Day 305

Another busy day around here. First up - library. One of the girls couldn't make it today so I stepped in for the first two school lessons. It was fun as always, we got to see the room the library will be moving too, and it looks really really good. Won't be just yet though, cause the shelving they delivered is wrong and it is no good moving all the books to move them again in a few weeks!

After the library I picked up a couple of bits in a shop, some winter gloves for Robert that go with his coat and a hat/scarf thingy for Florian, then it was back home.

In the afternoon after homework the boys played outside with their friends and arranged to go trick or treating with them in the evening, but beforehand it was time for art school. Today they went to the exhibition there, they had a great time. The exhibition is from an artist that paints shadows and this was all about fairy tales. I think next week now they will be painting shadows too. That will be interesting.

We got back with barely 15 minutes to get ready for the boys first ever trick or treating. And they were going on their own with only friends no adults. BUT I gave them the walkie talkie so I felt OK about them being out and about in the dark. They only did our road though. And judging by their bags that was plenty.
I was allowed to take one picture when they got back, this is it. One vampire and one jedi knight!

Florian came home tonight, it is a bank holiday down south tomorrow and he has the Friday off too. shame I have to work tomorrow and Friday though

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 304

It was a busy day today. First on my list was my English class at Kindergarden, the kids were in a good mood and it was fun. They got quite excited when one of their new words was "Kindergarden", finally a nice easy one to remember.
After English lessons it was back to the housework and getting dinner ready on time, so that our other plans didn't get messed up. I tried a new recipe today, which sounded yummy in the magazine, looked good too, but my version not so much. It was a broccoli pasta bake, and I managed to burn most of the broccoli in it. Richard didn't eat hardly any of it, Robert enjoyed it, and I thought it was edible. But whatever I will not be making that one again. Better luck next time.

After lunch it was off to my sport, the boys had to come along, Robert took his homework and Richard took the whole "restaurant bag". I had fun doing the sport, after two weeks, I am sure to ache tomorrow, but so far so good.
After sport we went to the bank, today is "Weltspartag" (world savings day) where the banks give all the kids that pay money into their savings account a present. The boys were so excited about going and both got to sign their first ever signature. So cute!
They sorted out beforehand, what they were going to take with them, and to my surprise they both managed to take nearly exactly the same amount with them.

After the bank Robert got to go to his friend to play, and Richard and I got to go to the doctors (again). We had a bit of a wait this time, and when she saw us, she admitted that she was a bit lost now as to what to do. Seeing as he still has tummy ache with no difference whatsoever. She has now referred us to an internal specialist and to start off with we will be doing a fructose breath test, to see if Richard is perhaps allergic to that. The doctor even made the appointment for us, and we will be going on the 8th November.

We got back about 2 minutes before Robert got home, phew! Lucky there. I got rolls for us for tea, and I let Richard have "Körnerbrötchen" (rolls with seeds) and he was so excited to be allowed that again. I thought that after the diet not working at all, he could be allowed what he likes.

And now for todays picture. I forgot to tell Florian and Mum about these, Richard bought home his school pictures today. The scanner isn't hooked up, so only a photo of the photos, but they are good.

CU tomorrow!

Day 303

Am I allowed to go "woohoo" school started again! The boys didn't actually complaining but I think I may have been the only one jumping for joy as they headed off to the bus stop! It was lovely to have only my company this morning. Not that I don't love them, but sometimes you just don't want to hear all about Wii Games, Harry Potter, The Famous Five, etc all morning!

I got most of the washing done, the kitchen tidied and the stocks replenished. As I didn't go shopping last week, we were sort of running on empty. But we are all stocked now.
I am working at the library on Wednesday one of the Mums phoned to cancel and you can't tackle the kids if there is only one of you!

When Richard got home he was full of school stories (those I do like to hear), but I was a bit surprised, when he told me that he told the kids the best thing about his holiday was his trip to McDonalds. He even drew a picture of it and the toy he got there in his "weekend book" that they keep at school. (I put the toy on the picture too, so you could see that he did do a good job of drawing it!)

