Day 31

Oops nearly forgot to blog, but the camera sort of jumped onto my lap, and reminded me. I did remember to take a photo...but somehow it is a bit out of focus, but still cute! Its the boys in the bath again!Other news from today, work this morning and for the first time since I think August I actually saw my boss...and she even remembered to ask how I was (after getting half way to the door, she turned back and asked...!)
And this afternoon we took our left over cake and went and celebrated with Katrin's son - it was his fourth birthday on Saturday! It was a nice afternoon.

Tomorrow I am getting a visitor from Ireland, so I don't know whether I will get around to posting.
CU soon

Day 30

Today we had another party for Richard, we invited Mum, Dad, my brother and family and Florian's sister and family to the bakers for brunch. Richard was thrilled to have his cousins round him. About 1.30pm we headed back to home, for coffee and cakes (but not til 3pm, we'd eaten well at the bakers!)

Lee built Richard's birthday present up for him, some more hot wheel tracks! My boys really profit from my brother only having girls! ;o) They had great fun with the track and Lee even "tuned" the other bits he had gotten them for Xmas...Mummy see, has no idea!

And I have to show you my view this evening...Dancing on Ice on the TV and Florian ironing! Thank you Florian. I did get him to buy me a new ironing board this weekend, and now it can go a lot higher, so it was even comfy ironing for him. I'll get to try it, when I can actually lift it!

CU tomorrow

Day 28 and Day 29

Friday, 28th January (Day 28) - RICHARD'S BIRTHDAY

Sorry for not blogging yesterday, but I was too exhausted to even surf, I just about managed to look at all the pictures, but the thought of choosing a couple for the blog was too much, so I just watched TV and recovered!
But from the beginning. We got up just after 6am, to give Richard some time to unwrap some presents before going to Kindergarden (and Robert to school). He wanted to open his presents downstairs, so we got dressed first and then downstairs we went, where I had left all of his presents in the middle of the lounge!
Here he is unwrapping the first one he came too, and about the time he realised what it was...and here he is hanging up his birthday cardsHe got a big surprise too, when there was a parcel from Tommie and Lisa (and Dinphy and Hans), he was thrilled with the book about the mole who wants to find out whodunit! Apparently Kindergarden has that book too, and it was a dog! It was so funny as he was telling me, and when I told him that this book was in English, he was so excited about it! Thank you so much Dinphy, for the huge surprise for him. Oh and for his card you sent by email. He studied it really well and decided, that he wouldn't have given himself a hat! Now he is scrapping too, he gets a bit critical, it was so funny, you would have laughed!

So whilst they were at school, I did some last minute preparations for the party, important ones like making the cake! and wrapping the pass the parcel! Then I decided that I work best under pressure and made placemats for all the kids coming to the party! I am so pleased I did, cause they looked BRILLIANT and the kids all LOVED them. Here is the laid table with them on, and a close up of Richard's and Kiara's.I just didn't have matching serviettes, straws and plates! But the kids didn't mind!

At just before 3 the first guests arrived and also Kathrin, who had a lemsip and was able to help me with the party. And thank goodness she did, I was exhausted after two of us were handling the kids, so goodness knows how I would have managed on my own! Here a few impressions of the party!

And like I said, after I just "vegged" out in front of the TV and watched Jack Bauer save the world again!

Saturday, 29th January - Day 29

Florian went to the hairdressers this morning and when he got back the boys were waiting for him to help build the new pirate ship up. And once that was done, the knight's castle needed building too! But here a picture of the ship!

For lunch we went to the Sieberzmühle (back off of their holiday), and you can see here just how cold it was today!After their salad and chips the boys wanted to go and spend their pennies (Richard his gift vouchers that he got yesterday and Robert some pennies from his money box!). Richard got a Playmobil pirate island to go with his pirate ship and Robert got some new lego! They both had great fun when we got home.

