Week of March 17th, 2013

Sunday morning Mom and Amber came with Sean and I for RE and then church.  We came home for lunch and then went on a drive to see this town in France.  It was about 30 min. away and is listed as one of the 139th most beautiful villages in France.  Ok this town was very medieval looking and was very small.  It didn't have one shop or restaurant.  Just old houses and 2 churches but both were locked so we couldn't get in.  The town had a wall that used to surround it.  So a lot of it is still up so we could even walk up to the top of it in parts.  Other parts were under construction.  There was an old washing basin in the center of town that was still used up to the 60's for washing I am assuming clothes.

But it was a rainy, gloomy day so we walked around a bit and didn't even see more then 4 people out.  Then we headed home and had a BBQ.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Monday Jacob had his early morning math and I was reading to some kids from Amber's class.  After this I had a few errands to run then picked up my parents and we drove out to Germany to do some grocery shopping.  We got back after lunch which I had picked us up some food early in the morning for us.  We went for a walk after eating and then off to school for pickup.  Jacob had a friend over and they could actually play outside because the temp. wasn't too bad.  The 3 boys walked over to the new park they are building to check it out and play soccer in the field next to it. 

Tuesday Amber had to bring in her Easter Hat that we may have just recycled from last year- shh.

They were having a little parade with them on and then wearing them to the assemble they had.  Today Sean went on a field trip to the Mines.  I was going to send Grandpa as a chaperon but I had too many moms wanting to volunteer.  Sean had a good time and enjoyed learning about it. 
This morning I called and made reservations, in French, for mom and dad and I for lunch.  It is a nice seafood place in the center of town.  Well after I hang up the phone I had a sinking feeling I made the reservation for 13 people instead of 3!  Oh no.  So I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get it straightened out in French, so I called Jason's secretary for help.  She was nice enough to call the restaurant and fix the reservation.  I did get the time and day right though.  Can you imagine how mad the restaurant would have been if I hadn't shown up with 13 people?  It isn't that big of a place. 
We had lunch just the 3 of us and it was nice.  Dad and I had the salmon special and mom had a calamari salad which was good too.
Then we walked around downtown and did some more shopping.  We went to the famous china store where I have started buying some of the Luxembourg Ville pattern, then on to an olive oil store my friends like.  We tried some of that out.  Then mom wanted to go back to the jewelry store and get a bracelet.  Then we ran home and picked up the after school bag and ran back to school.  Sean had his after school math so mom and dad took him and Amber upstairs to the library to start with that.  And I walked with Jacob and his friend after they changed for track up the street to where the track kids have to meet the bus to go to the stadium where they will have practice.  I wasn't sure where it was and I wanted to make sure they got there ok.  But one of the boys had done it last year so he knew where he was going.  Kind of a hike!
Then I walked back to the library and we read and waited for Sean to finish.  From here I dropped Sean off at tennis and then home.  The cake lady came back to pick up her displays from the cake and then a bit later I had to run back to school where the track bus could now drive up to the drop off circle of the school and drop off the kids so I was there waiting.  I ran Jacob home and then back to tennis to pick up Sean.  I feel like I drive in circles some days! 
I had made enchiladas last night b/c Tuesdays I have no time to cook so we all enjoyed that for dinner!  Sean has a big math project to do, but it has to go on a poster board so he started and worked a lot on that tonight.


Wednesday after school drop off I drove my parents to the airport as they were heading back home today.  They got off ok and headed home.  We had a good time with them and the kids really enjoyed them being here!  
Today all the kids had a half day so they got out at 12, since other families were having their student led conferences this afternoon.  So Sean went home with a friend and I took the other two to McDonald's.  Of course there was no parking there and it was pouring rain so I said I will attempt the drive through.  This town has 3 McD.  This is the only free standing one.  Another one is at the city center and another in the movie complex where you have to park like a block away and walk there.  So I tried ordering and it was a mess.  We ended up with Amber's happy meal fine but Jacob and I got no fries and some burger I didn't order- ugh!!  Who goes to McD. and doesn't get fries? 
Jacob had a lot of homework and was able to get that finished while Amber and I worked on her thank you cards. 
The weather today was goofy.  It said we were suppose to get 2-4 in. of snow, 100% chance.  But it would rain and then the sun would come out and then rain, and one time I saw snow otherwise it was just back and forth with the rain and the sun, crazy.
Later in the afternoon we went and picked up Sean from his and my friend's house.  He loves their Norwegian Pancakes they make.  So he was excited they were having them for lunch.  In Norway they are actually eaten as a dinner meal!  Funny different countries and their foods.

