Day 31

We got up this morning and it was snowing, fortunately it stopped at about 9.30am and hasn't restarted...
The boys were quite excited to go out in it this morning and we let them out there on their own. They were trying to build their igloos some more, but they also got a couple of footballs out, and were trying to play, needless to say that didn't work so well, when the snow is more than knee deep for them!
Florian joined them later on and then off they went for a ride on their bumslides, Florian however took them on the sledgeDon't they look cute!
Robert went out again this afternoon with Florian and they made "the biggest igloo in the world" - with what Mum says is the "most snow in the world"!
Richard stayed indoors with me, he was on the Wii and I was scrapping!
This evening we watched "Inkheart" and I really enjoyed it, now I have to see about getting the books, it will be a big change to read in German (the author is German, and I prefer to read the original where possible) I normally only seem to read in English!
Off to bed now, fingers crossed I don't wake up to more snow!
CU tomorrow

Day 30

Did I mention the snow in yesterdays post, I don' t think I did. Well it has been snowing now for 48 hours, it has been on a break since about 5pm, but by the looks of the sky it won't be long before it starts again!
We have so much snow it is unbelievable. And I really, really don't like the stuff!
I took some pictures of it this morning though before Florian swept some paths free (I helped a little bit)We played Mouse Trap all together before lunchtime. After lunch Florian started the recovery of our pictures from the EHD and..... IT WORKED!!! Yippee, all my pictures have been saved, it cost just over 80Euros, but it ws worth it! Now fingers xed this RAID system doesn't go belly up on us too!

When the snow finally took a break, Florian and the boys went out to clear the paths again and to play. The boys got Florian to help them build an iglooThey had sooo much fun out there, when I see that I "almost" forgive it for snowing..I was however watching from inside our warm lounge with a roaring fire going! Whilst the boys were out playing I posted about my new CT on my other blog, I would have been scrapping, but I didn't want to open anything up that might have endangered my pictures! But now that is all finished, I am itching to open my scrapping programme! Have to get Florian a February Calendar page made, before Monday!
CU tomorrow

Day 29

Phew, I am exhausted! But a good sort of exhaustion. Today was Richard's birthday party his first with his own choice of friends!
I spent the morning shopping for it, tidying up for it and getting everything ready for it. About 2.45pm I was actually ready for it - it started at 3pm!

We were all in fancy dress, the boys were firemen and silly me, asked if I had to dress up and the answer was yes "as a princess" - the only thing that might be considered a princess dress is my wedding dress, and if I am honest I don' t think it still fits me. So I showed him my pirates dress and i was allowed to wear that!

The guests and Florian arrived at 3pm, and the party was on!
this is the cake I made for the partyI found the idea online, but I can't credit the cook for it, because I only saved the link to the photo and not the blog, but it was delicious. It is just crumbled chocolate cake (I bought muffins) and then chocolate pudding and another layer of crumbs! Very yummy!

As usual we didn't take nearly enough photos, too busy keeping the kids happy! But I did remember to also take a picture of the tea they got!Unfortunately Richards friends - the twins - are very fussy eaters and only ate the ears, Robert didn't eat the hair, Richard not the tomato eyeballs, only one little guest ate it all! BUT they all
thought it was great fun!

And now I think I need a week to recover. We played "pass the parcel", "musical statues", "Topfschlagen" (thats a German game, where you blindfold one child and then they have to find the saucepan by banging a spoon about whilst crawling and listening to the other kids say hot or cold! and then they had a LOT of fun with some streamers!it was a great party and I am sure the boys Loved every minute of it
Now it is time for bed, have to wake Florian on the couch though first!
CU tomorrow

Day 28

Can you believe it, our Richard 4 (FOUR) today! He was so cute this morning, when they both came charging into my bedroom (looking for presents) and Robert and I started singing "Happy Birthday", Richard put on his cross face and stomped his foot "No, not now, when my friends come"! Bless him, I told him it was OK, that his friends weren't coming until tomorrow. He was OK then with unwrapping presents, but Robert and I weren't allowed to finish our singing!

