Day 183

We had a great day today. In the morning we all went shopping. We got a beautiful plant for Florian's sister - it's her late birthday party tomorrow. (Not the sister that lives round the corner, so we have a LONG drive tomorrow morning). And then it was food shopping, where I got lots of yummy stuff for a BBQ!

After lunch the boys wanted to go swimming, and as we had beautiful weather, we headed for the outdoor swimming pool. We found a shady spot for our blanket and then the boys couldn't get in the water quick enough! Florian went in with them. Their first stop was the slide!
Robert has no fear he was straight down.

Richard as you can see used his "brakes"!!!

They then soon wanted to try the big pool and the diving board. I was a bit scared when I saw Robert head up the stairs of the 3m board! But look at him! He didn't even hesitate when jumping off. And I am so glad I got pictures of his first ever jump from 3m.

Richard tried to conquer the 1m board. I could have taken a LOT of pictures like this one, where he chickened out.

But he did finally make it off the end and then there was no stopping him.

At some point the boys convinced Florian to jump too. And I was ready with the camera for that too!

And no I didn't jump, I didn't even go swimming. I took pictures and read, great fun!!

We left just before 5pm as we still had a BBQ to prepare. I made some of the delicious mushrooms that our friend always makes when we barbecue there. They are stuffed with gorgonzola. I gave them a quick ring first to make sure I wasn't forgetting any ingredients, they turned out delicious!
We also found some strawberries in the garden - they were delicious too. And Robert picked some of his radishes from the greenhouse. But we definitely prefer them made into a salad. So we need to pick more next time!

CU tomorrow!

Day 182

This morning Katrin and Sabine came round and I showed them the photobook I had put together, they loved it, and then we made the cover together! I think the Kindergarden teacher will love it! I ordered one for us too! Especially as it covers most of Richard's time there!

Robert only had three lessons today - last day of school. Hard to believe that as of now he has been at school for two years, and that next year he starts his third - AND learning English!! He got his report card today and he did well. Of course there is room for improvement, but we are pleased with him!

I made something different for lunch - again. And it was delicious. Even the boys really enjoyed this one. It was chicken in a peanut/red pepper sauce YUMMY!

It was so good that I couldn't bring myself to give the chickens the leftovers, so I texted Katrin if she wanted the last portion and she did! She loved it too, and phoned straight back up to get the recipe!

This afternoon Robert went to his friend and played a LOT of football. Richard and I hid from the sticky heat indoors! I was busy hoovering and cleaning floors, not really sure what Richard was up to, but it was something creative. Oh I remember, he found some transfer letters and spent some time writing his name and his friends names with them. Will have to look out for some more when we go to England - if they still make that sort of thing. Mine are at LEAST 30 years old!!

At just after 6 Robert got home and we went straight back out. I had to take pictures of the children's king and queen. This is my favourite of the many I took

Florian got home in time to say goodnight to the boys (they were late to bed, cause of the picture taking!)
And this evening we have been watching James Bond (Quantum of Solace).

CU tomorrow!

Day 181

Bit late today, had the football on and have been working on my photobook. Yes, when the score was 0:2 for Italy, I was allowed to turn over, cause it obviously wasn't me jinxing them!! (For future reference, Germany lost 1:2)

This morning I had my last English lesson for this term. They learnt lots of football related words today! Then straight from Kindergarden I went to the hairdressers! I am nice and young again!

This afternoon whilst I worked on the photobook, Robert found a game about the time and played that - he got it all right! I think he has sussed it all out now! Richard went straight from Kindergarden to his friends today and had a GREAT time there!
And I took Robert to his sports training. Whilst he was there I went and got him a new passport, the one we had for him is no longer valid as it doesn't have a photo on it, and as we are off to England soon, it was high time I got that organised! Luckily they do it then and there and within 10 minutes I had a new passport!

This is what I have been working on. I have gotten used to Lidl's software now, and depending on what it looks like when we get it, I will use it again. I just won't use the assistant again!

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 180

Library this morning, and I couldn't believe it really, but ALL the kids had given their books back! That left me with plenty of time to book all the new books in that I got for a bargain price on Ebay last week! So 42 new books, when we start back at school!

