Day 242

Early yesterday and late today! I am watching a film and I can only write in the adverts, cause otherwise I might loose the plot - its a bit complicated but good (I'm watching "Premonition" with Sandra Bullock).

So today Robert was still home from school, but today I made him catch up on some homework. They are starting to learn joined up writing now, and there was a lot to practise. Whilst he was doing that I tidied up Richard's crafts box. There is a lot of rubbish in there, but I didn't need him around whilst I cleaned it out, or it wouldn't have been clearing it out. I found at least three handfuls of Lego in the box too! Oops! Once I had cleared it out, I was able to put a lot of his new crafty things in it. Now I can almost see the kitchen table again!

This afternoon Richard went back to Kindergarden again and I had a new English student. She is 11 and in the 6th class. We got on alright so hopefully I can help her. From next week, I will be going to see her, whilst Robert has football training - that's what you call perfect planning, well at least I hope it will work! We'll see!
I picked Richard up at about 4.20pm and when we got home all he wanted to do was to play the new Lego game with Robert and me!

It was good fun, and something I think they will be playing a lot of!
OK, adverts nearly over, so I'll get this posted
CU tomorrow

Day 241

Gosh aren't I early today! Boys are tucked up in bed, and the camera was right here with me, cause...I took pictures at bedtime today! And I think I'll start with them

After taking Richards picture he had a look at it, and frowned and asked "Mummy, how do I do a smile?" He tried so hard, but it didn't work, it was always a cheese grin - funny how he recognised though that his face was not a proper smile!

Robert is a lot better today than yesterday, not good, but a lot better! His temperature was down a lot and he was better in himself. His voice however was still missing in action...which was quite nice if I am honest...just kidding (or am I!)
I didn't make him do any school work today, so I think he thought he was on holiday again. He played Wii, watched TV and played the new Lego game with Mummy!

I got most of my washing done, looks like ironing is on the agenda for tomorrow! And that was my day in a nutshell!
CU tomorrow

Day 240

So today didn't go quite according to plan. Robert is ill, poor little fellow. This morning he woke up with a cough, sore throat, headache and ear ache, I took him in bed with us to assess how bad it was, and it was bad, he could hardly get his breathe poor thing. So doctors it was this morning, but first I had to get Richard and Florian organised, for once Florian didn't leave before us, and we had it so well planned, but it all went out the window with Robert poorly. But I had everyone where they should be and us at the doctors by 8.45am. Our doctor is still ill too, so we went to the paediatrician who looked after Robert's heart when he had the Kawasaki Syndrome. They wanted to get me to go somewhere else, but I stuck to my guns, as I didn't want to go to some stranger!
Anyhow, poor Robert not only has Bronchitis, but also an inflammation of his middle ear (I had to look that one up on the internet, it also said otitis!) I have antibiotics, ibuprofen and something to loosen his chest. He looked terrible for most of the day, at one point he even fell asleep in front of the tv - now that is not my Robert!

He brightened up a little bit in the afternoon and we were able to play a round of Yahtzee - Robert even won, he got Yahtzee too! (and no he wasn't cheating, I was watching him closely!) Most of the day we had the TV on, it keeps him nice and calm and he isn't tempted to use whatever energy the ibuprofen might give him!

It was one of those days where I forgot to take a picture, so I thought I would show you the bargain I got when we went to Aldi this morning. These are my new shoes - very comfy! And if the weather stays like this, I can even start wearing them!

CU tomorrow

Day 238 and Day 239

Day 238 (Saturday)
This morning I was expecting a parcel, and it came around 10ish. I have got another product to test and the boys are so excited about this one. We are testing the new Lego games! Here are the boys showing them off!

But as we were going to my nieces birthday party there was no time to play them, but they did start building up the board! I must say it looks like a really good game, I can't wait to try it!

After lunch (I made Gino D'Acampo's scrambled eggs - delicious) we drove to Mum and Dad's and then on from there to the Party. Ramona had made a great cake for Zoe, who wanted a "Top Model Cake" too cute!

