Day 178, Day 179, Day 180 and Day 181

Day 178 - Friday
Work in the morning, I took our new cook book (Smoker's Bible) in to work for my colleague to copy out a couple of recipes, he promised to try a couple on his week off next week, can't wait to see how he got on.
This afternoon Robert was invited to a birthday party and Richard had their woodwork workshop. Whilst they were at their various engagements I went shopping for the weekend and whilst at the mall met with Heike and her Mum for an ice-cream.

Mine is the front one in a cornet, and today I tried "Sanddorn", the dictionary says it is called "common sea-buckthorn", I've never heard of it in English, so maybe its not something you make things out of there, if not then England should start with this ice-cream it was delicious!

Florian was late home tonight, but he got here safe and sound, and that is the main thing!

Day 179 - Saturday
All my men went to the hairdressers first thing this morning, but I only have pictures of the boys!

And here a close up of Robert's hair.

Quite cute really cause at the time he had the German flag in his hair and the English flag on his T-shirt!

Florian mended out water feature today, he had to pop to the DIY store to get more hose to do it, Richard went with him and spent some of his money at the toy shop whilst he was out. He was a very happy chappy when he came home.

I left my men to fend for themselves at 5.30pm and headed for my 25 year Abitur reunion. It was great to see all my old school friends again, but if we have another reunion in 5 years time, we all need to wear name tags, cause my memory just doesn't work like it used to!
Time flew by whilst catching up with everyone, and before I knew it, it was past 11pm and I still had just over an hours drive before me. So I ended up being one of the first to leave! We all must have been having a good time!

Day 180 - Sunday
The nice quiet day I had been looking forward to never happened, but it was a great day too! After a brunch with rolls, that Marcel brought around for us, we took the boys to the cinema as a surprise. We went to see Maleficent, it's about the reason why Sleeping Beauty was cursed. I thought it was BRILLIANT. Someone put a lot of thought into the story and made it really beautiful. LOVED it. Probably for different reasons than the boys, but we all enjoyed it!
Our niece joined us at the cinema and when we took her home we stayed for coffee and cake. So all in all a lovely afternoon.

I spent the evening then with my nose in a book, thoroughly enjoying that too.

Day 181 - Monday
Busy morning today, I didn't have to worry about guitars today, as the teacher cancelled the lessons for this week, but it was still busy. I had to have Robert at the doctors for part 2 of his assessment to see if he has ADHD or not. Todays test was an intelligence test, it took just under two hours, I wandered around town for most of that.
Then once we had finished there, it was off to school. Robert had his cycling course and I had promised to take a picture of the class for their T-shirts!

Luckily for me Kindergarden asked if I could perhaps come another day this week, so I was able to take a bit of pressure out of the morning! Phew!

This afternoon after much protest on Robert's part, I took the boys to their sports. Robert didn'T want to go cause he didn't want to keep hurting himself, this was the first I had heard of any of this, so I was very surprised. Not sure what that is all about, hopefully he will start enjoying it again.
Whilst they were at their sports I walked around the lake again. The weather wasn't quite nice enough for sitting by the lake and reading, shame cause I have just the book for that!
I took a couple of pictures whilst walking.

The boys weren't too happy at bedtime, because the Germany - Algeria football game is at 10pm and I wouldn't let them stay up to watch it! But I am pretty sure that I am not the only mean Mummy in their classes!

CU tomorrow!

Day 177

Work this morning, my colleague is away for a month or more and I will have to fend for myself then. No pressure there. Still got tomorrow to try and get all the info I need. Could be interesting!

Richard spent the afternoon with his friends (including lunch at Heike's) and I was home finishing off the ironing, I just finished when Robert got home from school. It wasn't long after that, that Richard came home. I quickly got them some tea and then it was time for me to go out.

Today was our cookery course "Bella Italia" I left the boys in front of the TV waiting for the Germany game to start and off Heike and I headed. Florian got home to watch the football with the boys just after we left.

