Massive Eruption

The boys have recently been very interested in Volcanoes, so we decided to make one. It only took a few minutes, but they are still talking about it. We went into the corner of our back lot and made a small mountain with a glass bottle in the center. I know the Baking Soda Vinegar trick, but googled it to see if we might get a bigger explosion. With warm water and dish soap the reaction almost doubles and the boys were so impressed. We also added red food and a whole bottle of Vinegar. The next time I go to the Commissary I will pick up a couple of bottles, we'll see just how big of an eruption we can get.

Christmas Came and Went

Christmas morning was filled with ooohhhhs and aaahhhhs and 4 very happy children. They have been very content to stay home and play with new toys and each other. It's going to be really hard to go back to our routine.

An Unhappy Reindeer

There has been so much excitement about Christmas and all that it brings. Each child had a special advent calender in their class as well as a gift from their teacher. The kids have sung Christmas carols and played with Nativity Scenes set up at school. It has been a breath of fresh air coming from a country where you can't give a Christmas greeting to someone let alone talk about the real reason for Christmas. We are so blessed to live here and have this great opportunity.

Last week Eyan's class had a special party for a Kindergarten class. They did a dance and craft for them, Eyan was a reindeer. Here is a class picture before the party. 


If you can't spot Eyan he is the very small unhappy kid in the back row. When I asked about his expression, he had no answer. He does say that he likes school.... couldn't guess by this pictrure that's for sure.

Rain Sleet or Snow

One thing I have begun to appreciate about the German culture is that they are outside rain or shine. I think the American Post office Slogan "Rain Sleet or Snow" came from here. They walk dogs and walk the trails, they walk to the Bakery, they walk all over town. Even little babies all bundled up going for a ride in a stroller in December! It is so nice to see that life goes on in the winter and you don't have to sit inside and wait for spring. From what the locals have told us this is a very warm winter so far. (Maybe for them!)

We piled on our own layers and went on a trail walk. It was nice to be outside, and I know the kids definitely could use some running around! And as you can see in the picture it's very green still. This is a winter crop and helps keep things not feeling so dull.

It Snowed

Saturday Eyan sat by the back door on a pillow with my iPhone checking the weather about every 3 minutes and looking outside. "Mom, I'm checking to see when it gets cold enough to snow!". It never did snow on Saturday, but there was excitement in the air just at the thought that it could snow. I was surprised when Naomi and Eyan were both so excited about snow. We lived in Colorado! Then Naomi reminded me that it only snowed in El Paso once and she didn't remember the snow in Colorado. Sad, but true.

Sunday morning Martin and I woke up to the kids practically screaming "IT SNOWED!!!!" and yes it did. There wasn't a whole lot, but that didn't matter. The kids were thrilled. They begged to go out immediately. That wasn't happening! It wasn't even 7am. By 8 they were reared up to go and played outside the entire morning. Toben didn't last so long, but he helped in the kitchen and danced to music, and was mostly content to be inside and watch everyone else.

At noon we ate lunch and had a short nap. The three older kiddos bundled up and played outside with each other and also with our neighbors. When it was almost dark I served Hot Chocolate and Gingersnaps, by 5:30 they were done and it was completely dark. We had a nice bowl of soup and finished the evening around the table doing homework.

I am so glad that most of the kids are finally at the age where they can enjoy the snow. There were no tears about freezing and besides Toben they all dressed themselves and played, and played and played. 

We are finally rounding the corner into a new era. It's really nice to say the least.

Midevil Christmas Market

Down the Autoban just a short distance there are many beautiful Castle ruins. This particular day we drove about 30 minutes to a Castle and a mid evil Christmas market. It was cloudy and wet, but that doesn't stop anyone here from venturing out and having a good time.

We were welcomed into the Castle with singing, and people dressed in clothing for the time period. Booths lined the pathway and ranged from wooden bowls and toys to candles and food of every kind.

This little duo to the left had a stash of musical instruments and played through out the day. The gesture also told little riddles and jokes. He must have been funny because the crowd was laughing.

It is a little difficult to order food when you can't read the menu, but we fallowed our noses and were not disappointed. One of the first places that we tried was a bread that was toasted over coals and then butter and Cinnamon coated it. I think the best way to describe it would be a hallow Cinnamon roll. Yummm

Thanksgiving Time

7:30 Finish Popcorn balls for Silus's class. Burn 1/2 the batch and start again.

8:00 Get Naomi and Eyan out the door for school with 2 Pumpkin Pies and a huge plate of Pumpkin Muffins. Not before dropping a pie on the floor.

10:30 Turkey in the oven. Will the Turkey turn out?

10:45 Martin and Toben peal potato's. So nice to have the extra hands in the kitchen.

11:45 Walk to school get Eyan and Silus. It's about 50 degrees, but a bit windy. So we have to bundle up before leaving the house. Coats, hats, gloves, and winter boots.

1:45 Sit down to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey turned out great, mashed potato's, gravy, green beans, biscuits, stuffing and 6 hungry people to eat!

3:30 Go to Kaiserslautern Christmas Market. A small Christmas Market mostly little Boothe's with food and hot cider. Parking the Suburban a little bit of a challenge, but Martin did a great job maneuvering the beast.

6:30 Home and get ready for bed! Well we made it through another day, and the kids have school in the morning.

7:30 Call family in the US it's only 11am on that side of the world.