I was walking down the street recently with PJ when he started to lag behind. When I looked behind, I saw this and snapped a picture. 

While taking the picture I heard, "ugh, my mommy makes a picture and I'm on my meeting up omferenzes call." 

What a tough life, kid. 

Xo

Moments of Summer

This summer 2015 was one of so many small moments. Like these.

Our dragon infestation.

Bean chillin like a villan

Trying to get in on the coolness.

Like the dress? Me too.

The summer our baby really became a little girl.

The boys went camping.

 

So much happened. So many good memories. Good people. Good times.

Xo

The Best Video Ever

I got this while in Denver. It is the best video ever.

Ever.

XO

What Love Can Look Like

Co

What Love Sometimes Looks Like

Without going into unnecessary detail, 2015 has been rocky. Health has been a real treat (on a side note, I read that sarcasm is a sign of high-intelligence. My intelligence in 2015 has sky rocketed.) The topic of being a working mother has been even more difficult than I imagined in 2013. In fact, when I read my blogs about being a working mom in Germany, I'm actually somewhat amused at how innocent I was; how I thought I'd 'really' experienced the crushing judgement and loneliness of being a career-interested woman with children in Germany...and I hadn't even gotten past the tippy-top of the iceberg.

But I digress. We've had to all take time to heal-up, strengthen-up, step outside the norm, be true to ourselves. Do stuff we wouldn't usually do or ever want to do because that's what a family member needs.

Stuff like watch BBC's Pride & Prejudice with the one and only true Mr. Darcy while holding your wife's hand and not complaining out loud.

Sometimes that is what love looks like. 

XO

Little Moments: Stuffed Animals

That moment when your baby plays with your stuffed animal. 

Xo

Playground Moments of the Heart

Last week the kids and I explored a new playground close to our home. Everything is new and sparkly and includes ropes course elements. The largest one was quite challenging so of course PJ bee-lined right for it. He conquered it like a pro, showing again his excellent balance and timing and showing off his instinctive feel for how to use the rope and his weight to be successful.

On his first attempt he managed one full loop on this course. Check this out: 

He even managed the balance ropes on his first try.



Awesome, right? I was one very proud momma, especially when he popped off the course and lit up with his thrilled, proud smile.

Naturally, what Big Brother can do, so can our little Bean. It took her a little while to warm up (like two minutes) and then she also started attacking a smaller rope ladder somewhat more her size.

This part led up to a short, metal slide. She needed a little bit of help at the start but by the third time she was racing up with confidence.

All was well. Between the sandbox and the swings and the ropes elements, the kids were happy and challenged. I was even able to exchange a few sentences with another mom friend.

Then it happened: both kids were climbing on the netting towards the slide (pictured above). Little Bean got to the top and then stood up between the netting and the slide a little too quickly. Suddenly, and silently, she was toppling backwards. Someone else at the playground let out a little screech and I was racing towards my falling baby.

Then suddenly she wasn't falling anymore.

In that awful moment, PJ leaned his body against the ropes and grasped her arm, yanking her towards him. Both of them draped over the ropes in precarious safety. Bean stared into her Big Brother's face; PJ yelled, "I have her!"

I was already there. I thanked PJ for being quick and helping his sister while I gathered Little Bean into my arms and comforted her past her fear. No injury, just fear. Because of her brother. Her Big Brother.

Faster than my heart could return to its normal resting pace, it was all over. Bean demanded "down!" and off they ran together. Watching them climbing again, my heart flipped only every other minute. 

The rest of the afternoon remained uneventful. The kids climbed and played and fought and tripped and were kids. 

I couldn't help but reflect on that moment. Now, a week later, I know I will carry that moment with me forever. The first time I ever saw my little ones reach out to each other for safety and security, knowing it was already there in each other.

XO

Castle Gardens with Spider-Man

Recently we went to the castle gardens for a short family outing. PJ wore his Spider-Man costume. 

At the start of our walk Bean grabbed his hand and they walked like this for a good while. 

