Day 269, Day 270, Day 271 and Day 272

Playing catch up again! Here goes!

Day 269 - Friday
I went into work this morning, knowing that I probably wouldn't be there that long, as I really didn't have any work when I left yesterday. And I was right, I was home again at 10 am. That gave me a bit extra time getting lunch and so ready.
I made zucchini for lunch with plenty of leftovers for Florian, but when he did get home from China he had been so hungry at the airport, that he had bought something at the bakers! Never mind! Its the thought that counts.
Now what did we do before Florian came home. Erm...Oh yep, I remember. I went for my first walk. Heike and Britta picked me up and we all (including kids) went to the playground. We sat in the sun chatting and the kids played. I had meant to take the camera with me, but I forgot, and with my ankle I was not going to go back and get it. So no pictures today!

Like I said Florian came home from China in one piece just a bit (or a lot) tired!

Day 270 - Saturday
Florian did a lot of running around this morning, first he got us rolls for breakfast, then he went with Heike for the treatment to his ankle, and then when he got back from that he went out and picked up our camera lense! Woohoo! We finally have "our" camera back!
Just before he left though he bumped into our neighbour and ended up chopping down a tree before he went! Here are some pictures of that - with the borrowed lense!

When he got back we had a really quick lunch and then it was off to Robert's football game. We all went this week. I sat on the side watching but I have a bit of a cold and all of a sudden the light breeze was too much for my ear. And when it really started hurting I went and sat in the car and waited for them there.
This is Robert warming up before the game started!

Robert's friend came around after the football match. Robert wanted him to have a sleepover, but they couldn't do that, but he did stay until 8.30pm and bbq'ed with us. Possibly the last bbq of the year, we just had to make good use of the sunshine. But we did eat indoors.
Here are some pics of what the boys got up too before tea time.
Robert and his mate caught a couple of frogs

And Richard helped Daddy chop up the tree!

Day 271 - Sunday
We were up nice and bright and early - luckily. Cause although we knew we were going to church, we thought we had to be there at 10am. Whilst we were having breakfast Robert finally remembered to tell us that he had to be there at 9.15am Oops! We hurried ourselves up and were there on time.
Robert was part of the church service today. The priest is his religion teacher at school, and he and some class mates did a little play as part of the thanksgiving service. It was really nice. Here are the kids waiting patiently for church to start!

After lunch Florian took the boys swimming. They asked to go to one with a slide so Florian took them to Lauterbach (you might remember that one Dinphy). The boys had a great time and Florian found a nice lounger and had a good read! And me at home I enjoyed the peace and quiet and my book too!

Mum was supposed to be coming home from hospital today, but when she went for one last visit to the doctor they found she couldn't see as much as she should be able to, and has to stay in for another test tomorrow. :o(

Day 272 - Monday
Robert woke up with ear ache this morning and after dosing up with Calpol and nose spray I sent him to school. but by 9am I was on my way to pick him up from school! Poor thing. Back home though he didn't get his usual treatment, I made him revise for both his music test and German test. Much better idea than watching TV or playing on the Wii although I don't think he would agree.

Richard did his guitar lesson without Robert today. I left Robert at home with his homework and the TV, and whilst Richard was playing guitar I went to Aldi shopping.

This afternoon I had Heike's girls here, as Heike was out with the youngest. The boys had a good time playing and when I had to take the girls to their sport lesson, I left the boys with the electronic babysitter!

This evening the cats seem to be making progress - look how close they can lay to oneanother. Here Lucky is on my lap and Smiley cuddled close. Now as I type I have Smiley on my lap and Lucky nearby. Maybe soon they will be proper friends!

CU tomorrow!

Day 268

Work today, I took the short route from the car park to my desk, which meant, I had to remember to clock in on the computer when I got to the desk, but it did also mean, that I saved myself at least 200 m of walking, which was good for my ankle!
Especially as I knew I was going to sport after lunch.

