Toby...He's OUR Baby!

Yesterday, we watched my friend's 10-month old baby for the day, which actually ended up being overnight--but that's a whole other story--and my kids seemed to really enjoy having D over. I've decided that Thomas is just one of those kids who is really good with little kids, he enjoys them and is so thoughtful. Toby also seemed to enjoy having D over but for him you could tell that it was more like having a friend over and he tried to play with him. In no time, that 10-month age difference will mean nothing, but right now, it is apparent. Still, Toby did what kids do, and he tried to get on D's level and play. And he tried to show off a little too. It was funny to see that side of Toby.

But, then, there was another side of Toby. I got to witness the jealous side of Toby. There were never any actions against D but there were moments when you could tell that Toby realized that D was getting the attention first and his feelings were a little hurt over it. This morning, D went home and Toby has crawled into our arms a little extra and given us more "loves" I think all for the sake of reclaiming his "baby" status.

Until later,

Emily

Back In Town!

Last Saturday night, James returned from a short business trip...and then, Sunday morning he left again! He was in training in a southern part of Germany. On his way, his car got hit with something so now he'll be getting his windshield replaced. At least that's it. No other damage to the car and he's OK.

The kids and I made it through the week, too. Thomas has been having nightmares again and Toby has a hacking cough so some of the nights were pretty sleepless for me, but all-in-all, we did all right. The weekdays when James is gone are not all that bad...it's honestly the weekends that are rough. Well, I ended up going in and talking to Thomas' teacher on Wednesday, trying to find out where these nightmares were coming from because they were specific (he was worried about robbers), we're still not sure but we think it might have all started because they had a lock-down last week at the school. Thomas and I talked about how, yes, there are bad guys in the world, but when we close up our house at night, it is pretty secure so we can't sit up at night worrying about it. Then I walked him around as we closed all the windows and ruladins and double-checked to see that the door was locked. He slept the whole night! (Thanks, Mom!).

Until later,

Emily

A Little Known Fact...(Conversing with Thomas)

Thomas: "Mom, did you know that if you stare at a monkey it will poop?"

Me: "No, I did not know that...who told you that?"

Thomas: "Nobody...just Tobias and Romeo."


Which just goes to show that the gross little boy talk happens everywhere...no matter what school, what country or what nationality the kids are!

Until later,

Emily

The Unavoidable Conversation

Thomas: "M-o-m?!

Me: "What, Thomas?"

Thomas: "Toby is looking at me."

Me: "So?"

Thomas: "I don't want him to look at me, make him stop!"


The joys of school have just begun!

Until later,

Emily

Norwegian Souvenirs

James returned home late last night from a work trip to Norway. He brought the kids home these souvenirs and I was so excited for them to get them this morning (since they were in bed when he got home). I had a quick photo shoot this afternoon, too--bet you can't guess who likes his souvenir and who doesn't?

(I know you can't tell...yet!)

(I can imagine Toby thinking, "What's this weird thing and why does Mom want me to wear it on my head?"

Thomas said, "Vikings are cool...what are they?"

And in case anyone is wondering exactly what Toby thinks of HIS viking helmet...

...this is how our photo shoot officially ended!

And, that's a wrap!

Until later,

Emily

Old Four Eyes...2008 Style

(sorry, I know this pic is a little blurry, but it gives you an idea of what the sides look like. They are black with silver rivets)

I picked up my new glasses yesterday. And I had to go back today and get them adjusted. They were squeezing my head, behind my ears until it really hurt! I can tell that I'm going to have to go back again, but they are a lot better. Now if I can just remember to keep them away from anywhere that Toby can get to!

Until later,

Emily

A Lazy Morning and One Nasty Cough!

A lazy morning of DS playing, movies watching and comfy sweats....Thomas' cold has gotten worse. I dare say he has the worst cough he's ever had! He's not having a hard time breathing. More than anything it's obnoxious! He also has a runny nose. Above all, the sniffles and throat clearing are kind of driving me nutty. He's medicated, but it only relieves the symptoms...not take them away entirely!

Until later,

Emily

More of Toby on the Table!

(checking out the play-doh)

(and this was him yesterday on the table)

I really do find him like this often each day. There's just no stopping him. I have tried. Believe me, I have! Some things are the way that they are and you can't change them...like this for example!

Until later,

Emily

Still Trying to Find My Groove...and an Update

This week, I started my German class and last week, I started my exercise class at the gym. So I have classes three days a week now. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In some ways I guess it's good to have everything all in a row, but I think I'd rather have them staggered. Anyway, we are getting the hang of getting out the door in the mornings, because of Thomas being in school, not me taking classes, and Thomas now has his routine down at the school so I don't have to walk him in. Too bad the circle area is just for the buses, so I still have to get out in the parking lot, AND get Toby out just to walk Thomas to the front of the school, and go back and do everything in reverse, but it is how it is.

