Logan and his dad

Allen had to return to relaxing on the beach, erm, I mean working in Crete when Logan was almost 3 weeks old. From that time, he only saw Logan through pictures, and one time on the

live camera on the computer (I actually figured it out!). He returned home when Logan was 6 months old. He had spent a long day at several airports in Greece, missing trains in London, only to take a very expensive taxi to get home at 3:30 in the morning. I stayed up waiting. After the initial hugs, he asked about the kids. I said that they were asleep and he asked if he could turn on the bedroom light where Logan was sleeping and said "I just want to see what he looks like". I feel teary remembering it. Needless to say, I have given them plenty of bonding time.

The Morning Routine

Nicholas has to have cereal almost as soon as his feet hit the floor in the morning. He pours the cereal and then "pat-pat-pat"-he pats his cereal down. I have made the mistake of pouring the milk before this ritual commences, and milk goes everywhere. On this particular morning we are conserving milk so that everyone can have some. We need to make a quick trip to get some basics (milk, bread, bananas, washing detergent, chocolate for mommy) at the local market. Nick had eaten one bowl and wanted another. Brother Ryan was back in his room because he couldn't seem to talk without whining. He still needed breakfast.

Nick "Just little bit of milk?"
Me "Yes, save some for Ry please"
Nick "This much?", filling the bowl and shaking the now empty carton

Ryan had soymilk on his cereal this morning. I hope he didn't notice.

The one where we can't go to kindergarten and L gets braces

Got your attention? I forgot to tell Poppy and Nana (despite at least 10 phone calls) that there is not a place for Nick to attend kindergarten at the local school until September. I know Poppy will be sad. It seems that there are waiting lists everywhere and we arrived too late to start. Oh well. That means that Nicholas can stay with me for a while longer. We can play and color at home a little while longer. I will miss him next year when he goes off to school. We did put Ry on the list though. Maybe he will be the German speaker in the family.

Lauren had a dentist appointment today. Apparently, they are going to try and correct several of her teeth with a few braces. She is excited, and is already planning what colors she will choose each month. Oh boy.

6 Months

(o.k. I just couldn't leave this post alone, and tried to mess with the spaces. I made it worse. Help!)

I arrived in this country 6 months and 1 day ago. Initially I didn't like it. I didn't like the weird feeling that I had getting used to driving on the right side of the road again. I didn't like not being able to go into a restaurant or store and be able to ask for something without stumbling on my words. I didn't realize how much I depended on language within my environment-advertisements, store signs, information signs. I missed being able to understand the news and weather on the radio. It's hard getting utility and phone bills in the post box and having to interpret them. I think we are all getting more comfortable here and we are looking forward to warmer weather and a chance to travel and explore. We lived in the UK for eight years. That is longer than I have lived in most places! Four of my five babies were born there. It will always be a special place.

Things we miss about the U.K. :

• Our friends. We made some great ones. Some are still there, and others have moved on. Some are trying to get back here!
• Spending a day in Norwich, Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge. It was fun to shop, play on the green, and explore the area.
  
• Taking the train to London. It took several hours by train and tube, but it was worth it. The masses of people, the red buses (coaches), undergrounds, cafes and stores everywhere, theaters (or theatres). My last visit there was with the girls. I called my mom from outside Harrods. I was teary. I told her how I would miss it. She understood-she missed it, too. I am surprised that she could hear me from a mobile phone with traffic noises-halfway around the world. There was just something cool in thinking-I went to London. Silly, I know.
• The dialectal differences. The word differences. The personality differences. Most people were friendly-some stoic. That's o.k.
  
• Markets in the town center. It was a nice place to buy fresh veggies and fruits, flowers, odd gadgets, etc. Bury St. Edmunds has a great one on Wednesdays. Starbucks was nearby, too. (sigh).
  
• Our primary and preschool in Beck Row Primary. The teachers were great! The teachers knew all of the children, and most of the parents, even if you didn't have a child in their class. There are only 7 or 8 teachers, and about 110 students. The girls really miss the school and the lunches! Many are homemade and offer a variety of fruits and veggies. They have improved most recently, thanks to Jamie Oliver. Seriously, we are doing our children a great disservice with the school meals offered here. Frozen, bagged items-they can get that at home ;).
  
• Exploring castles and historical sites. I really enjoy British history. I think Windsor Castle, some of the castles in Wales (names?), Lincoln Castle and the town of Lincoln, Sandringham and local estates were my favorites. I know there are many castles and beautiful sites here in Germany. In fact, we can see Burg Lichtenberg from our house. Trier is slightly over an hour from here. I think it borders France and Luxembourg. We have been there once, But I would like to go again.
• Being able to smell and touch the yummy items at Lush. Some favs include "Honey I Washed the Kids", "17 Cherry Tree Lane", "Rock Star" and "MaBar". I also like the homemade face masks.


• British tea and tearooms. There were several nice ones nearby. I'm glad that I stocked up before we moved. The tea at the commissary just isn't the same as Tetley, Typhoo or the ones from Whittards. After I linked this I saw that Whittards is now in the U.S.? Oh, happy day. Whittards and Boots (at Target?)!


• Friends, did I mention that? :)

Did someone make a switcheroo?

I thought we had a 12-month-old in the crib, but he seems to think he is a newborn again. He just isn't as cuddly as a newborn-too squirmy! He has been awake during the night 3 of the last 4 nights (twice last night)! Help! Maybe the sleep fairy will sprinkle a little dust on him and keep him asleep. If not, maybe I will take a few sleeping pills and let DH deal with the newborn in disguise. Point being, this waking up has really rocked me. I forgot how it was to wake up several times a night. It hasn't been that long ago, really.

Why we leave our shoes at the door

While the kids and I were waiting in the car recently we observed an old man first spitting multiple times on the sidewalk as he walked along. He topped the performance by blowing his nose on the sidewalk and kept walking. We were all speechless. Enough Said.

Speaking of shoes, a few of us tried on some different ones and went ice skating this afternoon. Pictures will post soon.

Logan's 1st Birthday

I, personally think this is a fabulous use of my flowery crock pot! I am always multi-tasking. This guy needs a hug :)

We are a few weeks late in posting these, but, eh. We had a great family night with cake and ice cream. For once, I didn't make the cake! Wilton would be so disappointed. I guess that's the difference between the first and fifth child. We love him just the same. The big hit was the Busy ball Popper! All of the kids LOVE this.
Wait!! Is that a lighter within reach of our precious baby! I am red-faced. The shame of it. A momentary lapse I am sure. Thanks to DH for helping me with uploading these. Bear with me while I figure things out :)