Sport did me good I am sure, and we were careful not to push my ankle at all, and even without some of the movements I am sure I will have muscle ache in the morning! But it was fun. We heard after our training that all the new things they have planned for the studio, will also mean new contracts, and unfortunately for those of us, only going once a week for our workout, the cost will increase drastically, we now have to work out, whether we are prepared to pay the extra costs. Not going to be an easy decision seeing as I really enjoy it! But I'll worry about that in December when it is a bit more acute!

Richard had a game today and I took him there, but I had to leave just before half time, cause Robert's training was a lot shorter today and I had to be home to meet him. I made it with about 5 minutes to spare!

Whilst Richard was at Heike's this afternoon they went out and picked some more blackberries!

I need 300g for my Apple and Blackberry crumble, I think I am going to be making more jelly tomorrow! Cause this weighs 2.3kg!!!
Any suggestions for other things to make from Blackberries would be greatly appreciated!

CU tomorrow!

Day 267

First thing this morning the boys had me rescuing their toys from out of a tree. They went out to spin their juggling ball thingys whilst it was still twilight out there, and Robert promptly managed to throw his high into the tree! When I got out there he was already trying to climb the tree to get it! Luckily I went out there, cause the branch would NEVER have held his weight! We got it down by pulling the branch down with a very long stick! And all this before 7am!!

I went to school too this morning, it was at last time for the library! And even with the new system all went very well! We even managed to reprogram the scanner so that it didn't scan everything in sight!
On my way home from there I stopped at Aldi and got the cornflakes so that we could have chicken nuggets for lunch.
They are a lot of work, but so worth it! I was Mum of the Hour at lunch time!

After they had finished their homework, we played a round of Qwirkle, with a little help from a friend!

Then it was time for art school. Richard was all excited about going, but Robert has really had enough, so I think after Xmas I am going to have to be very creative about getting only Richard to art school! We'll see!

This evening I have washed (at long last) my ankle brace, as I am now allowed to sleep without it, and hopefully in the morning it will be dry enough for me to wear again! It feels strange without it on, and I am a bit worried, but I am not walking to far now and nowhere when I am in bed, so all should be fine!

Mum was supposed to have her eye operation this morning, the nurses got her up at 5am to have a shower and get herself dressed in the sexy operation nightie, and when I got a phone call at 9.30am I was sure it was to tell me how the op had gone, but nope, Mum was still waiting.
I spoke to Dad at 12 and Mum was still waiting and at 1.15pm I got a text message "still waiting" at 2.30 I spoke to Mum again, and the operation had been postponed until tomorrow. They had had 11 (!!!) emergencies in, and couldn't do any of the planned operations. Still at least they didn't send her home again, and tomorrow's another day! Fingers xed!

CU then!

Day 266

Today I remembered to take my camera to the door when the kids left for school. I just love the way they all march off down the street heading for the busstop. Unfortunately I had it on automatic and it flashed, so this is all I have got.

Now I hope I remember tomorrow, because it won't be long and it will be dark when they leave for school.

Whilst they were at school I went shopping and to Kindergarden for my English lesson. Two of the kids were on holiday, so we didn't learn any new words. But the kids seem to have fun.
Back home I went to get busy making the nuggets, BUT someone had eaten all the cornflakes, so I got to make my Beef Stroganoff sooner that expected. It is from Jamie's 15 minute meals, and it really was quick to make - of course I took longer than 15 minutes, but with practice I think even I could make it that quickly.
This is it before I dished it up.

I really enjoyed it, but unfortunately the boys weren't impressed by the beef. They didn't like the texture or the flavour. BUT they liked the sauce, so we might be renaming the dish Chicken or pork Stroganoff! We'll see!

In the afternoon we went to the playground with Heike and Britta. I meant to take the camera but forgot. It is the playground closest to us, but that is the furthest I have walked in two weeks. It went quite well, although going up and down hill is no fun!
When we got back home I took the boys to football training and whilst they were there I put my foot up until it was time to get them again.

