Tis the Season!

To be sick, apparently!  Thomas woke up at about 3 AM, came in my room, tossed and turned for what seemed like about 20 minutes (I'm not quite sure) and then announced that he was going to throw up...I told him not just to sit there but to run to the bathroom.  Well, he didn't quite make it and instead threw up all over my braided rug...so today I will take my steam cleaner out for the first time (since moving here), hook it up to a transformer and see what it can do.  He also, unfortunately, has diarrhea. So far, today, he's keeping his food down but laying around a lot and he's quiet.  So, that right there tells you something!

I was supposed to substitute teach his Primary class (church, not school), but I had to "call in sick" instead.

Until later,

Emily

Snapshot(s) Saturday!

(And, finally, proof that Toby really does know how to and occasionally does smile!)

Until later,

Emily

Wiesbaden Christmas Market--2008

We hit our first Christmas Market tonight. This year is colder than it was last year at this time, so we didn't mess around...the kiddos were decked out in their winter gear. Toby dislikes hats immensely so he only had his on some of the time. We basically walked around, got something to eat, and let the kids ride some rides. This Christmas Market is so close and it runs almost right up until Christmas that we'll go again, I am sure!

Until later,

Emily

Happy Birthday Kate/Happy Thanksgiving Everyone Else!

Along with it being Thanksgiving, it is also my sister, Kate's birthday!  She was actually born on Thanksgiving Day 28 years ago.  After my mom worked all day in the kitchen preparing dinner that is...she arrived in the evening.  So, here's wishing Kate a wonderful birthday and year ahead and everyone else a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Until later,

Emily

Car Update...If You Want to Call It That!

James called this afternoon to find out about the car.  After going through three different people all he got was, "The car needs a lot of work and it's going to take a while." He'll call again on Friday.

Until later,

Emily

And There She Goes...

James and I spent the most of the day just trying to get the car towed.  He WAS able to drive it up the hill,  to our house this morning but came in saying, "I don't think it's safe enough to drive to the shop!" So, we called ADAC which is close to, but not exactly the same as AAA.  First, they send out someone to try to start the car.  Well, the guy had attitude exuding from him as it was. He hopped in the car and, of course, it started up.  The problem isn't with the starter or the engine...or anything like that.  Then he starts going off on James because we don't have snow tires. In Germany, they either have summer or winter tires. Ours are all-season tires, but they technically aren't winter tires so there you have it. (By the way, we're getting winter tires for both of our cars, ASAP!)  James continued to try to explain that there was a problem with the cars steering.  The guy starts yelling at James telling him that this is winter and in the winter the car is going to handle differently and feel differently.  At this point, I am catching all of this by watching out the kitchen window.  I know we are mere minutes of having this guy leave us so I look out another window and see that my German neighbor that speaks great English is home.  I called her up, quickly explained the situation, and literally as the guy is signing the paperwork and getting into his car, Simone saved the day!  She went head-to-head with the ADAC guy for a good five minutes trying to convince him that there really was something wrong with the car.  It was heated.  Finally, she convinced him to get in the car and drive it.  He drove around the block and came back and told us it was unsafe.  Really?  What do us dumb Americans know?  The funniest part about the morning was while he was away, James asked Simone if the guy was angry at us because it seemed like he was, and her reply was, "No, it's just way Germans are." Pretty funny coming from a German!

So after the first ADAC guy deemed the car unsafe, we waited for the ADAC tow truck to arrive. He came 1 to 1 1/2 hours later.  This guy was much nicer and the process was quite smooth.  He towed my car to the shop where we had James' windshield replaced about two weeks ago.  This place caters to Americans, but it is a German business.  We went down and processed the claim through our insurance and will know better what's going on by Wednesday afternoon.  Best case scenario, the car will be gone for two weeks.  If we need parts, they'll have to be ordered from the States and shipped here...who knows how long that will take!  (Well, I do have a good idea, because of a friend, who said it took three weeks just to get the part from the States when she got into a fender-bender earlier this year!)  Even though I drive a Kia and they have Kia here, because my car has "American specs" it is still best to get the parts from the States in most cases.

For right now, we have a beat-up loaner car from the insurance office.  I'm not sure if they'll let us keep it until the car is fixed, but it is better than nothing.  We could manage on one car if I didn't drive Thomas to and from school every day...but I do. 

Until later,

Emily

London--November 2008

 Day #1:  The Tower of London.  Not at all stroller-accessible, so we took turns exploring while Toby stayed out.  For the most part, Thomas saw everything twice.  The weather was pretty nice this day.

Toby enjoying a pretzel while waiting outside and bored to tears.

I did finally let him run a bit.  We were in a corner kind of to ourselves, so he wasn't bothering anyone.

I could not believe how much the Logan LDS temple looks like this!

This could have been our "Christmas card pic" if only Toby would have cooperated!

Day #2: we walked A LOT this day, seeing all the city sights.  It was much colder this day.  But still manageable. We wore our coats.  This part of London reminded my of NYC.

This boys & I with a horse guard.  I know the pic is a little fuzzy.  It's the only one I have.

The "London Eye".  We didn't ride on it.  It wouldn't have been any fun with Toby. It takes thirty minutes to go around once.  Need I say more?

The Parliament House

Big Ben

Harrods.  It was CRAZY!  But, nothing like the next day when we went to Hamley's.  Hamley's is a huge, famous toy-store in London that is five stories tall.  We went on a Saturday.  It was like when you're exiting a basketball game or concert and there are people everywhere but you are trying to shop and you have two kids.  It was a nightmare and I will never return.  We had a much nicer experience shopping at the Hamley's kiosk at the airport on Sunday.  Harrods was fun, though!

Day #3: It was bitter-cold, we wore our coats, layers, hats & gloves and still we froze to the bone.  Makes me cold just thinking about it.  Toby took his naps regardless, when he did, we brought his bundler up over his nose.  Did I mention it was cold?

Buckingham Palace

James, Toby and Thomas taking a ride on his buggy board.  It's a little contraption that hooks onto any stroller, so he can have a rest.  He may be six, but we walked a ton, and it was worth cutting down on the whining.

This is Carnaby Street.  It is a major shopping district.  Again, wall-to-wall people.  I had a friend in my German class that was going the next week with her three kids and I advised her to stay away from this area on the weekend.  I did think the snowmen were really cool.  My lungs feel like they are crystalizing as I am looking at these pictures.  We did quickly go into GAP because we decided that Thomas had outgrown his stocking cap and I just wanted to see what their clothes were like.  We don't have GAP in Germany.  Thank goodness for online shopping, but it isn't the same.  Well, I found really cute stocking caps for both Toby and Thomas but then the kids were breaking down and there were the crowds so we decided to leave without even looking at my section.  I thought, no big deal, I'll just go online.  Only problem: GAP London's clothes are totally different!