Week of October 21, 2012

Sunday morning the kids got their Halloween gifts since we had gone trick or treating already and were just celebrating it early.

Then after breakfast we left and drove about 2 hours into Germany to a neat castle called Berg Eltz.

 Inside the castle is a small courtyard.

This is a big nicely maintained castle that has been in the same family for 33 generations, so 850 years now!  Crazy!  There were 3 families, under the same name, living in the castle b/c it has 3 separate houses that are then connected.  The last families moved out around the 1850's.  But the family that owns it, they still come out on Thursdays to see the castle and sometimes they will spend some days here.  We only saw one of the houses as the other 2 are their private quarters, but that would be neat to see since the side we saw had like little out houses in a few rooms for a toilet!  Each house had its own kitchen and the one we saw there was no fridge.  The kitchen had very thick walls so the room stayed a bit cooler and they made a thick cupboard in the wall with a thick door and this is what they used as a fridge!  So I wonder how they updated the other 2 sides.
The whole castle was down in a ravine instead of up on top of a hilltop.  So we had to park and you couldn't even see the castle.  We had to walk downhill, which was not so easy coming back up, on a winding path for about 3/4 of a mile. 
We did the English tour and it was about a 40 min. tour of it.  Then they had a restaurant and a pub.  We just ate some pub food and moved on.  So the kids had chicken nuggets, I had split pea soup with a big super long hot dog in it, and Jason had Goulash soup.  Everything was good, but very salty.
After this we made the long walk back up hill and drove about half way home and stopped at a cute town.  It used to be 2 towns that were split by the river then they combined into one town split by the river.  So we parked on one side of the river and walked across the bridge to the other side.  It was so cute.  It is a small town with about 8 small cruise boats that take you up and down the river.  The town is built into the hills and there are grapes growing for the wines.

On top of the hills is the ruins of a castle. 

The town is mostly pedestrian only and is made up of cute little old world Germany buildings.

So we walked around town and got some ice cream and some goodies to take home for breakfast from the bakery.  After this we just drove back home as it was a full day! 

Monday I was back to baking!  In the morning I made the cornbread I am bringing in the for the International Luncheon at school tomorrow since the boys classes are bringing savory items from your country.  They don't have cornbread here and we love it, so I brought my cornmeal from home and made 2 batches of that this morning for tomorrow.  Then I made a batch of sugar cookie dough to roll out later, but we never ended up getting to it. 
I ran out before lunch to pick up a few things and got a sandwich at a little place.
After lunch I had a bunch of things to do at home.
At pickup Sean went home with a friend and Jacob had a friend over.  At home I made homemade pumpkin soup, so I was busy cutting up pumpkins.  So at 5pm we left to go and pick up Sean and then drop off Jacob's friend who lives on the other end of town.  When I got to my friend's house to pick up Sean, she told me that today she broke her side mirror and it is all cracked now.  See it isn't only me that hits something here!
Traffic today was horrible, so needless to say we didn't get back home until 6:30!  An hour and a half.  I needed to finish making the pumpkin soup and that is why then we never got to the cookies tonight.  Then the boys have a lot of homework this week too that needed monitoring.
The soup recipe called for Pumpkin Pie seasoning and I think it was too much, b/c we didn't really like the taste of it too much.  It sucks when you spend a lot of time making something and it doesn't really taste like you wanted!  Next time I will try another pumpkin soup recipe and see if we like it better.

Tuesday was the International Luncheon at the school.  You can dress up in colors or a national costume from your country so both boys did sports jerseys and then I took the left over!  Each child is suppose to bring a dish from their home country. We, room parents,  divided the classes into sweet and savory and both boys got savory so I brought in my cornbread I made yesterday.  It is really neat to see all the different foods people bring in from all around the world.  The kids all seem to love the sushi that gets brought in!  So I worked in Sean's area most of the time and then saw Jacob at the end of his and helped them with cleanup.  So a good portion of my day was spent at the school!  Amber's grade level doesn't do it.

After school Amber had a friend over, Jacob had tennis and after homework Sean went to his girl friend's house up the street and stayed for dinner.  They love playing together!
I finally got to finishing up my Halloween cookies, Sean help cut them out and Amber helped decorate them.  They tasted good!

Wednesday was Amber's day to dress up in her countries colors or outfit.  So we went with the colors.  Her bows have the flag on them too.

  After school we picked up her friend and they came back here for lunch and a quick play date before ballet.