Now about my loved ones - Florian arrived safe and sound but exhausted in China and Mum is now checked in at hospital, and will be operated on in the morning. They told her to expect 6 days in hospital, but the lady in the bed next to her has had the same op and is going home on her third day, so fingers xed, the same goes for Mum. The operation tomorrow should only take about 20 minutes and they will exchange the oil in her eye for water. They know what they are doing, cause I am not sure I understand!

Ooh, just got the pictures off of the camera, and I forgot I had a delivery today - 12 packets of Coco Pops at the bargain price of 1.60 (ish) per box! As you can see, Smiley thought they were all for her!

CU tomorrow!

Day 264 and Day 265

Day 264 - Sunday
We actually had a lay in today, and didn't get up until 9.30am! I did however hear the boys get up and that was around 6.30am. So I know they got rather a lot of TV this morning!
Florian went and got rolls for breakfast, but I gave them a miss, knowing that we were going to the Chinese for lunch!

We were meeting Florian's sister and kids there, we got there and it was sooooooo busy. We thought it was busy last week, but this was even more so. Possibly cause the lunch time buffet is cheaper, I don't know. It was still delicous, it just isn't as relaxed as it used to be. Good for the owners not quite so good for us.

After lunch we took the boys to see a Star Wars space ship, that had been built by people from Fulda. It was being shown for charity at a local DIY store. They had some of the "German Garrison" there, which are fans that dress up in costume for various occasions. It looked like the real thing, so much so, that the boys would NOT go and have their pictures taken with Darth Vader and his stormtroopers. Shame really, but I think if I was that age, I'd be bothered too!

Back home Florian popped to Heike's, they are trying out our old TV and they weren't able to get a decent picture, so he went to help. When he got back, they were still no further, the picture is fine from DVD, but from the satellite dish, no luck. Marcel is going to keep trying this week! Good luck!

Day 265 - Monday
Florian didn't have to leave today until 10.15am, but I didn't really see him that much more. First he had a telephone conference, then he popped to the doctor with Heike for the treatment to his heel, and he got back just as the taxi pulled up to take him to the station! But at least he didn't have to get up before dawn today!
Whilst he was busy with his stuff, I was busy too, trying to catch up on three weeks of ironing! I am about 2/3 there now, and hopefully I will finish tomorrow. Then I just have to find a home for it all, without out screwing it all up again, it seems we all have drawers which are much too full! I think it is time for a clear out!

At 1pm I took Richard back to school for guitar. Whilst they were there, I went to Aldi shopping. I am going to be trying a new recipe on Wednesday "Beef Stroganoff á la Jamie Oliver" and I got all the ingredients for that, and I am now wishing I was making it tomorrow. But tomorrow I have chicken nuggets planned, as the preparation for that takes much much longer!

Robert got his two tests from last week back today. Maths (the one he forgot to tell me about) he got a 3+, I normally wouldn't be cross about this mark, but this time I let him know that I was, because had I known about it, we could have practiced and maybe he would have got a couple of points more for a 2. In his other test he got a 3 as well. That was OK.

This evening he had football training so it was a "late" night for them both at 8pm tonight. And whilst they were late, I am going to have an early night, for some reason I feel so tired today, so an early night it is, but first to wake this sleepy head up!

Nun night
CU tomorrow!

Day 263

I think I had a lazy day today. Florian and the boys were quite busy, the boys went out and collected up the apples. I promised them 50 cents per box collected. They thought they were being clever by emptying the boxes into the sack. But when they came in and said they had each collected 6 boxes, we knew they were exaggerating. Not that many apples have fallen off the trees yet! We halved the amount and gave them €1.50 each. Richard was NOT a happy chappy. He really thought he deserved more. Poor boy. Probably not the best of parental decisions, but we gave them both an extra 50 cents. We did consider weighing the apples, but we thought that then we would probably have to ask for money back!

Later in the day Florian took them to help take all the bottles back, and to wash the car. Whilst they were gone then I thought I would quickly sell our books on Ebay (little German kids books). I didn't realise just how long it would take me. But I now have 8 auctions on ebay, and we'll see next Saturday how we did! Not expecting much - these books only cost 95 cents new! But sometimes people don't seem to realise that! Here is what some of them look like!

