Goodbye Deutschland Party

A few weeks ago we celebrated our time in Germany and the Mr's birthday. Since there are just so many people that we love, we rented a grill hut from the city to have enough room. People traveled from South & North Germany.

Thank you for your time. Your love. Your support. We will see you all soon on one side of the ocean or the other.

I was so overwhelmed by the amount of people who came and the love they gave us, that I missed taking pictures. Please share them if you have them!

XO

Last US Visitors

Our very last American visitors came a few weeks ago. It was the first time that my well-traveled aunt and uncle had visited and we had an excellent time together.

The Mr. was off skiing with his friends in a previously planned trip for the majority of their time here. It was a pity to miss him and we all fit into my VW Touran easier.
 

Uncle J is a master builder and showed great enthusiasm and patience in building with PJ. Together they built one complicated work of Lego art after another. Uncle J also helped PJ continue to learn that Legos don't break; Legos come apart, giving us another opportunity to build something even better.

Aunt P and little Jelly Bean bonded as well. By the fifth day, Bean wanted Aunt P to help her wake up in the morning.

We all went to Heidelberg together. There we introduced our visitors to Döner and Yufka. All things food inspire Bean and the entire family seemed to enjoy the food. It was excellent to have the chance to say goodbye to our favorite Döner place as well.
 

I also voted for my first primary ever while in Germany. Check out all the swag I got, even a Thin Mint cookie from the Girl Scouts!
 

While it wasn't always peaceful, and PJ still struggles with transitions and over-excitement, there continue to be many moments of laughter and sibling learning. Like this one while waiting for a bus in Heidelberg.
 

And this one at the Heidelberg castle.

And this one in the Schwetzingen castle garden. Both wanted to hold my hand to make "big-big-big" shadows.
 

Together we also went to Wörms and experienced Jewish history returned to life. We toured Schwetzingen. We went to Speyer. These are places that I've spent a good slice of time in while living here for work and while touring with visitors. I wouldn't have taken the time to say goodbye to each and now, with some time for reflection and even closer to our move, I'm so thankful that I did.

Once the Mr. returned, we even went to Straussbourgh, France.

The entire crew on a boat, in the sun. Fabulous French eclairs in our bellies.

While I've reached out to my aunt a handful of times for advice and feel an almost instant comfort with her, I haven't really spent all that much time with her or my uncle J. She lives on one coast and I lived first at home and then at college and then in Europe. This trip offered a chance to learn more about both.

For example, my uncle takes really good pictures and he takes taking pictures seriously. He can also fix anything and enjoys the process as well as the result. He has traveled extensively; gets frustrated (first time I ever felt that!); and has a very quiet and musical faith and practice of his faith. He is also giving of his experience and his wisdom, providing powerful input into the paperwork side of our move.

 

My aunt is far more forgiving and generous of her experience, her mistakes, her wisdom, and her struggles than even I expected. She has mothered two very different children into adulthood and is (to date) the most clear and supportive ally in my life who offered me realistic, loving feedback about my parenting and my children when asked.

 

Together they have been married almost 35 years. They are serious and they are hilarious.

 

 

They live both. And it is gorgeous to be a part of and watch from nearby.

 

Thanks for your time, Aunt P and Uncle J.

XO

Summer Fun with Eritrea

The journey continues with our dear friends from Eritrea. As the refugee crisis continues throughout the world, we have had quite a number of little and big joys.

After a private donor funded more than 15 intensive German courses earlier this year -- THANK YOU, Angel! -- we now have 10 friends who are starting an education program for either professional or academic skills. We have a few starting an internship or apprenticeship. We have also welcomed three healthy babies.

All that and now our home is getting healthier. So I decided it was time to celebrate again.

There was food and drinks, music and dancing. Right before the party broke up, we managed a pictures. There are a good number of people missing, especially quite a number of our German friends who have done so much to ensure hope, climb mountains, and discover opportunity.

Our dearest, most engaged, most devoted is right next to me, on the right. She was born in Eritrea and grew up in Germany. She has moved mountains; created miracles; herded a ridiculous amount of cats; victoriously battled bureaucrats; and brought so much hope to us all in such different ways. Dear, if you ever read this, know that you are a role model and a friend. I am so thankful for you.

The struggles and the joys will continue. The dance of setting up new life will continue, two steps forward, one step back, a little twirl, sometimes a dip, and somehow it all comes together.

I am honored and so thankfully that we somehow stumbled into each others' lives.

Xo

First Shared Stair Step

A few months ago the kids got their first shared time-out. I can't remember exactly what was going on but I do remember - and snapped a picture of - how unimpressed PJ was and how thrilled Matilda was.