Our course was great fun, here are some of the dishes we all made together and got to try!
Delicious all of it!

I got home at just after 10pm, Florian had only just left again, so the boys weren't alone for long, just a shame that I didn't get that extra cuddle! Never mind he'll be home again tomorrow!
CU then!

Day 176

Heike helped out this morning, she drove by just as I was about to load Robert's bike into my Corsa (or try to load), she took it for me instead. Robert will be doing a cycling course at school for the next 4 school days and I had to somehow get his bike to school. That saved me so much hassle.

I had library this morning and my chat with the headmistress. It seems there is nothing us parents can do to stop Richard's teacher from having to transfer schools for a year, but I hopefully got my point across that we want the class to have ONE teacher for the next two years. Fingers crossed.

This afternoon I got some more ironing done, but somehow the pile looks no smaller than when I started??? I suppose it will always be a never-ending story.
At 4pm Robert went to his friend and I took Richard to art school. At art school, they helped me prepare a canvas for Heike's wedding.

We will be getting all the guests to add their finger prints to this at the party. I think Heike will like that! And getting art school to help out was a great idea, cause there is no way that it would have looked like this if it had been me drawing. We still have to paint the hearts, but they are at least already pencilled on the canvas for us!
Oh and I continued my quest at the ice-cream parlour whilst Richard was at art school, today I had Banoffee flavour, very yummy, but not my favourite of those I have had so far!

Richard has been downstairs twice this evening he can't sleep, the last time I tucked him in was 10pm I hope that was the definite last.
I am off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 174 and Day 175

Totally forgot to blog last night, and really late tonight! Oops

Day 174 - Monday
Monday as always is a day of running backwards and forwards getting the kids to the right place at the right time and today was no different, just an extra tour or two

Robert phoned me from school this morning, he had forgotten to ask for some money for a trip to the theatre and if he didn't hand it in today he couldn't go to the theatre in the morning. So I got in the car and took him the money, even though it would have made more sense to teach him a lesson, that listening and paying attention is a good idea! But I didn't have it in me!

This afternoon was different to planned too, cause when Robert got home he had more homework than expected and wasn't finished in time to go to athletics, so I only took Richard to Karate, came home to help Robert with his homework and then had to go back to pick Richard up. I reckon I did 100km alone today just driving the kids places!

The other exciting thing of the day is "ants" - YUCK! We have a nest in our reading room, makes me itch just typing about it!

Day 175 - Tuesday
My morning this morning. I picked my friend up and off we went to sport! First we did an hour of back fitness (a work out for our back muscles) and then I had an appointment with one of the trainers for a new plan for the machines. Oh dear! This new plan is a lot more difficult than the last and it is going to wear me out, but the new me is quite looking forward to testing it - hopefully on Thursday

The other news is not so good, it looks like Richard's teacher will be moving schools from the new term and that will mean he gets a new teacher, only the new teacher is an old teacher who will be retiring next year, so then they will get another teacher for their last year at school. needless to say we are NOT happy parents, and as I am the PTA, I have to go and fight that battle tomorrow - fingers xed for me!

Off to bed now, I'll add the pictures tomorrow!
CU then!

Day 173

Florian was VERY late home, I think it was about 3am, but that didn't change the fact that he had to have the BBQ on by 9am. Poor guy, but he made it! He was stood at the BBQ nice and bright and early, firing it up for our lunch.

We had invited friends and his sister over for lunch. I spent most of the morning preparing it, and although it was a lot of work, it was fun and so worth it. So much so that I forgot to take a picture of it! I guess that means we'll have to have it again some time and take a picture then. Hihi!

I did get a picture of the boys playing before all the guests came. The dirt is what is left of a mole hill, I am not qute sure who was having the most fun, but it was fun to watch, if a little noisy!

This eveing the boys had more fun, when instead of showering they opted for a bath and spent nearly an hour in there, cause they forgot to get themselves out! Shame they put the bathroom under water at the same time, but never mind!

Florian left for work this evening, I just hope he wasn't too tired!
CU tomorrow!