Robert had a special day at school, all the kids had taken food in, and they all had breakfast together. The other PTA and I went and joined them to give his teachers their presents and cards. They were thrilled with them. I then left and went back to checking in books.

You know how I work best under pressure, well, we have just rethought the present for the Kindergarden teacher who is leaving at the end of July, and have decided to make her a photo book! So I spent the afternoon going through all my pictures since August 2009 to sort out the Kindergarden pics! I have 2.156 pictures to now make a photo book from! AGH!!!
I have started and chosen the cheapest place to get a book from, which at the moment is Lidl, BUT I do NOT like their software! And will be letting them know afterwards, which features I didn't like. For a start I can't swap positions of the photos! And all this when I don't have much time to get it all done!

Today was the last art school for this term, the lady there gave them all a mirror and they did a self portrait.
What do you think?!

Got to love Robert's ears!! Bless him!

CU tomorrow!

Day 179

No work again today, but I did get quite a bit done at home. Almost all of the washing, and then I went and tackled the problem upstairs also known as Richard's cupboard!
I emptied it completely and sorted it all out, I got a HUGE box full of things that no longer fit! A smaller bag of bits for the old clothes collection and quite a few pairs of jeans with massive holes in the knees, which are now in the bin! Success all round there, I think!

In the afternoon Robert and I then tackled the garden. I mowed 3/4 of our grass and Robert finished it off for me!

He also cleaned the lawnmower for me too! I think I may just ask him to help again next time!

This evening I have been designing a wine bottle label for the Heidelbeerfest. I don't know whether it is what they were thinking of, but I like it!

CU tomorrow!

Day 178

This morning was a bit different, cause my boss phoned on Friday and told me not to come in today, as there is no work. As much as I dislike work, I do get paid when I go in, but NOT when they make me stay home....
Oh well, instead of earning money I went out and spent some. Only food shopping though. After lunch I went to my sports session and after working my muscles I went into the spa area and enjoyed a relaxing swim and rest there.

In the late afternoon someone came around to measure up our windows, we have ordered new windows for the front of the house. That will be an exciting time when they take out 9 windows and put new ones in!!

Oh I worked on something a bit different today, I created a new wrapper for a bar of chocolate for Robert's teacher. He is to get a leaving present on Wednesday and the chocolate is part of it!

He isn't actually leaving, but he will no longer have Robert's class. Who knows he may have Richard instead!

CU tomorrow!

Day 177

Today wasn't quite as busy as yesterday.
I got up at 7am after being awake at 5am, then 6am when I woke again at 7am, I decided I may as well get up. when I got downstairs Robert was already up. When does he sleep?!

I started work right away I needed a thank you card for the football trainers. I didn't have any pictures so I made it to start with without photos. Then when the tournament started I took some team pictures! And then I drove straight back home to put them into the layout. I actually saved a copy of it without pictures, so I can show you the actual layout!

Richard's team had 4 games in the tournament they tried hard, but lost them all, BUT they still got a trophy so they were all happy! Plus the trainers gave them sweeties, so that made up for lack of goals! Here is a pic of him helping out the goalie, sort of!

We were at the sports field until about 3pm. When we got home Florian and the boys watched Germany's last game, which we had recorded, Florian fast forwarded to the goals, which Richard wasn't too happy about, but I think it was better that way!

Florian had to leave this evening as he has an early meeting or something tomorrow. So I haven't had the football on and no idea how England are doing! I'll find out in the morning!

CU then!

Day 176

Woah, we certainly rolled a few days into one today! First up was a trip to the hairdressers for the three men in my life! They all look very smart now, but I forgot to get an "after" shot when they got home. I'll have to remember to do that tomorrow.
Whilst they were at the hairdressers I iced my carrot cake, only I have no idea what I did wrong, but instead of me spreading it on, I was able to pour it on, only for it to run right off the cake! Typical that something like that happens, when you have to take it to sports day where it will be sold!!! Still it did taste right (I bought a bit of my own cake at sports day!)

