Day 120

Just for the meeting with the head doctor today this trip has been worthwhile. Finally someone is seeing a connection between the Kawasaki Syndrome Robert had in 2008 and all the tonsilitis he keeps getting! the doctor was really nice and took his time to talk to me, he says being here won't hurt at all, but it probably won't solve our problems, what Robert needs is his tonsils out! Before he starts school. he told me to change our ear nose and throat doctor and find someone who will take them out. He looked at Robert's tonsils too and said that they are not as smooth as the ENT said and that they are very large. Unfortunately he also said that they look a bit poorly at the moment, but that would fit, our three weeks are up, so he might come down with it whilst we are here, but they will be able to treat it right away.

the main thing we are to do whilst here is go out and let the weather help build up his immune system. And when we get home, get the tonsils out. He will be writing a report for our doctor when we leave, so getting them out should then be no problem..

We have said and asked all along if it might have something to do with the Kawasaki, and none of the doctors have dared to answer the question really, but he was pretty sure that it does. I feel as if a burden has been lifted off my shoulders just hearing it. So this trip has been worthwhile all round.
Today the weather wasn't as nice as it has been, we had a storm in the night, which of course Robert heard. Luckily it was only one clap of thunder and he went straight back to sleep.
This morning it was raining and when that went it as bright, but soooooo windy!
It was that windy that the first time we ventured out, we had to come back in again, as it was frightening Richard. when the wind comes at you from the front it is hard to breathe and that scared him.
We tried again in the afternoon and I had scouted it out beforehand (whilst they were at Kindergarden) and I knew that the worst of the wind was down our road so we only had to get through the first 50m and all would be better. So Richard braved the elements and won!

We went on the beach all wrapped up as you can see (the rainjackets are brilliant, Mum, thank you), and collected lots and lots of shells.I borrowed the buckets from the clinic, I also borrowed fishing nets but we will wait for the wind to drop before we go paddling!

Before I go I want to show you the shells that I found, rather than giving the big one to one of the boys I am keeping it, saves them from fighting over it!

CU tomorrow

Day 119

We had a bit different morning to what we had originally planned. Richard got up this morning with a very swollen looking and very red and hot face. He looked a lot like Robert looked not that long ago, when it turned out to be an allergy. Mmh, normally, the doctors here at the clinic are not allowed to treat the kids that are just "tagging along", but they made an exception for Richard, and yep he has some sort of allergy which the sun is not making any better. He got some drops for it and some cream...hopefully in the morning it will all be a lot better. And if the weather forecast I just saw happens, we won't be seeing the sun for a while...I'm hoping they are wrong!

Whilst waiting to see the doctors I spotted Robert picking his fingers, and asked what he was up to...well, his finger tips were really really peeling, so we showed the doctor that too. And that could be that he had scarlet fever 2-3 weeks ago...mmh as he often has a sore throat it could well have been missed! oops! Anyhow we got some cream for that too!So we missed out on the beach this morning. After lunch the boys took part in "Ball games for kids", which they thoroughly enjoyed. I was allowed to leave them to it, and found a comfy seat, and read my book for half an hour.
When I picked them up again, we went out for an ice cream. This is Richard with his, he ate every single drop of it! And if I had let him, he would have licked the plate clean too!

After that I decided that the worst of the suns rays had passed and we went to the beach to fly the kites! They are only tiny (10x10 inch) but wow, they fly really really well, and are perfect for the boys! (Well, we did have two different sorts, but we couldn't keep Richards in the air for longer than a few seconds, so we went and got him the same sort as Robert, and we will give the other one to Florian when he comes and he can show us how to fly it!)
Here are the boys with their kites.
When the wind dropped, we went back to the clinic, and I dropped the boys off at Kindergarden to play there for an hour. And I went sightseeing, want to see what I saw!