Day 170, Day 171 and Day 172

Day 170 - Thursday
Bank holiday today and Heike had invited us and other friends around for lunch. For the traditional lunch for this day called "Flurgönder". People used to make this as you would boil the meat for about 2.5 hours whilst you were at church and when you got home you would cook the pasta in the water you had cooked the meat in. It was delicious!
And just as we were laying the table on the terrace for lunch, the sun came out and we were able to spend the day out on the terrace. In fact we moved very little all day! I did get up to take one picture of the kids having an ice cream

Today was also another World Cup football match the boys wanted to watch - England vs Uruguay. Richard was well prepared for the game

Unfortunately it seemed that the football team weren't quite as well prepared, and they lost 1:2 - Oops, unless Italy can cause a miracle tomorrow, England are on their way home!

Day 171 - Friday
We went to Heike's again today, this time for breakfast. Then from there we went shopping, the boys wanted to see if they could spend some money and I needed to go shopping. I got all I needed for our BBQ on Sunday but the boys didn't buy anything.

Florian went out in the afternoon to see about renting "Lederhosen" for Heike's wedding in July. They didn't have any choice in his size, but they did have a pair, and he will be wearing them for the wedding, we just need to get him a shirt to go with them as the place didn't have shirts to go with the trousers.
Whilst Florian was out, the boys and I went for a walk with Heike and the girls then after sat in the garden and had a chat and an ice cream. So here another pic of all the kids having ice-cream!

Florian fell asleep on the couch before the 9pm game even started, I waited until half time though before I "stole" the remote control and turned over to watch a chick flick! ;o)


Day 172 - Saturday
Florian and his mates took Marcel out today for his stag do. Their first stop was go-karting, they rented the course for 30 minutes for just them and they were allowed 8 karts. As there was only 6 of them, Florian wanted the boys to join them and have a go. Unfortunately the people who run it didn't think it such a good idea, especially as it would have been the boys first time. So they only got to watch the racing.

We left the men to it after that, and to try and make up for missing out, I took them to the ice cream parlour for a cornet. They didn't fancy trying the black vanilla ice cream, they had Kinder chocolate one instead, and I had greek yoghurt with poppy seeds. Another amazing flavour!

This evening it was the Germany game. Here we are getting ready for it!

Richard lasted until the second half started and then he asked me if he could go to bed - bless. I think Robert enjoyed the game and it wasn't quite as disappointing as the England game (who by the way are going home, as Italy lost!)
Florian is still out partying and I am off to bed
CU tomorrow!

PS: Adding a couple of pictures to Sunday (Day 166)

Day 169

I can't remember the last time I had a day where I didn't have any appointment in the morning. It seemed so strange. But I made the most of it, and tidied out my cupboard and sorted through my clothes. I got two whole bags for the old clothes collection, and I now have room for all my T-shirts and summer clothes. My winter jumpers are spending the summer in a box under my bed!
I also got all the bedding washed and put back on the beds too, although that took all day and not just the morning, my washing machine takes its time!

Lunch was very English today, we had cold meat, potatoes and baked beans - very yummy. The cold meat was the chicken that Florian "smoked" on his new BBQ at the weekend, did I mention that when I was playing catch up? Well this is it cooking on Saturday (Beer Butt Chicken)

This afternoon it was art school for Richard, Robert visited his friend whilst we were gone. And whilst Richard was at art school, I did the shopping and then continued on my quest of trying all the ice creams from the new parlour. Today I tried "Black Vanilla", it was delicious, but I did have to try not to look at it too often, as it is just too black. And as Mia told Mum, "it looks like tar" - she is right!

But it was sooo delicious, that I will have it again (once I am through all of their other flavours!)

Here's a pic of the boys watching TV tonight. The bean bags are still downstairs from when they watched football with their friends on Monday.

Florian is on his way home now, that is why I am blogging early - tomorrow is a bank holiday here again, and we have a long weekend together!
Going to add some pictures to the long post from the day before yesterday, give me a couple of minutes and then check there too!

