Now that the kids are in school ( I know I might have mentioned that), there are now these times in the day set aside for travel. Travel to school via car or ubahn and the walks home. When you have your kids with you like that, and you can't talk on your phone, you aren't driving a car, and you don't have any such things as quick stops it can be absolutely hilarious the coversations you might have. We also have so much more devoted family time here in Stuttgart. With things closing early, and all day Sunday. Not to mention the lack of tv. It is so fun to hear my kids, really hear their ideas and their dreams.
On the topic of funny conversations. Abby got her ears pierced back in June. I had been cleaning her ears regularly until one night I asked her to do such. Scott and I hear a call from the bathroom " mommy I can't reach the fluffy muffin tops!" So, the name has stuck! Today Scott called me after drop off and tells me half way through their drive to school, in a interesting part of town Abby calls from the back seat " daddy how do you spell six?" Scott says " S I X" Abby replys "no in Deutsch!" Scott says " S E C H S" and Abby just sits there hmmmm! Can we guess the word on the store Abby saw? Hehe
On the topic of dreams, I just love how they dream so big and also so small( everything counts when your 7 and 9)! So Ethan's new dream is so simple, when he turns 10 ( double digits ) he would like to go to the in door play park and bring his whole class so they can see him ride the 10+ slide! Oh and he is also going to be a pro soccer player for Stuttgart! Abby's dreams are way more complex ( so like her)! She would now like to be a dentist, that owns a Fresh Sub ( kinda like Subway but BETTER), and on weekends work at a pizza parlor ( because her and Lily promised each other)! So fun!
Random conversations...Ethan decided that Scott is the president of out house, I demanded a recount but was denied! Really, don't I scream presidential! Also when watching American Tale I say something like I was 6 when this came out, it was one of my favorites! Ethan looks up and says "Abby that means it's really old!" Wow!
Finally there are daily conversations that clue me in on what my kids are like when I am not around. Abby shares with me her new words in German, and what she likes about her teacher! Ethan talks to me about his struggles making friends, and the new one how weird girls are!
If the daily walks aren't toning my rear, and they are at least toning my ears! It is so fun to gain this time with my kids as they grow!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A week in the life of me...
Monday:
8:30am PTA Already posted about this! Plan ahead because this group will keep you one busy cookie!
10:00 REWE local grocery store by the kid’s school! Also my favorite grocery store ever!
11:30 Home from store, go for a run, walk the dog!
12:30 Shower!
1:15 There is a chimney sweep at my door! I thought this only happen in the movies. I didn't even know we had a chimney! The young man is hilarious practicing his English on me!
1:30 The Post Office, the place where every time the tall, fat worker ask me how long we will be here on vacation! I reply 3 years!
2:00 Time to Ubahn to the school..
2:10 Yeah, running ahead of schedule quick stop downtown for a starbucks.
2:20 Made the next train!
3:00 I have two kids again...and now they will play at the school for 30 minutes
4:30 Home, 2 boys are already ringing the gate!
5:50 Dinner, Scott is travel somewhere that I can't pronounce...so we eat a very American meal of Mac and cheese!
6:30 Homework till bedtime!
8:20 Kids are in bed, my bed but they are in it!
10:20 I am in bed
Tuesday: Let's do it again....
7:05am off to school
8:10am They are safely at the school
9:00 Stop at OBI, thinks Home Depot but then add a pet store and Hobby Lobby to it! Had to pick up a new outdoor extension cord, Scott ran it over mowing the lawn! This is a heavy item to carry 1.5K uphill but we need it! Our yard is looking way to German (aka LONG)
11:00am Home from store, go for a run, walk the dog!
12:30 Mop Floors than Shower!!
2:00 Leave to get kids.
3:00 2 Kids again.
3:30 Stop at dance store on our way home to get Jazz shoes, but poor Abby's feet are to small.
4:30 Home
6:00pm Dinner
8:00 Kids are in Bed!
9:30 so am I, exhausted!
Wednesday:
7:30am Out the door, yeah later day Scott is driving us!
8:30am Meet 5 new moms for a coffee. So, weird to get to know new people! So, funny to listen to them as your mind goes; "is your husband really that amazing?”; "How lovely that you always spend Christmas in Italy!" Mean while there is loud mouth me :)
10:30 Coffee is over, must go shopping!
11:00am Shopping for my little girls 7th birthday! 7years! Wow!