We had a lovely afternoon and evening there. The boys lasted out until gone 10pm. It was cute then though, Richard came downstairs and whispered to me "Mummy, can we go home to bed now?!" Bless him!

Day 239 (Sunday)
Despite being really late to bed last night, the boys were up just after 7am again. When will they learn that a lay in is something good?!

We spent a lovely day with Mum and Dad, the boys climbed their apple tree, played helicopters in the garden, played with the Lego, played Nintendo/Ipod touch, watched Formula 1, and played with Elvis ... we got some pictures of that! Here is one

We came home after tea and the boys actually fell asleep in the car, Robert is running a bit of a temperature and he is a bit croaky, but I am hoping it is just lack of sleep. We'll see in the morning!
CU tomorrow

Day 237

I had an appointment with the eye doctor this morning, for a few days now, my eyes have been really sore and itchy, yesterday it was so much so, that I couldn't wear my contact lenses, so I phoned the doctor. I don't have anything serious, just uncomfy - my eyes are too dry, it is all to do with the weather. And I don't suppose the air conditioning in the car helps much either! But in this heat, I can't and won't turn it off! I got some drops for my eyes, that I can put in whenever I feel the need, and I can also use them with my lenses so tomorrow I will be me again!

'This afternoon we all met at the playground to discuss the Kindergarden summer party in two weeks. WE have a lot planned with the money we made at Halloween. Then my well planned football afternoon started. First home and get Richard changed into his football gear, then drop Richard off at one of his football mates, so that they can get him to the match on time. Then it was off to the station to pick Florian up, then we were on our way to the match, when we got a phone call - Football was cancelled. Woohoo! In this heat, I didn'T really want Richard running around. (it was 35°C in the shade!)
We went then to pick Richard back up, and he was playing in the village well! And look at the pair of them cooling off!

This evening Robert actually slept through the storm...we lost our TV picture, there was so much static in the air, but Robert missed it! Phew!

CU tomorrow!

Day 236

I got a good night's sleep last night, no thunderstorms, so it was only the alarm clock that woke me up in time to get the kids off to school and kindergarden. I then aired the house through and through as it was nice and cool this morning.
I conquered the ever growing pile of ironing in the cool morning air too. I timed it just right! In the afternoon Richard went back to Kindergarden and Robert went to his friend to play, and I enjoyed the peace and quiet for 90minutes. Then it was time to pick them both up again for Robert's football match.
I like this shot of half of the team, waiting their turn to play! Notice how Robert is the one looking most relaxed!

Robert's team won 5:3. They were so proud at the end.
They both were tired when they got to bed, Robert from all the running and Richard probably from the half hour later to bed.
I'm tired now too, and am off to bed. My film hasn't finished yet, but I am getting bored with it, as Dad would say "good acting"! (I watched"The Duchess" with Keira Knightley)

CU tomorrow

Day 235

OK, so I spent most of the summer complaining how it was not really a summer, then it finally comes and its too hot! so I complain some more. Never happy, am I?! But honestly 34°C and so damp is not funny, and even less so, when the forecast says that it will only be about half that come Saturday! Where did the nice inbetween temperatures go?!

This morning at 5am my night was over, we had a thunderstorm and Robert couldn't sleep anymore, so I had him in bed with me trembling away! Until the alarm rang at 6am (and then he pretended to be asleep). I went shopping this morning, mainly to get butter, which I ran out of at the weekend, and guess what I forgot...yep, Mum you were right, you told me I would probably forget it, and I did!

In the afternoon Robert went to play with his friend, and they apparently went to the local farmer and helped him with some cleaning up and some hay, not really sure what they did, but Robert had a great time. Richard and I went into the next village and bought a book with instructions for making things (I bet there is a better word for that, but I don't know it!) Anyhow we got one and came, so we go all the way over to a SHOP in the next village and again, I forget the butter! AGH, BUT I did remember when we got back to our village, so we stopped there and bought some butter! Phew tea saved!