CU tomorrow!

Day 168

I had a run in with Robert before 7am this morning - what a way to start the day! I was just finishing off making their sandwich for school, when there was a lot of shouting and screaming coming from the lounge, Richard was accusing Robert of pinching two of his football cards. Robert was standing there looking too smug for my liking, so I sent Richard to check in the kitchen and gave Robert the chance to put the cards back without getting into trouble - he didn't take the chance, and when I came back from opening the door to their friends, he was trying to convince Richard that checking their school bags would be a good idea. Very strange! Well guess what in Roberts bag they found the missing cards. When I told Robert off, he got upset, that I always accused him, he didn't put them there! Oh dear, I need to get the "Ghostbusters" in, cause we have some meddlesome ones!
I think I got some sort of message through, but when he left he turned back to see me watching him through the window, and stuck his tongue out at me! Kids!

I worked off all of that aggravation at the gym. We did a course for our backs and then we did the EMS for a last time (EMS is where we are wired up) we haven't done it for a while as we have been enjoying the other courses, so we decided before they get rid of it completely we would have one last go. It was fun!

This afternoon the boys had an appointment at the eye doctor, I am not sure but I think it was just for his books, as he didn't check them as thoroughly as last time and we were in and out within 5 minutes. Back again in November unless anything occurs. But it was good we finished so quickly cause Robert was able to get his homework done before he had to go to his typing course.

The boys watched a little of the Belguim - Algeria game, but got bored and turned over to Scooby Doo! I thought it was a better choice too!

CU tomorrow!

Day 158 - Day 167

Wow, what a week last week was, I swear most of the time I didn't know whether I was coming or going! But lets start at the beginning

Day 158 - Saturday
Two days in one again for us. First part of the day - Robert's birthday party with his friends. At 9.45 all his guests came round with their car seats and a present for Robert and we got in the car and off we went for the party. This year as it was his 10th birthday we did something extra special! We took Robert and 4 of his friends to the local amusement Park (Erlebnispark Steinau), we reserved a bbq spot and took food and drink with us. Gave the kids the run down on our rules and then let them roam the park.
It was then time for Florian and I to relax in our picnic spot!

It may sound like a lot of responsibility and such, but it was the easiest party we have ever held, and I can well see us doing it again in the future!
We wondered how we were going to round up all the kids for lunch (sausages, rolls and noodle salad) but they all appeared, just as the sausages were browning off nicely! :o)
It was more difficult rounding everyone up when it was time to leave but we managed. And we had some very happy kids in the cars on the way back home. And all round success!

Once home I quickly made a dessert for my SIL and then it was off round to their house for a BBQ. Florian's family have descended on my SIL for her daughter's confirmation on Sunday. My in-laws were on their best behaviour, so it was actually a nice evening. Rather late for the boys as we didn't get home til 11pm! And we came home with visitors, Florian's brother and family are staying with us.

Day 159 - Sunday
Our nieces confirmation. The best bit of the service was the fact that one of those being confirmed had African roots, and his family sang 3 songs for us. It was like a party in church, brilliant. Unfortunately the service wasn't a patch on the confirmation we went to at the beginning of May and it wasn't only the kids that were getting restless after 90 minutes!
The rest of the day was great though, again the in-laws behaved and I was able to relax.The weather was a scorcher, so I didn't really move much all day. I think all we did was sit and eat and drink!
Ooh and here is a picture of my cake when it was cut - it was very yummy!

Sometime in the afternoon my SIL got the paddling pool out and us adults pulled up our chairs and cooled our feet down in it. Heavenly! Again we left about 11pm, another late night for the boys!

I had to tell our visitors today that they couldn't extend their stay with us until the weekend, as this week is just too busy to accomodate visitors as well, so they are staying with us til Wednesday as planned.

Day 160 - Monday
Whitsun bank holiday here in Germany and the weather was even hotter than yesterday! We were back at my SIL's for breakfast and the day again, only today the kids staked claim to the paddling pool, but they were fun to watch!