I was quite relieved when Robert got home and told me that he had told everyone about "the cool factor"!

The weather today was all over the place. This morning was really cold, but really really sunny. (My new car looked great in the sunshine, when I came out of Aldi!) This afternoon was so dull and dreary, that we all sat down and watched the Famous Five. And this evening it has been snowing! I am hoping that the bit that is covering the paths will have gone in the morning, I don't really fancy snow sweeping this early in the season!

CU tomorrow with a weather update!

Day 300, Day 301 and Day 302

I'm playing catch up again, but then I have been away again too!

Day 300 - Friday
Today we went down south to visit Florian/Daddy. When we got up we all packed our things (well, I did most of the packing) and then at about 9.30 we set off. Stopping first at the bank in the village to pick the boys savings books up. That was no problem, I have to get a few signatures from Florian, but the boys have their books and can go and pay some money into their accounts on World Savings Day on Tuesday!
And then off we set. We stopped in the next village at the bakers to get a Brezel for on the way and then off we went. I got on to the dual carriage way and remembered the Legoland vouchers on the pinboard at home, so guess what we turned around and drove back home - just took a bit further cause we were on the dual carriageway. We eventually started our trip to see Daddy at 10.30am not too bad really! The trip was uneventful, the boys watched their DVDs all the way there, and I listened to the radio and was a mine of information for Florian when we finally got there!
First of all we saw Florian's home away from home. He has a nice little flat, now all we have to do is teach the boys that Daddy does not live alone in the building, and that being quiet is not an option but a necessity! (We never did get that message across this weekend) After having a late lunch there, we headed to the puppet show. Augsburg is known for its puppet show "Augsburger Puppenkiste" and we had tickets to see Hansel and Gretl.

It was a good show, but it was a bit long for the boys especially after having just driven 3.5 hours to get there. And it was extremely warm in the theatre. But the boys swear they enjoyed it and Florian and I did too.
On the way back from there, Richard had a couple of temper tantrums, one nearly resulting in him running on to the road, so he was less than amused when I then held on to him for the rest of the walk home. He had a choice of Mummy holding him or him holding hands with Mummy or Daddy, but he was having none of it. It was a LONG walk home.

Both boys fell straight to sleep even though they were in a strange room and on an airbed, but I think we wore them out. We played a few rounds of Rummikub, before joining them in the bedroom.

Day 301 - Saturday
Today was supposed to be a trip to Legoland, BUT it was sleeting when we got up, and so Legoland was out of the question. Thank goodness we had never told the boys of our plans, so they weren't disappointed. But now to find an alternative. I don't think the boys were too impressed with the first part of the day, we took them to a shopping mall. They did get new snow boots, but shopping is just not on their list of fun things to do. They brightened up though when we walked through the doors of the cinema to get tickets to see Madagascar 3 in the afternoon.
At the cinema there was a giant pile of my favourite chocolate, I just had to take a picture of the boys with it.

We then took a tram back home to take the shoes back before going back again to the cinema. The boys loved riding the tram, even if Richard wouldn't let us take his picture!

After the cinema we went back home had a game of Rummikub all together and then went back out to a Pizza place for tea. (We had a 2 for 1 voucher on the cinema tickets, so we got a really good deal). By the time we headed home from there, the sleet had started covering things, the boys were quite excited about that too, and got hold of every bit of snow they could reach.

Day 302 - Sunday
When you share a room with the boys, you are up early whether you like it or not. So all those that got a lay in cause of the clocks going back - I AM JEALOUS! We didn't get a lay in, and we got up to snow, lots of it! Florian took the boys to get some rolls for breakfast, and they loved the white stuff.

After breakfast and another round of Rummikub together we headed out to the "Nature museum" - the boys were most fascinated there with the fossils and the vulcano, but after 90 minutes they had had enough and we headed back home taking the scenic route and ignoring the snow fall! I finally got a couple of pictures of Augsburg.

And a great one of the boys snowball fight!