Then Jason wanted to see her in ballet class today so he came and watched her for a bit and then the boys finished school and he was able to say hi to them before they started their after school activities.  Amber kept waving to Jason during class, too funny!
Jacob found out he made runner up for student council.  He was disappointed b/c last week when the teacher mentioned it only him and 2 other boys said they would be interested in it.  So she told them to prepare a little speech and they would give them and vote today.  So after school Jacob was a bit upset and he said that a bunch of people must have told her they were interested b/c she just wrote every one's name on the board and there were now like 7 people running.  Since there were girls on the board they had to vote for one girl and then one boy.  So Jacob got runner up which means if the girl or boy is sick or can't make the weekly meeting then he gets to go or if one of them drops out or misses too many meetings then he gets the spot.  But he had prepared a little speech and was excited to give it and it is too bad the process wasn't like she said it was going to be.  But at the same time the weekly meetings are over lunch on the same day Jacob has drum lessons at lunch.  So he would have had to give up one of those.

Thursday I had my preschool coffee in the morning then had a few errands and home for French.  Jacob had a pizza party today at school since his classes blue hat, helper duties, are done for now maybe the year. 
I made Halloween cupcakes for Amber's class since I am going in tomorrow and talking about Halloween with them.  She helped with the frosting and final touches in the evening.

She had a friend over after school, Sean tennis and Jacob guitar.
So in August one day when I took the kids to the park and Jacob didn't put the cap all the way back on his water bottle and it flooded the bottom part of the stroller along with the garage door opener which ended up frying it.  So we got locked out of the house and then after getting some help and having to pay for the break in, today I finally got the new garage door opener that had gotten ordered for us.  Can you guess how much that cost?  $120 for a new garage door opener, just the remote opener!  Ugh!

Friday I had my tennis lesson.  It took me about 3 days after the last one to not be sore anymore!  Today I felt fine after the lesson and it went by very fast.  Hopefully I will also be able to pick up some French as the one lady doesn't really speak English and the teacher first says it in French and then tells me in English.
This afternoon I went in to Amber's class and did a little Halloween talk!  I talked a little bit about trick or treating, Halloween and then read a Halloween book, did a pumpkin craft I had brought in and then we had cupcakes!

 Amber was so excited for the whole thing!  As kids were leaving then we passed out a Halloween coloring sheet, a Halloween connect the dots, and ghost lollipops we had done. 

Amber went to a friend's house after school today.

Week of October 14th, 2012

Sunday I went to a meeting on Sean's First Communion after Church.  Everyone had to volunteer for doing the invitations, calligraphy, flowers, cakes, etc.  So I volunteered to help teach.  All of this is really done by the parents.  Quite different then at home.
In the afternoon Sean had a b'day party to go to and Amber put herself down for a nap!  We got a bucket of Halloween labeled little gummy bags so we started passing them out to the kids friends as a Happy Halloween treat!

Monday we got to school even earlier then normal since on Mondays before school, Jacob's teacher is holding an extra math class to review or start new math concepts, so I told him he needs to go to this every once in awhile, so he went this morning.  After I dropped off the other 2 I left school at 8:35 and drove out to Germany to hit the toy store, grocery store and this other store that has none food items, shampoo, cleaning, laundry, etc.  But then I didn't get home until after 12pm.  This is the place that is almost a half an hour away.  Driving there, after I change highways 4 times to head out of the country, it is a very peaceful drive.  No one is driving this way, b/c if you live in Lux you must be working here b/c is just too expensive to live here if you don't have too.  So the traffic going the other way was bumper to bumper, so many people commuting in.  I got a car load of things and then I feel like it takes the rest of the day to try and put everything away, and sort things out.
After school Sean had a friend over and Amber went home with one of her many boy friends.  After Sean's friend left, we went and picked up Amber and then I thought since Jason left today for the states that I would take the kids out to McDonalds.  Here fast food is not a convenience, it is actually more difficult to do this then just eat at home.  I don't even remember the last time we ate at McDonalds.  So I go through the drive through and the drive through guy just started speaking English since he wasn't understanding my French.  Then we pull up to pick up the food and they don't have it ready.  It wasn't busy there.  So they have this little area to pull off the main drive through, but it isn't very big and my car didn't fit very well there.  So then the woman brings out our order and they left most of the fries out.  I hate drive-throughs they never seem to get it all right.  So I have to get out and go back inside and wait for the rest of the fries.
The kids enjoyed their dinner!  For dessert I had picked up some cupcakes for them since before school pickup I ran to the post office near school and next door is a good bakery.  So they got lots of treats tonight!
Before I went to bed Jason must have called like 3 or more times.  He was shopping in the states for me and had a bunch of questions.  This time he was picking up long underwear for when we go on our ski trip to the Alps!