When they were all back we went straight back out again, I wanted to take them all clothes shopping. The boys have only got trousers with holes in, I needed a decent rain jacket for our holiday to the UK, and if the sun comes out whilst we are there, Florian needs some shorts. So off we went to the shopping centre with the exotic animal exhibition. In the first shop we were in we got everything we came for! Not bad, eh. In the second shop we got a few extras, and then whilst the boys showed Daddy the spiders and snakes, I went and did some food shopping in Aldi.

When we got home it was time to go straight back out again for me. I had the first shift for selling the cakes!

The boys and Florian were going to have lunch there and then go back home before Robert's games at 3pm, but they were having so much fun there, they stayed!
At three my shift was over and I went and watched Robert play his tournament. They lost one game, won one game and drew in two - overall they came third! Well done, Robert!

Straight after the tournament finished, we went bbq'ing with friends. There was so much food there, I still feel I might burst. Richard took a picture of all the meat that hadn't been eaten, I think we could have invited the neighbourhood round too!

We left at 9pm, we were just discussing how long we should stay, when Robert fell in the pond! As you can see, he knew he was at fault, and that is why he is hiding in the picture! And he was even less impressed when we made him take ALL wet clothes off for the ride home, as yes, he is underwear was wet too!!

Funny how he is wetter from behind! Apparently Andrea who saw the whole thing, said he was sat on a rock and somehow slipped in from there ending up sort of sitting in the pond! Too bad, I didn't see it!!

Florian has fallen asleep watching the football, so it can't be that exciting this evening!
CU tomorrow!

Day 175

This morning I took the bride and groom all their pictures, I was more nervous about that, than actually taking the pictures, but I needn't have worried, they LOVED the photos! Phew!

In the afternoon most of Robert's friends were at a birthday party, so it was just him, me and Richard. We went to the playground and met up there with Sabine and her girls, but all four kids were determined NOT to get along today, and as it was pretty windy and cold up there, we didn't stay that long. Maybe an hour. Back by us it was a lot warmer, so whilst the boys were playing football I finished off the ironing.

At teatime Richard came in the kitchen - "can we have toast?" sorry darling, I haven't got any, big groan, which didn't change the fact, then he came back and asked if they could have Nutella, jam and honey on their bread instead. And this is what they had!

And as I now know, it was a good thing. Germany won 4:2 against Greece!

Off to bed now

CU tomorrow

Day 174

Richard was so cute this morning. Robert was up before the alarm clock again this morning asking if it was time to get up, as it was really only a matter of minutes before the alarm went off, I let him get dressed and go downstairs. I got myself dressed and then checked on Richard, he was still sound asleep. I didn't have to go out early so I let him have a lay in. And he actually slept until 8.20am! And this evening when he went to bed, he asked if he could do that again tomorrow! Bless him!

Once up it was breakfast and then off to Kindergarden, I joined him as it was English this morning. Katrin popped around this morning and she was the first outside the family to see the wedding pictures, she loved them - phew!

I cooked something different for lunch, but it didn't go down well with the boys, so I probably won't be doing it again. We had chinese, but they didn't like the chinese vegetables in it. Oh well, it was fun to try something new and I'll be doing it again tomorrow (trying something new that is) we'll see how that goes!

In the afternoon Richard was back at Kindergarden and Robert had a friend round to play. First they had a game of football outside, and then they came in and played on the Wii. I tried to get a picture of them together, I got a good shot, but I also got this one of them trying to play around me, who was stood right in their way! hihi!

Been playing scrabble and editing pics this evening.
CU tomorrow!

Day 173

Oh dear, I still ache, but I promise I won't go on about it!
This morning as sports day was cancelled (I was supposed to help out there) I went to the library instead to finish off the inventory. Still have to go in next week, some kids are a bit forgetful.

After lunch, Robert and Nelly were supposed to be doing their homework, they both had quite a bit to do, but they thought it a better idea to torment one another. Which eventually resulted in chocolate pudding all over the floor, table and maths book! I wasn't too happy with them, even less so, when I saw just how much work they had got done in an hour. We had wanted to go out at 3pm, we didn't get out until 3.50pm! Oops!

Before we went to art school, we headed for the mall near there, where they had an exotic animals exhibition. Robert loved it, Richard looked at it all, but doesn't want to go back, and Nelly thoroughly enjoyed herself.
The guy running it, had a couple of animals out and Robert touched them both....gives me the shivers just thinking about it!