After lunch it was time to get ready to go home again, with the weather and with the boys back at school tomorrow, I didn't want to be late getting home, so that meant leaving around 3pm. We had another uneventful trip home and got in at 6pm. The boys were pleased to see that they didn't have to go straight to bed, but it was only really delayed by a trip to the bath!

Back to school and "real life" again tomorrow, and I am actually quite looking forward to it!
CU tomorrow!

Day 299

This morning we all drove down to Mum and Dad's to spend the day and to pick up our new car! The taking back and picking up took all of 30-40 minutes and that is with the drive to and from Opel! I got a bit excited when the guy giving me the new car pointed out that the winter tyres were already on the car! I had been a bit worried about that, cause a) the Corsa is a lot smaller and would I get the boys and the tyres in there and b) I should really put them straight on before travelling down south to Florian. BUT they are on already and I needn't worry about that at all. And all I have to do when I need the summer tyres is give Opel a ring, make a date and they will put them on for me too! Brilliant!

As for the car, I LOVE IT! I love the colour, I have always loved a Corsa, and it looks so cool and it matches my coat!

The boys love it too, although Richard thinks it is silly that two doors are missing, but with two more doors it might not be quite as cool, right!

We had a lovely day with Mum and Dad and apart from Richard's paddy about not being able to watch TrickyCITV at tea time, the boys were as good as gold.

Mum goes into hospital tomorrow, so fingers crossed, Daumen gedrückt and anything else you can think of, so that the operation goes well

CU tomorrow!

Day 298

My cold is no worse than yesterday, and I think I may even have used less tissues, so maybe just relaxing yesterday and most of today has helped. Good cause tomorrow we go to get our new car!

But back to today, the first thing I did after getting up was to put water in all sorts of containers, I made Richards tea and then refilled the kettle, I filled a saucepan with water for the noodles at lunch, then decided that maybe my HUGE saucepan would be a good idea too, then a tupperware bowl and another tupperware container so I could have my water to drink. Then it was on to the buckets for the toilet. I still have to go and empty all of those as only one got used. We were without water from 10am to 4.15pm it took them a little longer than expected!

And of all the days to pick to make meatballs I had to choose the one where we have no water. And I only realised it when I had my hands in the mincemeat! Oh well, luckily I had a bucket for handwashing too. I got the recipe for the meatballs from my "Hairy Dieters" cookbook, and they were delicious, the boys loved them and I did too. And hopefully when I make them next time, I'll have a few more tastebuds working to get the full flavour.

In the afternoon the boys went to Richard's friends to play. Only Richard was actually invited, but Robert when we took Richard asked if he could stay and play too! It gave me a lovely three hour break, which I filled with reading and napping. Must have been good for my cold!

And now I am off to bed, sorry no photo today, we ate the meatballs to quickly to get a photo and a pic of my dirty tissues is just not nice!

CU tomorrow!

Day 297

Well this cold has gotten hold of me and didn't disappear over night - bother! First thing I did was creep downstairs with clean clothes for Robert, I was assuming that Richard was still asleep in bed, but he was downstairs too. Anyhow I got them both dressed and then they went to Kindergarden with a poster that there would be no English today. Then I phoned and cancelled my sport too. I decided to not do too much today in the hope that this all clears up by Thursday when I have to pick the new car up and Friday when we go to visit Florian. So we watched quite a bit of TV today. First up The Famous Five, Richard LOVES it, Robert enjoys it, but Richard is right there with them. It's so cute!
We then watched Beethoven (thats the film with the big St. Bernard dog). I did get them to go upstairs and play then whilst I made lunch. I found another new recipe to try and even though I can't taste much, the boys loved it!

In the afternoon it was more TV (more Famous Five), but I had a plan. When Kindergarden finished, I sent the boys off on their own to play on the playground there. They took a walkie talkie and we were able to communicate should they need to!

Whilst they were gone I had a visitor, she has a cold too, so we pitied one another!

CU tomorrow!