The "new" lighthouse (built in 1879)
The old lighthouse with an old cemetary
I was fascinated by the skull and crossbones on the gravestones. The other stones on the picture are actually whale bones!
And this fence here is made from a whales jawbone!
And now I am worn out. They did warn us the climate here would make us feel tired and yep, they were right!
CU tomorrow

Day 118

I can't believe the weather here, we had long sleeved T-shirts on and were a bit too warm, I told myself that we were wearing them against the sun and sunburn! And it may well have been a good idea.So this morning we had our appointment with the doctor, to see what sort of therapy they were going to do with Robert, the doctor was lovely and Robert did all he was told to do. What he really needs is to build up his immune system and that is best done with the air up here. So basically we are getting an all inclusive holiday at the seaside paid by our health insurance. (and Dinphy, yep, no cleaning or cooking for me for 3 weeks!)After the appointment with the doctor, we went to look around the kindergarden area, the boys got to join in straight away, whilst I heard all about it. I can drop the boys off there, whenever I want and pick them up whenever too. So if I just want a quick shower in peace, no problem! And the boys really enjoyed it there.We have to have lunch really really early - 11.15am!! So that was the next thing on our agenda. Although early it was good, it was Cordon Bleu today. Afterwards we went for a walk into the village, the boys wanted to spend some of their holiday money from Nanna and Pop, and I wanted to get some juice for in our room, we can help ourselves to water and tea, but neither is something any of us really want. First we found an ice-cream though. Delicious!
We found some kites that the boys could afford, and we got one each, the good thing is they are not too big, so they should be able to fly them on their own. We couldn't try it out today, cause believe it or not, there was no wind! But I am sure someday soon it will be back!Finding a supermarket proved difficult, but we did in the end, and I am now enjoying an apple juice as we "speak"!Just before 3pm I dropped the boys off at the kindergarden, and took part in the guided tour of the clinic. I didn't think the boys would be all that interested. When I picked them up at 4pm, they had had a great time, and are already looking forward to going back again soon.
We then went down on the beach, to a playground that we had found in the morning. Here is Richard on the digger that they have there.
I didn't really take many pictures today, but I did take some of our room, which I thought you might like to see.

my computer table..my bedthe boys bedsRobert is on top and Richard down below, but tomorrow they are swapping! At least up the top Richard can't fall out, he has just fallen out the bottom bed, so I might ask for guards for it, for the rest of our stay. Although he never woke up just now, I just lifted him back into bed and tucked him in again!

CU tomorrow

Day 117

Yippee! We made it, we set off this morning at 8.05 and arrived here just before 5pm! The trains had me a bit hot and bothered on the way, as our first train was 10-15 minutes late leaving and we only had 10minutes at one stop to change trains. But the train waited for us, and it was no problem. The train we were then on, actually managed to catch up his missed minutes and was on time exactly at our next change. that one was easy cause the train we had to catch was on the opposite platform!
We got off of that train and said a VERY quick good bye to Florian, and straight onto the ferry!
off of the ferry and on to the "Inselbahn" it is over 100 years old, and into the village on the island.You'd think I didn't have time to get worried, but I did a bit, but it all went really well, and considering how long we were on our roadtrip, the boys were brilliant!
The clinic really is right on the beach, unfortunately we don't have a sea-view room, but you can't have everything right! The room is quite large and has a separate room for the boys, but it really does have only the basics (one of which is a TV) but a nice comfy chair would have been nice this evening after the long journey, but it is just a table with to dining chairs...But I am not really complaining - my internet works! (slow but working) so with a bit of luck, you will be able to see the pictures I am going to put up here!
At the station before we left
On the train
the "Inselbahn" on Borkum (I'll make sure I get a better picture before we leave, when I took this one the bag fell onto Robert ooops!)
The boys and the beach
the clinic (the right hand white building)
CU tomorrow, when I should know more about what Robert will be doing here (and me maybe!)
PS: Thank you thank you thank you Florian for travelling with me, it made the journey so much more relaxed and "do-able"!
PPS: Florian does not have to go to the neurologist, cause the scan of his head gave the all clear, tomorrow however he does have an appointment for the ECG, I'll keep you posted!