Stroking an albino python

bravely stroking the tarantula's legs

We got to art school on time, and they all had a good time there too!

I have been working on wedding pictures all evening, I think the bride and groom will love them. I do!
CU tomorrow!

Day 172

Well, I really did go to sport this morning and now I hurt, my bum is really really stiff - there are more muscles there than you think, and mine ALL hurt! But enough complaining. I was actually quite proud of myself going there and being on the machine for a full 20 minutes! I have to keep remembering that feeling now, and not think of my muscles!

Nelly was here today and after they both had done their homework, we went up to the playground. There was none of my friends there today, but I had taken a book and was quite happy. Robert had a super time. There were some big kids there and they asked Robert to join in their football game, made his day I think!

FRom the playground we went to the sports field for Richard's last football training, which was really a bbq! Very nice! The kids played ball, played in the woods and generally had a great time. And this is them, when they all got an ice-cream for dessert!

No idea how England are doing, but I am sure I am helping not watching!
CU tomorrow!

Day 171

Bad day at work - I think they want me to leave of my own accord, but I am not going to make it that easy for them! Even though I am NOT allowed to go in tomorrow!

After work, I had a quick bite to eat and then off I went to the fitness studio. My trainer had been on a course at the weekend and she tested all her newly found knowledge on me - OUCH! I can hardly move right now!
Right after the sport I went into their spa area to relax, I felt much better when I left and a LOT less angry!

This evening the boys and I went out taking pictures. Today I had to take pictures of the Heidelbeer-King and Queen - they are from our summer festival. It was fun and we went to places I had never been in the village! I'll have to take Florian there at the weekend, it was so pretty!
As these pictures will be on the internet, I can show you a couple!

And one of the boys waiting patiently!

CU tomorrow (did I mention I am going to the fitness studio again in the morning - I must have lost my mind!!!)

Day 169 and Day 170

Busy busy weekend, but LOTs and LOTs of fun!

Day 169 - Saturday
Woke up and it was beautiful sunshine and a clear blue sky, I was really pleased, cause today is the day for wedding pictures. In the morning we decided to build up our tent and see what it was like, by the time we started it had come over all cloudy. And then by the time we had finished putting it up (well the boys had finished putting it up, I was inside helping Sabine with something on the computer) it started raining - as in really raining! Uhoh, my pictures... But first the pictures of the tent!

After lunch, I left the boys to their devices and went off to see the bride and meet the groom. I had a SUPER time taking their pictures. We went to the palace gardens to take them and there are just so many options there, amazing. AND the rain held off, AND the sun even came out for them!
It was a bit of a different sort of wedding, as it really was just a party, as they married in the States last year, but this for them was the real thing! And I got some beautiful shots. Not sure if I can show them here, but I don't think anyone would complain about this one!

After the pictures in the palace gardens I went back to the party with them and spent the whole evening until about 11pm taking pictures. I was exhausted by the end of the evening, but I LOVED it!!!

Day 170 - Sunday

Oh dear, who would have thought taking pictures would give you muscle ache.... well it does and I really ache. I am hoping that my sport tomorrow will cure this ache (probably will create new aches, but never mind!)
In the morning Florian took the boys swimming and I went through 1101 pictures from the wedding. I really did get some great pictures, the bride and groom will struggle to find their favourites!
When my boys got back from swimming, we decided to go to the Sieberzmühle for lunch, yummy as usual and then we also went on the playground with the boys. Richard wanted pictures of them on all the toys, you don't need to see all of them, but I like this one of them on the roundabout.

When we got back from there, Florian put my summer tyres on the car - oops, we forgot that! Good job we are still waiting on summer!! I spent more time sorting wedding pictures!

This evening we had the football on, but I did my best not to watch and again it paid off 2:1 for Germany!

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 168

What a day! Started off OK - got Robert off to school OK, then I had a few minutes peace before it was time for me to join Richard at Kindergarden!
All the kids were still excited but you could tell they were tired! Richard had his camera with him and he got some fun shots of the disco they had in their pyjamas!

At the breakfast the kids were also given some presents from the Kindergarden teachers, here is Richard getting his.