At five they went out with Florian for the annual sports club winter walk with old fashioned torches. I gave Florian a camera to take along, BUT I forgot to give him a spare battery, so this is the only shot this year!Phew a long post today, CU tomorrow

Day 27

This morning I went shopping for Richard's party tomorrow, I got all my "ingredients" for his cake - muffins and chocolate pudding (all ready made, I just need to crumble and add!).

This afternoon the boys and I did some tidying in their bedroom, so that if we run out of silly games to play they can go and have some fun in their bedroom...but that is plan B, I don't really want 8 kids running riot upstairs! But they could now, cause we can see the floor again!

When we came downstairs, I let them watch "Bob the Builder going on site" which is all about building real houses, only Bob explains it for the kids. Whilst they were watching that, I checked my emails and I got all excited.
You know how I sometimes get to test things for a marketing firm, well last week they were looking for testers for photobooks! I applied and YEAH, I got in on the test. I am now going to be making a photobook just for me, and letting them know what I think of the software and spreading the word. I really am excited!
I am now going through the pics posted on this blog in 2010 and putting them into a separate file, so that I can have a 2010 picture book! So exciting!

This evening I remembered that our white chicken Stevie McQueen was still out. She is living up to her name and escaping every day, and we have no idea where or how! Can't be flying cause we clipped her wing. Anyhow I remembered the poor thing out there in the dark, and look where I found herright outside the back door. And she is still there now, she looks so cozy and I am pretty sure that the fox won't come that close. However I am not sure that the chicken won't use the cat flap and come in! Now that would be funny if she watches the cat go in and out tonight, maybe tomorrow she'll great me in the utility room!!

CU tomorrow

Day 26

First thing this morning I drove across town to pick my new contact lenses up, I got there and they wanted me to pay cash for them. Me, being the internet girl I am, thought they would give me an invoice and I'd pay online for them when I got home. Nope, I had to go back into town and get some cash out! Luckily at that time of morning there was not much on the roads or at the bank, so 20 minutes later, I was back at the opticians picking up my new lenses. I'm used to having to put them on then and there and then the doctor checking how they sit on my eyes, but here I literally just picked them up. So I never put them on til I got home. And wow, I think I really really needed them, cause in the words of the famous song "I can see clearly now..."(the old lenses have gone)!

After picking up the lenses I had to go to see customs...I had a letter ysterday from customs that my parcel is there and that I have to take two copies of the invoice (in German) and two copies of proof of payment (I took my Paypal receipt). I had ordered 3 photo cases and a canvas from Artscow - they deliver from Hong Kong, and apparently unless the goods come from Europe you have to pay duty on them!
Well, my goods only cost 30 Euros, so I didn't have to pay duty on them, but I did have to pay some sort of tax on them, it cost me an extra €5.64. But even with that on top of the 30 Euros, it was still a GREAT deal.
And here are the photo casesRobert and Richard won't get them though until Friday, I'm going to wrap them both up for them! So that Robert has something to unwrap on Richard's birthday too!

At lunchtime, I walked to Kindergarden - nice and slowly - to pick Richard up (with Robert). It wore me out a bit, but every day a little better! So after homework, we put Toy Story on (which was in German, much to Robert's disgust!) and whilst the boys watched it, I had a little nap! shhhhh!

CU tomorrow

Day 25

Back to work today, no welcoming committee there to welcome me back, my friend and colleague is off sick and my boss...well, I don't even know if she was in...! But enough about work

This afternoon Robert had a lot of homework, so we were a bit late getting to Katrin's son's birthday party. Once there we all had a good time, the boys playing with their friends, ooh and the cake...delicious!

Whilst waiting for Robert to finish his homework I practised what I learnt how to do yesterday
I found a great tutorial on how to make these (a video) after trying unsuccessfully last year to make them from written instructions. I know it is a bit early for Xmas, but it was fun making it! Maybe I will still be able to make them next Xmas!

Well, I have BBC tonight, so I can watch the second part of Silent Witness
CU tomorrow

Oh and on Saturday I posted the wrong picture, this is the one I really meant to post, the one on Saturday has Richard looking in the wrong direction...oops!