He was very pleased with his presents, Mum and Dad got him a Space Rocket/Shuttle from Matchbox, he loved that (and Robert was quite jealous), Robert got him (well sort of) some colouring things (pencils, crayons, paints all in a suitcase) and we got him the game "Mouse Trap". He played with EVERYTHING this afternoon and loved it all!

In the morning Robert and I made the layout above, Robert did all the dragging and dropping. I did have to convince him not to put the things on Richards face!

We also baked some fairy cakes for the afternoon, even though it was only us today! But it gave Richard a chance to play with his presents.

My exchange EHD got here this afternoon, so we will be busy at the weekend salvaging our pictures! Wish us luck!
Time for bed now, got 6 kids running around here tomorrow afternoon I'll need all the strength I can get!
CU then

Day 27

So doctors today for Robert, his fever was still way to high this morning. His tonsils apparently are not covered in puss this time, and his ears are free, so we have some homeopathic medicine to get his fever down and hopefully nothing else will develop. I do have a prescription for antibiotics should his tonsils get bad over the weekend. Guess who will be playing doctor then!

As for the Kindergarden problem, well I had to delay my chat with them until I picked Richard up again, because we had to go straight to the doctors this morning. I worried about it all morning. I am not known for keeping my cool in such situations. But I did! I went for the innocent approach rather than accusing and just asked if they knew what had upset Robert yesterday and told them what he had said. The poor girl looked just as shocked as I had yesterday, when I told her what he had said. So I am giving Kindergarden the benefit of the doubt, and I can only assume that maybe the other children had said he couldn't have the drink. Oh dear! Perhaps it was only able to happen because he wasn't feeling well...Let's hope it was the last I hear about a sandwich for breakfast. I managed to get my point across again, that he is not having one. And if I do have any troubles, the doctor has offered to help me out. I told her what had happened yesterday incase it did have something to do with Roberts temperature.

That was the most exciting part of our day really. I played a lot of Ludo with Robert, they played with their teddies and the combine harvester, too cute!

This evening I started some preparations for Richard's Birthday party. I have got all the kids coming a little material bag, and they will be drawing a picture on there at the party, and then that is where they can put the sweeties they win, and I have some treats to go in there at the end of the party too. Well tonight I wrote everyone's name on them.Can't wait to see what they all decide to draw on there!

CU tomorrow

Day 26

Work today, so not much to report really, except I need to rant! Remember my last rant about the sandwich versus apple at Kindergarden! Well today, when we got home, Robert was in tears when he asked me for a drink. Very strange - I asked him what all the tears were about, and he told me, that he wasn't allowed a drink at Kindergarden, because he didn't have a sandwich!!!!!
I only hope that somehow he got the message wrong, because if he didn't then tomorrow I may just explode there! He was really thirsty anyhow. As for the tears when he was sat on my lap, I gave him a kiss, and not again - he has a huge temperature!Looks like another trip to the doctors again in the morning.
Cu tomorrow, when I will report, just what happened today about the sandwiches! By the way I watched a programme about the fact that way too many kids are obese by the time they start school, I am determined that if my boys want Apple for their second breakfast that is what they will be getting, regardless of what Kindergarden wants. I just have to make sure that they stop hurting Robert, whilst I get my way!

Day 24 and Day 25

Sorry I never got here to post last night, we had a very adventurous evening, but I'll start at the beginning.

Mum and Dad were supposed to be coming to visit today, but when they got up this morning it was snowing where they were. Which is sooo unusual, as its normally us with the snow, we had nothing. Dad didn't want to come, understandably, so we had to decide if perhaps we wanted to go there instead. It probably took me a good 2 hours to make up my mind, but as Florian said he would drive, we went!
We had a lovely time there. It was Xmas when we last saw them, so it was about time we went. The boys showed off there new toys and also showed Pop their skills at draughtsI did warn Dad that Richard is not a good loser yet...! Still working on that one, so Dad see the full blown paddy when he did a move Richard did not like! ;o)