Thursday morning I had a follow up with the dermatologist for my toe.  Not as bad but still there so she wants me to go back on antibiotics. 
Poor Jacob today had more bags then he could handle for school!  He had his book bag with work and lunch box, so full.  His swim bag for swimming in gym class.  His track clothes b/c he will go directly from swimming to after school track and not walk back to the building where I would be.  And then there was band today so his percussion set! 
In the afternoon I went back early to school as they were having a meeting for the room parents about the new school's issues for next year, drop off, parking, etc.  These are always problems around Lux!  So they are building a new school building for the Lower School for next year.  Just behind the other schools that are currently there.  It looks very nice and seems big.
Amber had a friend over after school and Jacob enjoyed track and his face was all red when I picked him up.  We raced home for dinner and then back for guitar. 
Tonight before bed Jason pulled Jacob's 6th tooth out for this school year!  Crazy!  So he put it in his tooth fairy bag and went to bed.  The problem was the tooth fairy forgot to come!

Friday morning I had coffee with a friend at school then ran to the store to see if I could figure out what kind of meat to get for the fondue we are having tomorrow night.  Jason wanted me to go to this one store b/c they sell Argentine beef but they only had one piece of it and I need a lot more then that.  So I think I ended up buying filet Mignon since it was the most expensive one there, but at least I know it will be good and what we are eating!
I finally made it to tennis today after being sick and then the kids had conferences last Friday so I had been out for 2 weeks.
One girl is Amber's class had her last day today as she is moving back to Japan.  So we all said goodbye to them and as a room parent we got her a going away gift.
This afternoon I am in the bathroom getting ready and all of a sudden it hits me.  OMG I forgot Jacob's tooth!  So I go to his room and he had his tooth on his dresser but had taken his froggy tooth pillow and put it away.  I felt awful.  He never said anything this morning.  So I wrote him a note and put that with the money back in the frog but over by his books since he was having a friend over.

After school everyone had a friend over so we had a loaded down car!  They all had fun.  Then everyone got picked up but one and then my sitter came over and Jason and I left and then soon after the last boy got picked up.  My friend had given me tickets to the Symphony since they couldn't use them.  We have never been so I thought we would give it a try.  It started at 8pm so we really couldn't do a normal dinner restaurant since they don't open until 7 and we wouldn't be out in time.  So it wasn't too far from the movie theaters and 2 restaurants are open there all day so we had a quick dinner.  While we are there I run into one of Amber's grade preschool asst., with one of the boy 3yr old preschool asst.  I didn't know they were dating but they make a cute couple.
Then we drove to the Symphony place.  It is a really cool building and the auditorium for it was neat.  It was a large orchestra.  They had like 70 people in the chorus and then the band and then 4 separate singers.   It was very nice music but everything was sung in German.  It was intermission about 1:15 min. later and Jason turns to me and asks, "Did you have a nice nap?"  Soon after it started I started dozing.  I can't sit and listen to music like that at the end of the week.  I wouldn't mind listening to that in my pjs in my bed though!  So we just left and came home.  It was nice, but we had heard enough.  I thought that would be neat to hear if they did a Christmas one around December.
When I checked on Jacob tonight he had seen the froggy so we will have to ask him about it tomorrow, if we remember!  About 10:30 we hear Amber crying.  So I go upstairs and she is sitting on her floor crying and burning up.  I asked her why didn't she come down stairs.  And she told me that she thought the sitter was still here and she just wanted me.  So I am glad that we came home early.  I gave her medicine and started wiping her down with a cold rag but it took about an hour to bring her temp. down and then she fell back asleep. 

Sat. Amber was up on and off throughout the night and then up a bit after 7am.  She didn't eat much for breakfast and then her fever had come back so I gave her some more medicine.  I tried to get her to take a nap this morning.  So I got her upstairs b/c you could tell she wasn't feeling well.  She laid in bed for about 15 or so min. and then she came downstairs and she was a different person.  All happy and fine and asked to eat.  The rest of the day she was fine but just had a fever.  And I got her down for a nap in the afternoon.  I asked Jacob about the tooth fairy and he was fine that she had come the next day.  We were suppose to have another family over tonight for fondue but now that Amber had a fever we decided not to do it.  So I finished making everything and then took half the food over to their house for them to enjoy it all. They loved it and had never had a fondue before! The boys were so excited to have the fondue.  So we had a nice dinner!  Amber ate more meat then me.  After dinner we rented the Wizard of Oz b/c Jason wants to see the Great Oz movie so we watched this one tonight.