Day 296

This morning the boys had a dentists appointment. You know you are doing something right, when they start arguing over who goes first there and are not being dragged in! The dentist was pleased with both of them, they checked with some sort of dye how well they clean there teeth, and both had done really well. Richard has to clean a little bit better on the top teeth and Robert had missed one corner tooth. Well done boys. Robert also sat through having his back teeth coated to protect them some more. Even to me sat watching it seemed like forever, so what it must have been like being the one with the mouth open...but he didn't say a thing about it Well done Robert!

This afternoon I babysat Katrin's boys whilst she did a doctors run with her grandmother. I made it easy on myself and took all four kids to the playground. It was a beautiful afternoon so none of us were complaining. They got to play and I got to sit in the sun with my book! I did move a bit when I got up and got some photos!

Unfortunately this evening a cold has crept up on me, and my nose is now not only sneezing but also blocked! Bother, bother bother! Perhaps it will go as quickly as it came too!

CU tomorrow!

Day 288 - Day 295

We've been away to Center Parcs in De Huttenheugte, so I have a LOT of catching up to do!

Day 288 - Sunday
Not sure anymore why I didn't blog on Sunday before we left, perhaps I was all worn out from packing and cooking. In the morning we went for breakfast with our friends who we were going away with. They had to give us the e-ticket so that we could get in, when we got there. Funnily enough that was the one thing they forgot to bring with them. But Florian and Uwe went and got it whilst the rest of us carried on with our breakfast.
Back home it was all about packing. We got everything in the car no problem, but it was full to the brim. Considering we are only going to be away for 5 days, I think we packed too much. But as long as it goes in, who cares!
Once packed I set about making some pumpkin soup for when we get there. And as I was having so much fun in the kitchen I followed that by baking an apple cake again! It smelt really yummy in our house!

Day 289 - Monday
And we are off! We left at 8am, after a little detour via the bank and the supermarket. We stopped at lunchtime at McDonalds for our lunch, I had saved some coupons, so we got a two for one on the Happy Meal which the boys thoroughly enjoyed.

 Then it was on to Center Parcs. We got there and our friends were already there and in the pool, so although we had the ticket, we had to wait for them to come out of the pool. No problem, we just explored the Market Dome and the playground with the boys!

Our bungalow is about a 10 minute walk from the Market Dome, but that wasn't a problem, the walk takes us right by the lake, where we fed the ducks nearly every day!

This "boat" was one of the kids favourite things at the playground!

Day 290 - Tuesday
Swimming pool in the morning! And it is a GREAT swimming pool. There were lots of slides, then the waves and the best of all - the Wild Water Slide!
and the best about it all for me - the boys are old enough to enjoy it all by themselves (if you ignore the Dutch signs, which say they aren't old enough til they are twelve - but I think the Dutch Center Parcs people have given up on the Germans, cause not once were the boys questioned or us. And it was only the slides we were letting them on on their own. If they wanted to go in the waves we had to be with them).
Here are the boys coming down the Wild Water Slide

In the afternoon we had enrolled Richard in a "Glitterball Workshop" (the others didn't want to go) We thought he would be making a glittery ball, like they have in discos, but it turned out to be a snowglobe. Richard had a great time. I could have left him there for an hour to sort himself out, but as there were only two German speaking kids there, he wanted me to stay. So I watched and took photos of him working away!

After the workshop we all went to the playground again, where Florian got some lovely shots of the kids on the boat, whilst Andrea and I went to the shops. I was hoping to get a new swimming costume (mine nearly got swept away in the waves), but there was nothing on offer, and I just can't bring myself to pay over 50 Euros for a small piece of material! Anyhow here the pics of the kids messing about on the water!

And then it was time for the Kids Disco! Richard was first down on the dance floor, but he didn't actually move once - here you can see the energy Robert put into it and Richard just stood!

He eventually came back and sat with us, apparently he couldn't join in, cause it was all in Dutch! And he couldn't understand anything.

Once the kids were all in bed, exhausted from their exciting day, we sat down to a nice relaxing game of Rummykub.