Day 24

This morning I finally had my appointment at the opticians (that is why I had my glasses on on Friday's photo!) I had to wear my glasses all weekend so that he could get an accurate reading for new contact lenses. I also had a test done for glaucoma and everything is fine. My new lenses are ordered and they will be ringing when they get here (soon I hope!)

I did some toy shopping after that and got all sorts of bits and pieces for Richard's party on Friday, now I just need to find someone to help out on the day...tackle that one tomorrow!

This afternoon after homework, the boys played with their blow pens, I had forgotten all about them, but the boys hadn't. As we only have one stencil to go with them, I made them some. Not the best but the boys were happy!Back to work in the morning so it's time I went to bed.
CU tomorrow

Day 23

So, no football today so it was a normal Sunday in our household, and what is a normal Sunday...of course breakfast at the bakers! Only today was a bit different because not only did Florian's sister and family join us, but my friends Katrin and Sabine and their families! It was a fun morning out, AND I found a pair of jeans that didn't irritate my tummy button, so I wasn't out in my jogging trousers again!
Whilst the kids were playing we were busy chatting but at one point Richard came over and said "Mummy, you have to come and take our picture..." and he was right - look!!So cute all of them! and so typical Richard to recognise a photo opportunity! Next week we'll try and get this picture with two more cousins, I think!

We all spent the afternoon doing things we love. Florian and Robert were on the Wii and Richard and I on photoshop! All in all a lovely Sunday, shame it is nearly over.
CU tomorrow

Day 21 and Day 22

Day 21 (Friday)
I had a bit of a lay in, thanks Mum, but I was up in time to say hi and bye to Mum before she went to my hairdresser to get her hair done nicely! She wasn't gone that long, but in that time I had a visitor and a chat on the phone to another friend.
At lunch time I drove up to Kindergarden and picked Richard up. It was good to see everyone up there again. They were all very concerned about me, although one of the Kindergarden teachers was most concerned at how grey I had got! I think that is only cause I had to cancel my hairdressers appointment and haven't got a new one yet. I don't think I got any whiter cause of the stress! I don't really know, maybe you can see on this picture of me and Florian (He's being silly!)Dad picked Mum up at lunchtime and I was left on my own with the boys until we picked Florian up. I made it easy for myself and put the Wii on for them until it was time to go and get Florian at the station. Yep I drove there, driving doesn't seem to be so bad, so that is good news!

When we got home, Richard wanted all of his layouts printed out again, so I grabbed the ones with the stories on, laminated them and made him a story book! He LOVES it!

Day 22 (Saturday)
Florian took the boys to get their mugshots done today. Both need new passports and they now require proper passport photos even for the kids, so we now have 4 pictures each of them looking way to serious for an almost 5 and a 6 year old! Oh well, it will give some laughs when they look back later at their first passports!
Then they all came back here and picked me up to go shopping to Aldi. We got all we needed and probably more. On the way there Richard got his glasses mended - he got hit by a football last weekend and they haven't been quite right on his nose since, but now he is all happy about them again!

After lunch Florian took the boys out on their bikes for a little bitThey weren't really gone long, but when the temperature is around 0°C you don't really cycle for long. BAck indoors it was Wii time! But Richard was more interested in Photoshop again, and made yet another layout and later on wrote another story with me, which we laminated and added to his book!

We went to go to our restaurant in the evening, when we got there, there were no cars in the car park and it looked a bit dark...they are on holiday until 27th January. We were all rather disappointed, the boys because they wouldn't be getting their salad. How many parents would be jealous of that upset!!!
We drove into town then and went to a different place, where they both got their salad, chips and a hamburger (without the bun). Florian and I had pizza!

BAck home it was past the boys bedtime, so they needed a short story. Guess what we read! Yep three of Richards stories. It is so cute to see how they crease up with laughter when I read them! I'll post the latest one on Richard's blog in a minute...

CU tomorrow

Day 20

First of all, I need to clarify what "an Old MacDonald" is, cause it is probably only our family that uses the term. It is what my Dad used to be on the computer "here a click, there a click, everywhere a click, click" and then he had buggered all sorts of things up and didn't know how he got there, or what he had done! Most of the time, Florian then had to help him fix the computer again! And that is what I was worried about when Richard was on my computer!

