Day 358, 359,...366

Day 358 - Sunday
Oh dear, this is what happens when you take your time blogging - you forget what you did...erm...oh I remember. It was a friend's birthday today and we went there for brunch. Her husband had enjoyed himself in the kitchen so there was lots of yummy food for us all. After rolls and such for the "Br"eakfast part of Brunch, I went on and had goulash soup - ooh it was so yummy!

Back home we had a lazy Sunday afternoon and all watched "We bought a zoo" - the boys weren't too sure about it but they enjoyed it after all. I certainly did, I knew what to expect, I had read all the books, interviews etc.

Day 359 - Monday (Christmas Eve)
Some last minute shopping this morning, but only at the local store - Richard's yoghurts that he had organised for me!
Then Florian took the boys swimming. I did phone the pool up first to make sure they were open, but it was no problem.
Then after lunch off we went to Mum and Dad's to start the Holiday season properly!

Before the boys went to bed, they put out a snack for Santa and Rudolph.

And Florian also got this picture of me and the boys - I love it!

Day 360 - Tuesday (Christmas Day)
Well he really came - Santa of course! Florian and I heard him deliver the presents, cause he managed to knock a decoration off of the tree as he left and wake us up! 'The boys were so excited and they were spoilt rotten, but why not - it's Christmas!

Christmas dinner was a joint effort, Mum and I did all the chopping after breakfast, and Ramona and I did the cooking as the time got closer to lunch. We had problems with the gravy again, but it tasted OK, even if we did have some lumps in it! Never mind!

It was a lovely day all round!

Day 361 - Wednesday (Boxing Day)
After playing with all our new "toys" in the morning we went out to eat for lunch. To an Italian restaurant near Lee and Ramona's. Florian's sister and family joined us there for the day too. The food was good and plentiful. Most walked back to Lee's from the restaurant, so some of the calories were burned! The rest of the day was spent eating more food, playing silly games and having a great time! Lee and Richard took a time out with the guitar sometime during the afternoon.

And here is a picture of "finger in the hole" later in the evening!

Oh and Mum got a new friend then too!

Day 362 - Thursday
Back home today, but not until after lunch! The boys had a lay in today too, and weren't up until after 9.30am! (Had to write that down, it doesn't happen often, but then again it was nearly midnight, when they went to bed yesterday)

Florian is full of cold and has been since Christmas Day, he stocked up on medicine before we left Mum and Dad's their chemist is opposite them. I somehow managed to forget to take a photo and it is a bit late now to get one, so no picture for today!

Day 363 - Friday
Florian spent most of the day asleep, I was quite busy though. In the morning I went shopping, then after cooking lunch for my men, I went to sport. I ate when I got back. For most of time I was gone Florian was asleep. And when I got back from sport he actually went to bed. When he got up, he had an idea. He decided to upgrade my computer to Windows 8 - and that is when I really went missing. It took 3 days to sort out. BUT it did work fine, so that is good news!

Day 364 - Saturday
Today Florian did some of Robert's experiments with him.

And although it wasn't that long ago, that is all I can remember! Oops!

Day 365 - Sunday
Another day without a computer! in the evening we went to Florian's sister for a raclette. Before we left one of yesterday's experiments needed to be tended too! And Robert is documenting it by taking pictures too!

We had a lovely evening there, the food was delicious, even the boys enjoyed the Raclette - good job, because we are having the same tonight too!
After eating we played a fun game that we got for Christmas. And then it was time to go home, the boys didn't get to bed until gone 9.30pm. My computer finally finished its thing about 11pm, no time to play then though - I was busy watching a film!

Day 366 - Monday (New Year's Eve)
Woohoo the computer is playing nicely again, and I like the new Windows 8 - so all is good! I think it is just the printer to set up now!
Florian is still feeling rotten so he took another trip to the chemists and has some similar medicines but a bit stronger. Hopefully soon he will start to feel better too!

We spent a lot of time playing Wii, computer and watching TV today, but how can you not, when "Sound of Music" is on!