Today we didn't stay as long, as it is school tomorrow, the boys were a bit upset, but the fact that some of their cousins are staying with us til Wednesday made up for it!

Day 161 - Tuesday
Even though we have visitors I was able to go to sport with my friend this morning, cause Florian was home for the day, he only had to get up north today and made the most of the impromptu "day off". When I got home from sport and shopping, my SIL and Florian were in the barn putting together Florian's birthday present. The smoker bbq arrived this morning. Whilst they were doing that I got our lunch ready. All for boys were quite excited about the new bbq and convinced Florian that he should stay home even longer and bbq with us -thank you for staying.
All the kids had a great time, but we didn't use the new bbq, cause the boys bbq'ed for us. And they did a very good job too!

Florian left after we had eaten. My SIL and I watched a film once the boys were all in bed, we watched "Not without my daughter" been a VERY long while since I saw that film, still quite upsetting really as I am sure not much has changed.

Day 162 - Wednesday
I had to leave our visitors on their own again this morning, as I had library duty, but once I was sure it was OK I left early and went back to join them at home.
The kids loved having their cousins to stay, but at 4pm we had to take them to the station to go home. And then Richard and I went to art school. And I got some shopping done, when I had done that I decided I deserved an ice-cream, today I tried "Mousse au chocolat with ginger cream" it was amazing!

Day 163 - Thursday
Work this morning and I was really busy, I got a lot done, my English friend was on holiday, so there was more working than chatting today! ;o)

This afternoon to take some of the stress out of the week, I cancelled our sport session and instead spent all afternoon ironing shirts! Really don't know where they all come from!
Robert got home from school at 4.45pm and at 5.45pm I had to leave for school, I had a parents evening and a date with the teacher. My babysitter was here to look after the boys.
The parents evenign was all about the cycling course Robert's class will have at the end of the month. I have to check Robert's bike to make sure that it meets all the requirements. I am pretty sure it should, but it did seem rather a lot of things on the list.
In the parents evening I told all the parents of our idea for a present for the teacher - a photo book but not with photos but made as a friendship book, where the kids write fun things about themselves and school. Everyone loved the idea. Now to get the sheet to fill in to all the parents!
I got home at 9.45pm

Day 164 - Friday
Work again, and again pretty busy. But I got busier when I left work at 12 - I had a photo shooting. I was taking pictures for the Kindergarden teachers best friend. They got married in the palace opposite where I work, and I took their wedding pictures. I took them in the registry office and then we went to the palace gardens and got some lovely shots there too. Not sure if I can share them though, but I can show her flowers I would think!
I got back home at 2.30pm and Helga had accidently left the back door open so I had to go cat hunting again. Luckily today the both came when I called them and it only took me 20 minutes to entice them back in. Once they were back in I could call Heike to send the boys home, she had looked after them whilst I was busy taking pictures!
Once they were home it was time to head out again, this time to their woodwork course. they didn't really want to go, but when I picked them up after again, they had enjoyed themselves.

I was at the mall whilst they were there, and with my last Euro I bought an ice-cream, today it was peach buttermilk, so good! Back home I made us pizza rolls for tea, more yummy stuff!

Florian got home to watch some of the Dutch football game, which even I enjoyed as it was quite exciting with lots of goals.

Day 165 - Saturday
Today I got the email out to all the parents in Robert's class about the present for the teacher, and then it was time to head out with Heike, today was her hen night, which we turned into a day.
First stop was the station to pick up her sister, who Heike didn't know was coming, her face was a picture when she spotted her sister - she was OVER THE MOON!
From there we went to this really quaint cafe called "Café Glück" which is a fitting name for a bride, it means Luck. Then after a lovely small lunch we headed off through town to a Thai massage parlour for a foot massage.