So today was a full moon kind of day for us, it was full last night, and the boys - well, mine had been abducted by aliens again! First Robert had a major homework meltdown. He thought he had finished, but he not only had to read the text but write it too, and he DID NOT want to do that! So he sat there and refused to...not a clever idea, cause I was out to win this fight! In the end we all left him sat in the kitchen in front of his sheet of paper to get on with it. 45 minutes later he had it finished. BUT because he was sulking and such he didn't call for help, when he didn't know what to do, and had done it wrong. Oops, double time for Robert.

And then later, Richard threw a few paddies, not even sure what about, but it was more funny to Mum and me, and when we laughed cause he was screaming, we weren't his favourite people anymore!
Mum had never seen the kids on a full moon day, and was quite surprised at how quickly their mood can change so dramatically.

I did get a picture though when they were both behaving and being quite cute. They are sharing Mum's iTouch and playing the game where they have to work out where to cut the rope to make it swing! Richard did something really good just after this photo and Robert gave him a big thumbs up and said something about "my bruvver" so cute! And that is the memory I am going to take with me to bed, much better than all the screaming!

This evening I left Mum to babysit and went to a village meeting. It was all about getting the different clubs in the village to communicate better, and as I am on the parents committee at Kindergarden we were invited too. It was a good meeting and I think it will do a lot for the village.
Plus I got to test whether I am able to drive again, and I got there in one piece and with no pain. So another improvement today!

CU tomorrow

Day 19

Not much to report about today really, Mum was a darling again and did all my ironing after taking the kids to the busstop and Kindergarden and before picking them up again!

This afternoon Mum and Richard tried tidying all the boys teddy bears up - too many in their beds at the minute. Whilst they were doing that, Robert was doing his homework. After that we all played on our electronic toys, Robert was on the iTouch playing Angry Birds or was it Cut the Rope, Mum was on her netbook, and Richard and I were scrapping. Well, Richard was scrapping, I was just making sure he didn't do an "Old MacDonald" and delete a programme or two. He is getting really good at photoshop. Today he made me print his layouts out. Could come expensive if I let him convince me too often!You can see the layouts on Richard's blog today!

Now Mum and I are watching Mamma Mia!
CU tomorrow

Day 18

Every day it gets a little bit easier to walk normally so I am definitely on the mend! Just need the swelling on my pregnant looking tummy to go down, then I can wear jeans again!

Mum took the boys to the bus and the Kindergarden this morning, Richard told me last night that I could stay in bed, so cute! And Mum also got today's picture for my blog. She took a picture of how the kids queue at the busstop!
They don't stand in the queue but their bags do! You can also see how dark it still is in the mornings! Not spring yet, in fact they have been forecasting snow again for tomorrow...watch this space!

We all went to Katrin's in the afternoon, so I even got out in the fresh air, even if it is only a 50m walk! When we got back Richard worked on his invitations for his birthday, he can work Photoshop pretty well for a nearly 5 year old. Dragging and dropping is NO problem, he can shrink the elements and move them where he needs them... Here he is hard at work! (along with a sneak peak of a new kit coming Friday!)His invitation is a bit overcrowded so I did make one that was readable for his friends, but Pop will be getting this one on Friday!

CU tomorrow

Day 17

Robert and Richard decided to start the day before my 6 o'clock alarm today! They were up and downstairs (dressed) by 6am! Monsters! Oh well, it gave me plenty of time to get them ready for school and Kindergarden!
I took Robert to the main road to cross and head for the busstop. He tried to convince me (with tears) that I should go with him, but even if he had worn me down I couldn't it was enough just getting to the main road! So I saw him across it, threatened that if he didn't head to the busstop he would be going for a VERY long while without the Wii or TV and shut my ears to his tears. Heartbreaking but the only way to handle his emotional blackmailing. Richard was a little angel, he had no problem being taken to Kindergarden by Sabine and being picked up by her husband, to him it was all an adventure!