We are off out in a bit, so tomorrow I will post our New Year's Eve pictures!
CU next year!

Day 357

First day of our holidays, and we had a little bit of a lay in! Florian was up first and decided to give the hairdresser a quick ring, to see if she had time for him today - and yep, she did, if he came within the next 5 minutes! So off he went, and on his way home he brought rolls for breakfast!

After breakfast Florian went to sport and the boys and I popped to the local shop to see if they had had any luck getting the special yoghurt for Richard. He had had luck, but he wasn't back with the delivery yet. So we will pick them up on Monday morning instead! From there we went to see Sabine with two huge bags of "new" clothes for her girls from Florian's sisters' girls! They were really excited, but as they were on their way out, we didn't get a fashion show! Then it was back home. The boys had got the message, that I wasn't going to be putting the TV on, and they went and played really nicely together upstairs. And I got on with a "scrapping job" for a friend.
This resulted in a play date for the boys in the afternoon! Giving Florian and me an afternoon off. We used it wisely

First we packed all of the Christmas presents in the car (well hidden) so that we don't have to try and do it sneakily on Monday! Then as we were already outside, we decided that it was high time that we took the trampoline down. And as it felt like Spring out, it was no problem. We then raked the leaves off of the lawn and then we took a well earned break indoors until the boys came home!

I also hung a week's worth of Christmas cards up today and we now have a lovely display in the lounge!

Lucky has a new game, he likes to reach up and pinch the playmobil figures off of our crib. Richard got very annoyed with him this afternoon and told him off, before putting it all back together!

CU tomorrow!

Day 356

We woke up to snow this morning, but its all gone again now-phew! But I had to drive the boys guitars to school through the snow! At school, I wished Richard's teacher a Merry Christmas etc and gave her a little present. I had a present for Robert's teacher too, but another Mum handed that one over.

I got all the shopping done this morning so we should now be able to avoid the shops until after Christmas - at least that is my plan! We'll see how well that goes!
This afternoon the boys and I tidied up, and then when they started getting a bit too rowdy, I sent them outside to get rid of some energy. They were out there for a good 45 minutes, so it was quite a bit of energy that they burnt! And they were in much better moods when they came back in, or was it just me in a much better mood, cause I had had 45 minutes peace?!

This evening met up with Florian's sister in town and went to the Christmas market for a Glühwein (or the kids version - for me!) and then we went to the Chinese for a meal! Now we are back home and over full, but happy! We are all on holiday now until the new year!

I forgot again to get the camera out at the Christmas Market, so I just took a picture of Lucky in his favourite spot! His box!

CU tomorrow!

Day 355

I'm late blogging, blame it on Santa's grotto, or is it the "no adverts on BBC" - whatever, I am here now.
Work this morning, after I rushed to get some more wrapping paper, so that Santa could finish his work. I wrote myself I long list to make sure I don't forget anything, but I still feel, that I have missed something vital. We'll see!

In the afternoon the boys had an outing with the art school. I don't really know much about it, as so far all I could get out of them was "it was good". Whilst they were on their outing, I went first to have a hot chocolate, at the cafe near the sports place. It was nice to take a half hour break from all the rushing I have been doing.

I ordered the wrong sort of hot chocolate, but it was delicious anyways!
And then I went and burnt all of those calories and more back off again at the gym! Go me!

This evening I have been wrapping and wrapping and wrapping, but I think I am all finished now!
CU tomorrow!

Day 354

Library this morning, the first time in the new room. It was all a bit chaotic, as neither the kids nor us knew where anything was, but it was fun seeing them find new books as they had all been moved around.
We finished later today so I was able to take Richard home in the car with me. That made a change for both of us.

I was busy getting lunch when the doorbell rang, I thought it was going to be Robert, I was so surprised when Florian was stood at the door. Lovely surprise! He had lunch with us and then he had to carry on his journey down south. But I snapped a pic of him with the boys before he went. The boys didn't really want their picture taken, but I tricked them into this one!