Tuesday morning Sean wasn't up by 7 which is not like him.  So I go in to his room to wake him up and it stunk in there.  His belly wasn't feeling too good.   So he ended up staying home today.  I canceled my French since my house was now quite stinky.  Later he seemed to be fine once things passed through his system and he wanted and ate a good lunch, so then I did take him with me to get my eyebrows waxed!  He had a nice relaxing day of laying around on the couch and a peaceful lunch with just mom!  Since I was at home I made some chocolate chip cookies.  Those always taste good on a gloomy day!  We only see the sun for a part of each day, and it rains at some point each day.  I have a feeling the fog will be rolling in soon.
Jacob had tried out for the musical, but ended up getting a group part.  He was a bit disappointed, but about 100 people tried out and she asked him what kind of part he would like and he said small, so I guess that is what he got.
Jacob had tennis and that parking lot is making my car a muddy mess!  Only the path up the hill is paved, any of the parking places or just to turn around is like off roading in the mud. 
The boys had fun tonight going through the lego catalog making their christmas lists!   

Wednesday instead of doing the treadmill I worked out to the Dance Party Wii game.  It was fun!  Amber had half day so I picked up her and her friend and they had lunch here and then got ready and we went back for the ballet class.  After school the boys had their activities.  When I saw Jacob his backpack was really puffy looking so I asked him what he had in there.  He said that he found his lunch box on a shelf in the cafeteria!  I had told him to look in there and he kept saying no they would have put it in the lost and found!  Ha mom is still right!
We came home for a bit and then Amber was in the bathroom with diarrhea.  I don't know why we can't seem to get rid of this?  So we had dinner and then tonight was Sean's concert at school.  So we went back for it and we just sat at the end of the row so she could get to the bathroom.  The concert was good and Sean got to play the xylophone for a song! 

They had to all dress in blue, like a river.  They also used their recorders.  And they had a nice slide show of pictures from their river field trip. 

Thursday early in the morning Amber had gotten up to go to the bathroom again so I decided to keep her home today.  I let her sleep in until we were ready to just drop off the boys so we didn't need to leave as early since I don't need to park, we can just pull up and drop them off.  So once she woke up she just crawled in the car with her pjs on and we dropped off the boys.  Once back at home she was starving and really spent the rest of the day eating!  You would have thought she had been sick for a week and not eaten.  Every couple hours she wanted to eat!  She had a nice relaxing day at home.  Unfortunately it was my girls luncheon day so I missed that.   I had a room parent meeting before pick up so I did take her to that since she had been fine all day.  It was a good meeting and I got all the information for the preschool needs for this year.
Sean had tennis and wanted me to ask the teacher if he can move to a different level since this one is too easy, but it was a sub teacher today and he didn't speak much English so I said I would come back next week.  Then off to Jacob's guitar after dinner.
Jacob said he was interested in doing student council, but so did 2 other kids from his class so now they each need to give a speech about why they should be elected and then the class will vote on it next week.

Friday I had a coffee with some other preschool moms at school, then quickly ran to the store and home since  today was the first day of my tennis lessons.  I was suppose to start last week, but the kids didn't have school on Friday and we had conferences as well.
My one friend does a private lesson at the same time so I saw her there.  I found my teacher and there are 2 other ladies in my class as well.  They are older then me.  Onc is from Luxembourg and speaks English too, and the other one is from France and only speaks a little bit of English.  The teacher seems German, but was teaching the class in French. He would speak to them in French and then turn to me and tell me in English.  It is kind of funny he tells them all this stuff and then the last thing he must of said was start picking up the balls, and then he turns to me and just says, pick up the balls.  Ok.  I did pretty good, and I enjoyed it.  So that will be a good way to get some more exercise in.
Jason returned this afternoon from the states.  I always like getting all the stuff he brings back for us!  So he went to the store to pick up some food items and some things I know I will need for Thanksgiving dinner since he isn't planning on going back next month.  Then I had shipped some winter items to him to bring back for our ski trip.  And a few christmas items as well.
Sean went to a friend's house tonight and spent the night so he was excited for that!
I made a big pot of chili for dinner and some yummy chocolate peanut butter cups for dessert.

Sat. Sean stayed at his friend's house after the sleepover and they went fishing with his dad until the afternoon.  Sean had a lot of fun.  It was a gorgeous day today and about 70 degrees!
Amber had a party to go to so we dropped in just for a short time.  Then it was time to go Trick or Treating!  Amber went as Strawberry Shortcake, Sean an army man and Jacob some sort of General.