Dad brought Mum up to stay (probably til Friday), Thank you Dad. That gives me a bit more time to heal, and puts Florian's mind at rest!
Mum took Richard for a walk in the afternoon whilst I helped Robert with his homework. Then we let them play on Mum's toys only this time, we set the kitchen timer for them. When it rang it was time for them to find something to play with and play. Richard instantly found his scissors and some stickers and paper and was a happy chappy. Robert - a different story - he refused to find anything, and when we said that maybe it was time then to give all his toys away he cried for ages, but still not finding a toy to play with! Oh dear, I think I am going to have to work on that one!
Later on, Richard found some scratching pictures to do, and they both enjoyed them. Then somehow Mum convinced Robert to try reading a story to her, and don't they look cute
CU tomorrow

Day 16

The boys football tournament meant that they had to leave home at just after 9am today, and I had the morning to myself. I slept a bit better last night, still hurts to roll over but not quite as much! I spent the morning relaxing and NOT lifting things!

There were 8 teams in their tournament and this time they were 6th. But everyone got a trophy so they were happy.The boys all got back just after 1.30pm, Florian bought rolls on his way home, shame Richard wouldn't join us for lunch. He was too busy having a VERY big paddy. Not even sure what it was really all about, but it wasn't good. I eventually got him to sit down with us, but he refused lunch. After going outside on his bicycle with all their friends from the road he was back to being his cheery self. Here they are outside enjoying the springlike weather.When they came back though they were expecting to play on the Wii or watch TV and when I said they could have neither, then Robert went into major paddy mode! What a day!
Then at teatime, Robert started on the emotional blackmail. I told them at teatime that tomorrow morning things would be a bit different cause of Mummy's poorly tummy, and that Robert would be going to the busstop on his own, after I had seen him safely across the main road. Robert burst into tears. I didn't matter that this week he had been running ahead of Nanna to get to the busstop way before her. It was something about he HAD to wave to me from the bus. Oh dear, we'll see how it goes in the morning, cause I just don't think I can go all that way yet!
Richard was fine, he gets to go to Kindergarden with his friends so he was happy! And maybe the news that Nanna is coming back to stay tomorrow will cheer them both up some more!
CU tomorrow

Day 15

Dad came to pick Mum up again today, with Florian here to help me, Mum can go home and know me in safe hands. Before they went home, Mum and Dad went and did my weekly shop for me, so that I don't need to carry any heavy shopping at least!

At just after 1pm Florian took the boys to their first of this weekend's tournaments. They had a good time, and came in 3rd out of 6. Their deciding match was resolved through penalties, this is Robert taking his shot.whilst they were out, I put my feet up, surfed some, watched some TV, did some scrapping and had a little nap!
when they got back the boys told me all about the game and showed me their new trophy, then it was time for some Pizza, and bed for the boys!

CU tomorrow

Day 14

Mum has been a God send today (THANK YOU MUM!), she got the kids to school and kindergarden on time, did my washing, drying and folding, got us all lunch and tea, various drinks throughout the day and even took today's photo. Funny how even the camera seems heavy today.
My tummy is still really sore and I am still wobbly on my feet. Hopefully tomorrow I'll start feelign a bit more energetic. I did manage a shower and my tummy is now only light orange. I also was allowed to take the plaster off, so the wound can now start healing properly.

The boys enjoyed playing on Nanna's toys again this afternoon, but we also made them take a break from them, and here they are just after Richard threw a paddy about the break, reading and cutting out!Florian is home again now, and I don't think he was expecting me to be quite this sore...but I am on the mend - honest!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments, and Dinphy I look forward to that hug in 6 weeks!
CU tomorrow