It was really relaxing apart from my feet being extremely ticklish! When we had finished there we went to the cinema. We saw a German film called "Einmal Hans mit scharfer Sosse" it was funny, it was about a Turkish girl and her family and marriage (going with the theme again). We came out of the cinema at 7.20pm just enough time to get us to the restaurant for our 7.30pm booking! We went to an Italian restaurtant called "la Romantica" - fitting yet again!
We had a lovely relaxing day. And we didn't finish after our meal, when we came out from there, we went to the Stadtfest, basically a party all across town. We had an alcohol free cocktail there and then at 11.30pm we were all back home again. Lovely day!
The boys too enjoyed the fact that I wasn't home as they got to watch the 9pm football match and weren't long in bed when I got in!

Day 166 - Sunday
I woke up to the cats in our bedroom at 6.45am - Robert was up nice and bright and early even after going to bed at 11pm. I was pretty cross with him and made him turn the TV off and do his typing homework! He wasn't a happy chappy!Whilst he was doing that I baked some bread to take to Mum and Dads - we went there for the day, as they are off to the states tomorrow for 4 weeks!

We had another lovely day, we (Mum, Florian, Richard and I) went to the craft fair in the park there. Richard only came along for an ice cream, but we didn't find the ice cream van until we were on our way home. But I loved it there, so many beautiful things to see.

Richard keeps saying he wants to be a blacksmith, here he got to watch a real one!

Day 167 - Monday
Mum and Dad got on the plane - well done Dad, I don't think any of us were 100% sure, that you were going to the states!
I did my usual of transporting guitars back and forth to school and an English lesson. But this afternoons Karate and Athletics were cancelled by the boys who wanted to watch the Germany game. We had plenty of friends round to watch the first half, then everyone went home to get into their pyjamas to watch the second half. Germany won 4:0 against Portugal, but I was told not to watch, so I didn't see any of those goals! But never mind the boys were excited that Germany won. Now for England to win on Thursday!

OK, so no photos to go with this post today, its late and I should be in bed!
CU tomorrow!

Day 157

Work this morning, nothing exciting to report though. This afternoon I dropped Richard off at Heike's and then took Robert and two of his school mates to another school mate to work on their presentation together. I haven't heard how it went, Robert wasn't in a talkative mood when he got home. After dropping the kids off I went shopping for the weekend. It wasn't easy sorting out all that I need, what with a birthday party, a confirmation and visitors staying. I hope I have remembered everything.

I definitely had enough for the cakes I had to make for the weekend. As I have already made them. I made Robert a cake that has Fanta in it, that we will be taking with us tomorrow.
And then I made a Zebra Cheesecake for the confirmation on Sunday. I am quite proud of this one, and can't wait to cut it on Sunday, cause it should be like a Zebra inside. I'll let you know

CU tomorrow

Day 156

Happy Birthday to me! The boys remembered as soon as they woke up, I went in with my usual cheerful "Good Morning" and Robert broke into song, singing "Happy birthday to you!" What a lovely way to start the day!
I got two super cards today, one in the post from Mum and Dad (created by my cousin)

and this one on Facebook from Dinphy! I love it, my cats make good models for a card, but I didn't let them have any cake this afternoon.

I had to go to work this morning, but I took a cake and I think I spent most of the morning chatting and eating cake, so I can't complain about having to work on my birthday!

This afternoon my friends came round and we had more cake (Thank you Heike) and lots of chat, it was a lovely afternoon. I got a few presents to open today too, thank you Lee and Ramona for my new cookery book from Gino and my new silicon cake/bread tin. I also got a bunch of flowers from my friend at work, and a little rose bush and a petrol gift voucher from my friend who I do sport with. And of course I have my Kindle which I am now officially allowed! ;o)

CU tomorrow!

Day 155

AFter an early morning shop at Aldi, it was time to get myself ready for my English lesson at Kindergarden. Getting ready only really involved printing out a colouring sheet for the kids.

I made Schnitzel for lunch and I thought I would change it up a bit and make a creamy gravy to go with it, and instead of chips we had potatoes and broccoli. I thought it was delicious, but I couldn't convince the boys to try it with gravy. Oh well, I now have a nice sauce to make something else with! They did at least eat the broccoli though.