We left a bit earlier than normal, as it didn't stop snowing all day, the trip home was OKish, unfortunately it had started snowing in our area by the time we got there, and the roads had not been cleared yet. But Florian got us home safe and sound.
Once home Richard was asleep in the car, but Robert was awake, so I let Robert walk to the front door. And that is where the trouble began!
I couldn't get the key in the lock, and no amount of jiggling it, would make it work. Florian tried next with his key, but the problem was, we had left a key in the lock from the inside! AGH!!! It was 8pm, snowing and the kids very tired.
Our neighbour was out sweeping the snow when we got home and he sent me and the kids indoors to his wife, whilst he and Florian got to work, trying to figure out how to get in!
There was no way we would be calling the emergency lock smith, they can be SOOO expensive. It would be cheaper to replace a window than get the locksmith.
so whilst me and the kids were sat in the warmth playing "pairs". Our neighbour and Florian were busy. 2 hours later we were able to get in. Don't we have the best neighbour ever!

The boys finally got to bed at 10pm, and were most disgusted when I wouldn't read a story! Much too late for storytime!
What an evening, hopefully that was the last time, we got locked out!

today in comparison, was really boring - work in the morning, and in the afternoon I let the kids watch a film "Der kleine Eisbär" a German one about a little polar bear called Lars. I was sort of hoping they might have a little nap, but they didn't - I did!

Here they are in one of the positions they watched the film in! Silly boys!CU tomorrow

PS: the data on my EHD can be saved, we now just need for WD to send us the replacement drive so that we have somewhere to store the saved data. So still a bit of finger crossing needed, but it is looking VERY positive!

Day 22 and Day 23

We have been having a lovely weekend so far. It started yesterday afternoon, when Florian arrived home early.
We went straight from the station to the toy shop, so that the boys could finally spend their Xmas money and because I had seen that they had school rucksacks reduced by 40 euros. And as these bags are really expensive so saving 4o is great!
Here is my big boy, can't believe he will be starting school this summer!They both chose completely different toys, Robert got a huge combine harvester and Richard chose a small car launcher from Lightning McQueen (Cars). And both were really happy with their purchase. it was fun to watch them sorting it out. they were really good, cause they only had 20 euros each, and they understood they had to put things back if it went above. Robert spent some of his English money too, as his was more expensive. So hopefully he will remember when Richard goes spending in England!

In the evening it was the Winter Walk with the Youth Sports Group of the village. It was a great turnout and all the kids got a torch (real fire) to light the way. So it looked amazing. Richard and I were at the back of the group and had a great view of all the torches. It was about an hours walk, but in places we were going across the fields through quite deep snow, and poor Richard had had enough about 10 minutes before we reached the sports field, where sausages and drinks were waiting for us. But he made it!
Here are a couple of photos from the walk.Today we had a lazy day. Lots of Wii and games. Florian did take the boys out for a walk this evening, again with torches. They went to see, where our Xmas tree had gone. They collected them this morning for the bonfire in, I think, 3 weeks time.
they had a great time, rolling in the snow - good job i was at home, because I wouldn't have let them!

lots of photos today, just to make the layout for the week really difficult!
CU tomorrow
PS: the computer is running a programme right now (and has been all day) to try and save the data - please keep crossing everything for us. It should finish running about 5am tomorrow...

Day 21/2010 and week 2 layout

GRRRRR, do you know what this is
It is our back up system, it has two hard drives in it and is constantly mirroring the data, meaning the data - in our case, OUR PICTURES are on both drives, so that if one breaks at least the other one has the data still....mmmhhhh... for some weird reason, I can no longer access the data! You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, when something is going really wrong, and you don't know what to do about it. That is how I have been feeling all evening. Hopefully when Florian gets home tomorrow he can fix the problem. I have tried rebooting but no luck there. Maybe it needs a good sleep and tomorrow all will be well! I hope so. It has 100gb of pictures on there from about June 2007 to the end of 2009. I have another copy of 2009 on another external hard drive, but today i wanted a picture from 2008. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

So what else have I been up to today. Well this morning I went shopping for a birthday present for Richard. I got him the game "Mousetrap" we had that when we were small, and I remember LOVING it, so I am hoping the boys will too! I was also looking for a BIG set of pencils for him, but they only seem to come in packs of 24 here. Mum found him a set with pencils, crayons and paints so that will be his present from Robert.