Day 115 and Day 116

Sunday (Day 115)
Sunday was great, I got to relax ALL day! We went to the bakers with friends in the morning, at lunchtime we went home and barbecued. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and we spent the rest of the day in the garden. Florian had got the relaxing chair out for me, the sort where the legs go up, when you lay back! Well I spent the afternoon in that with a book (A true believer - Nicholas Sparks)! It was GREAT, thank you so much Florian.the boys played really nicely together too. And here they are enjoying their ice-cream.

Monday (Day 116)time to get ready, tomorrow we are off on our "Kur" (convalescence), so today was really all about getting ready for it. We went shopping for our picnic (sandwiches, tomatoes, apples, crisps, cheese, chocolate and gummibears). Then I started piling up all the things I still have to pack. I haven't finished packing yet, cause my laptop needs to go in, and I am still using it!

This evening I had another very tearful Robert, yep, he lost another tooth!
We didn't tell him we think he may have swallowed it at tea-time, we told him that he probably spat it out when he cleaned his teeth. So the tooth fairy has a little letter from him, instead of a tooth! (looks like another tooth layout coming soon!)

OK, better go now, I have to turn this off. I hope that when I am there tomorrow night, I won't have any trouble getting online and posting! then I'll be able to show you, where I am, what sort of view we have, and what an odyssee it was to get there (we have an 8 hour journey on trains, a ferry and a bus!)
CU tomorrow

Day 112, Day 113 and Day 114

So I'm back its been very busy but great few days. Sit back and enjoy!

Thursday (Day 112)
Mum phoned in the morning to say there had been a change of plan, and that Dad was driving her to us, so that there would be no problem with the luggage being picked up and Mum needing picking up at the station!So Mum and Dad got to us about 11.30am and BEFORE the luggage was picked up, which was great, cause Mum was bringing some stuff that I needed to take with us, and this way I was able to put it in the bags!
The luggage was picked up at midday, and is now somewhere between here and the seaside! And hopefully there before us!Florian spent the morning at the doctors (Ear-Nose and Throat) he said there are many different causes for tinnitus, and he needs to rule some out before he can start any treatment. But he too I think, thinks it is probably stress related. He sent Florian back to our doctor to get some other tests done (stress ECG) and he wants to send him to a neurologist too. Florian went to our doctor in the afternoon and she wants to talk to the ENT doctor before sending Florian to the neurologist, she doesn't think it necessary after seen Florians scan. We should find out on Monday.Mum and Dad picked the boys up from Kindergarden, the boys were so excited to see them. Robert thanked them for surprising him! And when he got home he thanked me too! We then had another couple of surprises for them. A present from Uncle Lee (transformers) and lunch at our favourite restaurant.
Here the boys are on the playground there. Finally they are big enough to work the swing on their own!in the evening Mum and I sent Florian off to do his sport and we had our tupperware evening. It was great fun. I got lots of tupperware presents, cause of all the stuff that my friends ordered. But for me the evening was about having fun, and we all did!

Friday (Day 113)
Remember that our car never passed its MOT and the repair was more than the car is worth. Well, we sold it! Florian phoned up various car dealers to see if they were interested, and one of them came straight here to look at the car, and we sold it to him for - are you sitting down - 400 Euros! We were not expecting to get that much for it!

When we got the post, we had some more good new too! Center Parcs sent us a voucher for our next holiday - Euro 190,-- They wrote a very nice letter, and took the time to read all I had written and answer it. Can't complain at all about their customer service.
We spent all afternoon in the garden with the kids, and Mum had a game of badminton with Robert!In the evening Florian and I went on a date, we went to the cinema and saw "The bounty hunter" with Jennifer Aniston. It was good fun.