After lunch I set about baking a cake to take to work with me tomorrow.I had been thinking about trying something new out, but when I really thought about it, I wanted to have carrot cake again, so that is what I made. Looks delicious, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow!

Robert went to his friends for the afternoon, cause Richard and I were supposed to be going to art school. Unfortunately Ricahrd didn't feel very well (tummy ache) so we stayed home, had a long cuddle and read a chapter or two. He went to bed feeling a bit better, hopefully by the morning he will be better!

I got a picture of Robert looking at his "sea monkeys" which have started growing now. He started off the growing of them at the weekend with Florian.

He was very excited about it all, I had to get really really close and take my glasses off to see them, but they are definitely swimming around in there, even if they are not yet 1mm in size!

CU tomorrow!

Day 154

My friend and I decided that even though we both still had a cold, we were going to sport anyways - when did that happen, that I actually want to go to sport and enjoy it?! Whenever it happened it's good! We both agreed that we would take it easy there, just a bit of cycling and a little bit on the machines. When we walked in chatting away we were caught by our trainer and off we went to a course for back fitness! It was harder work than we were planning on, but it was great fun! We'll see if I think so, when the muscle ache sets in in the morning!

After lunch I had an appointment with Robert at the doctors. Back in December I filled in a long questionnaire to apply for an assessment on whether he has ADS or not, and today was our first appointment about it all. Today they did an EEG (brainwaves or something like that), what that is about exactly I don't know, as that was all they literally did. We didn't see a doctor, no one talked to us, I just took him to the room, where they do it, and then waited until he was finished. All a bit strange to me, and not in the least satisfying, but maybe the outcome will be.
After that appointment we popped into the optician again to get Robert's glasses tightened again.

When we got home his friend phoned and then came round. All three boys then had a water pistol fight in the garden! Not sure why Richard was the only one that was drowned...

I got a parcel today, I got a cover for my birthday present. Now my new Kindle is all protected. I am half way through my first book on this one. So good to have it - thank you Mum, Dad and Florian!

CU tomorrow!

Day 147 - 153

Sometimes I think that if I ignore things or don't write about them they'll go away, I think that might be why I never got around to blogging last week. 

Tuesday night I was so wound up, that I couldn't even sleep let alone write my blog, but I have calmed down again now and I think I can play catch up again!

Day 147 - Tuesday

I spent the morning quietly hoping to shake this cold, and I can't really remember the afternoon anymore, I do remember that Robert was picked up by his friends Dad to go to his typing course. I remember this well, cause this is when I told the Dad that Maxi wasn't on the football team for the game tonight - shouldn't have been my job, but this year football has been a bit different. 

As Robert's friend wasn't playing it was up to poorly me to get him to the football game, which was in the village. I knew from someone else that they were selling sausages there, so I took Richard with me and we had sausage for tea. Whilst we were there, Robert's friend turned up, the trainer had phoned 30 minutes earlier asking if Maxi could play after all. Mmh, strange but he was happy, and I had someone to bring Robert home from the game. I stayed and chatted with the other Dads for 30 minutes or so, then as the game kicked off I went home with Richard. When I left Robert was on the sidelines again. 

Robert came home just after 8 and he was in tears, apparently he didn't get to play at all this game, he was upset and I was livid. I got on the phone to the trainer, who promptly put the phone down on me, when I dared to raise my voice a bit, OK I did get a bit loud, but he put the phone down on me after 2 words. UNBELIEVABLE, apparently he couldn't play either Robert or Maxi (who came just to stand on the sideline, what was that all about!) it "didn't fit" were his words.

I'll cut a long story short here, cause I can feel myself getting all worked up again. The trainer did not phone me back but he did message me on WhatsApp and after a short exchange in which this guy who is less than half my age was extremely rude and cannot understand what is wrong with not letting the kids play - 9 to 11 year olds that is, not premier league players! I have copied all the messages and will hopefully sometime this week get to talk to someone in charge at the club, because the way us parents and kids have been treated this year, is incredible.