This afternoon the boys played on the Wii. So nothing to report there. And this evening I made the invitation for Richards birthday party. I just have to go and print it out now. At least today the printer is working again! (wasn't yesterday).

And here is my Week 2 layout, that I have been meaning to post since Monday!

Credits:
Snuggle Bunnies by Sweet Digi Scraps

CU tomorrow

Day 20/2010

Washing day today, and I didn't have to heat the utility room to do it. Yep, we finally had temperatures over 0°C - it was 1.5°C, but that did mean I could do the washing without worrying!
Then at 11.25am I picked the kids up from Kindergarden for their German lessons. They were looking forward to going, but once there Richard (so the teacher told me) decided not to join in. I went shopping whilst they were in their lesson. I did join them for the last 30minutes in this weather waiting in the car is not really an option!

The boys spent the afternoon on the Wii board today, and jogging, that certainly used up plenty of energy. And the little they had left after tea, I think they used up in the bath! They were "diving" - I think they are nearly ready for swimming lessons. A lot of the kids from Kindergarden are going to be starting in April, I'm hoping that both can go, but I think it is from 5, so Richard will have to watch unfortunately. We'll see! Anyhow here they are "diving"!!
And resurfacing!CU tomorrow

Day 19/2010

not much to tell about today really, work all day. When I picked the boys up today they were playing indoors so no clothes to dry on the radiator! oh and so far so good, no sniffles or such! (still crossing fingers)

when we got home I told the boys they could play on the Wii, when they had cleared the Thomas the Tank Engine track up in their bedroom. They decided to play with it first, and were upstairs playing for a good 45minutes! Unfortunately for them, they finished their upstairs play with a fight. So no Wii for either of them! They were not happy chappies! But they got over it!

As you can see by these bedtime pictures!CU tomorrow

Day 18/2010

Life goes back to normal, the boys are back at Kindergarden and I'm back to work! Although Robert said as we were cleaning teeth this morning that his head hurts, I told him, that as he had no fever he was going to Kindergarden! I'm sure he was just trying to get out of going...
I picked them up at lunch time and they were outside sledging. Only the snow is really melting here now and they were soaking wet!! Even under their snow suits! So I am hoping that I got them out of their wet clothes in time, and that they don't come down with something again! Fingers crossed!

They played on the Wii this afternoon again, and as they couldn't agree on a game, each got 30minutes of their choice (but playing with one another). The kitchen timer is not only good for cooking!

I played on the Wii in the evening and when I finished my workout I turned around and found thisSunny wanted to be on my lap, whether I was in the trousers or not! Too cute!
CU tomorrow

Day 17/2010

when we woke this morning it had snowed - again! At least 10 cm - I am really ready for Spring, shame it is such a long way off! We cancelled our visit to Mum and Dad cause of the weather, the forecast was for icy roads, so we decided not to risk it. Instead we went to the bakers. The boys needed it I think, cause for the first 15 minutes we were there, they just run round and round and round! This picture is from later on in the morning, when running was no longer enough, they needed something else to use up energy
yep, here they are pushing the slide around the bakers! Can you tell how laid back the owners are there!

We spent the afternoon at home relaxing. Richard got to play on the Wii for an hour on his own, cause Robert had been naughty. He was a pretty good sport watching Richard play, so after suffering for an hour he was allowed to join in, although he didn't get the remote that was in charge and Richard chose all games. But I think he got the message, that Daddy too means what he says!