The folder contained all the pictures that had been on the walls of Kindergarden over the years. Richard will have been at Kindergarden for 4.5 years when he leaves at the beginning of July, so there are a LOT of pictures in the folder!

After breakfast we went shopping, we needed some food for lunch! We looked at all his things when we got home, he was most excited about the pencil, biro and ruler he got. But he also got a book, some stickers and a few sweeties!

Robert came home then. He told me he is writing a test about telling the time next Tuesday, so I asked him what the time was now. OH DEAR, it was 12:10 and he reckoned it was 2.30 - uhoh! I gave him some more time to work it out, but it just got worse and not better and I was getting slightly annoyed, blaming it all on him not paying attention at school. Then he got his homework out to start on it whilst I was cooking, then he was going to go to see his friend. Mmmh! I had a look at his homework, and it seemed a bit strange he had two sheets copied from a book, and he told me he had to copy them. I of course asked if everyone had to copy them and he shrugged his shoulders - I'm getting really suspicious now - I then asked if it was extra work for being naughty, and at the same time got out the message folder to see if there was anything in there from the teacher - and OOPS, the teacher had written in there. Only I couldn't read it, I managed to determine "In art class Robert ____________ Janina's hair!" In English it is quite obvious what goes in the blank not so in German, so I started shouting at Robert, what did he do to Janina, he finally squeezed out "cut" and "it was an accident" - I DON'T THINK SO!!! And then he burst into tears and I could make no sense of anything - I sent him to his room.
I tried to phone Janina's Mum, but they weren't in, so I then phoned Mum for some calming down, I was livid! Mum calmed me enough that I was able to call his teacher to find out, just what had happened, and phone his friend to cancel his playdate!
So yes, Robert did cut Janina's hair, luckily it is not visible, but that is not the point, his scissors should have been nowhere near anybodies head! MONSTER
He came down for lunch then had to do all the homework and extra work! Then watch Richard be picked up to go to his friend's house to play and watch and help me with the tidying up! He was NOT a happy chappy, but neither was I!

We still have to somehow manage to teach him how to tell time by Tuesday, really don't know how, nothing seems to be going in. Florian is going to try tomorrow, whilst I am out taking wedding pictures!

This evening I watched some NCIS and CSI so that the England team could get on with winning the match against Sweden, it worked! England 3 : Sweden 2!

CU tomorrow!

Day 167

English at Kindergarden this morning, I put the two groups back together in one, so I didn't need to be there quite as long. But the kids were all way too excited to learn much today! Most of them were staying at Kindergarden for a party tonight and they were sooo excited!

In the afternoon Richard went back to Kindergarden and Robert to a birthday party, so for about an hour I was on my own at home, I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, somehow that hour went far too fast!

I picked Richard up at 4.30 pm and we had til 7pm before he had to go back for his sleepover! We went out and he had an icecream and we chatted. He got a bit upset at one point when he realised that he would be at Kindergarden without me. But by the time I dropped him off there he had forgotten that again! He was just excited to see his friends there. They have a lot planned and I suspect he won't be in bed for a long time yet (and yes it really is already 11pm)
Here he is showing me where he is going to sleep!

Now to finish off the presents for the Kindergarden teachers!
CU tomorrow!

Day 166

Library this morning, the last but one and we were all there. We had to do an inventory of all the books. It was actually quite fun and went without a hitch, but I will have to go back in again, as quite a few of the kids didn't remember to give their books back!
After we had finished doing the inventory we went over the road to the bakers there and had a lovely breakfast all together. Two of the girls won't be with us again after the summer holidays as their kids are leaving the school, shame I'll miss them!

I'm not quite sure where the afternoon went, first Sabine came round for some help on the computer, she took Nelly back with her, for her to play with her girls. Then shortly after our new tent arrived, then the doorbell rang again and one of the Mum's from Kindergarden popped by. We are working together on a present for the Kindergarden teachers for Friday.

And then it was time for art school. The kids had a great time and I was pretty successful shopping. I managed to get Robert a rain coat. It rained nonstop all day today and Robert's raincoat was way too small when I put it on him this morning! It only came to his elbows! When did he get so tall!!