This afternoon we worked on Robert's homework again, and then it was time for art school. Whilst the boys were there, I went and did some more Xmas shopping - I must be finished soon?!

This evening was spent wrapping presents and checking that I have them all - not quite there yet. But soon - I'm sure!
CU tomorrow!

Day 353

English this morning, I had taken a little special something with me, as it is the last class of the year. Today they got to make their own Xmas decorations. This afternoon Richard made three too, and I got a picture of them after he hang them on the tree.

After English, I went for a good gossip to the hairdressers. Nothing new really, but it was fun to catch up!
When I got home, Richard was just getting comfy on the front doorstep. I missed beating him by about a minute! Mainly because I stopped at another friends to drop off a CD of her pictures, and we had to catch up too! Oops!

For lunch I made pork chops with potatoes and cauliflower. The boys LOVED the potatoes. I don't normally make "ordinary" potatoes and it was something really special for them. I suppose I am going to have to do them more often now!

This afternoon all the boys wanted to do was watch TV, and they were most disgusted when I wouldn't let them. And Richard had a right paddy about it, which made me last out even longer before turning it on. And I only did that when he apologised. I think he was a bit worried, that I might phone Santa and tell him not to bring presents, as they didn't know how to play with the ones they had got!

This evening I have been busy making various bits for school. A poster for the library, two Christmas cards for the kids teachers, and then I decided to wrap some of the presents up - saves time the night before Xmas! I still have to do quite a bit more, but tomorrow is another day!

ooh nearly forgot Robert got post today - he sent off a joke to his magazine a couple of months ago, and they are going to print it in the March edition. He got a little present to go with it too! I think we are all quite excited about it! And I'm sure you will hear more about it in March.

And another something I nearly forgot - Richard wanted me to show you all his Christmas slippers! So here you are - Richard and his Christmas slippers!

CU tomorrow!

Day 352

Busy morning shopping, a trip to the post office, more shopping, then washing, ironing and more washing. But I did have enough ironing to watch one episode of Glee so it wasn't all work and no play!

Lunch today was roast chicken, roast potatoes and broccoli. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and the boys even had more! Must have been good!

After lunch, whilst Robert was doing his homework, Richard put out our crib. And he made a little path for the three wise men to travel down. And note that Baby Jesus is not in the crib yet, well of course not, he isn't born yet! Sounds like Richard knows the nativity well enough!

Oh and whilst taking a picture of the Nativity scene, I got one of the Christmas tree too!

We spent most of the afternoon working on Robert's homework, and we still have a lot to do tomorrow too. He is reading a book in German and for each chapter he has to put something to remind him of the book in a shoe box. We have another 5 chapters to go! That is what we will be doing tomorrow!

CU then!

Day 351

If you had a lovely peaceful and relaxing Sunday you might want to skip this post. There was nothing relaxing about our Sunday!

It started off with my alarm going off at 7.20am. I jumped out of bed, turned the light on and went "AGH sh...! They are going to miss the bus!" Florian pipes up from behind me "What bus?" I think he is totally stupid, or still half asleep - "The school bus of course", he then giggles, which I didn't find at all funny - my brain was going wild thinking what do do first as there is no way I can get them up, dressed and out of the house in less than 6 minutes, and Florian giggles. He then says "Kerri, it's Sunday!" Oops! Now I was giggling too! It was nice to then be able to lay back down and sleep for another hour!

We got up at 9am and Florian and Robert went to the newly re-opened shop in the village and got our rolls for breakfast. We are going to support them and hopefully we will have a shop there for a while now! After breakfast Florian and the boys went swimming. And I started on the washing, cleaned the floors and was genuinely quite busy. It was only when I started sorting out all the things for lunch, that I remembered, why yesterday I thought they shouldn't go swimming in the morning and we should decorate the tree first. I had to go out at 1.30pm and take pictures of the carnival couple again. Oops! Oh well, I had their dinner already at 1.30pm, and left it in the oven to keep warm, whilst I went and took some pictures.
The princess had her best friend with her today and she loosened her up a lot, so we got a much more natural smile this time! This is one of the couple and their "court" (is that what you would call it?!)