So when we were back home, Richard and I went straight in the garden and got all the bits we needed for what Richard had chosen. Yep, Dinphy I know it is not autumn yet, but they only had books with autumn pictures in, so here we have what Richard made

He did the cutting out of the dark brown on the hedgehog and the tummy of the hedgehog. I had to cut all the small bits out, including the leaves. He did the faces on them though! Oh and it was his idea to use the ice-cream stick for the broom!

At 6pm Robert got home and we sat down to tea, half way through it got REALLY REALLY dark outside and we had a storm, not as bad as in some places in Hessen, but so dark! Robert was again frightened of the thunder, but we played Sorry in the kitchen and that took his mind off. Because of the storm the boys were 30minutes late to bed, but it really is no good putting Robert to bed with thunder still rolling, he wouldn't sleep. Now I am hoping that we don't have another storm tonight, cause I would really like some sleep!

CU tomorrow

Day 234

HOT HOT HOT! That is what I used to say to the boys when they went anywhere near the oven, but today that sums up the weather, it was 34°C outside, but Robert and i stayed indoors for most of the afternoon where it was a comfortable 24°C Thank goodness for THICK walls!
At 4pm we did have to go out, first we went to Kindergarden to get Richard and his mate, then it was home again, to get ready for a) football training and b) a football match. Robert was picked up by his mates Dad for his training and I took Richard and his mate to the match. It was so hot! I gave Robert a whole litre of drink for his training and he drank it all! Richard didn't drink quite as much, but it was just as hot, I was there, I was hot and I wasn't even running around

Last week Richard's team lost but this week they won 6:4! Way to go Richard!
CU tomorrow (if I haven't melted away!)

Day 233

I got up this morning and I thought we had moved to the tropics over night, it was so sticky out, you could almost cut the air, I know I have been complaining about Summer not arriving but this was NOT summer as I remember it, this was yucky! Luckily it cleared a bit come mid afternoon, but still the heat and damp made everything really really difficult. Poor Robert seemed to have an extra load of homework and concentration came hard to him today! But after two hours he finally finished at 4pm. By then it was time to go and pick Richard up. Richard was quite upset that he didn't have so long to spend at home before bedtime, especially when I limited the time I let them play on "their" computer!

They are playing with "paint" and drawing and writing things on a white sheet of paper, they LOVED it! But they only got 45minutes on it, but I think that is enough, they don't have to get addicted like their Mummy!

So I have the football problem tomorrow all sorted out, Robert is going to his training with a friend, and I will pick Richard and his friend up at Kindergarden and take them both to their game, which luckily is here in the village tomorrow.
CU then

Day 230, Day 231 and Day 232

Friday I forgot, and Saturday we were at a birthday party, but I am here now and ready to catch up!

Day 230 (Friday)
This morning I got some more pictures of my new door feature before I went out for the morning...to school!

I was meeting with another library Mum today to get the library computer system ready for the kids and new kids in September! All up and running and my first shift at the library starts on the first Wednesday in September, I'm really looking forward to it. Robert and Richard were pleased that I had gone to the library as I came home with three new books from the magic treehouse series for them!
In the afternoon Florian phoned and said he was going to try to get the earlier train, and he did! So at 3.30pm we set off for the station to pick him up. I got the boys changed before we left, as straight from the station we had to go to Richard's football training. Florian and I decided to only drop them off there (Robert is allowed to train with them if he wants and he wanted!) and we went home and had a look at the water fountain AGAIN. I thought it had gone really wrong as we had had rain like I have never seen before at lunch time and still the fountain was empty...strange! Florian decided that a stone might have been blocking where it refills itself, so we have now stacked the stones differently, we'll see!

Day 231 (Saturday)
We had a bit of a lay in today and a late breakfast of rolls, jam, nutella and honey...delicious! Florian went around the garden with the annoying edge trimmer (I can't stand the sound) and the boys tried out something that Dinphy tried out earlier this month too  - painting with marbles. The boys loved it! Here they are

and here are some of the masterpieces

After that we went to the 5th birthday party of the local like RSPCA (Society for protection of cruelty to animals) we are sort of founding members, so it was good to see just how a little idea had become so big. It is also where most of our cats came from, and where we will be getting our new ones in October. The boys enjoyed looking around there and would have loved to take them all home,

but we managed to stay strong and stick to the idea of getting the new cats after our next holiday. And the girl running the society is now on the lookout for two cats that get along well with one another.