CU tomorrow

Day 16/2010

We treated ourselves today, and this afternoon we took the boys to the cinema and after that we went to the Chinese restaurant. It was great.
We let the boys choose which film they wanted to see, by showing them the trailers online first. They had the choice of "The Frog and the Princess" (a new Disney film) or "Alvin and the Chipmunks" - it was clear as soon as they had seen the trailers that we would be going to see the chipmunk one. Florian wasn't too impressed as they do have the most annoying sounding voices, but after seeing the film, it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. Infact it was a very enjoyable film. and the boys thoroughly enjoyed it. They did quite a lot of giggling, inbetween munching on popcorn!
At the end of the film we got a phone call from friends, that they would be joining us at the Chinese, so that was a nice surprise. Luckily they had a table for eight of us, we just had to be finished by 7.30pm (it was 6 pm when we got there). No problem. The buffet was delicious and we all had way too much to eat, well, the boys not so much, I think they had too much popcorn during the film. ;o)
I didn't like the picture of us all at the restaurant, so here is one I took this morning. Richard came running into the kitchen "Mummy, I'm hungry" then he spotted the bananas - "Can I have a banana?" "Yes, Richard" "Can I have the banana in the banana?" - he meant still with the peel on it. So cute! So I grabbed the camera and got a picture, so I can scrap the quote and never forget it! anyhow here the picture!CU tomorrow

Day 15/2010

Busy morning tidying and cleaning and all the while I was doing that, Robert was playing nicely on his own - I think he must have decided after a week of being bored whilst I was doing something, that maybe playing was a better option! It did us both good, I got things accomplished and he wasn't bored. Although, Susie, thank you for your comment, that boredom will do kids good, as we overstimulate them, it helped me feel much better.

At midday we went and picked Richard up and then it was time for the hairdressers. It was about time they got it cut. When the hairdresser asked me, how we wanted it, I instantly said short! And short is what they got, it looks really good.
I will have to, however, work on a GOOD picture of them. Today they did not want their picture taken! I got one anyways, but...well see for yourself.At 2pm we picked Florian up, who was able to leave early today! Woohoo! I then got a bit of a break from the boys (I needed it) and he played with them, first on the Wii and then he taught them his own rules :) to Chinese Checkers (Halma), I'll have to re-teach them the correct rules, but they had fun!

CU tomorrow

Day 14/2010

So still got Robert at home although he certainly seems all better! This morning I wrapped him up well, and we went shopping! I wanted to go to Lidl and get myself some new scales for the kitchen, and they had a great offer on. We were there early enough, that I got just what I wanted. And Robert chose lunch for today and tomorrow whilst we were there. Today we had sausages, mash and red cabbage, tomorrow we are having broccoli baked. Not bad choices!
We then went to MediaMarkt and I got some ink for the printer! I have another hybrid project on the go and will be needing it to be just right soon!

The boys wanted to watch Madagascar again today, so we did. I think Richard knows it off by heart, he was mimicking the characters all the way through! He even copied Marty running at one point!
After that we played Ludo and draughts again, so nothing new there! Rather than bore you with the boys playing again. I got this picture of Sunny! When I had finished unpacking the shopping from these boxes I stood them on the floor of the kitchen. The next thing I know Sunny was sat in them chewing the edge. When I went to get the camera he realised he was being watched, and did not start chewing again. But this may well be his "cheese" face!CU tomorrow

Day 13/2010

It was another long day today. Richard didn't want to go to Kindergarden this morning without Robert - he said, no one would play with him if Robert wasn't there. I knew he was talking a load of rubbish, but told him I would tell the Kindergarden teacher to look out for him, and then it was OK to go! At Kindergarden they were amazed that he said that, and when I picked him up, everything had been OK, so really he just wanted to stay home too!

Robert wanted to watch TV, play on the Wii or play on CBeebies on my computer today, and was most upset when I told him no. I played Ludo with him in the morning, and it took forever for one of us to win, so he had a good deal of "Mummy time" but when I told him he had to amuse himself for a bit, whilst I did some housework, he couldn't do it! He spent a good 30 minutes sat on the floor in the lounge just staring into space! It really made me cross! Surely with all their toys, there must have been something other than the above that he wanted to do, but no everything I suggested was no good, somewhere I must be doing something wrong, if he can't play without help!
Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

This afternoon, Richard did some cutting and gluing (Robert didn't want to do that either), and then I made them paper airplanes to use in their bedroom...mmh, then how did I get this picture?this was just pretend flying, with pilots! Too cute!