Week of March 10th, 2013

Sunday was the big Pinkalicious birthday Party!  So mom and I got things ready in the morning while Jason took Sean to RE and then Dad and Jacob joined Jason for church. 
The party was after lunch at the Youth Hostel where I had rented out a big room to have the party.  It was a good space and clean.  It was nice to be able to have it somewhere since I needed a lot of tables and chairs.  So the jewelry lady came and set up and the cake lady came and set up and then the rest of us decorated and organized the room.  I had a friend's nanny come in and do face painting.  The girls loved it, but none of the boys wanted their face painted.  I had 2 big coloring castles that I had made Jason bring back from the states!  And then I had a bunch of games lined up for them.  So they had a good time and there was plenty of things to keep the kids busy.

Jason building the second castle before the party b/c they didn't fit well assembled into the cars.

Amber with her Pinkalicious books.

I like how Sean colored in the lion on the front of the castle and made it into the Luxembourg flag!

The DJ for the freeze dance!

 

 

 

I like the refs on each side to make sure everyone only pulls one string!  Ha 

Tonight was a low key evening after today and Amber enjoyed playing/building all her gifts!

Monday morning after I dropped the kids at school I came home and picked up my parents and took them to the airport.  They were going to Amsterdam, Holland until Friday.  So they will enjoy that. We visited there last year and liked it.  The buildings there are so neat to see and we enjoyed seeing the Anne Frank House as well and the famous tulip garden outside of town.
After this I met 2 friends at a museum on the other side of town I had been wanting to visit.  They have a tiny restaurant in there, so of course we ate lunch first and it was good..  Then my friend had checked about the new exposition opening this week, but it was still under construction.  And since that is the first floor they had free admission since there is just a small amount to see upstairs.  So we saw everything and it was ok.  The expositions are really the neater things to see.  The building is only a few years old and has a ton of windows and a lot of skylights so it is a nice building.  That was pretty much the day and then went back to school for pickup and the boys each had a friend over and Amber stayed busy still opening all the gifts and playing with everything!

Tuesday morning we woke up to a couple of inches of snow and it continued on and off all day -ugh! I had French and exercised and then organized things from the party and laundry, etc.  After school Sean met with the older boy for math and Amber went home with a friend.  Then the boys did tennis.  From here I drove over to my friend's house to pick up Amber.  I have to drive down this big hill.  Well people are going so slow b/c of the snow.  The guy in front of my had some type of Dodge car that looked like a Cadillac.  Well I am not sure the front tires ever really gripped the road.  The back tires were fine.  He front tires were just sliding the whole time.  I really can't believe he got the car down the hill without hitting anything.  I was afraid to pass him for fear of being hit or him sliding into my car so it took us and all the people behind me like 10 min. to get down this long hill.   Coming back home and up the hill wasn't any better.  A taxi cab got half way up the hill and then got stuck with his back wheels just spinning.  So finally he got himself over enough to the side for people to pass him. 