Saturday (Day 114)
Up bright and early today, cause my friend was bringing her kids around at 8am for me to babysit them, whilst she moved flats. Her kids are 6 and 2. And I have to say they were very easy to babysit. When they first got here, they watched TV with my two for about 30mins. And then they all four went into the kids bedroom and played for a good two hours. Then once it had warmed up outside, we all went out in the garden. Where we spent the rest of the day.
We barbecued for lunch. Late afternoon another friend and her kids popped around, so once again we had a garden full of kids - I love it!My friend picked her kids up at about 6.30pm when it was then time for the boys to go to bed (after we tidied the garden up).

And then the excitement began..a fire engine drove right past our house with its siren on and lights flashing...we thought it was either a practise or someone in the fire brigade was celebrating their birthday and his friends were going round to serenade him, but when lots of people were stopped in front of our house looking up the road, we decided we had to check it out. Apparently our next door but one neighbour had been illegally burning tyres and pipes and it had got out of hand. I went and got Robert up again, so he could see the fire brigade in action. He was really excited about it.Florian also got Richard up, but Richard had been sound asleep so it wasn't quite such a good idea really.
It took about an hour for it all to be under control and will cost our neighbour 3.500 euros, it would definitely have been cheaper if he had got rid of his tyres legally! (He will have to pay for the cost of the fire brigade.)

I am now off to bed, it has taken me all evening to write this as I keep falling asleep. I think babysitting wore me out.
CU tomorrow

Day 111

Why do I always seem so rushed on a Wednesday? Oh I know we have too much on on Wednesdays! First it was school, whilst the boys were there I did the shopping. Then today after quickly eating the boys got their hair cut! Don't they look cute (if you look past the silly faces!)
Then after the hairdressers it was time for football training. Not really sure what the boys did this week, but I had a great chat with one of the other Mums. Training was cut short by the rain, but the boys didn't seem to mind too much!
But being this busy helped keeping my mind off of worrying about Florian, who had his appointment with the radiologist (his friend) today.
The good news is it wasn't a stroke nor is there anything wrong with his brain. But his friend told him he mustn't take it lightly it was an early warning signal, and he should find something to help him unwind in the evenings.
As to the slipped disc in his neck, no improvement there but on the other hand it is no worse either.
Tomorrow he has an appointment with the ear-nose and throat doctor about the tinnitus and in the evening he is going back to our doctor with all of the results to decide what else he should be doing... we'll see.
Mum is coming tomorrow and I am having a tupperware party in the evening, so I might not be posting tomorrow, but I'll try
CU then

Day 110

Work day today, and as Florian was home he got to take the kids to Kindergarden, and I got to take his car to the workshop for its MOT. Unfortunately it did not pass, and to get it fixed to pass would cost more than the car is worth. So we now have to think about what we are going to do. We need to think of something that brings money and not costs money!

After work I picked the piece of junk up (the workshop has a service where they pick you up wherever you are so you can get the car and drive it home).
Back home I tackled the packing for our trip next week! I decided to take two big bags (send ahead that is) and here they areThey are still open as a couple of things have yet to be put in, one of which are the boys waterproof trousers which I have to remember to bring home from Kindergarden tomorrow! then I need our slippers and tissues, that is what I have on my list so far. But that is why I packed today so I still have all day tomorrow to pack what I have forgotten!
CU tomorrow

Day 109

Florian is off work sick this week, his neck/back trouble is back, and yesterday evening he gave me a real fright, when I was talking to him, he gave me a REALLY blank look and told me that he knew he should have understood what I was saying, but it was like I was speaking Chinese. that scared me, I spent the next 10 minutes checking for signs of a stroke or something. Luckily nothing. But this morning we both agreed, that he should go to the doctors. She says it is a sign of the modern illness "burn out syndrome" - his friend, also a doctor, confirmed that tonight too. That and his back - not a good combination. Hopefully a week off work will help. He has to do a lot of sport this week and try and get the muscles in his neck working again. And I'll be making sure he doesn't do too much else!

Aside from that, the weather was great again too, so after lunch it was out to the garden again. Today Robert's friend came round to join in the fun, and by the end of the afternoon the boys thought we were having a party. Most of the neighbours were round, it was great fun! At one point we had 8 kids here! That is actually more than at Robert's party!