Heike took our toys to the flea market for us today and she sold a lot and we made 29.70 Euro! Whilst she was there one Mum mentioned she was looking for car seats, so she sent her my way too. And I sold both of the boys car seats for 60 Euros! Not a bad day today!

CU tomorrow!

Day 262

A busy day today, as it was yesterday really I just didn't want Florian to know before he came home. I was very busy tidying, clearing out and cleaning. All day yesterday and today. You can hardly recognise the place, and the hall upstairs has an echo, I got rid of so much that was lying around!

And this afternoon Heike came around and we went up in the barn and cleared out some more. Heike is off to a flea market in the morning and she is taking two boxes of stuff that we found up there to try and sell!
This is a picture she sent me after cleaning all the dust and spiders off of the things!

After all that I am totally worn out and was so glad to put my foot up this evening! Florian got back from Belguim just after the boys had gone to bed, so he was able to say good night to them! And Richard got to show him the little bit of tidying up he had done.

CU tomorrow!

Day 261

No work today, they are letting me rest my leg, or have they just not got any work for me again - I'll never know! But I wasn't complaining, after yesterday it was probably for the best! I fully intended to go to sport with my friend and see if I could train just my upper body. But my friend phoned full of cold, so I cancelled for both of us, and we will try again next week.

Richard didn't want to miss out and still went to Heike's for his usual Thursday afternon. He had to come home for 5pm as he had a football game. Robert and him got home about the same time and left too at the same time. Robert to training and Richard to his game. I took him there (it was in the village) as I couldn't find a lift for him today. but it was OK, it gets a bit easier every day.

Well with not much to report today I didn't even get a picture. The only picture I took today was a picture of Jamie Oliver's recipe for Beef Stroganoff for Heike, but I don't think  I need to post that here.

Tomorrow I'll get a better picture - promise!

CU then!

Day 260

I think I might have overdone it today, but I have been a good girl this evening and have had my leg up all the time. But here a run down of my day!

In the morning I drove myself to school. The library things need sorting so that the kids can come back and get books from next week. There were three of us working there this morning and we now have it sorted so far, that the kids can come next week. We don't have all the new books in the system, but we can do that as we work.
I brought the boys back home with me and then it was time to get lunch.

I found out at school, that Robert had "forgot" to tell me about a maths test that he wrote this morning. I think that explains why yesterday I thought he was hiding something from me. Needless to say I wasn't impressed, and even less so, when I realised how unprepared he is for the next test on Friday. So after practising for that, I made him sit down in the kitchen and copy something out, that was about what he has a test on on Friday. He was NOT amused, but realised I meant business and got it done! Lets hope some of the information went in to stay!

After that it was time for art school. I had decided that if I could drive to school I could drive to art school. I dropped them off there and just popped in to Aldi to get Brezel for tea. Whilst there of course I had to go all round the shop. By the time I had finished I did realise that maybe I had overestimated just how much my ankle wanted me to do! Oops!

The boys enjoyed art school today -they were drawing vehicles. Here are both Robert's drawing

and Richard's.

I think I have one inventor and one artist, what do you think?!

CU tomorrow!

Day 259

This is the first picture of today and as it is soooooo cute it not only gets to go on my facebook page, but also that of the newspaper, I sent it to Florian and Zoe and now it goes on the blog! Smiley reading the newspaper!

I braved driving today, but only to Kindergarden - so all of 700m. It was uncomfortable but not too painful. What was painful though was walking downhill to get back to the car! So I will try and avoid hills in the near future!

Back home again, one of my online purchases arrived. Like my new coat and hat? I'm ready for winter now!

This afternoon the boys were picked up for football training, I didn't want to over do it today! But I will be trying driving again tomorrow - I want to go to the school library, so that next week the kids can go again!

CU tomorrow!

Day 256, Day 257 and Day 258

Day 256 - Saturday
Florian had a busy morning, first he got rolls for us all for breakfast then after breakfast he went off to have his ankle doctored and then on to get all off of my long shopping list (I have planned for the week, just in case driving is still out of the question!)