After the fun afternoon there (including a raffle and balloon man) we went home, Florian finished mowing the lawn and then it was about time to head for the birthday party. First we had to go and buy the present though! Nothing like cutting it fine! I also wanted to get their three kids presents and I chose Toys'r'us for that, cause I knew they have a packing table, where you can wrap your presents. I got two barbies on special offer and some playmobil and went and paid, but where had the wrapping table gone...I asked and it had gone. So I went back into the shop and bought some wrapping paper (most expensive wrapping paper I have ever bought), the shop did lend me some sellotape and scissors.

We had a lovely evening and didn't leave until about 10.15pm, much to the boys disgust. They had made a new friend and didn't want to leave!

Day 232 (Sunday)
The boys who were supposed to stay in bed until at least 8am, chose today not to be able to tell the time. Oh well, it was football for most of the day and I had the day off! I stayed home on my own and enjoyed the peace and quiet and my book! I read One Day by David Nicholls I finished it too, unfortnately the last 5 pages weren't quite so peaceful as they were all back by then!
Anyhow, the football went really well, and Robert's team won the tournament! He looked so proud when he got home. But here is a picture of him in action again!

Florian had mentioned whilst out that they could use Pop's old computer and that was all they wanted to do, unfortunately Pop's old computer is soooooooo slow, and we only got a game working when it was bedtime, that only took about 4 hours! So tomorrow, guess what they will be wanting to do! Here they are watching it update all sorts of things before it will work! So proud that they now have their own computer!

CU tomorrow

Day 229

No Kindergarden for Richard this morning as we had a skin doctor's appointment and I wanted to take him shopping beforehand. But before all that, I had to finish that translation from last night. Richard didn't mind, as he got an extra bit of TV in! He also did some drawing and some ministeck, it's great how he can occupy himself, if I am busy!
At 9.30am we set out off into town and we went straight to what Richard calls the "bits and bobs shop". He had a brilliant time in there, he got all sorts of things, two different sets of jewels, a box for his jewels, some sparkly cut out shapes and some glitter! Here is a picture of his treasures, after he sorted them into his new box!

After that I got some bits in another "bits and bobs shop" to make a wreath for the front door! Then off to the doctors it was. We had plenty of things with us to keep us busy there, but this time we didn't have quite such a long wait, it still took an hour altogether but last time was MUCH longer! The doctor was very pleased with his skin and in September we are going back to do an allergy test, to find out if it really was the apples that I cut out of his diet. Cause if the test says it wasn't then he can have them again, cause he does love an apple!

On our way home we stopped at Katrins to pick Robert up, who was just having his lunch there, Katrin had enough for me and Richard too. Robert loved it, she had made Kartoffeltaschen, which are a bit like stuffed croquet potatoes, these ones had cheese and spinach in them, Katrin and I managed 4 each, Robert had NINE!!!

In the afternoon we went out in the garden to put Richard's new things to the test. But first Robert had to finish his homework. Whilst he was doing that I started on my wreath, when Richard saw me, he was fascinated and of course wanted some of all what I had and then he started putting his own autumn decoration together!

After that it was time for some glitter glue and some glitter. I didn't get any pictures of the glitter, as I was too busy supervising the design work - I didn't want it all over the place! But here they are using glitter glue!

This evening I finished off my wreath, which is why my speed scrap layout is still only half finished, oops! I will get some better pictures in the daylight but here it is on the front door now!

CU tomorrow

Day 228

Well, I was lucky when I woke up this morning my eye felt all better - phew! I did phone the doctor though, cause Robert needs a certificate from her so he can get a football players id card. Well, good job my eye was better, cause our doctor is poorly and off work until next week!

I went shopping in the morning and did a lot of washing. The boys timing wasn't that good today, Robert got home, when Richard had to be back at Kindergarden. So we had rolls for lunch, and I ate one with Richard, and one with Robert when I got back from taking Richard back to Kindergarden. Not really how I want them to have lunch, but it will probably be that way for a while yet.
AT 3pm I was back at Kindergarden picking Richard up again, cause we were expecting visitors! We all had a lovely time with them, and the boys especially. Here they are at the start of the "messy business"!