So with this new schedule of Thomas being in school and me taking classes, I am trying to find out when exactly I am "home" because it doesn't feel like I am very much! These past few days, I have gone to my classes and then ran some errands and next thing I know it's 2:00! Enough time to run home, maybe grab something to eat or tackle one small household chore and then it's time to go pick up Thomas again!

My church calling is also keeping me very busy! The Relief Society president has said more than a few times, "It's not usually like this." But so far, although I am busy, I am enjoying it. I get to help people and it has given me the chance to get to know people that I otherwise probably wouldn't both on the receiving end and the giving end of things.

Thomas is loving school. He doesn't even want the weekend to come! He loves his teacher and has told me a few times already that he wants her to always be her teacher. He is pretty tired when he comes home. On Wednesdays, he stays after school for a class that I signed him up for called Fit Kids. It is a class where they play different sports or games, kind of like an extra PE. Well, I don't have him in any sports so this is "it" and it is wonderful and enough for right now.

Both of my boys have bad colds. Thomas has more of a cough and Toby is a snot factory. Their moods seem to be normal though.

Toby is getting used to being without Thomas during the day. He is talking a lot. My family is one of those text book cases where the first child didn't talk that early and the second one is leaps and bounds ahead of where his brother was at this point. But, mainly, he still talks in jibberish.

James, what can I say about James? The busy season has started, and we'll leave it at that.

Tailer, I don't usually update on her, but I put her on a diet about two weeks ago. She's a large cat in stature, but she still needed to trim down. This summer, I saw my sister's dog, Daisy, who had been put on a diet and I thought she looked so good, so Daisy was my inspiration for Tailer! I had always filled her bowl and then filled it again when it was empty. Which usually was in 4-6 days, I didn't think she was eating all that much. Classic case of overestimating the serving size...I read on the back of her cat food bag that a cat her size that you want to lose some weight should eat 1/2 cup of food a day. Her bowls are pretty big...it barely covers the bottom! So, she's on a diet and cries in the morning, but it's been two weeks and I can already tell that she is thinner. I'm not sure how long I'll keep her on her diet. I need to take her to the vet to get her shots, maybe I'll get the vet's opinion on what would be her "healthy" weight.

Until later,

Emily

Did Thomas Go Through a Naked Stage?

Did Thomas go through a naked stage when he was about three years old...I know I was doing fertility treatments by then that did a number on me, but I think I at least dressed my son! However, according to the size 3T clothes that I have in storage, maybe I did not!

A couple of weeks ago, I spent an hour or two in my basement trying to find Thomas' old winter coats, size 3T. Not that Toby is going into 3T, but since I had Thomas where size 3T coats for two years in a row, I thought why not Toby, too? I've since ordered Toby a size 2T coat, still hoping to use the lost coats when I find them next year! (When I says coats, I mean a lighter, everyday one that works well with the car seat and then another puffy marshmallow one that doesn't work with the car seat but keeps him warmer.)

Then, today, I spent a good portion of my afternoon trying to find my size 3T clothes because we have a new family that just moved into our ward that is in need of warm clothes for their kids and household goods. They have a boy that is going into size 3T clothing. The husband is in the army and the army sent the family out, but due to a regulation, did not allow shipment of any of their household goods. All they have is what could fit into their suitcases. Their stuff has been put in storage and it is NOT coming here, ever!

I figured that I could donate some of Thomas' old clothes. I know I still have Toby, but I also know that I have some to spare and of course Toby is going to get some new things as he grows into that age. I felt that I was in a good place to donate a few clothes. No biggie.

So, I started going through my clothes and never could find any great number of size 3. I started to get a little nutty and actually ended taking everything out and doing a really thorough sorting job. There are no more 4T/5T boxes or half-full boxes. There is one LARGE box each for 2T, 4T and 5T and a half box of 3T (and still no coats or snow pants). Then I started counting the shirts, pants, pajamas and I have more sets of pajamas then I do short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts combined! That just cannot be right. Now I am convinced that there must be another 3T box somewhere.

I have looked almost everywhere in this house for another box. The only place I haven't looked yet is in the crawl space under our stairs, where I keep the Christmas stuff. But I keep thinking, I've been through that stuff, why on earth wouldn't I put a box full of clothing with all the other boxes of clothing? If those 3T clothes are here in Germany with us, that's where they are. If not, they are stored in Virginia or we will never see them again. Things like this really frustrate me!