This evening instead of the boys watching football, they had a bath, I went in with the camera and we had a good time getting lots of silly pictures!

CU tomorrow!
PS: yes I did wash the flag off of his face!

Day 165

Nothing much to report about the morning, I popped in to Aldi shopping on the way home. I wanted to get some meat for dinner and Nelly and Robert were really pleased with my choice. We had "geschnetzeltes with Spätzle" (meat and german noodles) - delicious!

After both Nelly and Robert had finished their homework, we went to the playground and had a good time there. So much so, that Robert decided that he would like to stay there rather than go to football or athletics training. I didn't argue with him as it was nice NOT to have to go anywhere for a change! Well not far at least, at 4.30pm I had to take Nelly to her Mum and pick Richard up!

When we got back home the boys watched the first half of the early football match, then it was bedtime.
And I have been working on the placemat we will be giving the Kindergarden teachers on Friday. Not a very exciting day, but I enjoyed it!

Lucky posed for me for today, well not really posing as he is sound asleep, but cute!

CU tomorrow!

Day 164

I'm still confused as to what day it is, but I did manage to get myself to work and the kids off to school and Kindergarden!

This afternoon when I got in from work, I had a message from Dinphy, I am so scatterbrained at the moment its a wonder I get anything done or right. Anyhow Dinphy sent a parcel for Robert's birthday and inside was also a present for Florian and I. Well, I decided at the time to hide it from myself to avoid temptation  - it worked better than it should have. When Florian was home this weekend, I forgot all about it and never did unwrap it. good job Dinphy reminded me. Well this evening again my scatterbrain took over and I forgot to tell Florian about it, so about 5 minutes ago, I decided that as I didn't have a picture for today, I would unwrap the parcel and show Florian on here what we got!

Dinphy, Hans, Tommie, Lisa, thanks so much for our present, I so wish I had opened it at the weekend, cause then I would have already had played it! Oh well, have to wait a week now, but I can get well acquainted with the rules before then!

This afternoon I had my second sports lesson and was all hooked up to the electricity again, I like it, and I hope it is doing me some good. After that I got my book out and relaxed. All in all a lovely afternoon.

This evening I let the boys stay up late and watch the England football match. Wow did they shout when England scored a goal - Dad and Lee would be proud of them!!

CU tomorrow

Oh and here is a PS, I found this picture on the camera this evening, this is my boys watching football yesterday after our long walk, too cute not to share!

Day 163

The boys and our guest got up nice and bright and early and by the time we came downstairs had finished watching the Germany - Portugal match that we recorded last night for them! I think my boys have discovered that you cannot only play football but also watch it!

After the match we had a lovely breakfast again and then we set off on our walk. A long one! According to the map at the Hessenmühle it was 3.5 km to Giesel, not too bad we thought and off we set to go there. When we got to one of the main points on the map, the sign posts said, that we had just done 3km and still had 2.2 to go - oops, that means the walk is 5.2 km! (sounds like another case of "around the corner" doesn't it Mum!) Whatever we kept on going and it was quite easy going as from there it was downhill all the way! Great for now, not so sure about the going home bit! I got some fun shots on the walk there.

At the Hessenmühle we had a lovely lunch and then we went to play a round of crazy golf. The kids weren't really in to it today and all three had a bit of a paddy going round, so we only did 9 of the 18 holes. Whilst we were playing a friend from the village and her family came along too. And they were about to save our day! When they went home, they took Florian and the boys with them (the boys in the boot, shhhh don't tell!) and our guests and I continued on the trail to a parking place near the road to home. The walk was a lot easier than going back up the hill, and Florian was able to pick us up at the parking place. It was another 3.5 km walk, but a beautiful one.
We finally got back home at about 4.30pm and our guests had to leave right away, they were a lot later leaving than they had planned, cause the walk proved longer and more difficult than expected, but I think they enjoyed themselves. I certainly did, even if Robert's paddies and behaviour spoilt it a bit!

This evening it was more football, but tomorrow after the England game, I am going to watch my Birthday present - I got the Box set of Glee Season 1 and 2! OK, can't watch it all in one go, but I will enjoy what I do watch!
CU tomorrow!