At the end of the business I was too busy hosing them all down to get pictures! But just the word "hosing down" should give you a clue as to how messy they were!

This evening I had to do some translating for work - I was NOT happy about it! I spent 2.5 hours on it, and then decided that I had had enough, so I will now have to work on it tomorrow too. YUCK! Where did my Mantra go "Money for holidays, money for holidays"
CU tomorrow

Day 227

Work this morning, not much to do, but I got through the morning! I did leave a bit early and popped to the bank, which is just around the corner from where I work. Robert and I were on our own for lunch today, we had something that Richard doesn't really like (he will eat it though) and which is Robert's favourite "Geschnetzeltes und Spätzle".
Robert had a friend round in the afternoon and they spent their time in the garden digging to Australia and making a mountain too! I forgot to get a picture of that, maybe tomorrow.

At 4.45 we took Robert's friend home and went off to football. By this time Richard had been picked up from Kindergarden by his best friends parents and taken to his football match. Robert had 90 minutes of training, I took a book with me and totally forgot the camera in my bag, so again no pictures!
We got back from training at exactly the same time that Richard did, so perfect timing really! Then it was in for a quick tea, then shower and bed for the boys! Richard looked exhausted, it had been a really long day for him - all day at Kindergarden and then straight to football!

I did get a picture of my eye tonight, for some reason my contact lense kept clouding up and it just didn't feel comfy, so I took them out and put my glasses on, sure that it would all feel better after that, but now I think I might have conjunctivitis again, my eye is really sore and is starting to weep. So here is the nearly before picture!

And guess where I am going in the morning!
CU tomorrow

Day 226

Back to work, school and kindergarden for me and the boys, and Florian he had a bank holiday today, so he got to spend some time on his own at home. He wasn't lazy though, the chickens and rabbit got a good clean up! Thank you Florian!

I got back at 12.20pm and Robert joined us at 12.50pm just in time for lunch. Richard had lunch at Kindergarden today and when we picked him up at 3pm he was so excited about it all! He had had his first little lesson as a pre-schooler and learnt all about the rules - listen, don't interrupt, put your hand up if you have something to say and don't laugh at people. He was so proud, so cute!

We spent the afternoon in the front garden, Katrin and I did some weeding and got rid of a whole field of lupins and Florian mended the water feature! Well, we thought it was broken, but when he took ALL of the stones off to look inside, we realised that maybe it wasn't broken after all. So he got to put all the stones back on again! It was good to have it working again though.

Florian busy "mending" the fountain

All fixed!!

I found this plant out there too today, Mum, any ideas what it is? If it is a weed, it is NOT in my garden, I love it, and it can stay here with me!

At 6pm we went down to the village fete again for tea. Sausage and chips for me and the boys, just chips for Florian but the thing people actually go down for is "Kesselfleisch und Sauerkraut" or "Schweinshaxn" (linked to images!)

CU tomorrow

Day 225

Today was Heidelbeerfest and after a very early lunch all had to go and get ourselves ready. Richard and I met with all the Kindergarden Mums and kids and Florian took Robert to join the kids from the football team.
Richard and I got to dress up in bin liners as Blueberries (Heidelbeeren)

and Robert's football team were straight from The Flintstones, complete with car!

The procession through the village started at 1.30pm and it was great fun taking part and not watching! Robert even asked afterwards if he could do it all again next year! The procession itself is not very long, I think we had finished about 45 minutes later, and then we watched all those that came after us, and then headed for the party in the tent. As soon as the last float had finished the parade, the heavens opened, luckily we found a spot in the tent. We were so lucky it hadn't started whilst we were still walking. but it was still a shame, as the kids couldn't really take part in all the activities they had for kids. Richard's kindergarden teachers didn't join in the procession, but they all came to watch, and one of them even got to join in the Heidelbeerkuchenwettessen - blueberry cake race, where they hide a coin in the cake and you have to eat your way in from the outside to find it! Great fun to watch, as everyone gets sooooo sooooo messy, but I don't think I ever want to join in! Here is Richard's kindergarden teacher working her way to the coin!!