Day 291 - Wednesday
This morning both boys were enrolled in "Wannabe a Ritter (Knight)", we didn't have to stay with them this time, and as far as we could tell, they had a great time. They never really tell us much about these things. But when we picked them up there was an opportunity for pictures, so we did see them all dressed up the part!

In the afternoon we had a surprise for the boys. Dinphy and family joined us at Center Parcs for the afternoon. It was so funny, cause we had just been discussing the surprise with the boys, they thought it might be an ice cream, and we came out of the changing room, and there was Hans, who was just about to get his phone out to give us a ring! Couldn't really have done that better if we had tried!
We spent a lovely afternoon together in the pool, and then we all went for a meal in the Market Dome at the Pizze E Pasta Restaurant. And all the while there, I never once got my camera out -shame on me! So no pics of that surprise, but it is all stored to memory! Thanks for coming Dinphy, it was great to see you all again!

Day 292 - Thursday
Busy busy day especially for Robert today. We got to the pool on time time today, because we had to leave by 12.15pm as Robert was enrolled for the "Cool Factor Challenge". We weren't really sure what it was all about, but after asking at the info desk, we did find out that he would be needing his swimming trunks! I didn't go in the water today instead I got the camera out and tried to take a LOT of photos - not too difficult for me! Here are some of them!

Then it was time for the Cool Factor. He got to cycle, climb and swim. We saw him cycle off, and come back in to climb (took a video of that, and still have to work out how to take a picture out of the film, so you'll have to take my word for it, that he climbed to the top of the wall!) They had to collect pieces of a code on all the things they did, so that at the end they could unlock a box and collect their prize. Here the pictures of Robert doing the Cool Factor Challenge!

Whilst he was busy with that, we went and had lunch and then it was more or less time to go and pick Robert up again. We waited at the Action Factory then for the Kids Bingo, we didn't win, but Richard got quite close. After the Kids Bingo we had about 20 minutes before it was time to go Bowling. Richard was the winner of the kids!

And then it was time for another Kids Disco, this time Richard did join in, cause I told him that to join in you didn't actually need to understand them, you just had to copy them. And then all was OK!

I think we were then all worn out, but we still had a great game of Rummykub!

Day 293 - Friday
Packing was the first thing on our list today, but we get better at it every time we go, by 9am we were almost finished packing and sitting down to our last breakfast here. This week went by so much faster than normally, I think it is because the kids now "do" things whilst we are there, so we are on a schedule and time just flies past!
Once we were all packed we went swimming and we took it nice and relaxed and just let the kids wear themselves out. We had our lunch in the Market dome somewhere around 3.30pm, followed by an ice cream

and then at 5pm we set off on our way back home. The boys watching their DVDs and Florian and I listening to our audio book. We got home without any hold ups at 21.22pm.

Day 294 - Saturday
I went shopping first thing and got some essentials and some rolls for breakfast. Richard fell in love with the Dutch way of having chocolate sprinkles on bread, so we bought some back for him and he had that on his rolls!
Then I did lots of washing whilst Florian cleaned out both cars. Mine cause it needs to be ready to be given back on Thursday! Cause that is when we get our new one!

So in the afternoon we also drove to the car wash and got both cars washed.

And here a picture of Lucky, who is pleased to have us home again, and hasn't really left my side!

Day 295 - Sunday
Bakers again this morning, doesn't seem possible that only last week we were there all excited to be going so Center Parcs and now it is already all over! The kids were pleased to see oneanother again, and had great fun making chalk dust (don't ask!)

In the afternoon the boys went to a friends to play and Florian and I enjoyed the peace and quiet around the house. I got the England photobook finished and uploaded and sent off, so in about 4 weeks, we should have a photo book to browse through!

And now Florian and I are going to have a game of Rummykub

CU tomorrow!

Day 287

The boys were up and on their way downstairs at 5 to 7 this morning. When will they learn how nice a "lay  in" can be? Oh well, I didn't follow them down until about 8am. This morning they hadn't had breakfast without me, so we all had breakfast together and then after that, we went upstairs and started tidying up their bedroom. It was not an easy task and at 11.15 when we had to leave to go to Robert's football game, we still weren't finished.