Mum, can you let Dad know it is on its way to him as they would like to be in front of a castle or something like that! In other words more homework!

When I got back, I had my lunch and then it was time to start on the tree. BUT we only had 40 minutes as we were invited to a birthday party at 3.30pm! We got a fair bit done and finished off when we came home from the party. Here some of the pictures of the decorating:

And here are some of the party too. Sabine had made what they call "stick bread", you put the dough on the sticks and then roast/toast it over the fire. The kids loved it, and we may borrow everything and do it for Richard's birthday party (the one with all the kids!)

They also had sparklers

When we got home at 6pm, we practiced maths with Robert as he is writing a test tomorrow, Richard had to draw a picture of his weekend, and then we could finish decorating the tree. And tomorrow I will get a proper picture of it, without all the clutter in the foreground. (and in the background please note, Mum, the tiny bit of tinsel on the barometer! Happy Christmas Nanna and Pop (my Nanna and Pop))

The cat likes the tree too, but not cause of the tree, but cause of a very comfy box he has staked claim too!

CU tomorrow!

Day 350

Well, I love the "no snow" thing, but did it really have to rain all day today!? Couldn't it have stopped just a bit for our Christmas Tree shopping spree?!

We were up bright and early to get our Christmas tree today. When we saw the weather we briefly considered getting one that the forrester had chopped down, but that just wouldn't be the same! So into the woods we went. This time the place where you could chop them yourself was really close to the car park, so we walked over there. Luckily I had decided to get everyone to wear wellies, and we certainly needed them. All the snow that had melted had made a lake right at the entrance to the Christmas trees, the boys loved it!

We found our tree as soon as we got there, but we had to look all round to be certain. Richard loved either the huge trees or the little tiny ones, and was not happy with our sensible one, but I think when we decorate it tomorrow he will have gotten over that! Here are the pictures from our outing

Back home we looked for the stand for the tree and we think it may have got thrown out last year, so after lunch we had to go shopping to get a new one. Robert was at a birthday party, and we only had Richard along. He was in a really bad mood, I think he thought he could spend the afternoon in front of the TV. Didn't happen!

Robert got back about 5pm - he had had a great time at Takka-Tukka-Land, and with todays weather, probably that was the perfect place for a birthday party!

Ooh nearly forgot, I did some baking today - this is a cheese scone, which we had for lunch with pumpkin soup - yummy! I saw Nigel Slater bake it on TV the other week, and decided it was time to try making it today!

CU tomorrow!

Day 349

When we got up this morning there was no new snow and even better, there was and had been no icy rain. The bus was on time and I was able to follow the boys to school with their guitars no problem! And then it was on to work. And when I left there I got to wish a few people a "happy new year", it seems to be creeping up on me really fast this year!

I picked the boys up at the right time this week (I was much too early last week), then home we went. After lunch Robert did his homework - Richard didn't have any. Richard and I started tidying up where our Christmas tree will be going on Sunday. I was chatting to Mum on the phone at the same time, and all of a sudden Florian walked in! A lovely surprise! We were all excited he was home!

We decided to make it special and went to the Christmas market in town. I think we chose the right evening to go, it wasn't too cold tonight and we were able to enjoy our crepe without freezing. Richard had a crepe too, but he had to have his "lactase" tablets (they help his body to digest the lactose). The only thing I didn't let him buy were sweeties, we don't need to over do it! I did however let Robert buy some, and gave Richard the money. He wasn't a happy chappy, but when he saw a rubber that looked like a peanut, he was OK with it!

Whilst we were in town we stopped at the bank to get some cash. Whilst Florian was at the cash machine, Robert was with me chatting and Richard was "helping" Daddy - so much so, that we came out of the bank, with WAY more cash than we had wanted to get out. He just put his finger up and said he wanted "that" much and as it was a touch screen, "that much" is what we got! Ooops! But soooo funny!

