Day 100

Robert and I had a lovely day! It was his school class outing today and it was great fun. We were picked up at school by bus about 8am, and set of to a salt mine (it was about a 90 minute drive). A couple of years ago we went to a coal mine in Wales, I was expecting something very similar. It wasn't! This mine was so spacious and airy it was weird. We got down underground and got into two large lorries to go around the mine. Apparently we drove 20km in all underground. Amazing! Here a few pictures from the tour.

They have a concert hall down there, where they did a laser light show for us.

And there is a crystal cave too - that was so stunning and these pictures hardly do it justice!

We were running a bit late after our tour there, and got to our lunch a bit late. Lunch for everyone was Schnitzel and chips, very yummy!
After lunch it was off to the Wartburg

At this castle Luther translated the bible from Greek into a common German language - he was the first to attempt to find a common German language. The kids had a special tour of the castle and the adults that had joined the trip had time to themselves. 4 of us chose to do a tour too. Here some of the things we saw on the tour (Robert told me that he saw these too)

We were ready to leave at 5pm. The closer it got to that time the bigger my grin got, cause I thought the football trainer needed to be taught a lesson. He didn't listen when I said on Monday that I thought the game ,today at 6pm was asking for a bit much. And so it was (can you hear me going na-na-na-nana) we returned home at 6.30pm. I was shocked to see the trainer waiting there, he had left the game at half time to get the kids off the bus to rush them to the game to play. Too bad, Robert wasn't having none of it. He told me that he didn't want to go, he never gets picked to play anyways....I wasn't complaining!
We went back, picked Richard up from a different sports ground, where he had had a game, and then back home.
I am worn out now and looking forward to my bed, so I'll hurry up and add the pictures now!

CU tomorrow

Day 99

I had library duty this morning, I was standing in for a Mum who can no longer help out as she now has gone back to work. So I was working with someone different, we had a good catch up!

This afternoon Richard and I dropped Robert off with a friend and we went to art school. Whilst Richard was there I went to the mall and had a look there to see if I could see anything to wear for the wedding. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. I didn't really see anything much, I did try on a couple of dresses, but they did nothing for me. So not sure what I am going to do now, but I am sure I'll come up with something.
After picking Richard up we drove to Robert's football match. We stopped at home first for Richard's headphones and my heart rate watch. Then off to football we went. We got there and I fully intended to stay and watch, but there were no Mum's there that I knew so I changed my mind. I left Richard playing and listening to his mp3 player and went for my walk. That blew the cobwebs away. And it is so pretty in the woods now with the new fresh green coming through!

When I got back I did actually watch the match and afterwards there was a sort of "parents meeting". Won't go ranting about that, but I will say that I am still not a big fan of football!

CU tomorrow!

Day 98

When don't I have a busy day! Well it was only a busy morning really. I was at Aldi just after it opened at 8am. I got there in beautiful sunshine, but sometime whilst I was in there, it started chucking it down! I don't think it has rained for a while now, cause I wasn't quite sure how to pack the shopping in the rain, I got drowned trying to hurry myself!

Back home I had time to unpack the shopping, and then I set off for an English lesson at Kindergarden. Last week I was sure the kids had learnt nothing, but they surprised me and knew all about Easter today! Bless! I had taken them a chocolate Easter bunny as I won't be seeing them now til after Easter.

After English I went into town to pick my friend up, she had had a doctors appointment and needed some help, I was happy to do that for her. Only problem was laughing hurt her, and although I didn't mean to, I kept making her laugh! Oops!

After lunch, Richard went with his friends to their Dad to play, and at 4pm Robert went to his typing lesson. Heike popped round about then and we had a bit of cake together then went to sort out our rabbit. He has now had a haircut and some more eye drops. He looks a lot happier and healthier now.

When I put the boys to bed tonight, Robert said his tummy itched, but this time he has a rash not spots. Poor boy, I'm hoping it will all be gone in the morning. Fingers xed!

CU then!

Day 94, Day 95, Day 96 and Day 97

Day 94 - Friday
When I left work on Friday, I was about 30 minutes early, so I thought I would perhaps go and do a bit of window shopping, but first I wanted to drop off something in the car. When I came out of the car park by the busstop, I bumped in to my friend who was waiting for the bus home. Quick change of plan then and we both went home together. Funny how some things just sort themselves out!

It was such lovely weather in the afternoon I sent the boys out to play in the sunshine and I joined them outside and did some weeding and things around the garden. That was cut a bit short though, when I managed to slice into my finger with a bit of grass - yep, grass, that can be really nasty sometimes! It took a while to get the bleeding to stop and I also had to retrace my steps and mop up the trail I had left when I came in from the garden!

Roberts friend came round for an English lesson and after that they played in the garden for a little bit, and then went to his house to play some more!

Florian had told me he was going to be late home, and when he got home at just before 9 I was pleased, cause I was expecting a different kind of "late"!

Day 95 - Saturday
Florian set up our new router this morning and so far so good. I can use the phone all over the kitchen now (even at the fridge) that didn't work before.

After lunch we all headed off out for Robert to take part in the Speed4 finals. This is something that was organised by the school. They only had to run 6 metres, but it was all about reaction times and speed throught those 6 metres. At school he did the course in 5.52 and at the finals he got it down to 5.2 seconds. That wasn't enough to come in the top ten of his age group, but we were pretty impressed and proud of him! Plus he was the only one of his year to make the effort and go to the final! Here some shots of him racing! I got a video too, but I haven't had a chance to shrink it yet.

After the race we went to a furniture shop and bought the boys a cupboard for their "new" bedroom. And from there we went to Florian's sister for a bbq.
We had a lovely evening there, even if it was a bit of surprise for my SIL, who had planned an evening of correcting exam papers!