Wednesday I went to the mall to go grocery shopping and do a few other errands, but I got side tracked by the display at this one store.  They had all their spring colors out and so I walked in.  They have T-shirts here that are reasonably priced- about 17 euros, good price for here.  So I was getting some of those and a cardigan then wondering in the store.  It is like a bigger department store.  So as I am going down the aisle I spot the brand of clothes that I like and it isn't too expensive.  I saw these pink jeans and couldn't resist trying them on.  I actually liked the way they fit so I got a couple of shirts to go with them and a scarf of course!  We will see how this goes.  Here of course this is normal, but not really for me!  I texted my friend what I had bought and I got a note back "shut up".
I know Amber will like them!
Today was her half day and so I picked up the girls for lunch and then back to school for ballet.    Sean's sports class ended last week on Wednesday and now bball will start but it is on a different day so I put him back in the RE class with Jacob and he will finish the year out doing that.  He wasn't that thrilled about that idea.
After everyone's stuff ended two of the kids had dental cleanings.  The dentist told me she was moving back to Sweden at the end of the school year.  She is the fifth person to tell me she is moving at the end of school.  Spring is the time when everyone finds out or decides to move back.  So 2 people I know are moving back to Sweden, 1 to Japan, 2 to the states and I am sure there will be more people by the end of the school year.
Jacob's dental cleaning was fine and nothing wrong.  When she looked in his mouth she was like, someone has been losing a lot of teeth!  She said that he has good teeth and a good bite by European Standards, but she didn't know if that would be good enough for American Standards.  I said I thought his front teeth were a little crooked!  Amber couldn't handle the way she had cleaned the rest of our teeth so she did the little brush that goes along your teeth and polishes them like at home.  Then she put fluoride on her teeth and said she has a little spot on one tooth and needs to start taking fluoride.  So she wrote us a prescription for it.  It is just a pill that she will have to take everyday. 
Mom and Dad are having a nice time in Amsterdam, but cold and tonight was their tour through the red light district!  I told them not to bring me back anything from there!

Thursday Amber got to visit the fire station for a field trip so she was excited!  This morning I drove 2 other friends and we went to another town maybe 30 or 40 min. away to a spa place.  My friend needs to go and be in the water for her shoulder from surgery so we joined her.  I wasn't sure I would enjoy this but it turned out pretty good.  We go in and she goes to this pool with jets around it and it is an indoor/outdoor pool.  You get in the pool and it is like 95 or so degrees, my type of pool!  And you find the jets along the edge of the pool and you stand at each one for a few minutes and then you move on to the next one.  They start out shooting at your feet and then end up at your back.  It felt very good.  Then we went outside in the pool and it was really pretty with all the snow around and the sun was out and there were more jets or we just stood in the middle facing the sun.  Then they had like a whirlpool area in one side of the pool so we did that too.  I think we spent about an hour in the pool.  We were the youngest ones here by about 30 years!  Then you get out and shower off and go to the locker room and change.  Everything was nice.  Once we were ready this place has a restaurant so we went there for lunch.  We all had a seafood special and it was good.  Then I dropped everyone off and grabbed our after school snacks and headed back to school.  Jacob wants to do track so the meeting for it and the first practice was today.  When we were coming back from the spa it started totally snowing like crazy.  So his practice was in the gym after the meeting.  Amber ended up going over to a friend's house last minute and Sean went to a friend's house last minute.  Sean's friend had a brother doing track with Jacob so I brought him home and then just picked up Sean after track.  Jacob seemed to enjoy it.  It will be 2 days a week but they have to take a bus over to the football, soccer stadium, to practice b/c they don't have any more track space at the school. Then we drove over to pick up Amber, my poor friend that had gone with us today had come down with the flu or something b/c now she was sick.  So I got Amber and we raced home and had some dinner and then left for guitar.  I am not sure we will be able to continue all of Jacob's stuff b/c now track last longer.

Friday the kids didn't have school because the school had Student lead conferences, which is really like an open house.  So we all went in the morning b/c I had asked to have our family's time slot then.  We started with Amber.

She showed us around her room and her work and her portfolio of things she has done.  And then the books the class has made of different holidays.  Then she showed us her French room and what they have been working on and the music room as well and we saw some videos from her class.  Then we put her in the babysitting area and went to Sean's room and saw all his work.  Then his friend's mom came and picked him up and he had a playdate at a friend's house.  Lastly we did Jacob.  Jacob has really done a nice job this year of being very independent with all of his stuff, school, activities, etc.  So we had a nice time going through Jacob's portfolio that he had prepared by himself for us to see.  Then Jason needed to get going to work after Jacob's French class so just the 2 of us went to his music class.  From here we picked up Amber and ran to the store to get some fresh salmon b/c I was going to make salmon patties for dinner. 
Sean came back after lunch and we went to the airport to pick up my parents.  They had a nice time in Amsterdam.  We came home and hung out.  Everyone enjoyed the salmon patties.

Sat. we decided to go to the town of Bouillon in Belgium.  It is a pretty area with the river and forests.  So this town has a big fortress that you can tour and then a bird show.  So the kids loved just being able to run through this fortress.  It is in ruins, but together enough you can tour it.  It is long and has lots of hideouts, stairs, ramps, and good views of the little town. 