I never got a picture when everyone was here, but I thought this silly faces photo was a good one for today!CU tomorrow

Day 108

We had a choice today visit Mum and Dad or do the ironing....normally Mum and Dad would win hands down, BUT our luggage has to be sent ahead of us, when we go on the convalescence, and it will picked up on Thursday. Between now and then I have to work Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday it is school for the boys. So not really much time to get the ironing done without it interfering with my scrapping time! So..today seemed like a good idea (not really but the best of the possibilities), so instead of going down to bbq with Mum and Dad we went out in the garden, and I took the iron out with me.I ironed all morning and most of the afternoon, BUT it is all done now, and I can start packing...just have to decide what we really need to have with us!
It was still a lovely day in the garden, we were outside from 11am til just before 6pm not bad for April!
After having played in the dirt, jumped on the trampoline, played football, chased the neighbours rabbits, the boys went in and got their computers out...I wonder where they get it from ;o)

CU tomorrow

Day 107

Wow beautiful weather today, so after Florian and Richard had been shopping - Robert and I stayed home, cause Robert was complaining of tummy ache, although playing Ludo with Mummy cured that! - anyhow when they got back, it was out into the garden for a BBQ!
It was delicious even more so, as we were able to eat outside too. Although we got a bit worried as a wasp came and joined us as soon as the food was on the plate, but the boys didn't see it, and it didn't go to them! phew!
After the BBQ the boys had an ice cream, and here the proof that Robert's tummy ache was gone!We spent all afternoon outside, but we were busy, I got a lot of washing done and dried outside, and then I helped Florian change our winter tyres, roll on summer, we're ready!

CU tomorrow

Day 106

Robert was still very pink this morning and his face actually looked a little puffy, so it was off to the doctors as soon as I had Richard at Kindergarden.
the doctor couldn't really determine what it was, it could be a late allergic reaction to the antibiotics he had 3 weeks ago, it could be a virus coming but not sure, where to, or it could have possibly been scarlet fever, but as his hands and feet were showing no signs of skin peeling and his throat and tongue were clear she doesn't think so.
She gave us a prescription for some stuff against/for an allergic reaction, which I gave him as soon as we got home and wow within 30minutes of taking it, the heat had gone and the redness was going. So maybe it was an allergic reaction.A friend of mine had a bad allergic reaction yesterday too - hayfever made her face totally swell up, so maybe Robert had something similar, they were playing football outside...

We spent the afternoon in the garden today, I even got to hang my washing out for the first time this year. the boys I think were so excited to be out they tried everything. First they were on the trampoline, then they chased the chickens, then they got some footballs out and had a game with then, but the biggest hit was the dirt!Richard was so excited to see all the Bob the Builder toys again! and it was in the dirt they played the most.CU tomorrow

Day 104 and Day 105

I forgot I admit it, I forgot to blog yesterday, and shame on me I also forgot to take a picture. BUT I do have a picture from a couple of days ago, that was going to be my daily picture until another better one came along, so I am going to cheat and post this one for WednesdayOne of my daffodils, with the chickens in the background - Kerri the country girl!So yesterday was really really busy. The boys had school in the morning, and as it had been 4 weeks since they had last been, the teacher asked me to stay for the first hour. I then HAD to leave them with him, cause I had to go shopping. We got back home to have a very late lunch. Aldi now do fresh rolls and bread (really cheap) and the rolls were delicious. Poor Robert has to have his rolls cut up for him, cause of his missing tooth and the other ones that wobble!
In the afternoon it was football training! The boys had a great time, and the weather held until we were on our way back home! Thanks rain!
Back home I quickly made us something to eat, and then Robert refused to eat it. I was quite cross about it, as I was sure he was going to get me up in the night wanting something to eat.