On our way home from there we stopped at the Mercedes dealer to see if they could fix the windsceen wiper. We thought it was some sort of software mistake which would be fixed really quickly. Mmh - 2 hours later we left. Luckily they had this car there for the boys - it had a TV and some DVD films for them to watch, so they were happy!

They did take there winter coats, hats and scarves off after a bit!
The car is now working again, and the windscreen wiper has a new motor in it!

When we put the boys to bed "we hugged them a little tighter and told them we love them" to say it in President Obama's words - after the tragedy at a elementary school in Newton, Connecticut. Stay safe everyone...

CU tomorrow!

Day 348

Phew no new snow overnight. So off to school and work we went. First I went to the busstop with the boys to see if I could get Richard's stuff back - nope, not on the bus that picked them up this morning! The bus driver promised to ask around and would let me know in the evening.

The roads to town were fine, but once closer to town I think their snow ploughs gave up, the roads were terrible. The trip into the underground car park was scary there was so much uncleared snow. I was so surprised, considering the village was clear (that doesn't include our road), anyhow I made it there safely,
and was kept busy all morning, and getting home was no problem.
My problem was Richard - at work I remembered that I didn't check what was on the menu this week, so I gave the secretary a ring, and today was Lasagne and chocolate pudding. Both yummy things, but both on Richard's list of "no-no's". So I told the secretary to send Richard home after his last lesson, which meant I had to leave work early to get there in time for his coming home. Then I had to come up with a bright idea for our lunch. In the end we had Broccoli-Potato-Bake - only good things in that. After lunch, Richard went to play with the twin girls down the road, and I went off to sport.
After sport I went shopping and Edeka has a MUCH better selection of lactose-free stuff, and I was able to get Richard his very own "Nutella"! Phew breakfast on Sunday is saved!

Back home I picked Robert up at the busstop and had yet another chat to the bus driver, and nope he couldn't find Richard's pencil case or his tupperware! Grrrrrrr! someone somewhere has a lovely set of crayons now and my tupperware. Richard was really upset at this news and wants to ask Father Christmas for a replacement, only trouble, there is no way Father Christmas can get the crayons in Germany, so I think he is going to have to be content with German crayons now! And I will be getting cheap and nasty tupperware for their sandwiches now! Although I do believe Richard has learnt his lesson and won't be unpacking his bag on the bus anymore!

Robert did have football training today, but once again he didn't get all of his homework finished at school, so he couldn't go and when it took him another hour to finish it all, I knew that not letting him go to football was the right decision.

I'm having an early night tonight
CU tomorrow!

Day 347

Today we woke up to a very white world, and it continued to snow all throughout the day! But the buses were still running, so the boys got to school fine, and I followed a little while later and got there safe and sound too, but it wasn't the most relaxed of drives! It was library today, but library without any kids. We had to put all the books into the new library room and shelves. It looks quite empty though now. We have a bigger room and a lot more shelves - we need more books. Now to work out how to convince people to donate to us!
When I left I had to find the car under a good 3-5 cm of snow! Like I said it snowed all day.

When Richard got home from school he owned up to having forgot his pencil case on the bus, so when it was time for Robert to get home, we went and picked him up, in the hope that it was the same bus. Nope, no such luck, but the busdriver let us know that the next bus would be the same one. So 35 minutes later it was back to the bus stop again. It was the same bus, and the bus driver recognised Richard, but he recognised him, because Richard had already asked about his pencil case. What he had neglected to tell me was that he had forgotten it on the bus on the way TO school. I didn't go back a third time, we will just hope that it is all there tomorrow morning! When I will go to the bus stop again! I have since also found out that his pencil case wasn't the only thing he left on the bus, he also left his sandwich there too, which was in a nice tupperware box! KIDS!!

After homework, Robert showed me the nice side of kids! He spent the next hour or so outside clearing the snow!

Whilst Richard and I put on the fire and he started making something!

Richard was in a funny mood today and he did a lot of coughing, fingers xed he is still OK in the morning...