The weather today was completely different to yesterday. Yesterday we had the umbrella up and down all match, today we had open jackets and had to keep shielding our eyes from the sun! This did mean though, that I didn't get the picture of the boys with their new headbands, cause they didn't need to wear them. Robert's team were playing the team from some of the other boys from their class. And unfortunately we lost 1:5 (or was it 6). But Robert had fun.

When we got home and had had lunch (well the boys had) I asked Robert to go and get changed out of his sports stuff. It was then that we realised, that he had forgotten his jacket and trousers up at the sports place. Luckily the game was here in the village. I jumped in the car and drove back up there, but it was all locked up. So tomorrow morning around 11am we can try to get the stuff back. I was a bit cross as you can imagine. We need his coat, we are going away soon!
Back home again, I had my lunch and then it was back upstairs to finish off the tidying up. We can now see the floor in their room again - its been a while!

Florian got back around 2.30pm. We phoned his sister to see if she fancied joining us at the Chinese, but they are already on holiday. Not sure if they were on the beach when we got them, but definitely not in Germany anymore! Oops! So today it was just us for the Chinese. It was strange not sitting at the big turning table! But just as delicious!

CU tomorrow!

Day 286

Last day of school for the boys today and both were too excited to sleep so we were up at 6am getting ready for school. As Florian forgot that he has to stay another night in France today and won't be home til tomorrow afternoon, I had to change my plans this morning.
But I sorted it out OK, Richard wanted me to go and tell his teacher, what he can and can't eat at their healthy breakfast at school, so after that I went and did the shopping for our trip away. (I was going tomorrow, when the boys were at the football with Florian, but its me on football duty again!)

I got the boys a head band at Aldi this morning and they couldn't wait to wear them this evening, and a picture of that was to be todays picture, but they weren't obliging, so I will try again tomorrow!

After school Robert's friend came round until his Mummy got home from work (they finish school early on the last day of school) and as it was raining AND the last day of school, I let them play on the Wii. They were quite excited about that. His friend went home for his lunch, but he came back in the afternoon and again they had some Wii time!
Richard's friend came too in the afternoon and they too were allowed a game on the Wii.

Then it was time to get ready for football - Richard had a match - his friend had to cycle home and get himself ready and Robert's friend was picked up here and then it was off to the middle of nowhere. Todays game was 30 minutes from here. It had rained most of the afternoon and all of us Mum's were hoping it would be cancelled, but nope. Off we went.

It rained of course whilst we were there, but not enough for the match to be called off, but enough for it to be uncomfy for those watching.
The team we were playing against had organised sausages for all at a reasonable price, so at least we got to have tea whilst out! Cause by the time we got home it was 8pm. A long day for the boys, and I hope that they have a little bit of a lay in in the morning! I'd love one - before we head off to football AGAIN!

CU then!

Day 285

Oops nearly forgot to blog, I was watching the new series on the BBC "Hunted" and it was too exciting to look away from! (well except for a couple of words on Scrabble)

So no work today, so instead I went into town to try and get a new swimming costume, no luck there, but I do have two very nice new jumpers and some new socks! All I need now is some winter boots and winter can come (not really I would love to skip winter if possible!).

The boys were at school all day, and I picked Richard up from the bus at 4.40pm at 5.20 we went and drove to the sports hall to pick Robert up from his sports group. It looks like this may be the last time he gets to go there, as the teacher has no more time to take the group and so far they haven't found anyone with time or willing to take over the group - they would be a real shame, cause Robert loves it. Hopefully in the next two weeks of holiday, they will find someone.

Oh I nearly forgot before I got Richard at the bus stop I had sport. It was good fun, and I am sure I am going to have some muscle ache tomorrow. Still can't work out why Florian didn't!
After that I went to the shops to see what sort of fruit they had. I needed to make some new jam, so that Richard can take some in to school in the morning. And although it is no where near May, I got some fresh strawberries, and this is what they now look like!