Then we watched the bird show, well mom hiding, but the rest of us watching.

He had an American Eagle, owl, vulture, and other falcons.   So that was neat.  Then we went down into town and ate at an Italian restaurant and then walked around to find a chocolate store open since we were in Belgium, the land of good chocolate.

But is seems they all were closed for lunch- ugh!  So we found one of them was opening back up soon so we waited and got some good chocolate to go!
This place was a little over an hour away so then we drove back home and then later in the evening went out for Chinese back down in the city center right behind the Palace. 

Week of March 3rd, 2013

Sunday Sean and I did RE and church.  Then he had a b'day party after that and I went home and ate lunch and then took Amber to a b'day party.  And Jason went back and picked up Sean and a friend and then they came back here for a playdate.

Monday morning Sean was starting to say his belly hurt again, but since he didn't get sick and had already stayed home on Friday I had him go to school today. 
I got my car cleaned out at a different place then last year when we first moved here.  This place did a great job and was a little bit cheaper.  It is at the mall with the big grocery store and some other mall stores.  The car takes 2 hours to do and my appt. wasn't until mid morning.  So I wondered around the mall a bit and then went grocery shopping.  I had a bunch of stuff to get with my parents coming and the big b'day party this weekend.
At 3 pm I am in the school parking lot and I get a call from the nurse that Sean now has diarrhea and bad cramping.  Oh no!  So I go and get him and pack up his stuff, then go down stairs and get Amber and her friend.  Then back upstairs only to realize I need Jacob's back pack before he goes to his friend's house.  So back downstairs to wait until he comes out of his class and I had grabbed his book bag out of his locker so he could just put his stuff from class in there.  Finally we have everything and we head home for Sean to rest.  Poor thing was fine over the weekend and now this is back again.  Once Amber's friend got picked up we went and picked up Jacob from his friend's house.  Once back home he goes to start his homework and realizes his French folder isn't there.  I didn't know that was his French folder in his locker and I didn't grab it when I took everything out of there.  Most of Jacob's homework is all online, but French isn't plus he needs the workbook. 
Sean didn't eat much for dinner but seems to be feeling ok. 

Tuesday morning Sean had diarrhea in the morning but then that was it.  He ate breakfast at 9 am and was feeling fine, so off to do errands with mom!  I actually think he has been enjoying doing things with just me!  So we met with the cake lady this morning at a cafe.  She has a neat looking design for Amber's party so I am looking forward to seeing it.  She is in the process of trying to open her own shop here and it will be within walking distance to me so I am excited.  She wants to do kids cooking classes and such so I hope she can open soon.  To do anything like that here takes forever to get everything lined up!  So I wish her good luck!
Then we had to run to the store and pick up a few things I couldn't find at the other store yesterday.  Sean likes pushing the cart around!
We had lunch at home and then played some card games.  He was fine all afternoon.  I had dropped off his school notebooks with his work in it and talked to his teacher this morning so then she was going to check everything and put everything back in his locker with anything else they did today and I told her I would just pick it up at the end of the day when I get everyone else. 
After school Amber went home with a friend and since Sean had been feeling well all day I decided to keep his tutoring appt.  Today he started with a senior boy who was going to be reviewing math things with him.  He isn't behind in math but his teacher says when they go back to something they previously had done Sean doesn't always get it right.  She never said anything to me but the kids just got their report cards a week or so and it was in there.  I wish I had known sooner so he could have been working on things all along!  So he is going to spend an hour once a week reviewing math things with this boy up in the library.  So after school Jacob played outside with a friend, it was a lovely sunny afternoon!  And we waited for Sean.  Once that finished we took Jacob to tennis and then over to pick up Amber from her friend's house. 
Tonight I made fudge brownie cookies.  I am not sure I like them any more then brownies and it is more work.

Wednesday morning I wasn't feeling too good so Jason was able to take the kids to school today on his way out of town to Germany for the night. 
I got things ready and waited to hear if my parents made all their flights.  It was tight and things were delayed with all the snow at home, but they got here only a little later then scheduled so all was well!
Amber had her "short day" as she calls it and went home with a friend and then to ballet.
We went back to school once I picked up my parents at the airport and picked up the kids from their after school activities and headed home.