So here trick or treating was today b/c the school has a fall break the actual day of Halloween.  So my friend ran it this year and it was in a cute little subdivision in the next town over from us.  There were about 20 houses that participated.  The woman's club actually buys the candy from the German base and then gives it to the houses to hand out.  The houses don't have to do anything but be home and pass out the candy and only 20 houses out of like 60 said they would do this.  But the kids had fun and saw their friends.  After we finished, in about 30 min., the woman's club had hot dogs for sale at a little park in the subdivision.  It was fun!

Week of Oct. 7th

Sunday we went to church and then I went back to bed as I started not to feel so good.

Monday I woke up and felt fine so my friend and I drove out to a town in Germany, a little over an hour or so away, that had a Starbucks for her and some good shopping!  So they have a TK Maxx instead of TJ, too funny.  And they had a Lego store, and some big department stores which you don't see here.  So it was fun to walk around and she got her coffee so she was happy!  There weren't many places to have lunch so we had lunch at this kind of bar place and I had a ham sandwich and I don't think it agreed with me b/c I didn't feel so good the rest of the day.
Amber went to a friend's house after school and Sean walked home from school with the neighbor kids.  I made some pumpkin cookies to go with the fall menu my friend was doing for a luncheon tomorrow.  The boys will start their standardized testing this week, so off to bed early.

Tuesday my Norwegian friend had some of us over for some yummy homemade Spicy Tomato Soup.  It was a bit spicy for me, but I am sure Jason would have loved it.  The table for lunch was set so nice in deep purple accents.  I brought my pumpkin cookies and we had a lovely time!
When I picked Amber up from school the teacher said she had had diarrhea today and had changed her clothes.  The teacher asked her if she had a belly ache or felt sick at all and Amber said she was fine so they never called me.  I felt bad she had gotten it through her tights and on to her dress.  When she got home she had it again and then seemed fine.  She was eating all night so we will just wait and see what tomorrow brings.  Jason said he wasn't well today either.
The boys said their testing at school went well today and after school Jacob had tennis.  The tennis club parking lot is mostly mud so my car and the tires are a disaster.

Wednesday the boys continued with their school testing.  Jacob had to bring his percussion set to school for band practice and he forgot it in my trunk.  Thank goodness he found me like 30 min. later before I had left so he was able to get it. 
Amber went home with a friend after school and then they went to ballet.  The 2 little twinkle toes!
The boys had their activities after school so we waited for them after ballet.
At least on Wednesdays the boys do their activities right after school so then once we get home we don't have to leave again!

Thursday I had the 5th grade information coffee at the same place my other class coffees were at.  It was nice to see who else has 5th graders b/c these moms I don't know very well b/c you don't see them in school.  Then I had French class.  I ran to 2 places today to try and find D batteries for Amber's music thing in her bed she likes.  Thank goodness we don't have to replace those much, they aren't cheap here!
At pick up Jacob told me he lost his sweatshirt and his lunch box today- geesh!  But he had blue hat duties before lunch and then only a quick time to eat and he picked up someone else's duties then that didn't show up.  So he can't figure out where he lost his lunch box along the way!  Before he eats lunch he has to go to the other lower school building and help pour milk and water for 1st and 2nd graders for lunch.  And then in his cafeteria he has to help people but their dishes on the trays.  I am thinking he probably accidentally put his lunch box on one of the trays!  So we spent awhile looking after school, but didn't find anything.
Sean had tennis later and Jacob guitar.  In the midst of those 2 things I made a good smelling apple coffee cake for this weekend with some more of our 2 boxes of apples!  Amber doesn't want to carve her pumpkin so we made her pumpkin face tonight, had to add a bow,  and put it back outside.  That should freak out the locals!