We left the festival at 6.30pm after having our tea there too. It was a great afternoon.
CU tomorrow

Day 224

Wow, Florian and I got quite a lay in this morning, I didn't wake up until 9.20am! The boys of course were already up and downstairs playing on the Wii, but I hadn't heard them at all. I must of needed those extra hours of sleep.

Richard and I popped out to Staples in the morning, I actually ran out of paper for the printer (the thicker stuff I use for my cards), well Richard was in heaven there. He went up and down all aisles trying to decide what he would like me to buy for him. His first choice was a computer (have to get the one Mum and Dad brought up for him out!), in the end I convinced him to get something much much cheaper, and he decided on another book to write in.

Whilst we were out, Robert and Florian mowed the lawn. Here is Robert going over the last little bit backwards!

In the afternoon we all met up to prepare for the Heidelbeerfest tomorrow. The Kindergarden kids are taking part in the parade tomorrow (with us of course) and we had to test out the costumes and decorate our "float". I'll have plenty of pictures of that tomorrow!

Then after that I had to pop to the shops again, I hadn't got any cheese in the fridge...oops, not good with a vegetarian in the house!
Watching Harry Potter now, CU tomorrow

Day 223

Today I spent catching up on some housework, I got all the ironing done, it took all of Mamma Mia and all of Lunch with Mel and Gino! In other words three hours! After I had finished, I made up the salad for the bbq, Robert's class was having. And then it was time to go and pick Florian up at the station, he got here early, so we were all able to go to the bbq together.
We were really really lucky with the weather, it only really started raining about 15 minutes before we left. So we were able to spend a few hours there, without getting wet!
We only really saw the kids when the sausages and steaks were ready, the rest of the time, they were either playing football, building things with sticks, running in the woods and whatever else they could think of to get up to.

I now do some online market research where I can earn points and so far I have earnt enough for 20 Euros worth of Amazon vouchers, so yesterday I ordered a new watch - they do deliver quickly, cause it got here today not even 24 hours later! Like it?

CU tomorrow

Day 222

Today was a much better day than yesterday. The boys didn't cry, they talked a lot about Sunny, but without all yesterdays tears. When we came downstairs they checked to see if the angels had been, and were excited that they had taken all the bits and pieces to Sunny. They are now hoping that Sunny will send them a picture back - before they get into a habit of sending things back and forth, I told them that cause Sunny is now invisible, anything he sent would be too. So we'll see what they do in the morning!

Richard went back to Kindergarden after lunch today, they do special things with the Vorschulkinder then, not sure what they did today he didn't say. There was pictures on the wall that they all had drawn, pictures of their holiday - Richard drew the cottage, a car and himself. And I recognised it!

Robert and I picked him up at 3pm as we had a football game at 5.30pm and I wanted Richard to have at least been home a little bit before going. We played a couple of games together before going - I lost!

Then off to football it was. I now have all the dates from both teams, and I need to clone myself. Robert's training and Richard's games are on the same day for the next 4 weeks! AGH! I'm hoping it all sorts itself out before next Tuesday! Anyway, Robert had a great time with his new/old team (half and half) and they drew 2:2. They have a different colour shirt now, they play in blue.

I had a brainwave right before leaving and suggested Richard take his camera with him, here he is getting his shots. I'll try and remember to get his pics off the camera tomorrow there might be something there for his blog!

He got a picture of an airplane here!

CU tomorrow

Day 220 and Day 221

Day 220 (Tuesday)

I don't know where to start, this is heartbreaking for me and as I type the tears are again streaming down my face - Sunny died last night.