CU tomorrow!

Day 283 and Day 284

I was actually out last night and when I got in I just didn't feel like blogging, so I am playing catch up again tonight!

Day 283 - Tuesday
I had an English lesson in the morning, I should really have walked, they have our main road up in the village, and it took me 10 (!!) minutes to drive to Kindergarden (normally it would take at the most 2 minutes!) But as I wanted to go straight shopping when I finished I took the car, I think it would have been quicker to walk and pick the car up afterwards.

At lunchtime I had a very long 30minutes. Robert's friend should have stayed at school after his lessons finished and come home on the bus after the one Robert and Richard were on. Well I got a phone call from his Dad, Felix had not turned up to the care class and was he with me. Nope, I asked the boys if he had been on their bus - "yes", did he walk home with you "no, he got in a car!" - My brain went into overdrive. They thought it was another girls grandma, but weren't sure, they also couldn't agree on the colour of the car. The Dad was going to phone the girl and find out if he was there, he phoned back 5 minutes later, nope he wasn't there, and could I let him know if he turned up at our place. NIGHTMARE! 30 minutes later the dad called back, they had found him playing happily in their garden - his wife had left work early to look for him. That was a LONG 30 minutes, and my brain went even more into overdrive seeing as a girl in the UK had gone missing in exactly the same way last week (and still hasn't been found).
Still alls well that ends well, and the boys now know all about NOT getting into ANYONE's car!

Later in the afternoon both boys had football training. I went for a walk with the missing boys Mum whilst they were training. So I only got one picture of the training, its not very good, but its a picture!

In the evening my babysitter came round and I went out to a school meeting. At one point I found myself volunteering again, I am now vice parent teacher liaison (Stellvertretender Gesamtelternbeiratsprecherin). Its only for one school year and there is a school fete to organise, so I know I am going to enjoy this!

Day 284 - Wednesday
Richard had a bad morning this morning, he woke at 5.30am and couldn't fall back to sleep again, so he was up and downstairs by 6.15am! Kids! They didn't want to drive to school with me, they wanted to go by bus, but not even a minute after they left they were back ringing the doorbell. Richard had fallen over and had a tiny graze on his knuckle. Took him ages to stop screaming, but it really was only the graze, even if he was holding his arm as if it was all broken. I got myself ready to go out, and then he started crying again, apparently he was sooooooooooo thirsty. He had one sip of his drink and then he was feeling sooo sick. He swore he hadn't fallen on his head, so it was really strange. We drove to school with him with a bucket on his lap. But by the time we got to school he was all better. Very strange. Still glad it was all over and I could relax in the library.

The boys had guitar lessons today so I had to drive back to school at 1pm to pick them up again. The teacher was pleased with both of them, so it seems that Richard only didn't want to play last week. We'll keep our eye on that.

This afternoon it was art school, they did something with watercolours and crayons today, they were drawing the monsters that live at home, they have a very vivid imagination!

Richard made a conker man at school today, isn't he cute!

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 282

The boys went off to school this morning and I followed out of the house shortly after, it was really cold this morning. The thermometre in the car said it was only 3°C - no wonder it felt cold! Good job I made the boys wear both a fleece and their rain coats.

I braved both Aldi and Lidl this morning and was so surprised when I didn't have to fight to get a parking place or to the offers. Not sure why it was so empty, but it was. Maybe people just aren't ready yet to be shopping for skiing wear! But I got the boys some new ski trousers. And at 10 Euros they really were a bargain.

Back home again I did the ironing, whilst watching Glee. Then it was time for Richard to come home and I started cooking. We had Hühnerfrikassee again, and the boys both had seconds and nearly licked the plate clean! Love that as a compliment.

This afternoon Robert practised for his German test on Thursday on the learning programme we have on the computer.

It looks as if he "gets" it all, lets hope he remembers it on Thursday too. But we will be practising some more before then.

I'm still working on the England photo book, and it is coming along nicely, all being well, I will have it finished in time for the free book offer!

CU tomorrow!