Friday the kids didn't have school for conferences.  Amber went in the morning with a friend to an indoor play area.  The boys and I had chiropractic appts.  After lunch Amber went over to a friend's house and we all went to school for the kid's conferences.  The boys are old enough they can just sit outside the teacher rooms with their books and read.  I should have taken a picture of the 2 of them just sitting there reading in the 2 chairs next to the door! 
So we did Jacob's conference first.  This year he is really blossoming at school.  He is joining a lot of things at school, band, trying out for the play, and wanting to join student council.  She said he can work well no matter which group of kids she puts him with and she like the fact that he has been helping a new kid in their class with things.  He is doing good with the school work and really enjoys the math.  He is very happy in his class and with his teacher.  It was a good conference.
Sean's was next.  During this time I made the boys go to the PE building and see if they could find any of Jacob's lost stuff from yesterday- ugh no such luck! 
Sean's teacher told us that he is a model of hard working and listening in class, wait are we talking about the same Sean?  And she wants to make him a role model for the other kids in the class, ok too funny!  But he is doing very well in class, and his studies are going well. Again he is very happy with his class and teacher.
Amber's conference was last and Jason had to leave to take a conference call so he and the boys went home.  Amber is doing well in class.  She plays with the boys and girls, will go to any table and work on everything.  She is doing good with her letters.  She is very easy going so no problems either. 
Overall it was a very enjoyable conference with the kids all doing really well here.  I know I don't want to live here forever, but with how well they have done here I am happy with the school.
After I finished I went over to my friend's house to pick up Amber and stayed for awhile.  Then once at home the boys got packed up and went to a double sleepover at the same house.  I told the mom good luck and if any sibling rivalry goes on to call me and we will pick them up!  They were both warned as well!  So hopefully all is going well!
So since we just had Amber we went out to a nice dinner!  We tried this hotel restaurant we had seen and it said it had fondue on the menu.  I had made reservations and we had a great table that overlook the view of the Grund.  We ordered the cheese fondue and the meat one.  He came back and said they don't have anymore of the meat one, ok.  I guess we should have noted that when we made reservations since that was why we went there.  So we ordered a shrimp dish.  It was good, and the cheese was very good.  It was a thick pie slice of cheese and they put it under a heat lamp and then you just pick the melting cheese off of it and dip in potatoes and bread.  They had the yummy little chocolate cakes for dessert.  So the 3 of us had a nice evening out!  In about 4 years or so this could be every Friday night!

Sat. morning the boys came back from their sleep over and all went well!
My brother got engaged last night!  We were very happy for him!  When I told the kids Sean said, "I don't want to be a Flower Girl!"  Ok too funny!  I told him not to worry b/c I don't think kids are invited to the wedding, but also that job is normally for little girls! 
 All the kids and Jason had hair cuts in the morning.  Amber got her hair braided very pretty!  Then after lunch she had a b'day party to go too!  It was at this indoor play area inside a huge furniture place that the kids can play at while the parents shop.  I had never been in there before, it was very nice, but people said the store is very expensive.  It was a long party so I went back home.  Sean went to another friend's house for another sleep over tonight.  So he had a very busy, fun filled weekend!  Right before dinner I went back out and picked up Amber.  She had a fun time.  We had a BBQ for dinner and I made some yummy apple streusel we ate with ice cream for dessert! 

Week of Sept. 30th, 2012

Sunday I spend most of the day baking and getting ready for my b'day cake and coffee I was hosting at my house on Monday.  Jason took the kids and went to the park and played, Sean played with the neighbor girl, and then in the afternoon Amber and I walked back to the park for a little boy's b'day party.  It was a great day to be at the park and Amber had fun running around with friends!

Monday was a very nice day!  Jason took the kids to school for me and they went in early and had breakfast in the cafeteria.  I told the kids they had to eat breakfast and lunch there today since I was busy getting ready for everyone to come over a bit after drop off. 
So I couldn't decide which cake to make so I made a chocolate, chocolate cake and then an apple cake with some of the apples we had gotten.   I made streusal blueberry muffins, snicker doodle cookies, zucchini bread, mini spinach quiches and fruit salad.

 I had invited 12 friends over, most of them are American, but one is from Peru, one from Argentina, one from Israel, and one from New Zealand.  I made all the goodies, but I had my friend help me make the coffee, ha too funny!  I don't drink it and at home I have that machine you just put a K-cup in of whatever you want, coffee, tea, different flavors and it just makes it for you.  So she was in charge of the coffee maker!
We had a lovely morning and people stayed until a bit after 12pm.

 Then I just cleaned things up.  Since the car shop hadn't called yet to say my car was done I was just at home.  The kids all went home or hung out with friends after school.  When Jacob got dropped off here I had just gotten the call that my car was done so my friend dropped Jacob and I off at the car place and we picked up my car, with a new side mirror, and they also said I needed new brake pads too so that was done as well, and the once a year oil change they only do.  So all looks good and they even vacuumed it out.  Surprise I didn't have to pay for that as well!
Then I walked to the park and picked up Amber who had gone with a friend and then we drove over and picked up Sean from his friend's house.  So everyone got a playdate today!
Amber was a mess from the park, so after dinner I gave her a bath and then said she could go downstairs and play and get a snack.  She said she just wanted to go to bed!  Ok fine with me!  So I read her a book and got her all tucked in and that was that and it was like 7:20!  Early for Amber!
Then of course around 11 or so when I went in to kiss her good night she sat up and said "Good morning Mama!"  Yikes.  But she went back to bed ok.