The boys were over the moon to see their cousins again!

Day 96 - Sunday
A day of wallpapering today, so not really much to report. BUT we did get it all done! One step closer to finishing the room.

The boys spent the day playing outside or on the tablet/mobile phone or watching TV, not really very good choices, but it gave us the chance to get it all done without them fighting or such!

Day 97 - Monday
Busy day again. First I started both the dishwasher and washing machine on their chores, then I took the boys and their guitars to school. After that I picked up my friend and we went to sport. We fully intended to do our thing, which is normally 15 minutes cycling then whatever it takes on the machines there. Well today we changed our plans, or should I say Julia (my friend) changed our plans. We ended up taking part in the what they called "weight training", and yes it sounds as bad as it was. Afterwards we felt great that we had made it, but during, oh dear!
Someone was filming whilst we were doing it, and after I found these pictures on Facebook - proof, that I really did do some weight lifting! Go me! (I am the one near the back in fluorescent pink!)

this afternoon was once again spent getting my boys to the right places at the right time. And oops, I forgot taht I had a girl coming round for an English lesson! Luckily she lives in the village was was able to try again to find me!

Off to bed now
CU tomorrow!

Day 93

Work in the morning, nothing much to report from there. I had lunch on my own as Richard was round Heike's "again". Robert came home from school in a good mood. He got top marks (1*) on his folder about Fulda, and extra points for his photo story about our morning out in Fulda! So pleased for him.
I didn't pick him up from school today his friend's Dad offered to, as he was in town anyways. And even though he didn't have to come home on the bus, he only had 30 minutes at home before he had to go out to football training.
Just after Robert had set off Richard came home to get ready for his training. I joined him there and did my own training. One of the other Mums came with me this time, so I was a bit slower on my round, but I had a good old chat!
I had to leave Richard's training before he did, to be home in time for Robert getting home. Another Mum brought Richard home. And both Richard and Robert got home at the same time.

We had guests for tea. Heike's girls heard that we were having freshly baked bread for tea and asked if they could come too. It made for a lovely change!

This afternoon aside from baking bread I also did some experimenting in the kitchen, and tried my hand at making my own Crunchies. I made the honeycomb in the afternoon. And this evening after that had set, I covered them in chocolate. I tried quite a few crumbs, and I can't wait to try the finished thing in the morning. For now the chocolate is setting in the fridge. And just incase anyone fancies trying this too, I used this recipe and instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKdPHIF1Y1I

CU tomorrow!

Day 92

Library this morning, I remembered before leaving that the first class into the library was Roberts and that he was writing a test, so we didn't need to get there until the second lesson, unfortunately the first teacher after that had swapped her slot so we were there too early after all! Never mind, we had a good natter instead!
We also sorted out some books that we think the library still needs, so tonight I went shopping in a used book shop!

After the boys had done there homework, we went into town this afternoon. The main reason was to get their glasses fitted properly as Robert was complaining of his falling off of his nose - can't have that! It was also a good excuse to make the most of the sunshine and go to the ice cream parlour! We all had spaghetti ice cream, but all a different sort. Robert had his traditionally but with extra strawberries, Richard had his with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, and I had mine with chocolate sauce and bananas! So good!

After that Robert and I dropped Richard off at Karate and went shopping for the rabbits, then it was back to watch Richard do his first ever Karate test.

He did really well and got a certificate, he didn't quite pass the test for the white belt, but he only goes to training once a week, whereas his friends go twice. Looks like it won't be long before he cancels art school too, so he can go twice a week. We'll see!

I promised the boys that after the test we would go to McDonalds for tea. What I didn't realise is that we wouldn't be finished til 8pm! Oops! Never mind, we went anyway and they were really excited about it. I did manage to have the boys in bed by 8.45pm, I hope they manage it out of bed in the morning. Speaking of which, I should be heading there too.
CU tomorrow!

Day 91

I was really busy today but the good kind of busy, the sort where at the end of the day, you actually feel like you accomplished something. Feels good!
So first thing in the morning I went shopping for the week, then it was back home for a bit before I went to Kindergarden for my English lesson. I took some jigsaws and a game in for them, I didn't take all I still have left in though, I think I might try selling them at the autumn flea markets, where people might be thinking of Xmas presents! Until then I need to get the boxes out of the way, haven't done that yet.

After English I picked up my friend for sports. They have a new course plan out as of tomorrow, so I will be moving my English lessons to Mondays so we can try this new sport out that they do earlier on a Tuesday morning! I'm looking forward to that!

I cooked something new for lunch, well sort of, we had chicken, rice and broccoli and I made a peanut sauce to go with it, it was just like at the chinese. I LOVED it, the boys weren't impressed though. But they loved the other bits, so they didn't go hungry!

After the boys had finished their homework we all went into the garden. The boys fed the animals for me, and I got the lawnmower out. It took a few goes to get it working, petrol helped some, but wobbling all the wires helped more! And then I mowed all of the lawn, in the hope that I would get rid of all the critters that were eating Robert up.
Here he is after I had finished seeing if it worked!

(only two bites this evening, so I think it was a success!)

Richard went to the playground with his friends to practice his Karate for the test tomorrow, and at 4pm Robert went to his typing course. I got busy then in the front garden and dug out all the dandelions that were thinking of taking root there!

This is one of the pretty flowers I found growing in the front garden, it's called a Pulsatilla (Easter flower) and the birds must have planted it there, but very pretty! (and that dandelion in front of it, is now gone!)

See I was really busy, but I have plenty to show for it. Tomorrow I won't know whether the muscle ache comes from sport or gardening, but it was all worth it!
CU tomorrow!