Day 12 and Day 13

I'm home already! but I'll start with yesterday
Day 12 (Wednesday)
I got to the hospital at about 8.45am and ready for my operation, little did I know it was going to be a LONG wait! To start when I got to A&E their computer wasn't working so she phoned the ward I would be on and they said to go straight up. Off I go grumbling under my breath cause I was sure, that wouldn't be the last trip across the hospital (its a big one), when I get up there, the nurse said "Iris will be with you in the minute" I must have had a strange look on my face cause she said then "you are a friend of Iris ..." yep, but I am here for an operation! It's ok we know. Iris is a friend of ours and also a surgeon at the hospital. When they phoned from downstairs Iris had recognised my name and wanted to shorten the process for me!
She put the drip in my arm and took all my details down and explained all about the operation. It was great doing all that with someone I already know and trust. I did ask if she would be operating on me, but she didn't know, as it wasn#t clear when I was being operated on...As it happened, I didn't go to surgery until after she had left.
The ward was very full and I had to be the extra bed in a three bedroom! I was in with three lovely ladies. After I had dressed for the OP (very becoming thrombosis tights and nighty) I took my tablet (Scheißegal-tablette) and carried on reading, well it wasn't long before the tablets relaxed me so much that I fell asleep with my book. The daughter from one of the ladies took my book and glasses of me - isn't that lovely of them. Today they told me I looked like sleeping beauty!
My OP was at 5pm and I was back upstairs at just after 8pm. I was put in a room that is used for checking in patients during the day rather than in the room with the ladies. So I actually had a single room! The nurse let me phone Mum from there and then I just slept off the anaesthetic.
I don't have any pictures today, I read most of the time I was waiting to keep my mind off of the operation ahead. And I succeeded too. So here is a pic from the internet of what I was reading
Day 13 (Thursday)

Considering I was freshly operated on, I slept alright really. At 7.15am I saw a doctor and she said I could go home after breakfast. I was really surprised, cause I hadn't even managed to walk myself to the toilet at that time. But after breakfast some more doctors came by and they all said, that I could go home. Mum and I decided that a taxi home would be the easiest all round and as I am not supposed to carry anything heavy for the next 6 weeks, i would need help getting to the taxi. Well I asked the nurse about help and he offered to book the taxi for me. THAT was a really clever idea, cause not only did the taxi driver pick me and my bag up from the room, he walked nice and slowly to the car, and there he told me that I would have to pay €5,-- I was so surprised, cause I was expecting to pay the full fare! But no, the health insurance paid for my journey home!

It is good to be home, but as you can see, the boys didn't really miss meit's good to know that they enjoyed having to look after Nanna for Mummy!

I'm still a bit wobbly on my feet and my tummy hurts, but I'm on the mend!
CU tomorrow

Day 11

Well it's official I do have an umbilical hernia, and I do have to be operated on. Tomorrow to be precise. So I might not be blogging tomorrow night, although if I feel up to it, I will have internet in the hospital....we'll see.

Dad brought Mum up to help me out and to look after the kids, whilst I am in hospital! So my picture today is of three of our remote controls!Mum will need these to get the TV or Wii to work whilst she is here, so I have printed out this picture and marked the relevant buttons for her! Cause the boys can't really help, cause they don't know how to change between tv and wii....

I am nearly all packed ready for tomorrow, I have two books to take with me and Mum's little netbook, so I should be all set.
Wish me luck
and CU soon!

PS: Check the comments on this post for an update from Mum whilst I am gone!

Day 10

Well today was supposed to be all back to normal, with everyone at work, school or kindergarden BUT I had to go to the doctor. Saturday evening my tummy button started hurting and hasn't really stopped since then. My friend Katrin's mum is a nurse and her brother works on A&E and when she told them about it, they both said "tell Kerri to go straight to the doctor on Monday" - so I did! And I have an umbilical hernia (Nabelbruch), I thought only babys got that, not that I am really sure what I have, I just know my tummy button hurts!
It means though that tomorrow I have to go and see a surgeon at the hospital to find out, what happens next, but my doctor said to expect surgery, just a case of whether as an out-patient or a patient. More on that tomorrow!

This afternoon the sun came out and I took the boys out with our cameras! It was so cute, they stopped all over the place and took pictures, loads of the neighbours housesbut then we went further on and found some horses, that posed for the boys.Although one of the horses (the light one) was a real bully as you can see in my pictures!CU tomorrow (they won't be keeping me in, need to organise Mum to come up here first!)