Tuesday came and I was a bit tired.  My french teacher cancelled due to being sick so I went to the Import store and a home goods store and that was about it.  For the first time in a long time I took a nap after lunch and it felt wonderful!
After school the kids school photos were posted online to view.  I wasn't that impressed with what the photographers had done last year.   Many people don't order the pictures, b/c they don't like them or they are just too expensive.  So last year the boy's photos turned out ok, but Amber was a bit of a mess.  Like no one could help the preschooler get put together?  So this year when I see them, Sean's look good, but some goofy poses.  One is him laying down on his back and he has his hands behind his head and is holding his head up looking at the camera which is down by his feet.  Ok so the first thing I see is the bottom of his dirty shoes.  Maybe if they were laying in a field or something ok, but this is with a white background.  Jacob's photos were only ok.  Again they have weird poses of him from the side looking down and looking up.  Ok these are pictures we are just ordering for family and for his scrap books, I want to see his face.  Not that pleased.  Then I see Amber's photos and I am starting to get mad!  She had pigtails in her hair and a bow in each one.  So the photos show her with one bow in one pigtail.  Ok so somewhere she lost the other bow, which she had at the end of the day so not sure where it was for the photo, but when someone is taking like 20 pictures of her you think they might have noticed how silly just one bow looks and have taken it out, nope not here!  So all her photos look silly since she has one bow in one pigtail!   Did the teacher not give a quick look over the kids before they went?  I did send the company a note and the school.  I was not happy, and after hearing other people complain about the pictures I don't feel like I am being out of line.  To order the pictures it is very expensive and then since this company is out of the UK, they don't have the same size photos as the frames here, so it makes it a bit difficult to frame.  I don't know why they can't find a local company to do this. 
Maybe next time I just need to take a longer nap!
Jacob had tennis tonight and the rain came back!

Wednesday morning I decided to take my new watch I had ordered and Jason had brought back for me to a jewelry store to get some links removed since it was a bit too big.  The lady took the watch and it took her 45 min. to get the links out and the watch back together.  One of the last pins that was needed to put the watch back together wouldn't go in. 
I picked Amber and one of her girlfriends up for early dismissal and we came home for lunch and then we went to her best boy friend's party.  It was nice.  It was at their house and the kids had fun and it was nice to chat with friends.  Then I left the girls there and went to get the boys after their after school activities today and the fire alarm was going off at school when I got there and kids were walking out of the building.  I got Sean since he is at the gym closest to the parking lot and then we waited to see if Jacob maybe hadn't come out yet.  Thank goodness we found him, b/c otherwise we would have had to go up to the soccer pitch and walk around looking for him.  That is where everyone goes for the fire alarms.  He had his drum set with him today since he had practice and with the fire alarm he couldn't use the elevator so he was carrying them up the stairs.  It is quite a heavy, compact case.  They had learned how to play the glockenspiel today so he set that up at home tonight and was playing a few notes!
My friend then went back to the party later and picked up the girls. Amber had fun!  After dinner Jacob told me that he wants to try out for the school musical the 4 and 5th graders will do.  So we practiced his lines.  I am so proud of him for trying new things this year!  The only problem is that there is one weekend where there is a mandatory rehearsal and I had already booked us on a trip for that weekend, so we will have to see what happens with that. 
Jason was flying through Germany on his way to the states today and he said plenty of people had on Oktoberfest costumes!  Kilt and overall things with hats- too funny!  I told him maybe he should pick himself up a proper German outfit!

Thursday at school was visit your child's French class.  So with having 3 kids in different French classes I spent my day going back and forth to school.  After drop off was Jacob's class.  I really liked his teacher and the class was good, and I learned something new!  Then I had an hour and came home and then back to school for Sean's class.  Here they showed us what they had been working on, sung us some songs,

and then we had to work on a worksheet together.  Yeah, we didn't get too far with that.  Then after lunch back to school again for Amber's class.  Her class was cute.  Each of their classes has no more then 8 kids in them so that is nice.  Amber's class was learning about colors through games and then they were learning words through songs.  I think this might be a good class for me to join!  After this I just waited around a bit and then school was out.  So I didn't get too much done today!
After school Sean had tennis and then after that Jacob had guitar.  Thursday evenings are full of in and out of the car!