Thursday I took the kids to school and then around 10 am I drove my parents downtown and parked close to the city center.  We had to go all the way down to the 5th level in the parking garage to find a spot.  So we spent the day walking around.  We did the chocolate house with hot chocolate and tried a marble and carrot cake, but both too dry for my liking.  We visited the Museum of the History of Luxembourg City.  We did a little shopping and had lunch at a soup shop.  All they sell are a couple of different soups.  We picked up the kids at school.  Jacob had a friend over to play, someone he hadn't had over before.  So they had a good time.  And then Jacob had guitar later. 

Friday during the night guess who finally came down with the flu the kids had?  Me-ugh!  So I didn't sleep well at all. 
My parents came with me to drop the kids off at school and then we ran to the grocery store.  I was too tired to do tennis so I took a nap instead.  Then we went out to lunch at the British Store's Tea Room.  They have the Friday fish fry.  I didn't get that, just a sandwich, but I was feeling better.  Then we shopped at the store for some American goodies.  We went back to school to pick up the kids and they were excited it was Friday!
We had a low key evening at home.  I made some soup and we rented a movie with the kids.

Sat. morning after breakfast we set out for some sightseeing.  First we went to the town of Wiltz.  It is a town about an hour north of here in the Northern part of the country.  It didn't end up being as good as I thought it would be.  The chateau there is mostly a school so you can't go in it. 

The Museum of the Battle of the Bulge is housed there but was closed for remodeling.  So they had a beer museum in another part of the chateau so we went and saw that, but it didn't take very long to go through.   We walked up a street and had lunch at this good Italian place.  They had really good pizzas.  Then from here we drove to Bastogne, Belgium.  Here is the site of many war memorials, but their main museum is closed but we knew that before hand.  So we saw about 5 of them I believe and another museum to WWII they had.  So lots of stuff to see.

Then we drove home from here.
For dinner tonight we went out to this brewery place we had visited last Sat. night downtown in the Grund area.  It is in an old brewery building.  It was neat.  Food was good, but too plentiful for us!  But that didn't stop us from trying some desserts out too!

Week of Feb. 24, 2013

Sunday Sean and I had RE and church.  Today for church they had all the 1st Communion students sit with all the Confirmation students at the back of the altar.  It was funny to see the tall high school boys with the 3rd graders.
Last week I had gotten a note in my mailbox about a cleaning lady looking for a job and since other friend's maids didn't have any openings right now I decided to text the number and see.  The person called me and spoke English so I was happy with that and she said she could come over to take a look at the house today. So when I open the door there are 2 girls.  And the one says that she speaks English and just came along b/c her friend doesn't.  I asked if they speak French and I guess they are going to start taking it next month.  So there are from Eastern Europe.  She is young but seemed nice and very eager for work.  The other lady just kept thanking me for giving her the opportunity to work.  I asked for a reference and she gave me a name of someone who she is currently working for.  So after she left I was able to get a hold of them and asked about her and they gave her a good recommendation so she will start later this week.
Not sure how this will go with the language if there is a problem with something.

Monday morning at sometime after 4am I hear Amber making funny noises.  I get up and she is throwing up all over her bed!  I pick her up and carry her to the toilet which she still seemed to miss.  She is a complete disaster   It is in her hair to her feet!  It is all over her bed and on the wall and has run down behind the bed.  Jason gets up and gives her a bath for me while I start the huge cleanup process.  Another early morning wash cycle!  After that is all cleaned up and she is bathed, she is wide awake and seems fine.  So we just go down stairs for mom to lay on the couch and fall back asleep and Amber to watch TV.  Jason took the boys to school for me and then I made Amber some toast and she gobbled it right up.  Then I told her we need to take a nap.  She started out playing but in about 10 min. got in bed and slept for 3 hours.  After that we had lunch and she was just fine!  No fever and wanted to play.  Throughout the day she kept asking me, "So what do you think my class is doing now?" 
We decided to start making her cupcakes for her school b'day celebration on Wed.  So I had just bought a cake ball machine so we made pink cake balls.  They turned out good but got a little brown on the outside due to the cooking spray.  Then once they cooled we made the cupcakes and put the balls inside and baked them.  Of course I need all the cupcakes so we couldn't try one.  But the idea is that the cupcakes are white and then when you bite into it you will see the pink cake ball.  The boys waited for each other inside the school and then came out together and just waited in the bus shelter in the parking lot and so then we just pulled up and they were there already.  So much easier then spending an hour almost for the whole pickup routine! 
After we got home a friend stopped by with some muffins she had made.  The kids enjoyed them.  I gave Amber another bath before bed as she still didn't smell quite right!  Hopefully we can have a peaceful night, but I have the bucket out just in case!