1:00 Home let dog out, and turn around and leave...must not forget early pick up!
2:30 Pick up 2 kids, drop of 1 kid at Jazz. Meet another mom (Ethan made a friend (finally!))! We scheduled a play date, which is funny when you say "no I don't have a car."
3:45 on our way home!
5:00 Home and Homework :(
6:00 Dinner
7:00pm Scott mows the yard, sent 2 kids out to watch my new extension cord!
7:30pm Bath than Bed
8:15 They are in bed!
9:30 still exhausted!
Thursday:
7:30am off they go, while I am off to walk the dog!
8:00am Mop the basement!
8:30 Time for me to go but can't find Fern...only look my nasty little dog is INSIDE my neighbors house! UGH!
9:30 At ISS (the school) to help the preschool classes for school picture day! The photographer is AMAZING!
11:00 I get to leave early, off to REWE again. Out of milk and bread (Scott accidently ate moldy bread this morning)!
12:00 Home and walk the dog!
1:30 Blogging...
I feel like such a busy bee again! I am kinda glad, finally out there in the world meeting people but also like I must maintain balance before it goes crazy. I have got a couple good things going for me tonight we invited a family to dinner, a trip to the army base on Friday, coffee on Monday, shopping on Tuesday, a new book group Wednesday, and plans to see a movie Sunday. I am excited to meet friends and establish a life here in Stuttgart!
This is me; this is my crazy German life!
8:30am PTA Already posted about this! Plan ahead because this group will keep you one busy cookie!
10:00 REWE local grocery store by the kid’s school! Also my favorite grocery store ever!
11:30 Home from store, go for a run, walk the dog!
12:30 Shower!
1:15 There is a chimney sweep at my door! I thought this only happen in the movies. I didn't even know we had a chimney! The young man is hilarious practicing his English on me!
1:30 The Post Office, the place where every time the tall, fat worker ask me how long we will be here on vacation! I reply 3 years!
2:00 Time to Ubahn to the school..
2:10 Yeah, running ahead of schedule quick stop downtown for a starbucks.
2:20 Made the next train!
3:00 I have two kids again...and now they will play at the school for 30 minutes
4:30 Home, 2 boys are already ringing the gate!
5:50 Dinner, Scott is travel somewhere that I can't pronounce...so we eat a very American meal of Mac and cheese!
6:30 Homework till bedtime!
8:20 Kids are in bed, my bed but they are in it!
10:20 I am in bed
Tuesday: Let's do it again....
7:05am off to school
8:10am They are safely at the school
9:00 Stop at OBI, thinks Home Depot but then add a pet store and Hobby Lobby to it! Had to pick up a new outdoor extension cord, Scott ran it over mowing the lawn! This is a heavy item to carry 1.5K uphill but we need it! Our yard is looking way to German (aka LONG)
11:00am Home from store, go for a run, walk the dog!
12:30 Mop Floors than Shower!!
2:00 Leave to get kids.
3:00 2 Kids again.
3:30 Stop at dance store on our way home to get Jazz shoes, but poor Abby's feet are to small.
4:30 Home
6:00pm Dinner
8:00 Kids are in Bed!
9:30 so am I, exhausted!
Wednesday:
7:30am Out the door, yeah later day Scott is driving us!
8:30am Meet 5 new moms for a coffee. So, weird to get to know new people! So, funny to listen to them as your mind goes; "is your husband really that amazing?”; "How lovely that you always spend Christmas in Italy!" Mean while there is loud mouth me :)
10:30 Coffee is over, must go shopping!
11:00am Shopping for my little girls 7th birthday! 7years! Wow!
1:00 Home let dog out, and turn around and leave...must not forget early pick up!
2:30 Pick up 2 kids, drop of 1 kid at Jazz. Meet another mom (Ethan made a friend (finally!))! We scheduled a play date, which is funny when you say "no I don't have a car."
3:45 on our way home!
5:00 Home and Homework :(
6:00 Dinner
7:00pm Scott mows the yard, sent 2 kids out to watch my new extension cord!
7:30pm Bath than Bed
8:15 They are in bed!
9:30 still exhausted!
Thursday:
7:30am off they go, while I am off to walk the dog!
8:00am Mop the basement!
8:30 Time for me to go but can't find Fern...only look my nasty little dog is INSIDE my neighbors house! UGH!
