Snap shots

Keeping record

There has to be chocolate in here somewhere.

Lots going on this week, many moments when insanity is just around the corner, but also so many lovely moments. Madding moments of endless questions, repeated instructions and counting to 3 and sweet moments of learning to ride bikes and genuine heartfelt words. The Monkey was read an email by Matt from B and J and said thoughtfully and tearily' "I really miss Adelaide".

We said goodbye today to a great family that we only just met but know that will always keep in touch with. What better way to say good bye than by wearing a pair of under pants on your head and eating pikelets, luckily it was only the Bear who wore underpants on his head as he got into the CLEAN washing and decided he was a superhero. The Monkey and the Mouse went as a princess and a fairy respectively.

Captain Underpants, Princess and Fairy...and choc sprinkles

The mouse in the thick of the party

new feats and the zoo

Happy 60th Birthday Papa drawings of cakes and crowns.

New feats...literally

The Mouse has really come along in leaps and bounds in the last week. Thankfully she is back to her happy and relaxed self, though sleeping for longer stretches at night wouldn't go astray. She has started to really communicate definite wants. Yesterday she was hungry and pointed to the kitchen and when we followed her in she went to the fridge (not as easy to find as you think as it is the same as all the other cupboards) then pointed to the cheese when we opened it. She also has so many new sounds and like the other two and her mum loves to have a chat.

As Matt spent most of Saturday in bed (9 euro all you can drink and 4am don't really mix at 37) the kids and I went adventuring on the bike. I was a bit wobbly at first but got the knack of the trailer quickly. As it is wider than the bike you have to be careful. I need whiskers. Though as people were passing me (4 people one bike) in all directions I realised I have to work on my "oh my god my legs are burning but no problems here" face. So today Matt made it up to us by taking us to the zoo. I am think of building a wasserbahn (water playground) out of wood myself as i enjoyed it so much, made me think I was in a middle ages village...now where is that blacksmith???

Soccer, Cake and Bikes

This week has been a big soccer week. Nearly every afternoon we have gone down to the courtyard to play. A couple of older boys have started playing soccer and the Bear loves it. Actually he loved it the first day, had a melt down the second when he couldn't understand he couldn't touch it with his hands but made a come back and seems to have decided he will be a goal keeper. Best of all worlds, you can touch it with your hands and you don't have to run so much.

This afternoon we had a party in the courtyard put on by the international house. Cake (so much and so yummy), drinks and a bbq. Soccer featured high on the agenda for the lads who took themselves around behind the club house to play, yes the Bear went too. He is so big to me but looks so small compared to the others. (that's him right at the back). We also found some communal kids bikes and the Bear and Monkey surprised us. Looks like we might be in for a bike weekend. By the way the beer in Matt's hand is actually alcohol free (he he). Best of all didn't have to cook dinner.

and it finished with a bee sting!

It is always the way with me, I have a great weekend then fall a bit flat on Monday. I am not sure at which point I started thinking about our next house move last night, was it the first time the Mouse woke up, the third time she woke or 5 30am when she decided the day should begin. Anyway by 8am I was all at sea about moving then having to move out again a month before we fly back home....how much can a girl with 3 kids take. After much grumping around I talked to Matt and he was just as annoyed. By lunch time thanks to him we have the place until we leave and I had a lovely phone call from the landlady....hope i sounded as happy as I was in German. So biggest problem solved, just have to get the Bear to remember he can put on his socks and undies by himself and the Monkey to stop stubbing her toes and banging her head every 5 minutes. And of course the Mouse to sleep a little better no she isn't coughing so much. To help realign the world the kids took me on a walk to the lake then we ate yummy spaghetti for dinner. Was made to laugh (after screaming and hopping around) when just as kids were in bed I trod on a bee I had heard buzzing around all afternoon. At least it was me and not the kids. Made it through another one. Tuesday must be better...will go to bed early and get a head start.

markets and berries

A huge Saturday for the family today. Luckily the kids woke up early (due to the sun we were up just before 6am) so we got a good start on the Promenade Market. It is a 2nd hand market, both collectibles and peoples stuff that stretches for about a kilometre maybe more if you unwind the part on the field. We started at the collectibles part and found some great tins. Matt and the kids have joined me in my love of tins. We actually all picked up the same tin at one stall. Unfortunately it was 45euros so we didn't buy it....maybe next month. The Monkey bought a softie Maus with her 5euros who has been hugged and taken around all day.Then the Bear, Mouse and I went onto the regular people stuff and got some puzzles and gum boats. Unfortunately no bakeware.

Next up was a short train trip to some friends for the most wonderful afternoon in the garden eating fantastic food, drinking wine and tea (in the appropriate order) and watching the kids pick and eat berries. At one point my Mouse woke up in the dappled light of the apple tree..ohhh so sweet to say that. Being Australian I just don't pick berries as a rule so this was a great experience for the kids. The Monkey and the Mouse probably ate more than they picked. They picked Johannisbeeren which are red currants. I've seen them in the shop but had no idea what they were so haven't bought them before. Now we have a new berry the girls like and I have to find a jam recipe for the Bear.

The monkey takes the maus on the train.

Thanks to those who invited us and joined us.

New Transport

Triumphant Return!

Only made for 2, photo op only.

Look at that boot space, not to forget the bumperbar.

I have to say that today we got a new form of transport and short of it being a "beam me up/down Scotty" form of transport I don't think I could be more excited. Yes, we are now official residents as we own our own Kid bicycle trailer. After a little homework we found the one we wanted then luckily we found a second hand one that was in tip top condition. Matt and the bear went on a quest on the train to the next town (about 60kms away). They left with a book each and a snack. I can just imagine the pair of them looking very serious on the train with chocolate crumbs around their mouths. After a whole morning away (in the age old warrior tradition) they came back triumphant with our kinda new "Croozer Kid for 2", in a very snazzy green colour. Now we just have to get the coupling device attached, we have no tools so have to take it to a shop. Needless to say that, as with everything else we do it will take a couple of days so telling the kids to be patient is hard when I just want to get out on the open bike path.

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.