Oh and we also played Ludo and draughts this afternoon, here are the boys playing draughts against oneanother, with me as referee!CU tomorrow

Day 121/2010 and Week 1 layout

It was a LONG day today, Robert is feeling a lot better, the antibiotics kicked in quick this time, and he still has no idea how to keep himself occupied, and was a bit clingy to say the least! And also he seemed today to not be able to keep himself still, he was forever fidgeting and moving, by the time bedtime came around it was REALLY getting on my nerves!
But here is where it was at its worstplaying Ludo! If both of them are fidgeting, then you can imagine how often we had to re-construct the board! But it was fun to play with them, it was the first time I had played it with them, but I think they play it at Kindergarden, they certainly knew all the rules. We started playing with the Bob the Builder version, but Muck and Scoop are just too big for the board, they cover 3 spots just stood there. So I got our games compendium out and we played the "real" game! When Richard saw the box, he recognised the draughts (checkers) in it, and told me he wanted to play that next. I had to re-read the rules for that one, but it worked quite well with him.

Of course they had some time on the Wii too, each got 30minutes of the game they wanted, as when we were turning it on they were already arguing over which game to play! I got the kitchen timer out, and all was good!

And this evening I scrapped Week 1 of my "book", I finally decided on a two page layout per week, then if need be I can get more pics in! So here are the two pages

left sideright sideCredits:
As we know it by Sweet Digi Scraps

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow

Day 11/2010

So Robert didn't have a temperature this morning when we got up, but he still didn't look well. So off to the doctors we went. (Richard to Kindergarden first). Unfortunately today was the doctors first day back at work, since before Xmas, and the waiting room was packed. We were there for 2.5 hours! To find out really what I had already diagnosed - tonsilitis AGAIN! Still I can't prescribe him antibiotics, so I suppose it was worth the wait.

We spent the afternoon playing on the Wii - well Richard took a break and did some more colouring in, as you can see hereAnd I suppose that was our day really. It had snowed a lot more over night and most of the morning, but according to the weather forecast in the newspaper, that might be it for snow for at least til Wednesday - I hope so, I am ready for Spring NOW!

So Robert has to stay home for the week, well at least until he starts tormenting Richard about having to go! We'll see. there will certainly be no Wii in the mornings, he can just watch Mummy work and amuse himself...we'll see!
CU tomorrow

Day 10/2010

No improvement with Robert he had a temperature all day - I tend not to give him the medicine for the temperature during the day, as he then thinks he can conquer the world and wears himself out. Instead we kept him pretty quiet and after lunch he had a sleep.

We had more snow during the night, so Florian spent the morning sweeping the paths again. And I put the outside heater on in our laundry room and did the washing (I'm so worried that it will all freeze in there like last year hence the heater). So all in all a lazy Sunday today.

Richard was quite busy though, here he is with his colouring book, he is so concentrated, keeps well within the lines and colours it thoroughly.So tomorrow Robert and I are off to the doctors but if I am guessing rightly it is another dose of tonsilitis..
CU then

Day 9/2010

Well, I am late posting, and I have a really good reason too. Florian went out last night and had the camera with him. He got back so late that I was already in bed, so no blogging last night. But I thought I would catch up this morning!

So the snow came and it is a lot, but nothing like I was expecting. But enough that Florian had to go out and clear the paths. Here in Germany everyone is responsible for clearing their path in front of the house, so that no accidents happen. If someone does slip in front of your house because you hadn't cleared your path, then you are liable. there are certain times in which the path MUST be cleared, very regulated.
Anyhow, whilst Florian was out, the boys were on the Wii playing. When I got lunch, I knew something was up with Robert, cause he didn't want to play on the Wii anymore - that hasn't happened since we had it...
I made Spaghetti for dinner and he didn't eat hardly anything. When I kissed him, he was extremely hot. We tried to get both boys to lay down after dinner, cause we were planning on visiting friends for another Raclette. No chance there, they both tried for about 5 minutes, but
when they hadn't fallen asleep then, they gave up.
We then watched Ice Age together, and then I finally took Roberts temperature. And no surprise way to high (38.9°C). So I phoned our friends, and said that I was only sending Florian, and I stayed home with the boys. Shame but it's not the weather for a poorly boy to be out in, plus our friends kids don't want whatever we've got!