Friday morning after breakfast Jacob lost a tooth!  He hasn't lost any in over a year.  This morning was my coffee for Amber's preschool.  We decided to do it together with all the preschool classes so their were 4 classes together and then us, the room parents gave the talk.  We had it at the same place I had my other class coffee as it is close to the school and a fairly good size seating area for a bakery.  So that went well. 
Then I ran to the mall to pick up a few groceries for the weekend, dry cleaning, bank, and Post office!
Today was my lunch group and it was only 3 of us today.  I drove over to a friend's house and parked and we walked downtown.  She lives close to the city.  Lunch was good.  We had fajitas.  But instead of it coming with the tortilla shells and you get to make it, it was one big one and already put together.  It was good.  And they have good margaritas, so we had one of those as well!  It was a South American restaurant so they are known for their Argentina beef.
After school Jacob went home with a friend, Sean went up the street to the girl's house and Amber had a friend over!  Sean and his friend had gone to the park down the street and they came home filthy.  As soon as I saw him I told him don't touch anything just go and get in the shower, yuck!
Everyone got cleaned up, in their jammies and we just hung out!

Saturday Jason came back from Chicago.  He got to see my parents while he was there.  We tried a new place for dinner that is a good Italian place and it is open all day!  Kind of crazy for here!  Most places open at 12 for lunch for 2 hours and then not again until 7pm.  So we got to eat dinner out at 5:30- whoa!

Week of Sept. 23rd, 2012

Sunday was a pretty slow moving day.  Jason and the boys went to the park to play soccer for awhile otherwise I just tried to catch up with things at home.

Monday was back to busy!  Today Jason tried to leave early to go back to the states, so he took my sad car to the airport to leave there for the week and I had his car.  Unfortunately his flight was canceled after they were already on the plane, so he ended up sitting at the airport most of the day and got out in the afternoon.  He had to run to catch his connecting flight to the states and when he got there they said they had given his seat away, so they gave him a business class seat since all the other ones were taken!
This morning the other room mom and I hosted our Get Together Coffee for Sean's class.  It is actually mandatory to have this for the class.  Too funny!  So I got the outline and all the dates and things typed up over the weekend and brought this with me since I was the one giving it.  We had it at a bakery not too far away from school and it seemed to work out well.  We had almost half the class's moms there.  Most of the others work so they couldn't make it.
That lasted until around 10:30.  Then I ran to a workout place that is close by b/c someone had said they had little girls tights and ballet shoes.  So I picked up some little bit over priced things for Amber's ballet class.  She has all the leotards, but not the tights or the shoes.
Then I went to the American woman's club to pay and sign up the kids for the trick or treating event this year.  The city itself doesn't do this, so we did it through them last year and the kids had fun. 
Then ran home for lunch and back out to the store.  While I was at the store it started to just pour down rain, the kind that you can hear on the store's roof!  So I got wet going back to the car and my umbrella kept turning inside out and the cart is going all over b/c it was super windy out as well- so nice!
When I got home and was putting the groceries away and the wind was just blowing away I started wondering how the trampoline was going to do with this.  Last year in the beginning of December the winds and rains were horrible and it just blew the trampoline all over our tiny yard and bent the poles.  Jason had to take them down and we had to order new poles, on a German only website.  So the trampoline was out of commission for awhile.  So it normally stays non windy until November so we decided we would take it down the end of October.  I look out the window and I see the wind pick up the trampoline and throw it against the green wire fence b/t the neighbor's house and ours.  OH NO!  It then blows it back to the ground and one of the poles is completely bent- crap the trampoline is now done for this year!
When I go to back out of the driveway to pick up the kids I see this white work van fly down from the culd a sac to my corner and then this blue car comes down as well.  Well the work van gets to my corner and then throws it in reverse and starts flying backwards.  I am thinking he is going to hit that blue car and then boom I hear it!  So this is like right where I am trying to back out of.  So they are arguing in the street and I am sitting there trying to back out.  The lady is trying to wave me on that there is enough room to back out and I am like no way move your car.  So finally she moves back so I can get the car out. 
At school Sean went home with a friend and we took Jacob's friend home.  Then we picked up Sean a bit later and Jacob's friend that was over, his mom invited us over for some yummy home made chicken noodle soup.  She even made the noodles from scratch!   It was very good and the boys cleaned out their bowls. 
It was quite a full day!