Tuesday I had to go to the store since we were looking pretty scarce on food.  I had wanted to go to Germany yesterday and load up but other things came up -literally!  So I was at the store here for awhile and of course forgot my coupons.  They don't have many coupons here but this one store will sometimes send some out in the mail and then sometimes at the end of the bill they will give you 10 euros off another purchase.  Of course I never remember them! 
Then home for French.  Next year Jacob will be in middle school, crazy to think!  Anyway I had to fill out the language form and he will be taking French and German starting next year!  He is actually really excited b/c he has some friends that speak German due to their family so he wants to learn it.
Then one of my friends and I took our Norwegian friend out to lunch for her b'day.  We went to a Thai place.  It was good!  
After school Amber went to a friend's house and the boys had tennis.  Jason was able to pick them up and was impressed with how they were playing.  I have tried to reserve a court for a weekend but they have tournaments there until sometime in March.  So when we can get in it would be nice for us to all play together.  Amber can be the ball girl!
I went to pick up Amber from her friend's house.  This is my good friend too and they had just moved into a new place so it was nice to see it.  When we were driving home Amber tells me that she thinks her and this boy friend need to live together!  Ok. I ask her why does she think this and she said, "So we can color together all the time!"  Ok too funny!  I will ask her that in 20 years when she wants to move in with a boy and see if her answer is the same!
Tonight we frosted Amber's cupcakes for the school celebration and then made brownies for her b'day dinner tomorrow.  After she went to bed I decorated the house and got her presents out and ready for tomorrow.  She has been counting down now for awhile as she can't wait!

Wednesday was the big b'day day!  I got her breakfast ready to bring to her in bed, our tradition   This year was the first year Amber was allowed to get breakfast in bed, but since she wanted pancakes with syrup I did make her eat on the floor since I had just cleaned one bed the other day and I hadn't even got that one put back together so I didn't feel like cleaning the trundle next so she was ok with that.  The candle is in a pink cake ball.

After breakfast it she got dressed

and then on to presents!  She was so excited!

Having a b'day on a school day is difficult, because they can get all their presents open but then they can't play with any of them.  So she wanted to take the unicorn to school today so we took it in and then once school started I just took it. 
I chatted a bit with a friend after drop off, got gas and then on to the American club house for food.  My friend had told me that they had gotten a bunch of food, and their shelves were stocked!  So I got some Easter jelly beans, they don't sell those here.  And an egg dying kit, and then other American foods!
Jason and I went back to school a bit before the noon pickup to celebrate her b'day with her class.  We brought in our cupcakes. 

They thought the pink ball in the center was cool and they tasted good!

After this we took her ballet friend and Jason and I and we went out to an Italian restaurant for some good pizza.  Here the pizzas are these big flat kind of pita bread pizzas.  But each plate serves like 2-3 people.  So the girls enjoyed that and then we had saved a cupcake for her friend since she isn't in Amber's class and then they also got strawberry ice cream!

Then back for ballet.

She was excited to get home and finally play with her new things.  So she was busy, coloring, stamping, playing legos and with her new meowing kitty and then the unicorn.
For dinner Amber wanted tacos so we had that and then we were waiting for Jason to get home to do cake.  He asked how late could he be and I told him when Amber would be going upstairs for a bath and bed, but I told him people are hovering over the cake, so the sooner he gets home the better!  So we had cake and ice cream and she had a wonderful birthday!

Jacob was helping Amber with the beading fairy project!

Last night before bed Jacob lost another tooth!  That is 5 for this school year! 