9:30 At ISS (the school) to help the preschool classes for school picture day! The photographer is AMAZING!
11:00 I get to leave early, off to REWE again. Out of milk and bread (Scott accidently ate moldy bread this morning)!
12:00 Home and walk the dog!
1:30 Blogging...
I feel like such a busy bee again! I am kinda glad, finally out there in the world meeting people but also like I must maintain balance before it goes crazy. I have got a couple good things going for me tonight we invited a family to dinner, a trip to the army base on Friday, coffee on Monday, shopping on Tuesday, a new book group Wednesday, and plans to see a movie Sunday. I am excited to meet friends and establish a life here in Stuttgart!
This is me; this is my crazy German life!
Monday, September 12, 2011
International School
Almost 2 weeks now, my kids have been attending school at a private, international school for nearly two weeks. We have been making the commute to school for 9 days now, we have woke up early, and done homework until late for 9 days now. During those past days I have learned quite a bit about school in Germany, and about private international school. First the funniest thing about ISS (International School of Stuttgart) is that we don't actually meet the kids teachers until next Thursday evening. We have no idea what they are teaching, how the room is set up, or even what kids are in the class. It is just so funny! We actually went the first 3 days without a newsletter, or a note home to explain the daily procedures. Finally we are getting schedule for specials, and notes about the homework.
Another big difference is snacks, and lunches. Each is so much work. Germans don't have connivence food so making lunches can me quite a challenge. First though there are snacks, which are actually mini lunches often consisting of crackers and yogurt, or sausages and brezel. Then there are lunches...fresh fruit, meats with bread or grilled sausages, yogurts, and a bottle filled with juice or water. If they want to buy lunch it is brought in from an outside company. It is even served on plates! I will say my favorite part of lunch is it is now 30 minutes to eat, 30 minutes to play. Love that!
Homework, is called a home learning log here. What there reasoning is in calling it a home learning log is that it is a whole family activity. One meant to dive further into the subject using the resources of the home and of the parents. I also love that when the log comes home every Friday we get a week to complete the two task. This allows for family peace when it comes to homework time. We do also have reading homework, which focuses on reading retention. Ethan's homework this week was awesome filled questions, that really got him thinking.
Uniforms...we don't have daily uniforms but we have these lovely gym uniforms that they wear on gym days. They are like running pants and shorts and t-shirts. However, the shirt is white! They have to wear these lovely white shirts all day. Well, I have already soaked both of Abigail's shirts in baking soda over night!
School pictures are this week and I can't believe how they go down here. The school has hired a man from the UK, that has done photos for many schools all around Europe, and the Middle East. Each child has a mini photo session with 15 shots taken per child, and additional 15 per family unit. The photo's will also be in various poses. It cracks me up, a photo session for school pictures!
And than today I got the chance to learn about the PTA. The PTA is an amazing group at this school. They are basically in charge of social activities for the children (3yrs-12th grade), and the parents. They are also a team mate in the school with the board of directors. So today after hearing all about the school and PTA I was able to sign up for such activities as a charity Christmas ball, and Thanksgiving Fest, and a multicultural dinner. I also got to sign up for a moms night cooking lesson, and a city tour.
The school is a very different place. It is unlike any school that I ever taught in, went too, or sent my kids too. It is so neat to see something new and different, and as of now the kids are adjusting to those differences.
Another big difference is snacks, and lunches. Each is so much work. Germans don't have connivence food so making lunches can me quite a challenge. First though there are snacks, which are actually mini lunches often consisting of crackers and yogurt, or sausages and brezel. Then there are lunches...fresh fruit, meats with bread or grilled sausages, yogurts, and a bottle filled with juice or water. If they want to buy lunch it is brought in from an outside company. It is even served on plates! I will say my favorite part of lunch is it is now 30 minutes to eat, 30 minutes to play. Love that!
Homework, is called a home learning log here. What there reasoning is in calling it a home learning log is that it is a whole family activity. One meant to dive further into the subject using the resources of the home and of the parents. I also love that when the log comes home every Friday we get a week to complete the two task. This allows for family peace when it comes to homework time. We do also have reading homework, which focuses on reading retention. Ethan's homework this week was awesome filled questions, that really got him thinking.
