Friday, April 1stMN: having a pretzel and riding in the car
MR: going to the doctor, because I got to have my chin looked at
Today was doctor day... Physicals for the move back to Alaska and blood work to check their iron stores. After the appointments, a big pretzel for the car ride back to school. Poor MR's chin is technicolor... It's still swollen, but she's handling it pretty well... I think her name is going to be "Bruiser" for some time to come! ;)
Saturday, April 2nd
MN+MR: celebrating A's birthday and playing with B and L
Busy Saturday... Bill had to unexpectedly run into work... Then it was off to a birthday party (Happy Birthday, A!) that Martha had to miss part of for her guitar lesson... Then we met friends at their house... Out to dinner... Post dinner playground visit... And free Starbucks to top off the evening! Thanks, J Family for a super fun party... And thanks, D Family for a terrific dinner and relaxing evening!!
Sunday, April 3rd
MN+MR: the zoo
After church, Bill brought the girls to the zoo (i stayed home to clean, but managed to catch an hour of sun with the neighbors and a book!). M+M and Daddy wandered through Rosenstein Park, visited the giraffes, the greenhouses, the aquarium, and the butterfly house. Ice cream sandwich were purchased and a good time was had by all. :)
Monday, April 4th
MN: recess
MR: pe
Not sure why recess was such a hit today, but MR loved pe because she talked herself out of class! I think her chin is sore. She told the pe teacher that she shouldn't play the game incase the ball hit her in the chin. She is way too young to be making pe excuses!
Tuesday, April 5th
i was out to dinner with friends... Bill is off on a work trip... must catch up with him and ask!
Wednesday, April 6th
MN: playing dinosaur at recess
MR: the kissing hand
Today was another beautiful spring day! What does that mean for my girls? No tights! M&M love dresses and skirts and tights; but when the wether warms up, i try to convince them to go without the tights. This afternoon during MR's piano lesson, i noticed scratches all over MN's legs. When i asked her what happened, she told me she was crawling on the ground during recess playing dinosaur. "Good thing I didn't wear tights or they would be all tored up," she tells me. I would have traded the tights for scratch free legs, kiddo!
Yesterday, i left MR at school in tears. I'm not sure what exactly set it off, but but 8am she was ready to drop out of elementary school to study at home, with me, all the time. (MN's idea!) We are so lucky that she loves her teacher, and that her teacher knows exactly how to handle her. She was happy as a clam when i picked her up at 2:20 (on the dot!). This morning, she wanted something to remember me by. I had nothing but the keys to get back into the apartment in my pocket, so i gave her had a big smooch and put it on her cheek. This was not an original idea, we have the book the kissing hand, but it seemed to do the trick today. Tonight i have been asked to print out a picture of the family that she can put in her pocket. Now, i just have to make sure that i have something clean for he to wear that has a pocket!
Thursday, April 7th
MN+MR: cookout
Although i am not a hug fan of my apartment (too small!) i do adore my neighbors. All but 1 of the families (there are 9 apartments in the building) were very welcoming when we arrived last summer, and several of the families have become good friends. Last night was one of the nights that i was perfectly happy to have my small apartment if it means i get to have fun with all these great folks.
Yesterday was the last day of school before spring break. Like the mean mommy that i am, i had the girls come home after MN's gymnastic class and clean their bedrooms. After that, we had an early dinner and then went out for smore's... Two of the neighbors had their grills going... The kiddos wisely chose the hot coal grill to roast their marshmallows. M&M had a great time with the M girls and with J from upstairs... There were smore's, markers, crayons, paper, coloring book, chalks, and bubbles. I let them stay out way past their bedtime, but it was so worth it! I'm looking forward to a lot more fun nights like that as spring goes on!!
Friday, April 8th
MN: the bubble bath, except when I got the bubbles in my mouth
MR: picking Daddy up from the airport
Bill had a short work trip this week... As the girls were out of school, we all got to pick him up. The girls get ridiculously excited about going to the airport and love to describe, in great detail, how they will greet Daddy. When we lived in Juneau, we usually parked and met him inside... Here we meet him outside. They always want me to park, but this is a whole lot easier... Especially since i'm usually running late... Sorry, Bill! We're so glad to have you home!!
Bill made lots of bubbles for the tub tonight... The girls had a blast making hats and beards for themselves... It was all fun and games until somebody swallowed some bubbles! ;)
Saturday, April 9th
MN+MR: playing with A and M
We were lucky enough to be invited back to a friends' house for dinner tonight... They served an amazing meal (that was kicked of by incredible guacamole and margaritas!) We enjoyed time outside with the kiddos and the dogs, and probably overstayed our welcome with wonderful dinner conversation... Thanks, M Family... We had a blast!!