Until later,

Emily

Observing September 11th

September 11th is always a somber day for me, as I think it is for many of us. I can't believe seven years have gone by already. A lot of it is blurry to me, but some of it will stick with me forever. I am forever grateful that James wasn't hurt. If the evil terrorists plans would have all gone the way they wanted, that might not have been the case. (Because of where he worked.) I also have a good friend whose brother worked at one of the World Trade buildings and (if my memory is serving me correctly) his train was running late so he wasn't at work when he normally would have been.

I will spend this day like all other September 11ths after...I will stay home. James always asks me to and I get it. (However, he has gone to work and Thomas is in school...so no one get too worried). There are other days to be in crowded, public areas but today I'll lay low and do some things around my house (like mop the floor and a few loads of laundry) and this afternoon, I'll turn the TV on and watch some of those familiar images and shed a few tears. But, I'm OK with that.

Until later,

Emily

Sounds of a Fire Truck/Police Car

Toby was playing with a car today, pushing it around, making a "police car sound" when I stopped and realized that he was making the sound of a German police car instead of what the American police cars sound like. And then I thought about it, and even with our two-month vacation in the States this summer, Toby has lived more of his life in Germany than he has there, so it makes sense!

Until later,

Emily

Ear Aches Are Such a Pain!

Last night Thomas awoke at about 4 AM and came stumbling into our bedroom. I thought he must have had a bad dream, which he often does. He tossed and turned for about an hour and then announced that his right ear really hurt. I put some numbing drops in his ear and that seemed to help but the pain was still pretty bad. Thomas has never been a kid that likes to take medicine...but I gave him the choice, he could chew some Tylenol pills or still hurt. He chose to chew the Tylenol. Twenty minutes later, he was snoozing but morning sure came early for us this morning! I did give him the option of staying home, but he chose to go to school. I think he must have had one of those "made it through" days because today in his parent-teacher book, I had a note from the teacher telling me that Thomas seemed very quiet and didn't want to participate in music today. Tonight, he had a fever, the first one I have detected, so he might get to stay home tomorrow. Poor kid!

Until later,

Emily

Pictures

Somehow I knew verbally posting about my recent pottery purchases would not suffice. I'll get some pictures taken soon...see that's the problem when you don't have a safe place to store your things, they get wrapped up and put downstairs and then it becomes a chore to get them out again. But, I will work on it!

Until later,

Emily

More Broken Glass...

Today, I hurried up and fed Toby a late lunch (I got my eyes checked today, and my neighbor watched him while I did that, so his meal was a little late) and then we had to get out the door to pick up Thomas from school. I was cleaning up, took one load of things to the kitchen, and came back into the dining room to find Toby holding an empty baby food jar (he still eats a couple jars after eating the grown up food). Now the thing with Toby is, if he has something that he's not supposed to and he realizes it and gets caught, he throws it. So, I tried to trick him into thinking he wasn't doing anything wrong...yeah, it didn't work...he chucked the jar and it hit the tile floor and broke into a hundred pieces! He got a smack on the bottom and a time-out, neither bothered him, of course. I cleaned up the mess and went on our way!

Until later,

Emily

Having Second Thoughts...

As soon as I woke up this morning, I had it in my head that I really think James can hang my pretty Italian plate here in our "temporary" German home. It's such a shame wrapping it up and having it on a shelf downstairs most of the time. Besides, the vendors have even made it easy on the customers--they've strung a wire through the bottom of the plate so all you really have to do is get a nail in the wall. Not only that, but I have an empty wall just crying out for something to be hung on it! Stay tuned...

Until later,

Emily

Lamplighter Fair 2008

This weekend, is the weekend of the Lamplighter Fair at the Wiesbaden Air Field. There are vendors from all over--Germany, Italy, Poland, etc, etc. There is lots of pottery, linens, crystal, nutcrackers & smokers, wine, cheese, furniture etc, etc. Last year, since it was all new to me, I didn't know quite what I liked or didn't.

A year later, it is a different story! Today, I purchased a large Italian pottery serving plate. It is beautiful and very eye-catching. I also bought a small vivid red vase with a bright yellow sunflower on it from the same vendor. I also finally found a pattern of Polish Pottery that I love, and bought a medium-sized pitcher, that I will use as a vase. (It has occurred to me that I have a thing for vases!) I know I have a couple friends who lived in Germany quite a while ago, maybe you know about the Polish Pottery craze...well, I guess it used to be super, super cheap...but it is not anymore...so while I know I'll never have a full set, it will still be fun to try to pick up some other pieces here and there. I feel the same way about the Italian pottery except I want all different patterns of that. I think it would be fun to display the different plates on the walls when I move back to the States (and still use them), but I'm too scared to do that here in Germany because it's so hard to get something to hang on my walls. Italian pottery is bright and colorful, Polish Pottery is more muted.