Uniforms...we don't have daily uniforms but we have these lovely gym uniforms that they wear on gym days. They are like running pants and shorts and t-shirts. However, the shirt is white! They have to wear these lovely white shirts all day. Well, I have already soaked both of Abigail's shirts in baking soda over night!
School pictures are this week and I can't believe how they go down here. The school has hired a man from the UK, that has done photos for many schools all around Europe, and the Middle East. Each child has a mini photo session with 15 shots taken per child, and additional 15 per family unit. The photo's will also be in various poses. It cracks me up, a photo session for school pictures!
And than today I got the chance to learn about the PTA. The PTA is an amazing group at this school. They are basically in charge of social activities for the children (3yrs-12th grade), and the parents. They are also a team mate in the school with the board of directors. So today after hearing all about the school and PTA I was able to sign up for such activities as a charity Christmas ball, and Thanksgiving Fest, and a multicultural dinner. I also got to sign up for a moms night cooking lesson, and a city tour.
The school is a very different place. It is unlike any school that I ever taught in, went too, or sent my kids too. It is so neat to see something new and different, and as of now the kids are adjusting to those differences.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
And Than There Was 1, oh and a dog...
Self Discovery...Leave your self alone in a foreign country and find out what you are truly made of!
Well, it is official the kids are back in school and I am a self proclaimed "House Frau!" I am now alone a majority of the days. As it is right now Scott is taking the children to school at 7:30 and I don't see them again until 3:00. On the days they have music or circus after school I won't see them until 4:30! Yep, it's just me all day long, nope excuse me; it's me and the dog! All day! So after 3 loads of laundry, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets, weeding the yard, running, grocery shopping, and making beds what else is there to do! Well to be honest it is time to discover what I like to do! I know longer work, I know longer have that many social obligations (still gotta meet friends), and so it is all about me! Here is what I have learned in a few short days!
1) Apparently I am a crier, who knew!
2) I actually enjoy noise, just not from kids (or the dog)!
3) The 10 or so books that I have bought in the past year have pages with words on them meant to be read!
4) Walking the dog seemed like it would be a majestic task, it is really a pain in the butt.
5) I love to cook! It's just I make too much for one family to eat; I need neighbors like in Davison to give it too...
6) I keep putting off German lessons, why? Most likely the fact that I hate school!
7) I use to spend too much time on the phone...I miss it!
8) TV was way too much a part of my life; I haven't watched anything in English since last Monday.
9) I still love running, but hate these German hills! Really hate them!
10) I wanna learn how to be still, I am always running around doing something!
11) I am more out there than I thought, meeting new people every day, now if I could just remember their names :(
12) Finally, I don't like exploring without someone to share it with! Hmmm, need to work on this one.
Well it's out there! Like an open book! Something for me to reflect on in the next few months! Hopefully I will continue to see changes in growth in myself while on this crazy journey!
Well, it is official the kids are back in school and I am a self proclaimed "House Frau!" I am now alone a majority of the days. As it is right now Scott is taking the children to school at 7:30 and I don't see them again until 3:00. On the days they have music or circus after school I won't see them until 4:30! Yep, it's just me all day long, nope excuse me; it's me and the dog! All day! So after 3 loads of laundry, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets, weeding the yard, running, grocery shopping, and making beds what else is there to do! Well to be honest it is time to discover what I like to do! I know longer work, I know longer have that many social obligations (still gotta meet friends), and so it is all about me! Here is what I have learned in a few short days!
1) Apparently I am a crier, who knew!
2) I actually enjoy noise, just not from kids (or the dog)!
3) The 10 or so books that I have bought in the past year have pages with words on them meant to be read!
4) Walking the dog seemed like it would be a majestic task, it is really a pain in the butt.
5) I love to cook! It's just I make too much for one family to eat; I need neighbors like in Davison to give it too...
6) I keep putting off German lessons, why? Most likely the fact that I hate school!
7) I use to spend too much time on the phone...I miss it!
8) TV was way too much a part of my life; I haven't watched anything in English since last Monday.
9) I still love running, but hate these German hills! Really hate them!
10) I wanna learn how to be still, I am always running around doing something!
11) I am more out there than I thought, meeting new people every day, now if I could just remember their names :(
12) Finally, I don't like exploring without someone to share it with! Hmmm, need to work on this one.
Well it's out there! Like an open book! Something for me to reflect on in the next few months! Hopefully I will continue to see changes in growth in myself while on this crazy journey!
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