Sunday, April 10th
MN+MR: arriving at our hotel
Tonight we are staying at
The Blue Beetroot in Poland. This inn/hotel came highly recommended by friends and neighbors, and we are thrilled to be here! The girls love that they each have their own beds and that there is a large spa style bath tub. They spent all their time tonight unpacking and arranging al their toys around the room. Kodiak is stretched out at our feet, and i am trying very hard not to spill perogi on my keyboard as i type (so yummy!) Come to Europe so i can can bring you back here with me! ;)
Monday, April 11th
MN+MR: taking the donkey ride
I'll admit, that wasn't their first answer. First they said, "Arriving at our apartment!" After i questioned that with a: "That was really your favorite?", both girls looked at each other and shouted, "Donkey ride! Donkey ride!!"
Knowing the girls would have to be very patient while we shopped for pottery, we signed them up for a morning donkey ride. They had so much fun greeting all the animals inside and outside the barn while we waited to start. They were beside themselves with excitement at actually getting to ride and animal! Barbara (one of the owners of The Blue Beetroot) and an assistant did a great job with the girls and with the animals. It was a little adventure they won't soon forget!
Tuesday, April 12th
MN: The Dragon's Lair
MR: saying a prayer in the little church
We had so much fun exploring Krakow today! Thank you to A's mom for lending us a couple of great kid's books about the legends of Poland (especially the dragon legend... it made the visit to the lair so much more fun!) Krakow has amazing churches, St. Adalbert's was MR's favorite. When we visited, there was a group praying the rosary... I think she really enjoyed hearing the prayers in Polish!
Wednesday, April 13th
MN+MR: the salt mine
I wanted to visit a salt mine during our trip to Austria last November, but we weren't able to. I really talked up this excursion, so expectations were running pretty high... We were all very impressed! The history was fascinating, the art work was amazing, and everyone enjoyed the walking/skipping/dancing through the passages!
Thursday, April 15th
MN: dinner... "It was the best dinner I ever had!"
MR: getting to the hotel
We left Krakow this morning to begin the long trek back to Stuttgart. We took a detour to visit Auschwitz and Birkenau (more about that later). The girls were great in the car, but didn't really understand what we saw today (nor did we explain to them exactly what they were seeing... they still can't watch Scooby Doo without hiding their eyes, we didn't think they were ready to hear about the gas chambers at Birkenau... this visit was an investment in their future study of world history). When we arrived back at The Blue Beetroot, they were so happy to see the barn where their donkey friends Ruddi and Kooba (sp?) were bedding down for the night, and behaved so well at dinner without any toys to keep them busy until the food arrived. MN is our pickier eater, so her exclamation was pretty exciting!
Friday, April 15th
MN+MR: going to the glass studio
I thought that we were going to a place where glass balls and vases were made... Were we in for an awesome surprise! Glassstudio Borowski makes art!! We had fun walking around the shop, exploring the garden, and watching the artists at work... Amazing!!
the man in the blue shirt is blowing the glass that will become the body for a hippo
beautiful glass balls
Saturday, April 16th
MN: biergarten and cuckoo clock
MR: getting our clock and going to the biergarten
Sunday, April 17th
MN+MR: playing outside
Monday, April 18th
MN: recess
MR: coming home with mommy
Back to school means back to fun and friends! MN came home with lots of new scratches on her legs today from playing her favorite games at recess (pretending to be animals!)!
MR was happy to go to school, but happier to get back home. She loves her teacher and school, but often says that she misses us too much while she is away. I miss you too, Sweet Girl!
Tuesday, April 19th
MN+MR: Daisies
Today at their Daisy meeting, the girls made mini scrapbooks. They picked out pictures to bring with them... It was fun to see which pictures they picked! The project came out really well... Great job, A and A!
Wednesday, April 20th
MN: recess
MR: DEAR Time
We've been having amazing weather, and the girls have been soaking it up! I think there have been multiple recesses!! ;)
Today (or maybe yesterday), MR's class started DEAR Time. She was super excited and brought her Spanish-English dictionary from home to school to read. Not quite sure why she picked that one... I think she sees it as a serious book (it's a mini travel dictionary for adults), and DEAR Time is serious reading time! I love that she is becoming such a reader!!
Thursday, April 21st
MN+MR: playing with A and M
Friday, April 22nd
MN+MR: having Easter at school
Saturday, April 23rd
MN+MR: being with J
Sunday, April 24th
MN+MR: EASTER!
Monday and Tuesday, April 25th and 26th
MN+MR: the S family!
Wednesday, April 27th
MN+MR: Aunt L and Sister D arriving!
Thursday, April 28th
MN+MR: the S Family, Aunt L and Sister D being here, Cousin C arriving
Friday, April 29th
MN+MR: pajama party!
Saturday, April 30th
MN+MR: our amazing adventures with Cousin C