Her entire demeanor and her constant giggle expressed, "This is awesome! A time out! With big brother! I'm a big kid!"

The time-outs have remained just as effective since then. 

XO

Color Run 2014

Months and months ago I finished the Color Run. It was a total blast!

I ran with a colleague who took his phone along and grabbed some pictures. First at the starting line:

Then in the fields during the race:

Seriously, he is really good people.

Afterwards, I got a quick picture with some friends who also did the race.

And, finally, the ever-elusive family photo!

It was a fun race and I hope we can ALL do it next year too!

XO

PJ's First Professional Haircut

In June of 2013 I cut PJ's hair for the first time. Almost one year later, he was ready for another cut. This time we decided to try a professional. He also does my hair and is a family friend of the Watcher's family.

First the Watcher got his hair cut while PJ watched intensively.

Then PJ was up. He did an excellent job. 

And then our handsome boys showed off their new hairdos.

Lordy, have they have grown! 

XO

Solids for Jelly Bean

Our little Jelly Bean is over six months old and has been enjoying more and more solid foods. We started slowly with actual baby food. For a few weeks it went well.

Jelly Bean's first bite ever.

She was open to the experience.

She LOVED the experience.

But then something happened. Maybe she noticed that we were eating different things or maybe PJ told her our food tastes better or maybe ... who knows! Suddenly baby food was not acceptable. So we turned to Baby Led Weaning again.

Since then she's enjoyed cucumbers, carrots, bretzels, lettuce potatoes, bread, and a lot more. Like:

Strawberries!

Sushi!

Start 'em early, right?


XO

Day in France 2014

I live in Germany by choice. I want to live in Germany. I like my life in Germany. 

But sometimes Germany just really pisses me off. 

And recently, that sometime was now. I usually take a break from Germany at least once a year but I realized about two months ago that I hadn't gotten a break from Germany in almost two years. Two years. 

Two years. 

And my attitude showed it. I needed a break. So we headed over to France for a day. It took us about an hour to drive over. When we got there, Jelly Bean needed to eat and get changed. PJ needed to be a little silly. 

Tilly getting a new diaper.

PJ getting his silly on.

We didn't really know much about the little town we went to, so we just walked around aimlessly. At first the place was dead. 

PJ didn't complain about having the playground to himself.

Check out the statue in the square window. Strange, right?

It did get a little boring though. So when PJ found this balcony, he raced up it and then started to sing "Let It Go!"

That baby sure does make him look even more handsome, eh?

Then the village started to wake up. The streets filled. The cafes got full. We stopped to get some food - hamburgers! - and PJ grabbed a balloon. 

Then we discovered a carousel! Who doesn't love a good carousel?

PJ with his race car and ready to hand his card over. 

While PJ was enjoying the carousel and Tilly slept in the Ergocarrier, the parents got to enjoy a little time off. 

We like time off.

The Mr. likes time off.

Okay, I really like time off.

We also really enjoyed discussing if this was on purpose or not. Thoughts?

The highlight however was PJ's response to the man who collected the tickets each time before the carousel  began. At first, he silently handed over the ticket. However as he got more comfortable, he began to respond to the man's French with "blah blah blah blah". With each turn, PJ got more confident, louder, and his accent got ever more French, "bla ble bla ble". 

It. was. fabulous. 

I'm not going to lie, it was glorious to be away from Germany for a few hours. I chose to live here and sometimes I chose to take a break. This break was lovely. 

XO

Mice Will Play (Frozen)

The Mr. got to run away for a full night of sleep - he called it a "business" trip - and while he was away, the little mice decided to play. It started with a continuation of the model contest (the winner is no longer clear, I'd say).

After kindergarten, PJ and I made a guitar together. Little Man is still really into music and has been asking for a guitar. I'm not a huge fan of toys that make noise; cardboard, tape, and string to the rescue!

Projects are fun.

Afterwards, we made a cheese pizza; poured a glass of wine for mommy and a glass of 'kinderwein" (grapejuice) for PJ; and turned on Disney's Frozen.

PJ had already seen Frozen with Daddy in the cinema a few months before and had been talking about "Ana" and the "Ice Queen" since then. For the first few minutes, he had no idea what movie we were watching but then it suddenly clicked. He turned to me and whispered with great excitement, "Mommy, it is the ice queen."

Totally worth it.

During the movie, PJ sang and accompanied the songs. 

It was a fabulous night until all hell broke loose at bedtime. Sorry, no pictures. It ended with me sandwiched between two crying babies, both fighting sleep and kicking and smacking me randomly in various body parts as they both slowly sank into sleep eventually...cause its all gotta stay balanced, right?

XO