Thursday morning I went in and read to a group of preschoolers.  Since it was Amber's b'day yesterday I read the Happy Birthday to You book by Dr. Seuss.  They thought it was funny!  Today the new maid came.  I liked the fact that as soon as she came in she asked if she could change into her cleaning clothes and her shoes as well.  At home the ladies have always had cleaning shoes on, but my last maid always wanted to wear her street shoes in the house.  So the new lady did a good job.  It was a long day since it was the first time here and such.  So I paid her before I left in the afternoon to a certain time and tried to ask her if that was an ok time or did she need more.  But she just said ok.  She does know a few words in English.  So when I came home I saw that she didn't do the ironing so I figured she ran out of time no big deal.  And she didn't empty any of the garbage bins, but I can just ask her next time she comes.  Later in the evening I get a call from her English speaking friend saying that she forgot to do the ironing and was so sorry that she would come back tomorrow for free and do it.  I told her that it was ok I had just figured she had run out of time no worries and next time we will just schedule accordingly. I thought that was very nice of her. 
After school the boys had haircuts and one of Sean's friends came with us again and then I dropped off Sean and his friend at his house.  At home Jacob finished his homework project which was applying to college for his class!  He had to do a enrollment form, resume, essay and get 2 letters of recommendation.  So I thought this was very interesting! 
Amber and I started getting things organized for her big b'day party!
After dinner we drop Jacob off at guitar and I am on my way to get Sean when the mom calls and said he just threw up!  Oh no!  I apologize b/c he didn't seem sick earlier or say he wasn't feeling well.  I was almost there and picked him up and got him home.  He took a shower and felt much better but wouldn't eat anything.  I put him to bed early and hopefully he will feel better in the morning!  I hope the other family doesn't get sick either! 

Friday morning Sean had slept through the night and had eaten 2 pieces of toast and half of banana so I told him he seems to be doing ok to go and get ready for school.  He says, "But I threw up!"  I told him yes but that was yesterday.  Then he starts to tell me his belly hurts and that the other 2 got to stay home when they threw up.   So we decided to give him a sympathy day but he was coming with me to do my stuff!  So Jason took the other 2 to school and Sean and I stayed home.  So the first thing was coffee with the my 4 other preschool friends from last year at the good cafe in the mall.  So he came with me.  We stayed for an hour.  Then back home.  Then tennis.  So I asked Sean if Mom was a good tennis player, and he said "Um so so Mom."  Ok Thanks Sean!
Then we had lunch at home.  And I told him when someone stays home they have to take a nap.  So I put him down for a nap.  He was back down stairs about 10 min later.  " I am not really tired"  Probably b/c you aren't really sick is what I was thinking!  Then we had one errand to run before pick up and we picked up Amber and Jacob stayed for movie night.  He loves working the snack bar for student council.  So my friend came over while her daughter was at movie night too and the other kids played.  Then she went back and picked up Jacob and her daughter and dropped him off on her way home.  After everyone left Sean said, "Well I think I am feeling better"  he says and then we had dinner. 

Sat morning Amber didn't want me to sleep in.  She woke up at 7:30 and I said I wanted to sleep in and I think she gave me 20 min and then begged me to get up b/c she wanted breakfast! 
After lunch Amber had a party to go to at the indoor climby place for little ones for maybe the 5th time this year!  She had fun.  This morning I gave Jason the cardboard castle to put together for Amber's b'day party.  First he had to bring it back in his suitcase for me, 2 of them from the states.  They are these big cardboard castles you put together and the kids can color them and crawl in there too.  So I asked him to put one together today and we would see if it could fit in my car!  So he starts mumbling things under his breathe b/c he is not happy about putting this together and then he calls Jacob down to help him who seems to have his own idea about how to put it together while Jason is trying to read these big cardboard instruction and Amber is behind Jason, "Daddy what step are you on,  Daddy where are you on the instructions?"  Me laughing, from the kitchen!
In the afternoon I tried to get the castle in the car.  I had to take the top pillars of the towers off but it fit!  So perfect!
For dinner we were trying to go to this Brazilian restaurant down in the Grund area.  Jason had tried calling a couple times throughout the day but never got a hold of anyone.  So we get there and it is closed for something.  There was a note on the door but we couldn't understand it.  So we walked around the area, but nothing was going to open until 7pm and it was 6:15.  So we went to this burger place we ate at once before.  I ordered the vegetarian chili.  I didn't like it b/c it was too spicy.  We had ordered the mozzarella sticks and the cheese was already hardened.  I hate when I try and do something vegetarian and they add more spice b/c they took out the meat- ugh!
Then since we didn't have reservations she told us we had to be out of the table by 8pm so we really didn't have enough time for dessert and they had a good desert menu. 
We did find a neat looking brewery that we made reservations at for next week with my parents.  We came home and watched Arthur's Christmas.  It is a cute Christmas movie!