And here is our poorly boyHopefully he will start getting better today.
CU later on, with today's post

Day 8/2010 and Week 0 layout

I think I spent most of today waiting for the blizzard they have been forecasting to hit here, mmh, its snowing now, but it doesn't really look much like a blizzard! We'll see what it is like in the morning, and if there really is going to be as much chaos out there as predicted. But enough about the weather (showing my true British self, aren't I).

The most exciting thing today was that after having not laid an egg since October, our hens finally laid one!I was so excited about it, that I just had to get a picture of it for today. We have no idea why the chickens have stopped laying, but as soon as I seriously considered getting the neighbour round to ...well you know what. The next time I go in the chicken coup, lo and behold an egg!
This evening when we went shopping I bought some eggs, and tomorrow I am going to tell the hens all about it, maybe they will lay some more for us then!

This afternoon the boys watched "Sooty and Sweep", I remember watching it, when I was little watching it too. And the boys LOVED it, it so fun to see them love something that I used to when I was little! And to hear them really really giggle, too cute!

And this evening I worked on this, my first layout for next year's book! I have decided to work to the calendar weeks, and this week now is Week 1 (Mon 4th - Sun 10th), so I had to do Jan 1st - 3rd! I never realised just how difficult it would be to do a layout with pictures that have nothing in common with one another!

Credits:

This is me by Sweet Digi Scraps
Template by Kiki (altered)

CU tomorrow

Day 7/2010

I packed Christmas away today! Everywhere looks so bare here now, the strings where we hang the Xmas cards looks so lonely - good job Richard's B-day is around the corner, so it will fill up again then!
I saved the "un-decorating" of the Xmas tree until the boys were home from Kindergarden, and they took down all they put up - and yes we did it all without breaking anything! So now the Xmas tree is in the lounge looking very naked! The lights are still on it (not turned on though) cause the tree is just too big to get them off on my own. So we'll do that at the weekend, when Florian is home.
And then the tree will go out and wait to be picked up. All the trees of the village are collected and taken up the hill behind the village for a big bonfire, which will take place on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday. This is supposed to chase Winter away. I hope so, cause i have already had enough of the snow, BUT they have forecast a LOT more for tomorrow - Yuck!

So here is my picture for today, the boys in their new jumpers in front of the naked Xmas tree (sounds like it should be a book, doesn't it! Naked Xmas Tree, I mean) Don't mind the "cheese" grins! They were being bribed at the time, so then I of course get a cheesy grin! and they get a Kinder Egg when we are finished!(in case you can't really tell, its a polar bear coming from under their arm growling! And the bear has all sorts of "national park" type words in it!)

CU tomorrow

Day 6/2010

Some of Germany had a bank holiday today, but not us here in Hessen, so the boys went to Kindergarden as usual, and me, I went shopping. Which could have been a silly idea, as we live close to a different county and they all come shopping to here on the days they have a holiday, but today at again -15°C not many were out shopping! In fact I don't think I have ever seen Aldi this empty!
It was very relaxed shopping. I had some gift vouchers from C&A's for Xmas, so I popped in there today too, they had a 20% off everything sale going on, but unfortunately I didn't find anything for me. But I did find a couple of cosy fleece jumpers for the boys, so I left my vouchers in my purse and spent real money on them! They want to wear them tomorrow, so that may well be tomorrows picture already planned!

This afternoon friends were going sledging over the field, but I just could not bring myself to go out in the cold cold temperature! So instead I put on the fire
and we stayed in in the warm playing on the Wii!
And Jennifer and Dinphy, yep I did turn the pic of Richard on the phone to Daddy into a layout, I have put it on my scrapping blog, if you want to see it!
CU tomorrow

Day 5/2010

It's so cold here today, when I took the boys to Kindergarden this morning it was -16,5°C (2.3°F). I would have much rather gone straight home and put the fire on, but I had to go to work!
But before I could go there, I had to go home again and get the boys their bumslides for Kindergarden, I had had so much other stuff to carry there, that I totally forgot them. But as they were there all day today, I thought I should get them for them.
nothing exciting to report from work, except how cold it was going to lunch! Felt like the tip of my nose was going to fall off!
When I picked the boys up, they were just on their way outside with their bumslides, and they were not pleased to see me! So I had to let them slide for a bit. Which was fine for them as they were well wrapped, but I only had my work clothes and shoes on, so they didn't get as many goes as they would have liked, but I bribed them with the Wii. And when we got home, they had lots of kart races on the Wii!