In the afternoon we all sat down and watched one of the 3d movies Florian bought last night. We watched Epic, and for the first time in English, though I don't think any of us actually noticed a difference.
After the film the boys spent the rest of the afternoon in their bedroom building Lego - never known them so quiet!

In the evening Florian and I watched a film Lee had lent us "The Grey" - we reckoned it was probably a French film at heart and had probably won something at Cannes - and both of those things rule out us enjoying it! We watched it all, and were not impressed at all. Infact afterwards even though it was late, we put a cartoon on and watched that, to cheer us up again!

Can't find any pictures, so maybe I didn't take one today!

Day 257 - Sunday
Florian was up nice and early and off for his ankle treatment again. When he got home our friends came round and we all had breakfast together. It was really nice!

Florian cleaned out the chickens and rabbits in the afternoon, the boys built more Lego and I read my book!

Then at 5.30pm we headed for our Chinese restaurant. They have moved now and have a HUGE place (I would say 3 times the size) and an even bigger buffet. They were pleased to see us back, and greeted us with a handshake. So lovely. We took our friends out to thank them for all their help not only over this past week, but also when we were away in the UK. They had never been before and were really impressed!

 Oh and right before we left we were watching "Simon's Cat" Videos on Youtube and I snapped this picture with my phone!

Day 258 - Monday
I got the washing done this morning and some tidying up. And I spent quite a while on the phone and by the time I put it down it was time to get dinner in the oven! Today I made a mincemeat roast (Hackbraten, no idea what it is called in English) It was the first time I have made it without using a Maggi packet and I was quite impressed with myself. My roast potatoes and carrots were perfect too. So lunch was delicious!

Heike helped me out again by taking Richard to guitar and picked Robert up again. I helped out by babysitting her girls whilst she was gone! They were no problem, I didn't see one of them. I was downstairs stuck in my book and we were all happy!

Robert had football training with a twist today. They had a game against the bigger boys. Apparently they only lost 2:1, which quite impressed me and gave the kids a boost too! And as it has been raining really heavy on and off all day, they were really really lucky.  As it didn't rain at all for their training.

Richard was creative today. He made his own Star Wars game and later on he built something out of Lego and then made the instructions to go with it!

So as I don't really have pictures for each day (except for today) here some of the cats taken in the last few days!

CU tomorrow!

Day 255

I did take a picture of my foot today, but I won't bore you. I wanted to show Mum that the swelling had gone down, but looking at the photo is doesn't look that way at all! So I'll wait until it has really visibly gone down, before I post that one!

It was quite a boring day really. I read a lot, I got lunch ready (sitting down) we had broccoli bake and I also made a pumpkin soup!
Mum suggested that I slice the pumpkin in my kitchen machine that would make it cook a lot quicker - brilliant idea, I love my kitchen machine and why not! Well turns out that my kitchen machine didn't think much of the idea. The last bit of pumpkin that went in, must have had a particularly hard skin, cause it got caught in the knife and got stuck, which in turn snapped a piece inside! These two pieces here should actually be one! Sniff!

I didn't realise it but we have had the machine for just over three years now, so it is out of warranty, but we bought a good make so that we could always get spare parts for it, and a new one of these pieces is on its way to me as I type!

CU tomorrow!

Day 254

Are you tired of seeing pictures of my foot yet? I hope not, cause I have another one today. The bandage felt a bit tight so I thought I would give my foot a little break and unpacked my ankle. Oops I think it was a lot too tight, when you see how much it was digging in. It took a good hour to look normal again, and I think I now have it on a looser.

