chatting

Bear in a box reads "Fox in Soxs"

I knew my love of chatting would come in handy. Reasons to love the elderly just keep popping up. We met a lovely lady at the bus stop today. We had a lovely chat, then she gave the kids 20 euro cents each because they were being so good at the bus stop. I think I understood about one third of what she said but I made the right facial expressions at the right times (I think)...anyway she didn't take the money back. It was perfect as I have taken to bribing the children with money for a big flea market on Saturday in return for helpful behaviour so the trip bus trip home was full of Bear and Monkey chat about possible purchases. They have decided the Mouse needs a pull along dog.

Also today I got given a twin maclaren stroller. Another family are leaving at the end of the month and they have two (as this one is a bit rusty) but who knows it may last forever or break tomorrow...I'll let you know. Matt's chatting also paid off and he is off to look at and, I dare say buy a kid trailer for the bikes. The Bear must be sick of walking as he keeps looking up kid trailers on the internet, he says he has to do his job. He can be so serious sometimes. Needless to say I am very excited.

Lovely Librarians and Ice Cream

A quick maths lesson for Monkey

And these were the small options, no cream this week.

Getting a library card makes you tired.

The Bear got a library card on Friday. He was the only one as i forgot it cost money to a) get the library card and b) pay for the locker you have to store your bag in. I was so impressed that I remembered our passports and registration forms that I forgot to get money. Anyway with the help of 2 lovely librarians we borrowed books, checked them out automatically and paid the fee all without setting off any fire alarms, melting down any computers or offending anyone by using the wrong form of address. Armed with yet another bag we made it as far as the church next door where we stopped on the steps for a snack and a lovely couple took a picture of the kids and me....AND asked if I was from the Netherlands!!! Ok, I was using my best simple sentences but still I was a bit chuffed.

Staying Cool

Backgammon always a winner

2 Monkeys and a Bear

The Slide

Trying to stay cool

A basket is always a winner!

Heat, Markets, Pool and Park. The hot spell continues and we spent the weekend trying to find ways to keep cool. Riding a bike around the city to a festival with lots of little 2nd hand markets wasn't the best way to keep cool but it was worth it. Luckily I didn't drag the whole family, I took a little Tashy time and after braving a ride along the train station street (I bravely followed a group of old people as i figured they knew where they were going) I found the festival on Warendorferstr. It was about 11am and people where just setting up...I never get the starting time right. I do have the heads up for the big market on the Promenade next week. Bargains begin at 7am...I can't wait. Even though i was nearly melting I managed to find a few little things for the kids and of course I found a wicker basket!

We headed to the freibad (outdoor pool) in the afternoon as did most of Muenster. The only people not there were swimming in the canal (not something possible with kids). The bus got slowly more and more full until the pool stop when everyone poured, crossed the road and lined up in boiling sun to pay. But it was worth it, as soon as my feet hit the baby pool I was holidaying in Fiji (as everyone seems to be doing on facebook). It wasn't until 3 seconds later when the giant snail I had fail to notice began spitting water at me much to the delight of the child controlling it was I brought back to reality. Bear, Monkey and Mouse loved the pool but the slide which they loved last time caused a few meltdowns this time. Lots of wanting to but not really having he courage to do it. Bread and honey smoothed out any wrinkled armour and back in we went.

After a thunder storm overnight it was a little cooler today but really humid so we headed to the Botanic Gardens to sit in the shade for most of the day. The mouse had and still has a high temperature so lots of relaxing was in order. Armed with a soft blanket, lunch, bakery treats and lots of water we found our perfect stop surrounded by trees behind the castle. During the afternoon we were joined by some lovely friends and spent the afternoon chatting and mentioning the heat at 3 minute intervals.

Bicycle Legs

A touch of home (thanks Miss Liss)

Who needs more than 2 rooms when you have cupboards

Finding my bike legs! Eeek

The Promenade a beautiful (and busy) place to ride.

Took my first bike ride today. The destination wasn't so interesting (the train station) but the ride was brilliant. The weather in the mornings is nice and cool and riding along the promenade was lovely. It will take me a while to get my bike legs as i was a bit nervous when i had to join the traffic to turn left. I think bikes have right of way but I'm not going to test that one out.

I also survived my first washing day, though i did send the bear and monkey to the playgroup offered here for a couple of hours. Luckily there was space today, apparently it is a closed book at the moment. Anyway with the mouse in the ergo carrier we went down the stairs, up the stairs, back down the stairs to the laundry in the cellar. 3 hours-2 loads washed and dried and one washed and one the airer. It was like a elite sport and I think Matt will have to come home as he did today as i was watching the clock like a mad women towards 1pm and trying to organise lunch and sleeps. It seems ridiculous to dry washing in a dryer when the weather is so beautiful.

The bear and monkey have been keeping journals and we had a very relaxing time doing that when the mouse was asleep. I will have to admit that blogging does mean i can't indulge my cutting and pasting of collected things in a little book. So I hijacked the mouses' journal today for a bit of collage with arrows and descriptions...i just had to.

I have my thumbs pressed firmly down (as the Germans say) that Germany beat Spain tonight. As something went wrong last night and i couldn't post we all know that Germany lost 1-0 to Spain, let's not say another word.

Forgot Camera

I have now put my camera in my bag so I won't miss an opportunity like this again. We went to out first German church fete on Sunday. We went to see my old violin orchestra play and we weren't sure if it was church or not so dressed in our somewhat Sunday best just in case. There was no coconut ice, not even the peppermint version that abounds here but they did have bang the nail into the wood and a giant puzzle which the kids loved as they got a sweet at the end of every activity and of course the orchestra. It was wonderful, we all had to join in and had actions for each piece.

Actually missed many a photo op in the last week as forgot camera at World Cup viewing we went to at an Australian friends building. Everyone in the building was so nice and the kids had a great time in the garden, especially the mouse.....Will never forget camera again...I'll try. Maybe should let the bear be in charge of photos as he loves to take them.

We are finally officially registered with the government here and have visa and believe it or not Matt even has a uni library card. He gets his office on Wednesday (he had to ring a guy to show it to him). We have all come to terms with our one bedroom living situation (but only for 3 months). We think a trip to Berlin may help ease the squeeze. Cooler weather has helped. Probably will avoid buying the 2 50euro bottle of red wine ever again.

Our house

We have moved into our apartment. It is lovely and modern just a little small. Due to a miscomunication...others just not reading emails properly. Even though you try and try there is only so much you can do from the other side of the world and you just have to trust people can do their jobs, but no. We, the 5 of us have a one bedroom apartment for 3 months. All a bit crazy and the hot weather not helping calm things down. We are trying to look on the bright side. The city is wonderful and we have met up with some old friends and watched "our" team win 4-0 against Argentina with new friends in a garden...then inside when it began to rain.

Mondstr Photos

The playground had a fantastic flying fox, fun for young and old.

At the freibad (outdoor pool). A swim, ice cream and hot chips a good reward for a long walk there.
On the search for the pool.
Mondstr (Moon Street)
Working things out, now i know to put photos in other order. My brain must work differently to computer programmes.