip and Dale on the wagon.

It was around 8:30 when the show finished so the kids were tired so we went back to the hotel.

Sat. morning we got up and got to the park around 9:30.  It opened at 10, but by the time we got to where we needed to be I think we waited about 10 min. before it opened. It was crowded but not the super crowds you have at Disney in the morning at home.  We split up again and Amber and I got some rides in Fantasyland done for her and then did her Princess Luncheon. 

The boys did the Disney Studios today.  Amber was so excited for her luncheon!  I had brought her Rupunzel dress with us so she wore that.  They had big puffy princess dresses for sale in Disney for a bit over $100.  Hard to pay that when I know I can buy her play dresses at Toys R Us for $19-24!  She loved the luncheon!  She had them sign her autograph book

and get her picture taken with them.  There was Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White, Aurora, and one of Cinderella's mice.

This is where the lunch was held. 

This is Amber and I at the lunch.

Amber really wanted to see Ariel and Rupunzel but I guess they were busy!  The lunch was very nice and Amber didn't really eat the lunch but she did like the rolls and ate 3 of them.  Those were the most expensive rolls I have ever bought!

This was her dessert plate!

I liked my lunch and the adults lunch came with a fruity champagne drink as well!  Here at Disney when it first opened they didn't serve alcohol and that didn't go over very well with the locals.  So now you can get drinks in the restaurants, but not at those booths selling food and drinks.  That Wild West dinner show the drink choices were beer, coke, water or you could order a bottle of wine.

After lunch Amber and I hit a few more rides and the boys went home.

We didn't bring the stoller only b/c it is so hard to push with the crowds, but by the end of the day I was tired and had my like 12 lb backpack on and carrying Amber made me wonder if we should have!
We had pizza at the hotel and the boys went swimming one more time.
Sean has been doing a great job with wearing his retainer all day and we didn't even lose it, yet!

Week of May 6th, 2012

Sunday we had a nice big breakfast and then we drove out to 2 towns to go and visit some castles.  The first place we went was Beaufort, still in Luxembourg about 30 min. or so away from us.  The first part of this castle was built in the 1100's, the second in the 1300's and the last in the 1500's.  The weird thing about this castle is that it is down in the valley.  Most castles we have been to sit atop a hill or landing.  So when we pull in town we are looking around for the castle and don't see it.  We follow the signs and it took us down to it.  Funny.  It is in ruins now, unfortunatley.  The state owns it now and is working on preserving it.  So the kids love running around these castles.

Another narrow little stair case to get up to the lookout point.

Jacob walking down the spiral castle stairs to the torture chamber room.  Here they had about 3 devices on display that they would use to torture people- yuck!  Talk about a room for time outs!

The castle sheep grazing across the street from the castle.
From here we drove to another town, Larochette and had a nice little lunch with some good Mushroom soup that even the kids ate and then a salad.  This town has another castle in ruins as well so we went and visited that one too.  This castle is from the 12 century and they have started restoring it. 

From here we took my parents over to the American Military Cemetary. 
For dinner we had a nice BBQ with some pork chops.
Sean got 2 movies for his b'day- Home Alone 1 and 2.  The kids just laugh and laugh at these.  So it was movie night again!

Monday morning Jason took my parents to the train station and they took the speed train over to Paris for the week. 
I had to pick up the boys early from school today as Sean had an appt. with the orthodontist.  They took an xray and impressions of his teeth and will give us a call in a week or so and see what they can do for his teeth.
I think I got a letter in the mail today that said our licenses are ready to be picked up.  So I have our US license ready with the letter and the relocation lady will come and pick these up this week and we will see if we actually get them!
When Amber doesn't really like the clothes she has on for the day once we are home for the day she asks if she could put her pjs on.  So I think by 4pm today Amber had hers on!

Tuesdays now I will meet Amber's friend at school before I pick up Amber and we will get Amber, go home, have lunch, the girls can play and then we will go to the gymnastics class.  Amber was so excited to hear that her friend will be going to class with her now!
I had done a lot of baking and big meals while my parents were here so now we are enjoying all the leftovers and not cooking!

Wednesday we went on Amber's field trip to the park in the rain!  Last week it was canceled b/c of the lighting and thunder.  Today it was just raining so we went- ugh.  The kids were all decked out in their rain coats, rain boots and rain pants.  Amber had an extra pair of boots so one little boy borrowed those since he didn't seem to have any.  Earlier in the week a little girl had to borrow Amber's extra pants when hers got wet playing outside.  And then once we got back from the park a little girl had to borrow Amber's extra shirt since her sleeves were all wet from the rain.
We packed up the snacks and got on the bus to drive to the park about 10 min. or so away.  The bus driver who is driving all preschoolers and chaperones goes through a red light and then a block later almost hits the car in front of him.  One of the chaperones was from the administration staff and went up and had a little chat with the driver!    So once at the park, the kids all have those yellow school crossing vests on, we had to take pictures of signs of spring, animals, buds, flowers, etc.  Well no animals out in this rain!  This is a big sprawling park with a playground and then just trails around the area.