(Don't worry if you couldn't follow this, its basically me being VERY cross with the football club and trainers!)

Day 148 - Wednesday

I had the day off from the library today, nobody wanted me there with my cold, but that was fine by me, I was feeling a bit rough around the edges after a bad nights sleep. My friend, Maxi's Mum phoned me in the morning and we both compared notes about football and agreed on all accounts and if I need any other parents when I speak to the club, she will back me up all the way.

In the afternoon I left Robert at home playing on the Wii and took Richard to art school. Whilst he was there I went shopping, but somehow the thing with football even managed to spoil that hour for me. Richard and I took my friends kids home with us to give her a few more minutes before she had to pick them up. She more or less followed us in, I think I still had my coat on, when she pulled up to pick them up again. 

Florian came home this evening as tomorrow is not only Robert's birthday it is also a bank holiday and Father's day.

Day 149 - Thursday

Happy Birthday, Robert!

Florian made a little film of Robert's birthday, I tried to upload it to Facebook but it wouldn't let's see if I can get it to work on here, something to do with copyright on the song. 

Robert had a very relaxing day as both Florian and I were full of cold and it was raining. For a lot of the day both boys were on their beanbags under their beds playing minecraft on the tablet and my mobile. Heike and Marcel came round in the late afternoon and we cleared up the barn ready for our party on Sunday. 

And one more picture, Florian getting his Father's Day present from Richard. He made him a blackboard with home made chalk.

Day 150 - Friday

Mmh, now I remember I went shopping for the party, nothing like leaving it to the last minute! But I think I have everything. We had wanted to bbq yesterday, but the weather wasn't really right for it, especially if you have a cold, but today we planned better and we bbq'ed at lunch time. Very yummy! And I can't remember what we got up to in the afternoon. Nope not true, I cleaned the fridge in the barn, when I went to put the stuff I bought in there I found it was in a bit of a mess - lovely and shiny now though!

Day 151 - Saturday

Happy Birthday Florian!

Here he is having just found his present from Mum and Dad!

We bbq'ed with Heike and Marcel at lunch time and the weather was amazing, we were outside all afternoon. Well I had a last minute panic, that I hadn't got enough sausages and popped to the shops, but other than that we were outside!

We also tried out Florian's birthday present from Mum and Dad, it was lovely sat up under it on our old couch! 

Day 152 - Sunday

Party time! We had invited a lot of people but because of the long weekend we had a lot of cancellation, but even though there wasn't a lot of people there, it was still a brilliant party and we had a lovely time with lovely people!

I was celebrating early, but that is allowed in England, but unheard of in Germany, so no one really congratulated me, but I didn't mind. But luckily for me, Mum, Dad and Florian let me have my present early as they had got me something together! I have a new Kindle Paperwhite. It is brilliant! And it's like haveing a friend back, I have really missed my Kindle these last weeks! Heike took some pictures of me unwrapping it, I'll have to get her to send me them and then add them in!

Day 153 - Monday

Still coughing and sneezing today, but off I went to join my sister-in-law for and English test or two. No I wasn't taking a test I was on the committee of teachers and native speakers testing the apprentices. I did it last year too, and I still can't believe how well these kids speak English. Well done, everyone!

This afternoon I found the missing manual from the car I handed in a week ago, so I packaged that up and took it to the post office in the hope of not having to pay the 75Euros - we'll see!

Then it was time to take the boys to their various sports, Richard to Karate and Robert to athletics. Whilst they were there I was sat in the sunshine by a lake reading on my new Kindle - perfect!

And when we got home Marcel and I took the benches back to the drinks shop. and this evening I have spent playing catch up. Maybe next time I won't hide from my blog, just cause someone at football upset me!

Oh I took some pictures of poppies on my phone today! Tomorrow I think I'll get the real camera out!

CU tomorrow!