Sometimes he looks so big, so grown up and then I see him from a distance: so small, so young, so full of what makes him, him. 

Things like proudly giving his sister a ride on the stroller

And showering her with love and pride. 

I have two special children. So special. 

And aren't they all?

Xo

Family Wedding Fun

A couple of months ago the Mr's brother married one very lovely lady. We had some serious wedding fun. The bride and groom haven't shared wedding pictures online, so I'm not going to be doing that for them. Also, the vast majority of pictures on our camera were ruined: blurry, grainy, and with a surprising number of fingers across them.

Nevertheless, here are some fun peeks into our lovely day together.

Before the wedding, the kids and I were goofing around in our way-too-small hotel bed. I love these pictures. I hope this is what they remember: their silly mommy being silly with them.

First up was the actual wedding ceremony. PJ was so excited about it that he crashed out and slept through it all.

Jelly Bean was not impressed, so we had to leave the ceremony room. I missed the chance to tear up at the sweetness of two good people swearing fidelity to each other.

As soon as the ceremony was over, PJ woke up and resumed his role as The Boss.

It was juice. 

Jelly Bean remained the explorer. Here she had located jewelry that was worth more than our home.

Dangerous sense of taste.

While the adults were drinking juice (and champagne), the kids convinced Oma to ride the glass elevator with them. Many, many times. So many times that even Opa got into the fun.

But is it ever enough?

Outside, we took pictures, chased birds, and Jelly Bean tried to dart off in each and every direction. Then we moved to the restaurant for a wonderful, wonderful meal.

PJ focused on goofing around.  

Jelly Bean focused on food. 

It was a lovely wedding with good people. Granny also got to join the fun but sadly all the pictures with her aren't share-able based on what is technically called "shit" quality. She took a picture or two of me -- and I looked FABULOUS - but they didn't turn out either. 

You'll have to just do with a picture of these three.

That is one handsome hubby.

What a hard life, eh?


xo

Jelly Bean One Year

Jelly Bean turned one year old six weeks ago. What on earth happened? I mean, I usually time delay my posts and all that but SIX WEEKS for something so important?!?! And just a bunch of crickets here on Pickles and Onions?

The truth is, dear readers, is that my BABY turned one YEAR old. No more months, unless I do that creepy ‘my baby is 34 months old’ thing. Spoiler alter: aint gonna happen. My baby turned one and while my head got it and my heart celebrated it. My soul – and therefore the piece of me that writes – wasn’t ready for that. Nope, not at all.

But it happened. And it was wonderful.

It started early in the morning with some extra cuddles while the boys were bringing up the big birthday gift:

Here are the boys with the special gift.

Matilda took her time and then dove into her brand new toy kitchen.

Over maybe PJ did...

Then it was time to get dressed and open the gifts from our American family. So much adorable-ness!

And so many gifts!

Then PJ very excitedly gave Jelly Bean the gift he chose for her. There was a bit of confusion about who got to open the gift. First she was pretty insistent that she would open it.

But then PJ got a try.

Then she demanded it back.

And finally got it somewhat opened.

And that was the point that PJ couldn't wait any more.

 

He was so proud to give his little sister a gift. Jelly Bean was just thrilled to have Big Brother's undivided attention.

Then it was already time for our guests to arrive to help celebrate our healthy little girl.  

 

 

Since Jelly Bean still wasn't eating much sweet stuff and loved small pretzels and peanut butter, I made her a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing and her favorite tiny pretzels. She loved it!

I wasn't too confident that the German guest would like peanut butter and chocolate, so I also made a vanilla cake and cupcakes with vanilla icing colored green and blue. Those came over well.

 

 

Of course we skyped in Granny and Grandpie too!

Before too long - and much faster than ever before - the party day was over, our guests were already leaving, and all four of us fell into our beds. A wonderful day to celebrate a wonderful, healthy little lady.

 

 

There we are. My beloved, wonderful, stubborn, clever and above all healthy little girl is already one year old. I'm honored to be your mommy.

 

 

XO