i was wrong, when i was creaping around in their room tucking them in before I went to bed, he woke up, and oops he had a fever -again! I gave him some medicine and crossed my fingers he would be OK this morning.
when we got up this morning he had cooled down a lot, but had rosy red cheeks. I checked his temperature and looked down his throat and decided that he could go to Kindergarden. mmh, when I picked them up, the Kindergarden teacher said she didn't like the way he looked today and when he came towards me, I had to agree. He was so red, and his eyes were a bit glassy. So we spent another quiet afternoon.
He still didn't have a fever like he normally gets and his tonsils didn't look bad either, so no idea what the matter is this time. Mum reckons maybe a pollen allergy. Whatever it is, tomorrow we will go and see the doctor if he is still rosy red, like thisSo, all back up to date!
CU tomorrow

Day 103

Oops nearly forgot to blog! Probably cause today was work - yep, nothing wrong with Robert this morning, so Kindergarden and work for us!

When I picked them up after work, both were healthy, but Richard wasn't wearing his clothes, he'd had an accident during nap time...oops!
And Robert apparently had been keeping to himself again at Kindergarden. He just sits on the steps and won't play with any of the kids if his best friend has gone home... not sure what to do about it. But I should do something cause his best friend will not be starting school with him in the summer...
So my photo today is Richard playing with one of their favourite toys (why do we buy them things, when rubbish is enough most of the time!)CU tomorrow

Day 102

Work this morning, wasn't too sure it was going to happen as Robert said he had a sore throat, but he had no fever and when I checked his throat it wasn't red, so I just assumed he was a bit worried about his first day back at Kindergarden. And off to Kindergarden he went, and me to work..
I finished work at midday and went to pick the boys up, I was greeted at the door by another child from Kindergarden and the words "Robert threw up", her Mum just nodded at me. And yep, I found Robert sat by a bucket indoors looking very pale, poor thing.
Well fortunately we had no other incidents today, so hopefully that was it. I checked his temperature at bedtime it was still normal, but he is still complaining about a sore throat, so we'll see in the morning who goes where!
In the afternoon we did some drawing in the kitchen (well, I filled in my tupperware party invitations), then I spoke to Mum on the phone and as I didn't want them listening in at one point I left them on their own....bad idea! This is what I found when I went back in the kitchen!Luckily it was only his hands (and one of Robert's). You can still see it, as it was not the felt tips that wash off easily! Oh well, they had fun! And apparently it is a pirate thing...don't ask me!
CU tomorrow

Day 101

So, as we didn't do enough swimming last week, this morning we took the boys swimming again! I think I am slowly but surely getting webbed feet!
the friends that we normally go to the bakers with, were off swimming this morning instead so we joined them. We went to a pool that we had never tried before and it was really nice, it had waves, bubbles, slides, all that the boys could wish for. Well almost, Robert wanted to do some jumping in, and that was not allowed there.We stayed for a good two hours and then decided to go to "our" restaurant for lunch...bad idea today. Today is the day all little catholics take their holy communion and then they all go to restaurants for lunch! So no room there for us today.
So back home I made sausages for the boys just like at the restaurant (with gravy), only we had noodle salad with it instead of chips. They were happy with it though.
In the afternoon Robert really really wanted to play on the Wii, and this is just how much soYep, that is Robert stood on his head saying "please Daddy can we play on the Wii?!" As a joke Florian said he could play if he asked him whilst standing on his head, so he did! hihi!

whilst they were playing on the Wii, I made 4(!) photo books, one each for each of the kids, with pics of them on their holiday. It is just one photo a page (31 pics in all) but I am sure they will love them. They should get to me this week, then I will send separate letters to the girls with their book in them!

CU tomorrow

Day 100

Wow, I can't believe that we are already 100 days into the year...time flies when you are having fun, I suppose!

Today was spent getting used to being home again. All the boys wanted was to play on the Wii, which they did for a good part of the day. I did more washing, and went and restocked the fridge (i.e. shopping).
This afternoon Florian took the boys out for a bit of fresh air, and they both wanted something with wheels to play on. Here they both are down on a friends driveway with their wheels.We have just watched another Harry Potter film and now it is time for bed.
CU tomorrow

Day 99

We're home and I am blogging at a much faster speed, but at least I was able to blog away!