He hadn't been around all day, which is very unusual, so I was a bit worried, so once the boys were in bed, I went out and was calling him, when he didn't come, something inside of me told me to check the barn, and I found him there sat up the top looking down on me. He came down the ladder, but so slowly, which is so out of character. He did come in with me, but again everything about him was all wrong. He didn't want anything to eat (not even a treat) and he couldn't settle in one place. I told him, that I didn't like the look of him, and that tomorrow we were going to the vets. At some time after 10pm he left the seat he was on and headed out the door, I thought it was a good sign as he moved a bit faster than he had all evening. But at the door he collapsed...I got hold of a friend to babysit for me so I could take him to the vets, but whilst on the phone to her, he passed away. OMG it hurts! my friend came around anyways I needed a hug...

It was a tragic end, to what had otherwise been a lovely day.
In the morning it was the first years first day of school "Einschulung" they call it here. I was there too, helping serve coffee, cakes and rolls. It was fun, though not as busy as last year, there are a lot less kids than last year. Robert came home with me, so he got to have a couple of pieces of cake before we left. Richard had his first lunchtime at Kindergarden (I have booked him in for 2 lunches a week at the moment!), so I didn't have to pick him up until 3pm, which was when we were invited around to Sabine's for Xenia's First School Day Party. I got this picture of all the kids having their piece of cake... too cute!

Football training was cancelled this week (and I got to hear about it before going) because of the weather - it rained on and off all day! And the rest of the evening you already know about.

Day 221 (Wednesday)
I think today was one of my hardest days of being a Mum. In the morning after a very unrestful night I had to be bright and cheery for the boys, because I knew if I told them of Sunny before school, I would never get them there. So I think I deserve an Oscar for my performance, as neither of them cottoned on that something wasn't right!
When they were both where they should be, I had to be all brave again, and bury poor Sunny, he has a spot under the redcurrant bush looking on to his favourite napping spot on the compost heap.
At 12 I picked up Richard, and tried hard to look all happy - I think it worked. Robert got home at 12.50pm, we then had lunch (again, I thought they wouldn't eat, if I told them first) and after lunch I was eager to tell them and get it done, but they wanted dessert, and they had all the time in the world.
When I did tell them, they were heartbroken...so much so, that I can't really put it into words. We spent the afternoon together, Richard drew Sunny a picture and made him something he can keep his photos in, and got him some stickers to play with. We put all of these things in the letterbox outside, so the angels can come and pick it up and give it to Sunny (oops, here come the tears again)

Robert couldn't I think, I think for Robert it only really all sunk in at bedtime, and if I thought the afternoon was difficult, bedtime was worse! They have now finally fallen asleep, but I think they are sleeping on very very wet pillows. Heartbreaking!
Oh before they went to bed, they put some photos in the letterbox for Sunny too. They were ones I printed out for them, but they wanted Sunny to have them...I promised to redo the pics for them for in the morning!

Sorry for the depressing post... I really really miss that cat,

 and it'll be a while before it stops hurting, but I have to cheer up for the kids tomorrow, wish me luck!
CU then!

Day 219

Back to school, kindergarden and work for some of us! For Florian it was a bank holiday and he got a bit of a lay in!
I got the kids off to school and kindergarden with no problems, Robert wanted to cuddle at the busstop, but I told him that that wasn't really a cool thing to do, and that the other kids might tease him and he did stop. I took Richard to Kindergarden and then had to come home and pick up his new xylophone for his music school lesson, which I had forgotten! Then off to work I went. Nothing new there!

Florian was home for when Robert got home from school and he also collected Richard from Kindergarden so all I had to do was come home! When I got in, they were all on the Wii, so it wasn't until we actually sat down to lunch that I heard all about everyone's day. Robert certainly got off to a good start. He had a fight with one of the boys in his class and came home with a swollen upper lip (it was a 6 to 1 and half a dozen the other case...!) and when he went to do his homework, he appears to have left it at school! Well, I suppose the chances of the school year improving are quite high! Richard likes his new group and being the big kid, and he loved playing his xylophone!

At lunch I let the boys have a lemonade, and I am blaming their behaviour in the afternoon on that, cause its not full moon yet, but they certainly behaved like little monsters!
We went out to take all the empty bottles back and pop to the apple juice place and stock up. Oh dear, they were really really difficult in the car, in the shops and in general. Robert couldn't stay still for a second (not even strapped in in the car) and both of them only knew how to shout! So tiring... which could be why I look a bit grumpy on this photo! Even though I am only minutes away from a well-needed break!

