Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Few Odds and Ends

Last Sunday was the first English Church where both of my children wanted to go to their perspective children's program. Johanna kept saying she wanted to stay with me and made it through about 10 minutes of worship music and prayers and then she asked to go downstairs to play with the kids. Happy Day.
Other cool things that happened last week:
We finally got together with the Aussie-Swiss family I met through Bible Study. The kids played with an English speaking kid for the first time since we've been here. And can I just say how really cool I think it is that I am friends with an Australian? I've always had a little bit of a fascination with the country/people, so this is just neat-o. I promise I enjoy her company for more than just the cadence of her voice, she's a really great person to be a around.

We (Johanna, Eli, and I) now meet up with Jackson about half way between kindy and our house after school. He has even hinted at maybe me not walking him into the classroom when we drop him off. Oh, what independence! I was pretty sure we would get to this point, and I'm glad it is here. *BTW- Night terrors are still happening occasionally, but they have definitely come down in intensity and decibels.

Jackson and I made “white mud.” (toilet paper, ivory soap, and water mixed up) I wish I had pictures but the camera was acting funny and wouldn't take. We made a snowman and “splat” balls- that's the sound they make- and Jackson did a lot of squishing. A great activity for a 4 year old.. Thanks Aunt Mickey for the recipes, they are handy.

This most recent Sunday was a a non-church Sunday. (The Amish are on to something with that). It was a beautiful, mild day, so we went for a hike. There is a narrow road just above our house (If you saw how steep the yard is, this sentence would make more sense) that we have never walked on and I wanted to give it a try. What a great idea! (pat myself on the back) We had such an AMAZING view- out across Lake Constance to the North and East and of the Alps to the South. We could even see the Saentis! I was led to believe it was not visible from St. Gallen. The kids were really great on this hike, its usually a lot of whining and complaining from them, but they had a good time- until Jo face planted, but she got over that. Eli, of course, slept.
   Kenny took some much better pictures with his tablet through instagram. He has uploaded a couple to facebook, I can't figure out how to get them from there to here. I will try to work on that.
Things the kids are doing:
Eli is rolling over and scooting around. I put him down in one spot and am amazed to see where he ends up. He is so smiley! Still no tooth.

Johanna has taken to hiding out in one of the kitchen cabinets. Sometimes she hides things in there. Mischievous little house elf.
Today she counted to 10 in German, with no prompting. I wish I could capture some of the things she says. Rain is bibble bop and stars are twinkles. She talks to kids: “Hey kids, watcha doin'?” “Stop that, kids!” Eli is her sister or brudder, depending. She has yet to claim Jackson has her brudder, he is Jackson Richawd Stice. She plays check mark (I see a tree, check mark. And then she repeats it) And she loves singing songs, particularly bingo. She usually gets through one verse and then she declares that bingo is on grandma's 'puter.
  Jackson is getting crazy tall. Pants that he was stepping on just a couple months ago, now fit.
He's about to bust out of his snow suit.

Both Johanna and Jackson have become obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I asked my mom to bring her portable dvd player in October so I could get the laptop back from the kids, but they have taken it over again wanting to watch MMC on youtube!

I began writing this post on Monday, it is now Thursday and it is snowing again. Snow here seems to be all or nothing so far.  Well over 6 inches and still falling!

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