This morning we packed up all our belongings into the car, and THEN went swimming, no need to leave too early!
Normally we take pics in the pool on our last day, but today I was having too much fun in the water, and decided the less people knew that we had a camera in the locker the better!
We spent a good two hours in the water (non-stop) with water pistols, swimming, floating, jumping, and generally enjoying ourselves. Poor Florian looked like he was being drowned most of the time, as all of the kids had a great time climbing all over him!
We had lunch at the restaurant in the pool, so the kids could watch the bucket whilst eating. then it was time to leave.
But not until after getting a group photo of them all!
Richard slept all the way home and Robert some of the way, but I am not at all surprised, even I feel exhausted!
And after we have finished watching Harry Potter it will be off to bed!
CU tomorrow

Day 98

Another fun-packed day today! Swimming in the morning today, and Mum and Dad had water pistols for all the kids! They LOVED that! And we all got "shot" this morning, it was a great game!
After about 2.5 hours in the water, we were all exhausted (although the kids would never admit it) and it was back to the house for some lunch, then a short break (about 30mins), after which Dad and Florian took the kids for another round of Mini-golf (thanks Center Parcs for the vouchers!)
At 4pm it was the Kids Parade, and here are the kids afterwards all wearing the butterfly cap they got!After the parade Mia queued (with me) what seemed like forever to have her face painted, she really really really wanted it done! And she did look so cute afterAfter some more playing on the indoor playgrounds there, we all went out for a meal, we had booked our table on the day we got here, so we were right by the playarea, which made it very relaxing for us. (and I remembered to take the boys to the toilet BEFORE the meal, so I even got to eat in peace!)
Back home tomorrow, but not until after we have exhausted the kids in the pool again!
CU tomorrow

Day 97

And I thought yesterday was busy...today we have played Mini-golf, been swimming, played Bingo, joined in a Kids disco and listened to a bedtime story! Oh and between times, the kids have played with their remote control cars, the girls on their "heelies" (shoes with wheels in the heel), chalked on the pavement, played ball, played games only kids understand, and generally had fun!
And here are just two pics of the day (we took about 150!)The "mini-golf players"and bedtime stories
This one courtesy of Center Parcs (front row seats for all four of ours!)And this one read by Mummy/Auntie KerriBack soon

PS: I forgot to mention the not so good side of the night/day! hihi!
So when we went to bed last night, I got into bed and thought strange my blanket feels damp, Florian (who had had a couple of beers with my Dad) felt it and went, no, its just cold! I laid down and thought, no something is definitely not right, it all feels wet, and turned the light back on! My mattress was not only damp, it was soaking wet through and through, it was even dripping if you held it up! Mmh, what to do, its already 11.15 pm. We decided that we could share 90cm! Not sure how long we lasted but I think Florian spent the longer part of the night on the floor! AGH!
At 7.30am I was down at the reception complaining and I have to say SERVICE here is EXCELLENT, by 9am they had been and exchanged the mattress and bedframe (also soaking wet). no one could understand why it was so wet, the only thing anyone can think of, is that there were teens in here before us, and it was their idea of a "good joke" - NOT!

We also had to complain about the floor in Mum and Dad's bedroom, that was soaking wet too! Again someone came and tried to vacuum the excess water up...all very strange. maybe those teens made the bed wet downstairs and then carried it upstairs to spread the damage.. I don't know!

and then the problem with the cooker. this started yesterday, when Mum turned the cooker on the fuse blew for the whole house. Within minutes of me phoning someone was here to turn the power back on, and he took one of the knobs off of the cooker so that we couldn't use the ring that was causing the power cut. Today someone came to reinstall the knob, as usually the problem is caused by the cleaners using too much water and it all gets a bit wet in there...not this time, we have a new cooker now! Again very good service.
the electrician even let Florian borrow some of his tools to repair Roberts remote control car!