We are doing a search for book here, and are all looking for some little monsters!

I'm off to thrash Florian in Rummikub now - making the most of his extra evening!
CU tomorrow

Day 217 and Day 218

Yesterday my computer went on strike just as I was thinking about blogging. Florian thinks it might be a Windows update upsetting it. Today it seems fine again, but I'll hurry up typing just to make sure!

Day 217 (Saturday)
In the morning we babysat Katrin's boys, they came at 10am and all for boys went upstairs to play and we didn't hear from them again until 11.30am! Wow not bad, eh?! They came down then and we took them all straight out in the garden. They had an ice lolly, by the time they had finished that, Katrin was back to pick them up. That was really easy babysitting! Anytime!

When they left Florian got the bbq going and I went in and made some veggies and salad. I tried not to make as much as the week before, but somehow I can't! We had noodle salad, tomato salad, mixed vegetables, roasted mushrooms and garlic bread! We only made steaks though this week, Richard had 1 and 2/3 of steaks! He would have had a whole two steaks, but I wanted a bit more and we had only made 4 steaks!

In the afternoon Richard wanted to make another bus, this one is supposed to be for Robert - not sure why Robert didn't make his own! Florian got a picture of them both on his mobile!

After our BBQ Florian did the lawnmowing, here is how he did quite a bit of it!

Please don't report us for child labour!! ;o)
And have a look at this picture...did Robert help or not?!

Day 218 (Sunday)
The last day of the school holidays! It was raining all morning so we booked cinema tickets for the afternoon. We went to see Cars 2 - it was brilliant!
Florian took a couple of photos with his mobile phone whilst there

Both boys made me look up as soon as we got home, when it is being released on DVD and they will have to wait until Nikolaus I think! And then we will be able to see it in English, cause although the German version was good, I think the English will be better - I'll let you know in December!!

CU tomorrow

Day 216

The boys and I did the tidying up today, they even did the hoovering for me! Not bad, either!
This afternoon the sun actually came out for a little bit, and we went in the garden. The boys had a great time playing football, with a friend who happened to be driving by!

After we picked Florian up, we went to the sports clubs summer barbecue. I now know where it all went wrong on Tuesday. First of all, I should have been there at 5pm and second I was at the wrong sports field! Had I have  been there at the right time, they would have found me and all, but never mind, I get to do it all again next Tuesday, followed by their first game on Thursday - looks like there will be a LOT of talk about football on the blog in the next few weeks!
Unfortunately the weather changed once the bbq got underway and we all had to shelter under the umbrella!

I was sat right on the edge and all the water dripped off of the umbrella and down my side, I got drowned, so we didn't stay as long as we may have in the sun! Never mind, Florian got to go and do some sport for his back this way!
CU tomorrow

Day 215

Another non eventful day and I LOVED it!
This morning the boys and I "played" school, Robert did some reading and writing and Richard followed the lines in his "learn to write" book. They had a great time! And Richard is getting really good at following the lines.
This afternoon we were just getting comfy in the garden, when Robert's friend phoned, could Robert come and play! So off he went for a playdate, leaving Richard and I on our own in the garden. Richard had no problem with that, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. Something crafty. First he used his airbrush pens, he even cut out his own stencils after watching me make a couple for him. Then Sabine and her girls popped around for half hour and they all did some water colour painting.
After they had all left, Richard carried on for a little while, here he is deep in concentration.

Then he enjoyed a peaceful bounce on the trampoline and then he wanted to make something he saw on Mr. Maker last night - a bus!
We found him a box and off he went - doesn't he look proud of himself here! And have a look at the windows of the bus!

He used his stickers for them!
Robert got home at 6pm he had had a great time too, apparently they found a Queen ant and lots of her subjects! I think he may have been lucky not to have been bitten! He also played a new Wii Game there, and guess what, now he wants that one too, I think he will have a long wait for that!

CU tomorrow