For all the Muthas Out There

Recently (well, since the birth of Spencer) I've been feeling pretty inadequate as a mother. Not in a depressing way, just in a "I seriously don't know what I'm doing" way. It seems like everywhere I hear or read, there are parents who are "educating" their child by all these cool activities...creating prodigies, or at least trying to. I think to myself, "How come there isn't a place that I can learn the cool things to do with my baby? How are all THESE people 'getting it' and I'm not. I must have missed that memo."

I feel like I do the typical things...reading books, helping him build blocks, race cars, sing songs, take him on walks, let him open and close drawers in the kitchen and play with all the utensils. But all those things (and other things too) only take up about two hours of the 9+ hours I need to entertain him. I seriously start to think, "It's only 10:00 and I've used up my reserves of ideas."

I feel guilty letting him watch too many videos or being left to his own devices...don't get me wrong, I think within reason those things are good, but too much of something is not a good thing, right?

Which is why I turn to you, oh ye wise ones. I want to hear how you guys do it. So many of the people who read this blog have young kids. Can you give me some advice? I know some of you don't have kids Spencer's age, but your kids are still young. Do you remember what you did when they were littler (ya, Alicia, I know. That's not a word. haha)? Do you have a set schedule where you do certain things in an order from the time your baby wakes up? (Change diaper and clothes, then feed breakfast, etc.) Do you have a "set" time where you get "your" stuff done, and then the other time you're working with him? Or do you just kind of "wing it?"

Do you have any good games or activities that I should be doing to stimulate his mind?

We're a little worried about his communication skills right now. Most everything else is on track with his development but it's his communication that is a little slow. It's all fine because we know how he communicates with us, but the doctor wants to just make sure it's not an early indication of something else. So, we'll be going to a developmental specialist for that, which I've been told that we'll learn some activities that we can do. But why does your child have to be slow in an area to get information on things you can do?

I try and do sign language, but I'm wondering if there are more activities I should be doing. I've looked up activities online but it just gives me the same ones I'm already doing.

I just feel like I'm not giving Spencer enough to do to learn according to his abilities.

Oh and by the way, if you're asking how I did it with the girls...my answer is that I didn't! They were in daycare the first few years of their life, while I had to work. The home daycare they went to did a lot of it with them. Flashcards and the whole gambit. Ya, I feel guilty, okay? But at least they got it. hehe. Which leads to me why I don't know how to do it with Spencer.

Okay, PLEASE answer me. And if you have more to say, you all know my email or my phone number you can call from the states!

Can't wait!

The MARK TWAIN Fire Drill

Before we move on to telling you about their new school, I haven't posted an event from their old school, Mark Twain Elementary.

Xoe was chosen to participate in the Fire Rescue. I was invited to come to see it all happen but had no idea what I was in store. It was really exciting, especially since I happened to drive in right behind the fire trucks. I was amazed to see that it was actually the city of Heidelberg's Fire trucks. I don't know why I thought the base would have had their own...I knew they didn't, I just didn't think that far. There were at least four fire trucks driving in and probably 10 firemen. I was so impressed that they would come do this fun thing for the kids.

These are the kids walking out of the school, acting as if there was a real fire drill. Okay, no, this isn't a random picture of kids. I wish I knew how to draw arrows on pictures like some of you guys do, but click on the picture and see if you recognize anyone you know. That's Xanthe in the yellow shirt just about to cross behind a pillar.

Here is Xanthe with a bunch of kids from their class rooting Xoe on. At one point they were chanting her name, "Xo-E! Xo-E! Xo-E!"

I don't know why I love these next two pictures. It just shows how "real" they were making it. This was right before Xoe got picked up.

I took some videos so you could watch it all happen. The first one I posted cuz I love that you can see Xoe waving. If you listen in the background her friends are super excited. I missed the part where they were chanting.