Although the service was excellent not really a good start to the holiday so I am sort of hoping that we get some sort of compensation when we fill in their questionnaire when we get home!

I think that was all for now! CU soon

Day 96

I can't believe I am sat here blogging! My stick works, I am sat here exhausted after watching 4 kids swimming and splashing!
We got here at lunchtime, went to the Burger Bar here and had lunch, then there was no stopping the kids, they couldn't drag us to the pool quick enough!
We were probably in the water for two hours! My fingers were most definitely shrivelled up!

Then it was time to find our new home for the week, we have a big house for all of us, and already feel quite at home here. We are for once not miles away from the Market Dome or the playground. so tomorrow we may even let them go to the playground on their own! We'll see!
Today Dad and Florian went with them, and here they are playing (and not posing) on a tractor there!And look at that, only waistcoats...spring is finally here!

After tea this evening we took them back to the Market Dome for a bedtime story, they looked so cute sat there listening!
And then it was back to bed, and they must have been exhausted, cause they didn't keep calling for us!

OK, not sure, how well this is going to work...
Back soon

Day 95

I got a lay in this morning! Florian got up with the boys and kept them away from me, so I didn't get up til 9.45am! Then I showered in peace, with no one watching and asking for me to draw trains or tractors in the steam! Brilliant!

When I got downstairs they were busy on the Wii with Daddy! So I even got breakfast in peace too. then I joined them in the lounge and got the ironing done. Cause tomorrow it is time for Center Parcs and I wanted to take a few of the bits that need ironing.
This afternoon I did the packing, hopefully I have remembered everything for everyone. The boys also sorted out which toys they want to take with them, i think we will need a trailer. Seems that all of a sudden the BIG BIG tractors, cranes and trucks are in favour! Typical!

After that we all sat down and watched "Shrek 2", they won't let us watch Shrek 1, cause of the dragon, but they loved Shrek 2 and Puss in boots in particular.
Here are the two of them engrossed in it!
I'll try to get online to blog, but don't expect it, it may well be Friday before I am back
CU then

Day 93 and Day 94 (Easter Sunday)

So we are all better and no one else (touch wood) went down with whatever Richard had, phew!
Yesterday we decided that the boys needed a break from the Wii - much to their disgust - and as we were at it, we didn't let them have the TV on either. I think it did them good.After lunch we went shopping, we needed something to eat for the weekend, and Florian needed new shoes.
We went to the shoe shop first, it is called RENO and there they scan childrens feet to find out exactly what size shoe they need, so I got the boys feet measured whilst we were there, and oops, they both need new shoes!So, all my boys got new shoes there! 3 pairs for 60 Euros wasn't too bad either!When we got back, Richard finished his bunny ears from the rabbit exhibition off, and then posed for me.Isn't he cute! (do I write that a lot?!)

Easter Sunday (Day 94)
I tricked the boys into a bit more time in bed for me this morning! they went downstairs and played for a bit, then came back up and woke me up with the words "can we have the tele on?", I told them they had to do a jigsaw first. hihi! Well not much later, Robert was at my bed saying they had finished. I asked if it was a big one, he honestly said "it had 12 pieces", so I sent him back down and told him it had to be a lot bigger!
It was 8.30 when I had to get up! That was nice!After breakfast Florian went upstairs with them to get them dressed, and I sneaked into the garden to play Easter Bunny! By the time they came back down, i was back where they had left me, and told them that I had seen a Bunny hop by the window! There was no stopping them then. They put their jackets and waistcoats on (Bentonflocke, do you recognise anything!?) and wellies (too wet for shoes) and out we went.they had a great time and plenty of goodies!
This afternoon we did some baking, the boys had seen a recipe in a magazine on the kitchen table, so yesterday we got the ingredients and today we baked...mmh, I am not impressed, and the boys haven't tried them yet. We'll see tomorrow what they think, but I won't be making them again!
CU tomorrow