They had a bag were they had to collect some rocks and pine cones and anything else they could find.  After about an hour the teachers laid out the blankets and tarps under the trees and it wasn't raining at this point and the kids sat down and had their snack we had brought fruit, veggies, jce and some rolls.  After this they were allowed to go play at the park.  Well now it starts pouring so they are huddled under some trees and they called the bus to come back and pick us up.  So we got back to school about 40 min. early.  After we dropped all the stuff off at school Amber and I left with her friend that was coming over for a playdate.
I got a call from the orthodontist that she can arrange a retainer to help with his crossbite, push his tongue back and his front teeth.  So we will go back next week and get it.  She said she will make it blue for him.
The girls had a good time playing for their playdate and then we went back to school after the boys were done with RE and met up with her mom.
Sean went over to a friend's house after this, so when Jacob had guitar I drove out there and picked up Sean and made it back in time to pick Jacob up from guitar.
One of my friends is pretty much a local and bought a house here.  It is a townhouse so 3 floors with maybe 5 or so bedrooms and she is having a painter come and take down some wallpaper and paint the whole interior of the house.  Just to show how expensive things are here:  He said it will take a month, and that is with them working M-F and the cost is 30,000 euros, so depending on the exchange rate that is about $40,000 or more!  OMG!  I could remodel a couple of bathrooms at home for that price!

Thursday I met my friend at the mall for coffee.  She will be moving next month so we will be sorry to see them go.  I couldn't stay long as I had French.
Amber's 2 friends came over for a playdate and lunch after school.

Friday Sean had a field trip today and he went to Germany for it!  They visited a Villa reconstructed as it would have been in Roman times.  They are studing Romans right now at school.  They learned about life in the Roman villa.  Sean had a good time and enjoyed it.  It was about an hour away.  Here the field trips are all paid for by the school ( maybe that's why tutition is so high!)
Later in the morning I went and picked up Amber a bit early from school and we drove to the train station to pick up my parents as they were coming back from their week in Paris.  They loved it and had a great time.  They also had great weather, it was in the 70's a few of the days.  Crazy since in the summer month of June it is normally only in the 60's.
The relocation lady stopped by and picked up our licenses and the letters so we will see what happens next week.
Jason drove back from Germany today as well and we had a nice BBQ for dinner.

Saturday we had gotten up early and had breakfast and then we left and drove out to Trier, Germany.  We had been there in Jan. with some friends.  It is right over the border and is about 45 min. away.  We got there just in time to catch the 10 am boat cruise down the Moselle river.  It was packed.  I was so suprised.  But some tour buses had dropped people off, so I guess maybe they were a lot of tours.  It was only high 50's or so, but it was sunny and the seats downstairs were all reserved so we enjoyed the top deck.  You could order drinks and we saw a lot of people drinking beer at 10 am, crazy!
So it was a one hour cruise down the river.  It was nice and we enjoyed it.  They had a kids play area with a steering wheel and a lookout tower.

From here we walked over to the city center.

This is the Porta Nigra.  It is the old Roman gateway to the city.  There are a couple of Roman structures or things left that we had seen in Jan. when we did the city tour.
For lunch we found this medieval restaurant that was way downstairs and had a great atmosphere.  The food was ok.  It was all in German and we could only piece together certain words that were on the menu.  The menu was small and maybe had 15 things at the most we could order.  So we each ordered somthing different except the kids, we were able to figure theirs out.

After lunch we just walked around the area.  It was very crowded and they had a farmer's market going on as well.  Then Jason picked us up and we drove back home.

Jason got the grassed mowed at home.

For dinner we tried this Italian restaurant that was downtown in the city center.  It was nice.  We had never been before and everyone liked their food.  We will put this on our good list of restaurants!  We had gone down a little earlier then our reservation so we had walked around a bit, and then after dinner we walked around a bit as well.

In this picture we had been listening to a band playing in one of the squares downtown after dinner and it is almost 9pm and it is so light out!

I had another little chat with the boys and their smiles or lack of in most of my pictures, so we had to review how we are suppose to smile for the camera, ugh boys!  So this one was after the chat and turned out very nice!



Good sightseeing day!