This morning I was supposed to be logging in to work from home to work on a translation. I had tried the day before and got as far as I thought I needed to go, but when I went to log on all the way today it wasn't working. I spent nearly 2 hours on the phone to IT and my department. At one point I told them just to send me the document in an email and I would do that one the old-fashioned way. EDAG obviously thought that that wasn't a good idea, as they phoned me and I had another conference call with IT and my department - this time though they were logged on to my computer. I won't bore you with all the details, but right before we all said goodbye, the solution for them was 1) give Kerri an EDAG laptop to work on from home (by far the best solution or 2) she will have to de-install windows 8 and she can't have two screens - HELLO, this is MY PRIVATE computer they are talking about! I just hope to goodness that they don't bring that up, when I can go into work again, cause I am not sure whether I can keep on my smily happy face then!

Anyhow the end of the story, I did get that translation by email and 20 minutes later they had it back all finished, next time maybe they'll listen to my suggestions in the first place!

Robert was at school all day, and Richard not to be done out of his Thursday playdate, stuck to his routine, even if I wasn't going to sport!
At just after 4pm he came home and got ready for his football game. I had organised him a lift. His team won 3:2, so he was quite excited when he got home.

Robert got home from school at 4.40pm, he came in in tears again, he had been hit on his adam's apple and I bet that hurt. I gave him some Arnica and sent him off to football training. When his teacher later phoned to find out how he was, I felt a bit guilty about it, but when he got in he had had a good time, even though it still hurts. I will wait now until mornign and find out how he is feeling and then it may well be another trip to the doctors for us! AGH! Fingers xed its all forgotten in the morning!

Never boring round here, even if I am stuck at home!
CU tomorrow!

Day 253

So this morning I took the bandage off of my foot to have a shower and took some pictures of my ankle and then sent them to Mum, Florian and Heike.

Heike works in a doctors office and didn't like that my foot was still swollen so much, so she took me to her doctor (he is a sports doctor). Well he read the letter from the hospital and gave me a prescription for a support for my foot.
When I found somewhere to get the support, I phoned Heike again and she took me there too. She really is an angel. When we got there the place was packed and there was again a long wait. So Heike went back home to sort out all our kids, and when I was done, Heike's mother-in-law came and picked me up. I have everyone involved in helping me now! Bless them all!

And here is what the support looks like.

It will take some getting used to, but I can definitely feel just how much it supports my ankle. I have to wear it even at nights for the next fortnight and then for another 6 weeks just days. And then back to the doctor for a check up! And even when I no longer feel the pain, I mustn't stop wearing it, as it really does need all that time to repair the ligaments! Seconds to break and weeks to mend!

CU tomorrow!

Day 250, Day 251 and Day 252

Day 250 - Sunday
Mum and Dad came to visit us today. As always they came with a full boot (wouldn't be a visit to us, with an empty boot, I am sure!), this time they had a few bikes for us. Turns out though that the bike I bought from my brother for Richard is actually the same size as what we have - oops!
Mum and Dad hadn't met Smiley yet, and she was in cute mode when they got here, so they fell for her too! We did something completely different for lunch though. Richard had a football match in the village at the Village Sports Day. So we all went to watch the game and to have a real German meal "Rouladen mit Knödel und Rotkraut", that would be wrapped beef with German potatoe dumplings and red cabbage. It was DELICIOUS and I can't wait til next year!
Richard's team unfortunately lost 4:1 But I got a happy picture of them all, BEFORE the match! And as this is going on the football teams website, I can post it here no problem!

When we got back home the men all watched Formel 1 and Mum and I went out and did some gardening, the garden out the front looks so much better without the dead lupins! And Mum cut our bushes back too. Thank you for the help Mum!

Day 251 - Monday
The day started off great really. After the boys had gone I sat having breakfast and finished my book. I thought that was a lovely start to the day. Heike came round about 8.30 and brought Neele for me to babysit, whilst she went out. Neele is a little darling Here a not that flattering shot of us, but she had fun whilst we took it!