Day 9

Whilst Florian took the boys to yet another football tournament, I stayed at home - it was great, I put my new Keith Urban CD on - really loud - and had a good old sing-a-long! (I did do some washing too!)
So it was Florian that was in charge of photos today, so more football pictures! Our boys in action!
And they did really well, they came 3rd out of 8 and got another medal, as you can see on both of their blogs!

When they got home, we booked our annual Center Parcs Easter Holiday! We are going to Park Eifel and Mum and Dad are coming along too. So in 107 days we will be off on holiday!

CU tomorrow

Day 8

Soccer Mom Day today! The boys had the first of many tournaments in January today. I thought the playing field looked HUGE, but the boys never complained, but don't you think they all look a little lost down there?!We were the loudest supporters of the teams there, and I think it helped cause our boys came in second! (out of 5). The whole team was so excited about it. And I think all parents were really proud too! It was so cute to see all the happy faces on the kids! The smiles were even bigger, cause they all got a medal, as Robert told me "their first ever medal!"
CU tomorrow

Day 7

Bakers this morning, with Florian's sister and family. We are such good customers there that we got the freshest rolls, and Florian's sister even got some "Zwiebelkuchen" (onion cake) warmed up!
We stayed and had lunch there too, then it was time to take the boys to the hairdressers.
I have a before picture of Robert taken today and one of Richard taken a few days ago.And here are the pair of them "after".
Richard didn't want spiky hair, so he has a completely different haircut to Robert now. Both look really cool!
Not really sure where the afternoon went after that, I do remember the boys playing on the Wii, and after tea, we all got to chat to our friends in Holland - thank you Skype! Robert went all silly, when he saw Lisa and kept giggling and hiding, but I think it was cause he was so excited to see them again!

Florian is out keeping fit, and I am scrapping tonight (Week 1 is over, have to get a layout done for my P365 book, well, I can dream I might get one done, I got to week 5 last year, maybe I can get to week 10 this year, and if I can make it that far, I can make it all the way. I'll keep referring back to this post for motivation!)
CU tomorrow

Day 6

I had to get up nice and bright and early this morning, cause my English lesson at Kindergarden wasn't on holiday! But oh dear, when I looked out the window everything was white, ok, need to rephrase that, its been white for a while now, but the paths were covered in a new layer of snow. So instead of mentally preparing for a bunch of 4-6 year olds, I had to go out and sweep the snow! It was horrible out, cause now it wasn't snowing anymore it was raining ice! YUCK!
I cleared the snow as best I could (it was ice really!) and then it was time to brave the walk to Kindergarden. It wasn't too bad getting there, but coming home, it was like an iceskating rink. In fact to get down the hill, I walked in the knee deep snow, much safer!

WEll it continued to rain all day, but our snow is still as high as ever, can't really tell it is melting, but then again is it really melting our path was still an ice rink!

Once home I de-christmassed, although looking up now, I have just realised the Xmas cards are still on the wall, I'll have to get them down when I have finished posting. We need the room there for Richard's birthday cards soon!
Anyhow the tree is gone no more twinkly lights :o( Still something to look forward to for next Xmas!

After that I had fun with one of my Christmas presentsyep, I cooked from Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals cook book. I made Spinach and Feta filo pie - and ooh it was delicious. And I think I even managed to get the "lug of olive oil" right! We all enjoyed it, and I am allowed to make it again! Have a look, what do you think?I think it looks as good as in Jamie's book!

We were going out in the afternoon, and the boys were just putting their coats on, when Florian realised that the reason I was feeling so cold, was that the heating wasn't working...AGH... not good on a day where it is raining ice!
He phoned the repair people and they would send someone round, so only Florian and the boys went out. I stayed in to wait on the repair guy and try and get some heat into the house with the log fire.
I also started on the ironing, cause that always heats up the room too.
The heating man came within the hour and it took him about 20minutes and a spare part to repair it, but I am now typing this NOT wrapped in a couple of blankets!

CU tomorrow