At tea time Robert remembered he had a picture for me in his bag. And yippee, finally I get a picture that looks like something (he normally reserves the squiggle pictures - maps apparently - for me, and other people get really good drawings!!). So I took a picture of themlots of trains, incase you were wondering!
CU tomorrow

Day 4/2010

Everyday life has us in its grips again! Yep, this morning I couldn't enjoy the fact that the boys were actually having a lay in, nope I had to go and get them up and ready!
Florian went back to work, the kids back to Kindergarden, and me to the office!
I got a certificate at work today and I was so surprised apparently I have been there for 10 years now! Seems the years I had off because of maternity leave still count and I now have a certificate in a lovely frame! The certificate will be going in the file and the frame will I am sure soon have my boys in it! hihi!
It also came with a little cash incentive, so now to think of something to treat myself too!

This afternoon there was no Wii for the boys, I made them play "real" games today. And we had a great time! They got some good games from Santa and they made a change to the old ones, although I am sure the old favourites will be out again very soon.

Florian phoned in the afternoon and Richard wanted a chat, he took the phone from me and curled up with it (and his Daddy) on Daddy's chair. So cute, that I got a photo (or two!)Got to love that kiss he is giving Daddy. Daddy sent him one too, and one he had to pass on to me, which he lovingly did. They aren't monsters all the time!

Well with everyday life back, it was workout time this evening. I am back on the 30 day challenge on the Wii and I am also doing the 200 sit up challenge. I am hoping to get some muscles back on my tummy - they went missing when Richard came into the world! I'll keep you up to date on how it is going!
Cu tomorrow

Day 3/2010

I like the beginning of the year, cause I can just look at the calendar to see what day I am on! Normally I have to check my blog first! hihi!

So today it has been snowing all day, I am dreading to think what the roads and paths will look like in the morning, when we all go back to everyday life! (boys to Kindergarden, Florian to work and me too) Oh well, more about that tomorrow. Back to today.
This morning we went to the bakers with our friends. It was a good morning (except for the snow, but that is just me!)
I took quite a few pictures of our friends girls at the bakers, but I am not sure about posting them here.
So my picture of the day is the only one without them on - a typical Sunday evening (before bed) at our house. Me on the laptop, and the boys watching TV (Bob the Builder)!CU again tomorrow

Day 2/2010

Another lazy day for us today! It has snowed again (Danyale, when are you going to come by and pick it up and take it back home with you!), so Florian and Robert went out and swept our path. Richard - our little indoor boy - stayed inside in the warm with me. We played a couple of their new games, then I went and looked out the window to see, what the other two were up to. They were building a snowman, so of course Richard didn't want to miss out on that, and out he went too.

In the meantime I went about getting last years Project365 turned into a book - I went for the cheap option of a .pdf file. But it looks good, so if I ever want to I could have it printed out. (in case you are wondering, here is where I got it done - www.blog2print.com

In the afternoon the sun actually came out too. So we all dressed up for the cold, grabbed the boys bum slides and went to the Kindergarden playground for some sledging fun. Well, whilst there, I decided...no I'll let you see first what I decided

Yep, I did it, my first ever bumslide - and ouch it hurts, you can feel every single bump in the snow and as it wasn't so deep today, I felt every single acorn left on the ground too! But I bet I have given everyone a good giggle tonight! (I feel a layout coming too!)

Back at home, we let Richard finish watching Clifford, then much to Robert's disgust I wouldn't turn the Wii on, and he had to find something different to do. His first choice was sulk, but when he got no attention he went and found a jigsaw (100 pieces) and did it quietly all on his own. I think he was quite proud of himself when he had finished!

CU tomorrow