She had no problem being with me whilst Mummy was gone. At 9.30 we both set off to go shopping (I needed some vouchers from the toy shops for birthdays that Richard was invited to) On the way to the car we were happily giggling at one another (Neele on my arm) when I lost my footing and fell. I fell in slow motion I am sure, and I managed to save Neele from making contact with the floor. But I bruised and grazed my knee, hand and elbow, and twisted my ankle. Neele being Neele took it all in her stride and was soon smiling again, and I actually managed to stand up. I decided that all was as well as could be and we carried on with our journey. I got all I needed and by then Heike was back home, so we went there. My ankle was quite sore, but looking at it at home I thought it didn't look swollen.
So at 1pm after lunch I took Richard back to school for his guitar lesson and hobbled there from the car. And then using the shopping trolley as a crutch I hobbled round Aldi and got the shopping. By the time we got home my ankle was hurting much more and Heike came round to bandage it up for me.
And that was when I took my shoe off and found out that it was actually pretty swollen and very colourful! Oops!
Heike took Robert with her (Richard was already at the first birthday party of the week) and I drove myself to A&E. I got there at 4.15pm and left at 10.15pm it was a LONG wait and evening! Even more so as my ankle got bigger and bigger and sorer and sorer (is that a word!)
When I finally saw the doctor I did get a wheelchair and help getting round, that was good. I tried to get a picture of my foot and the chair, but this was the best I could do!

Heike was my angel, she sorted out both boys and cats and babysat til I got home, and she even organised my return home. Her husband and his Dad came to pick me and the car up from the hospital!
Oh my ankle isn't broken, but I have probably torn the ligaments and nowadays they let that heel on its own and all I will be getting when the swelling has gone down is a support brace thingy. I will have to go to the doctor when the swelling goes down.

Day 252 - Tuesday
I slept surprisingly well and this morning after having rested the foot all night walking was much easier. Still painful, but no where near as bad as last night. And to make sure it stayed that way, I really did as the doctor said, and had my foot up for most of the day! My nurses took it in turns to make sure I stayed sitting down!

And Heike cooked us lunch (which Richard picked up for us). see I told you she was an angel. And when I couldn't get through to my hairdresser to cancel my appointment she took me instead, so I may be in the wars, but at least I am no longer grey!

Richard had another birthday party to go to this afternoon, so it was just me and Robert. And as he was such a help (he fed the chickens, rabbit and cat) helped me unpack the dishwasher and fetched and carried for me. I let him play on the Wii for an hour!
Another friend popped round to see how I was doing too and she will be taking the kids to art school tomorrow for me. I have decided to be a good patient and I won't be driving this week and hopefully that will mean a speedy recovery!
I'll keep you updated!
CU tomorrow!

Day 249

Whilst Florian was out getting his ankle blasted with whatever, I left the boys watching the Horrid Henry Movie and went shopping at Aldi. It was quite an expensive trip as I managed to get new trousers for both boys and a pair of indoor sports trainers for Robert.

Back home again, I started making some more jam - Richard picked a bucket full of blackberries yesterday at Heike's and wanted jam without pips in it! The things I do for my kids!
Here it is - three jars of Blackberry jelly. We'll be trying this for breakfast in the morning!

This afternoon whilst Robert did his homework, we watched a Keith Urban concert which we have on DVD.
Later in the afternoon I went back in the kitchen and made a pumpkin "tarte flambée" and when that was finished we went to Heike's for a BBQ. We are now back home again, still full up from all the food we ate and watching the Last Night of the Proms (well I am, florian is snoring!)

CU tomorrow!

Day 248

Robert was up this morning before my alarm clock, which goes off at 6.20am. He came creeping into my room "Mummy my ear and throat really really hurt" and he climbed into bed with me. Oh dear, he hasn't climbed into bed with me for ages and ages, he must be feeling bad.
When I let my friend know that he was ill and that I needed to go to the doctor with him, she offered to have him this morning so I could still go to work. And Robert would go to the doctor in the evening with Florian.
Now to work out whether he is ill or avoiding his friends (seeing as he didn't go to training last night) I must be the meanest Mummy in town to think that rather than maybe he is really ill.

After work I picked him up again and he seemed fine. In fact he seemed fine all afternoon. We spent quite a bit of that in the garden. Here are the boys planting the corn that Robert pinched from the field when he went for a walk this morning with Heike.