OK time for bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 346

Today we had our appointment with the nutrionist. She was really nice, and though she didn't give us an easy task, I feel that she gave me enough information to get through the next 4-6 weeks, and hopefully come out the other end with a happy healthy child. Wish us luck! I have a long list of "no no's" for the next three weeks, some of Richard's favourite things are on it, but he was there with me, and knows how important it is that we stick to the diet! I'm sure I'll be putting down all the ups and downs here. So here's to the fun to come!

After the appointment I took Richard to school, then I went and got some of the things on the list, to make the next three weeks a bit easier. When I got back I went to Kindergarden and gave my little kids their English lesson. Today they learnt all about snow and Christmas. And they also got to make Christmas cards for their parents!

Lunchtime was different today, I had to cook two different meals. Richard mustn't have ANY onion at all or tomato puree, and as I was making spaghetti bolognese today, I had to come up with a different idea for him. Thank goodness for apps on mobile phones, I found a recipe for a creamy cheese sauce with peas and was able to buy the bits for it, whilst in the shop. Unfortunately he didn't like it much, so I did not freeze the leftovers, but he did eat plenty of it!
Robert's friend came for lunch and the afternoon (his Mum needed a babysitter, but Robert and his mate weren't complaining). They had lunch, did there homework and then we went sledging (yep Robert remembered his snow trousers today!) Here some pictures of the afternoon.

 

We were out for nearly two hours, so they certainly got their fair share of fresh air today!
CU tomorrow!

Day 344 & Day 345

Day 344 - Sunday
No new snow when we got up, but it soon started coming and coming and coming. I wrongly thought that we would therefore not be going to see the in-laws. I was sooo wrong. After calling them and finding out that the weather was no better there, Florian decided we would go and get petrol and see how the roads were...His mother had also said on the phone that his Dad wasn't well, and would be going to hospital tomorrow. So I think Florian was quite worried, as even though the motorway was just snow, we still carried on driving. I'll admit that I was livid, it was just so dangerous, but if it had been the other way around and we had been going to my parents and it was my Dad that was ill, I would have gone regardless of the snow. So I was wrong to be so grumpy, but I was really really worried about the roads.
The journey that would normally take 2.5 hours, took 4.5 hours. We finally got there at 2.30pm. They too had waited with eating and we all sat down to a nice meal. We were all on our best behaviour, and anyone not in the know wouldn't have noticed anything.
At one point Florian's Dad even got down on the floor and played with the boys.

We stayed for about 2 hours and expecting a longer journey on the way home we left about 4.30pm. Going home the weather was still terrible, but the roads were clearer. We made it home safe and sound after a 3.5 hour journey.
Florian's Dad did look a bit poorly, and I think it did Florian good to see him. And we'll leave it at that.

Day 345 - Monday
Florian didn't leave for work until 8am today. Again he had a long drive and again in horrible weather. When he got to where he was going he forgot to text me. But when I sent an "oh dear, are you still not there" message, I had an instant reply, apologising for forgetting to let me know! At least he was safe and sound.

I was pretty busy this morning. Ironing, washing, tidying, shopping and then I had to take the car to the workshop. Opel wasn't sure they had put my winter tyres on properly so I had to take the car in to get it checked. After an hour of waiting for the checking to be finished, I got the keys back, and was told it was all fine. So no idea what that was all about really! Still better to be safe than sorry.

This afternoon the boys would have liked to go sledging, but Robert forgot his snow trousers at school. And I was not about to let him out without (I could have found some that were perhaps a bit small, but I wanted him to hurt just a little bit, in the hope that this will be the only time he forgets them! We'll see!

Richard was a bit overtired today and nothing seemed to go right for him, unfortunately that meant some great temper tantrums. Hopefully a good nights sleep will help with that tonight. tomorrow we are going to see the nutritionist, and who knows what he'll have to steer clear of after this appointment. I won't be pretty if he is still in today's mood!

Forgot a picture, so I just went and took one of the view from the front door now! Still snowing!

CU tomorrow