Here's where Xoe gets into the cage. Partway through you hear me having a conversation with their teacher Ms. Burrus. I say "Oh my gosh! I'm so glad they worked it out." Well they had just 'rescued' Ms. Burrus right before Xoe and she was telling me that Xoe almost backed out of doing this whole thing cuz she was scared. But then Frou Thow said she could ride with her. Can I tell you how much I love Frou Thow? The girls do too. She is their "Host Nation" teacher who teaches all the kids German terms and phrases. Her English accent is a proper British one which makes me love her even more. She's one of the teachers who cried when the girls left and gave them a little gift. It's no surprise that it was her that helped Xoe not feel so scared.

Xoe said that once she got in she wasn't scared anymore and had a great time. Halfway through, though, they asked her if she was afraid of heights. Since she was the last one, they decided to have a little fun with the whole rescue, and extended the ladder all the way up. I can't remember how far they told me they went but it was about 6 stories. Know that I'm afraid of heights, so that's why I make the comment at the beginning.

Xoe and Frou Thow shaking the fireman's hand.

All the "rescued". Ms. Burrus is in the blue shirt.

Glad you guys are all safe! hehe.

Oh and by the way, Xanthe was not at all forgotten. She was chosen to do the Morning Announcements for a week over the loud intercom.

A BitterSweet Weekend

***Warning: Long post with lots of pictures...***

It was part bitter.

And part sweet.

It had it's good.

And it had it's bad.

This last weekend, was definitely a busy one. With our move and Halloween all being fit into a few days, all I can say is I'm so proud of all of us...the girls, Spencer, Brian and me...for being so flexible and adaptable. Yup, that's right, I'm proud of all of us, including me. I'm not embarrassed to brag! Cuz I recognize that we've had a lot of change the past few years, mostly the past few months, and I recognize that it could have been a very stressful and upsetting time. We have handled it with patience, style and flair. I can't say we didn't have our moments, but for the most part we did really well. I'm so proud of my family.

So, what were the bittersweet parts? I'll tell you below...And ya, there were definitely bitter and sweet parts to each.

#1 Bitter Part-The girls had to again say goodbye to their friends, teachers, office staff (nurse, front desk secretary, principal), etc., all people who were adamant about telling me how much they were going to be missed. And not just the "blowing smoke at you" type of comments...they were truly sincere. Tears were shed by more than a few, including two of the teachers. But you know? The girls handled it so well. They got choked up a few times, but other than that they just went with the flow. They are seriously growing up. And I think I was just as upset having them leave this school. I can't tell you how personal and family-like everyone was, but their teacher was good enough that she has reinstilled how good school can be. She was seriously amazing. I think I've told you about her before. There are pictures below. The sweet part of it-The girls have decided to split themselves up into different classes and try being apart. This last school didn't have that option because they only had one 5th grade class. At the new school there are 4. I think now is a good time and am proud of them for doing this, because in Middle School, they won't have the option of having all the same classes, and it's good they learn to be apart whilst they're still so young.

The girls with their teacher, Ms. Burrus. These were taken on Friday, Oct. 30 so everyone was dressed up for Halloween. Can you tell who Ms. Burrus was dressed up as?

Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus series'. That's some pretty amazing hair, huh? It's all her own.

#2 Bitter-Having to pack up and move...again...we're all really tired of packing and unpacking. But the sweet part about this is that we moved into a beautiful home, and hopefully will be here the duration of our stay! I can't wait to show you pictures. I may show them in spurts (hate that word...but so appropriate right here) as each room becomes finished or decorated.