And here they are playing Mario and Luigi with it (from the Nintendo game)

When Florian got home from work, Heike took them both to her boss (she works in a doctors office) The doctor checked Robert's earache and Heike treated Florian's growth in his heel. Robert really is poorly, he has an ear infection and needs antibiotics - sorry darling for doubting you. And sorry for being grumpy yesterday when you wouldn't got to your football training, you were obviously coming down with this then.

CU tomorrow!

Day 247

Work this morning. I am trying to get in pretty early then Richard won't have to stay at school for an extra lesson. Worked ok this morning, we'll see how well it goes.
Richard was pleased with lunch today we had the leftover Schnitzels from Tuesday and as he had missed out cause of his tummy, he was pleased, and not at all grumpy that I still didn't have any lemon for on it! After lunch he went to Heike's to play and do his homework, and I went to sport.
The sport's place has new top management with big plans, so it will be interesting to see where it is going in the next few months.

This evening both boys had football (well that was the plan), and I had to think hard how to solve that fact and had it all worked out, when I went to pick Robert up at the busstop and send him on his way to football training. But as soon as he got off of the bus and saw me there with his football gear, he went all grumpy again. He did not want to go, he said he was too worn out. And no amount of talking on my part would make him change his mind. When his trainer got there to take him, he told him himself that he wasn't coming. And it didn't seem to bother him, that that also meant no game on Saturday. I was quite cross with him, but really for me it is good, cause it means only one trip to the football pitch this weekend!
Not sure what Robert thought he would be doing if he didn't go to football, but whatever it was I bet it wasn't "go to a football match" - but that is what we were doing. Richard had a game!

When we got to the game I left both boys there and went for my brisk walk through the woods. I took two pictures on my walk. It was just such a lovely day and view!

And some cows were watching me speed past!

Oh and I nearly forgot the photo books arrived today! And the boys and I relived our trip through the pictures!

CU tomorrow!

Day 245 and Day 246

I had every good intention of not getting behind, and then my computer crashed with a lovely blue screen last night! It got a good nights sleep on a very cold floor in the utility room and today is playing nicely. Let's hope it stays that way. But now back to playing catch up!

Day 245 - Tuesday
Today started off OK and quite busy. English has started again at Kindergarden. I have 6 kids this time and we all enjoyed our first lesson. After that Kindergarden asked for my help making an invitation for their summer party, so I was pleased about that. And it also gave me the opportunity to ask if my English kids could sing at the party. Now to find a song, where I don't sound out of tune!
I then rushed back home where a friend was already waiting for me. We had a date to work on the school homepage together. It needs/needed filling with some life. You can see our hardwork here www.schloss-schule-neuhof.de

For lunch I made Schnitzel and chips something the kids normally love. But Richard only picked at his chips and hardly touched the Schnitzel. I thought he was being awkward, either cause we had run out of lemon for on the Schnitzel or because I didn't cut it up for him.
After lunch he went first to play with the girls up the road and then when they had to leave he went to see his friends the other side of the village (he went by bike). About 30minutes after he got there, I got a phone call from them. I thought it might be to say that they would take him to football, if I could bring his stuff round. But nope totally wrong - he had been sick and could I come and pick him up. Poor poor Richard he did not look himself when I went and got him. And he threw up two more times before bedtime.
I let both boys watch a film and then TV. Robert for some reason was still not happy, and it was another night of no good night kiss for Mummy.
Richard had the walkie talkie in bed with him, just in case he was sick again and needed me. But luckily he was fine through the night.

Day 246 - Wednesday
I kept Richard home from school today, and we had a nice quiet day and tried to nurse he sore tummy back to health again.
First he watched "Mr. Maker" and then of course he had to try his own hand at creating something.

We also did some reading and he finished his very first book all on his own. Bless!

This afternoon Robert went out and picked Richard's bike up for me (I had left it at his friend's yesterday). when he got back we played a game of Monopoly. Richard won - he somehow had loads of money and property - and no he wasn't the bank too!

Then Robert's friend called round and they went out playing football and to the playground.

CU tomorrow!