Tuesday morning more rain ):  After drop off I came home and did the online conference sign ups through the school website, so as soon as it opened I got the conferences for us.  A bit tricky with making 3 appts. 
French was this morning, twice this month.  I can handle this (: I must say I am getting better at reading it, not really speaking any better though.
I worked out and then had some room parent and school stuff to do in the afternoon.
This afternoon Jacob started back up with tennis.  I was glad to see he got the same instructor.  They are all different kids though and Jacob said it was a little too easy today.  She had said she was going to test the level of the other kids today so we will see what happens for next week.
We made indoor smores tonight.  It is kind of like rice krispie treats but with golden grahams and chocolate.  Pretty good!
I finally got a chance to chat with Jason late this evening and he had said that he got in late in the evening last night to the states and then his bag didn't make the flight since he was running to get on it.  I guess they didn't run with his bag!  So he waited an hour to deal with that at the airport, then he had to go to the rental car place, and then go to Target and get some clothes for today.  I said he must have been looking pretty stylish!

Wednesday was pouring rain for the 4th day in a row.  So when I went to the bigger grocery store I decided to try out their underground parking.  In general I don't like parking in the garages here b/c the spaces are tight already to get in and then when you add poles everywhere it makes it even harder.  I feel like you have to squeeze yourself out of the door to get out of the car!  I would have never been able to go anywhere pregnant here with how big my belly would always get.  I would have had to be climbing out through the trunk!  And then to think about trying to get that infant car seat in and out of the car, no way!  Anyway this garage isn't too bad.  The other grocery store one isn't too bad either.  So that was nice that I didn't have to get soaked loading up the groceries.
This week Jacob has been busy in the morning at school, with either making the morning announcements or today he was the greeter by the door welcoming everyone into school.  They have to wear their blue hats b/c it is some blue hat club for all of 5th grade.  He was cute!
After school Amber and I took home 2 of her friends and we had lunch and a quick playdate before having to go back to school for ballet.

  So of course they couldn't wait to get into their leotards!  I had to hold them off until after lunch.  Then after class Amber and I just waited there until the boys finished with their after school activities. 

Thursday morning was the preschool coffee at school.  Then exercise and then I picked up a new mom that just moved here and we went out to lunch.  I had been in contact with her through email over the summer from another friend, so today we were able to meet.  We went to the mall to the cafe that serves the yummy pastries and had lunch.  We got there a bit after 12 and had to wait in line about 10 min. for a table.  It was a nice lunch and good to meet her.  She is just getting settled so had a lot of questions about things.
It was raining on and off today and Jacob had his field trip to the forest.  They did the trail around it and then there is a park and picnic tables so they had lunch there and got to play.  Thank goodness they were back by 3pm b/c a little bit before that was a huge, huge downpour of rain. 
Tonight Sean started with his tennis class.  It is a different teacher then who Jacob has.  He has like 6 or so kids in his class.  One girl was spinning herself around in circles until she fell down while the rest of the class was picking up the balls.  Then we had about 30min. and then had to leave for Jacob's guitar lessons.
Busy afternoon so glad there is no school tomorrow.

Friday was a lazy day since the kids didn't have school today.  Jacob had a friend come over in the morning and we all watched a movie we hadn't seen yet.  Then I made pizzas for everyone for lunch.  Jason got home around then too.  Then after lunch Sean went across the street to a girl's house who is his age and they go to school together and I drove Jacob to a b'day party. 
After dinner Sean went back to the girl's house and had a sleep over there!  Too funny!  They are both a lot alike!  They need to both live on a farm and just be free to run around!  Earlier in the day they were looking for snails, we have a lot of them here b/c of all the rain, and they were having races with them and playing with them, yuck!

Sat. was my b'day!  Jason and Jacob tried to make me pancakes in bed but Jason didn't get up until 8:30 and then Jacob wanted to make pancakes, but when Jason asked for more milk Jacob gave him heavy whipping cream instead and neither one noticed!  Once Jason started cooking them he noticed they smelled different and came and asked me.  Oh well, it was a nice thought! 
Sean came home from the sleep over and had a great time.  He had slept in the guest bedroom and had fun playing at her house with her and her 2 older brothers.
Since it was a nice day today and no rain (:  We decided to do the apple festival today and apple picking!  We went with another family and had a good time. 

We had brats and fries there for lunch and some apple fritters for dessert.  They make the apple cider right there so we bought some of that and drank some for lunch. 

Then we got a big wheel barrow and went out into the fields. 

That is what Jason found on his first apple!

The kids picked 2 boxes of apples!

Then we all had some to eat too.  Some of the apples this year were huge! 
For dinner we went downtown to my favorite Chinese restaurant.  It is a nice place.  Then came home and had my ice cream pie we had made!
It was a nice day!