Mexican

Right before my mom, Granny, took off back to the US, we took her out for Mexican food in our little town. Kind of ironic that we were in Germany and headed out for Mexican, but the food there is really, really good.

And my mom seems to like irony and I think she was just excited to get out with all of us for one last time, especially since during her three weeks with us we dealt with the flu, a series of infections, a cold, as well as a set of fevers.

The Steinbach clan.

We love this restaurant because they are so friendly to everyone, especially kids, and the food and drinks are all made in-house. They also have kick-ass drinks. I may enjoy the kick-ass drinks the most...though the guac is way up on the list too.

Mom doesn't drink alcohol...but she's a hell of a ham for the camera.

We always start the meal off with guacamole. The guacamole is excellent and the chips are homemade, fresh, warm, and crispy. PJ insisted in helping us all put the guac onto our chips, mostly choosing to either eat (or at least lick) our chips before he handing them over.

Eating with a toddler is not for those with a weak stomach.

Getting the guac onto the chips requires concentration.

When our meals arrived, the "small kids portion of french fries" turns out to be much larger than any of us expected. PJ was thrilled! For the record, we had to get the ketchup refilled and he ate about half of those fries.

Thankfully we actually remembered to bring a bib with us because PJ got just about as much into his face, onto his face, and all over his bib.  

And that was before he started playing around with his Granny. The last few blogs are full of fun pictures and videos of them playing together. Even out to eat, they got on so well together; PJ of course setting the tone and leading the games. Just like here:

Of course, PJ got bored quickly and, thankfully, was free to walk around the room, trying out almost every free seat while the owners goofed around with him. As the three adults finished our meals, we all began to join into the fun. My mom caught this picture of the three of us enjoying each other.

 

And then dinner was over, just like Granny's three weeks with us: too quickly and although we knew it was coming, still sad when it ended.

The next morning, we finally managed to grab a picture of all four of us right before I drove Granny to the airport.

 

The next morning, PJ looked everywhere for his "Annie" (Granny). I think its safe to say we are all looking forward to seeing her and other guests soon!


xo

Paddy's Day 2015

St. Patrick's Day is a big deal around here. Each year we go to the Heidelberg Irish pub for some fish and chips, well-poured Guinness, and live music. This year Granny is here with us. We started with a short trip to the super-fancy playground in Heidelberg.

And ice cream, of course. Granny played with the kids while I took an important business meeting. It isn't always easy to balance of family and work with the added joy of time differences. Thankfully we've got tons of support.

Then we met up with Papa and hit the pub. We all made ourselves comfortable right away.

Jelly Bean owned the place, charming everyone and dancing along with all the music, live and recorded.

Granny enjoyed the atmosphere as well. She also really dug into the wonderful fish and chips with extra vinegar and ketchup.

Jelly Bean was all over the french fries and ketchup.



Of course the handsome Mr. enjoyed the Guinness. Me too for the record!

I really enjoyed the Guinness.

Jelly Bean enjoyed goofy around with Granny. Loudly. Hilariously. Too fun.

Our precious PJ was also there. I promise. He loved the french fries, the ketchup, the music, and the fun green outfits. He just refused to be a part of the picture fun. 

XO

Silly with Granny

Turns out that I have been misspelling "Granny" ... whoops.  Will do better moving forward. Promised.

Poor little PJ got my skin in the genetic mix-up. That means that he continues to have challenges with his very dry skin and the cold winter wind. It can lead to cracked skin, bleeding, etc, etc. To help protect his skin we have to carefully smooth lotion all over his body but especially on his face.

PJ isn't a fan of lotion and he does not like lotion on his face.

While Granny was here, she jumped into the lotion-spreading fun. One day she tried a new approach by role modeling (lots of) lotion on her face. PJ wasn't too impressed but Granny did manage to get spots in the most important places. He wasn't allowing her to smooth it out though.

Then she tried a tested method that has had some success, some failure: bribery. In this case a shiny new ambulance that lights up and makes noises.

 

At first he was interested but skeptical.

Then the lights made him smile...

..and the siren made him laugh.

But we totally blew the bribery angle when PJ got his grubby hands on the ambulance toy before anyone got the lotion rubbed in.

And then he crowed!


xo

Granny Traditions 2013

While my mom was here, she built upon her special and new traditions with my kiddos. The links go to earlier blogs from her time with us earlier this year as a comparison.

1. She made awesome cookies with PJ.

Making the batter

Cutting out the cookies

PJ refusing to clean up after all the fun.

2. She decorated Jelly Bean's room. Apologies to my mom and Jelly Bean. I just cannot get good pictures of this room; it is too awesome for my limited camera options. And Jelly Bean is still too young to react and enjoy the artist value here.

3. She acted silly around all over the house with both kids. One strength that my mom has is acting child-like; PJ adored it.

Amazing picture snapped while playing hide-and-seek with Granny.

I have no idea what they are doing here but it was loud and looked like a lot of fun.

4. Getting the entire Steinbach clan in front of the camera at the same time (well, almost).

PJ refused to show his face.

So we tried again, including Granny this time.

xo

Italy with Granny

While my mom was here, we all headed to Italy for a few days. The five hour ride down went remarkably well. Most likely because Granny was non-stop entertainment in the backseat and there was tons of food.

When we got there, the fun just kept going. They goofed around a lot on the floor which was especially remarkable because the tile floor was freezing.

When we got too cold, we turned to board games of all sorta of types and sizes. And complexity. And spontaneously revolving rules.

Jelly Bean tended to focus on slippers to keep her feet warm. Can anyone be more adorable?

Thankfully we all also had the Mr.'s almost constant cooking to warm us up.

Although it rained most of our time there, we took advantage of the one nice day. We got out of the house and into the beautiful little villages at the bottom of the hill and along the lakeshore.

Of course, ice cream and other sweets were included! 

We also took a little field trip to this place. This beautiful, glorious place.

Afterwards we all took a walk....

Like Granny, like grandbaby. 

...and a massive, massive nap. 

Only now, more than two months later, reviewing these pictures, did I realize the gift my mother left behind. Pictures of the entire Steinbach clan. Pictures of small moments of parenting usually missed. THANK YOU for those beautiful pictures, Mom. Thank you.

Two pictures of all four of the Steinbach clan! Amazing.

Thank you mom.


xo