3. Bitter- How come no one complains more about unpacking? You really should! You would totally have every right. Allow me to then! It really sucks! It takes so long, there are so many messes, you can't find any clothes, toiletries, food or medicine, so you are literally ripping open boxes and suitcases to make some sort of semblance. Trying to find sheets and blankets to make beds the first night was pretty comical. We had a HUGE mound, taller than the girls, of clothes and shoes and bedding, that the movers had started unloading out of our boxes. We quickly put a stop to that idea after we walked into our kitchen and every bit of floor and counter space was piled high with cans, dishes and...kitchen stuff. There was nowhere to walk. We told them we'd unpack it ourselves. The sweet part? We have all of our "stuff". There were so many things we were regretting not bringing with us that we soon needed...winter coats, warmer clothes, our own beds, more clothes, real pots and pans, etc. I've been opening boxes like it's Christmas and becoming surprised at how much I missed certain things, as well as forgot I had certain things...but SO thankful for our life back. I can't wait to be somewhat settled.

4. Bitter-Having different utilities than where you were...more specifically...the internet. We were out of the internet for the whole weekend. Mostly I don't rely on it 100% of the day, but nowadays it's my only connection to the states. And because our telephone relies on the internet (it's an internet phone), I went to bed pretty deflated on Sunday night when for the last time I had tried to make unsuccessful phone calls. I felt pretty cut off. The sweet part? Is there one? haha. I'm just happy to be in our house.

Some other fun things about this weekend...

We went trick or treating, to a Fall Festival (games, etc.), to another trunk or treat on base and the girls went to a sock hop at their school all dressed up in their costumes. We also attended our new ward's Halloween Party to meet the people we'll be going to church with for the next few years, and we attended their Sunday meeting as well. The girls were a little nervous again (they have changed church classes so many times), but like always they come out smiling and positive about how much they love their teacher and class and Primary President.

We also had our washing and dryer, refrigerator, wardrobes and two twin beds delivered. The government housing office lends you things if you don't have them, some long term, others not so much. The only thing we have to return are the girls' beds. We have 3 months to find some. They have their own rooms now so we need to find two, instead of one...can you tell it's different for me with them deciding to be so separate. It's all great. Just different. And yes, now we have an American size fridge for us to put all our BIG American items in it. haha.

Brian bought me the most amazing rug as an early Christmas present. (We have all hardwood floors). I had seen it at a furniture store and couldn't get it out of my mind. As soon as I told him that when I imagined living in this house I could only imagine that rug, he surprised me and had it all set up when I came to the house for the first time. I LOVE going into that room and just taking a gander. I really hope we can keep it really clean and in nice condition.

Some pictures from the weekend:

The Character Book Parade

To promote reading, each kid was asked to dress up in a costume that was a character from a book. We didn't know this until after we had bought our costumes. Good thing Xanthe was dressed as Elphaba from Wicked . And you KNOW we totally justified Xoe's costume because the movie Grease was made into a book after the movie. hehe. They were also supposed to carry around a copy of the book, but since we had so many last minute costume issues, and it was hard enough finding ANY costume for the girls (let alone find an old book from the already limited selection we have now), they let them walk without a copy of their book. The parade led around the school, passed the high school where the highschoolers could come watch (the school is right next door) and down a few streets of the base housing.

Walking in the Character Book Parade.

The Sock Hop

After the parade, the school put on a really fun Sock Hop with games, dancing, activities, food, etc. to celebrate Halloween. I didn't go cuz I was on my way to Wiesbaden to help Brian with the movers who were delivering that same day. Thanks Kathy for taking pictures and entertaining the girls the rest of the night at the Trunk or Treat.

The girls were each chosen, with 3 other kids, to make publicity posters. The girls worked on it all weekend before and did a pretty good job, don't you think? The school put theirs on the front door and front bulletin board. Check out the 3-D jukebox and popcorn on the first picture.

Let's see...

I think that's it. There really is so much more, but this post is already long enough! I'll just end by telling you that the girls went to their new school today. We took them yesterday to pick out a sheet set for their beds as sort of a reward for being so good with all the changes going on. We also went to the clothing store and let them pick out something to wear today. (There wasn't much at the American store. I never knew how much I would miss Target, Old Navy, Children's Place & The Gap.)

I can't wait to hear all about their day at school. I'll keep you posted.