I informed James that now I have "shopping goals", he rolled his eyes, laughed out loud and then replied, "Gr-reat!"

Until later,

Emily

First Crush

We think Thomas has his first crush. Last night, over dinner, he announced that there is this girl, she's not in his class, but her name is Lyra (rhymes with Tyra). We asked Thomas if he plays with her and he smiled and said, "no!". As the conversation went on, we think she's in the other Primary class.

Today, he's mentioned her name three other times, for no apparent reason.

Until later,

Emily

The PERFECT Halloween Costume for Toby!

Although Halloween is almost two months away, I have been keeping my eye on Old Navy's website, because I think they have cute costumes that are also affordable. I have been "eye-ing" this costume, and almost ordered it yesterday, I'm glad I didn't because today it went on sale! You better believe that costume is ordered now! I know how Old Navy works, once those costumes are marked down they go so fast! It was a toss-up between the skunk and the monkey but in the end the skunk won out. Now I will wait 3-4 weeks, for that and some other necessities to arrive, but I think I ordered everything in time, before it gets too cold (new coats for the boys--Toby doesn't get a hand-me-down coat because I can't find it!).

Until later,

Emily

Eew!

More and more, I am convinced that Toby is as cute as he is because he is so naughty. Not because his naughtiness makes him cute, but it's nature's or God's way of protecting Toby. If he wasn't so darn cute, all the naughty things that just seem to come naturally to him (he's not trying) would be really hard to handle. This morning he had yet another naughty incident:

We dropped Thomas off at school and came home. As you know, we live right next to a park. Toby often times wants to go to the park when we get back from dropping Thomas off at school. He LOVES to play in the sand! However, it has been raining for a few days and is raining right now, so going to the park isn't the best idea.

I carried him in the house, while he motioned and "told" me that he really wanted to go to the park.

Then, I came downstairs to check my email as I often do. Most of the time I carry the laptop upstairs and do my "work" at the kitchen table. Today, I was lazy so I stayed downstairs and let Toby come with me.

Next thing I know, he is throwing "sand" at the cat! Oh, no, that can only mean one thing: he's playing in the kitty litter! Gross! Gross! Gross!

The downstairs needed a good vacuuming anyway.

Until later,

Emily

What Stain?

I am amazed that Clorox Clean-Up took the stain right out. I know, I know, it's nothing more than regular Clorox in a fancy bottle...but it's convenient! It took three applications, but the stain is gone.

Until later,

Emily

Breaking Things Left and Right!

It has been one of those mornings...first of all, before I continue, Happy Birthday to my dad, who will be turning 57 years young today. I hope his day goes better then mine has so far!

My day started out at 6:30 AM, which was 30 minutes before my alarm was set to go off. I am not a morning person, and I treasure every last minute of sleep so when Toby decided to wake up at 6:30 AM (which is 1-1 1/2 hours before he needs to get up!), I was none too happy.

I quickly retrieved him from his room, hoping not to wake up Thomas. Toby generally wakes up smiley and talkative and in a general good mood, Thomas, however, does not, especially if he is woken up. So, I achieved success with that, Thomas didn't wake up until 7:30 AM, but in the meantime, I brought Toby into mine and James' room and shut the door. He crawled around the bed for a while and searched around the room playing with various items, none that I was too worried about because he and I had spent a good amount of time up there just yesterday, trying to dig myself out of the hole I also have to call my bedroom. Meaning I didn't think there was anything that it would be tragic if he got a hold of it. Of course, he found the one thing, the one thing that was probably up on top of my dresser yesterday, but found it's resting place on my nightstand last night: my glasses! Toby got a hold of them and snapped the earpiece back so fast...it literally took less then two seconds! They are still wearable but when they are not on my face, they look like a pair of glasses with a broken wing. Oh well, I had just told James a few days ago that I was going to get an eye check-up and get some new glasses because it has been eight years since I got a new pair. I really only wear them around the house, but with Toby's slick work, looks like I will be getting new glasses sooner rather than later!

Once Thomas got up, it was a half-hour of nagging him to get dressed. He finally got dressed and it was time to get breakfast. I got his cereal poured and went to get some juice out of the refrigerator. One of the shelves in my fridge door is the dumbest thing...things fall out of it all the time and we've had some really close calls with breaking things. One time a full bottle of boysenberry syrup fell out and broke, today, I ran out of luck again when a large, full bottle of Texas Pete's hot sauce fell out and shattered all over! You better believe I let one of the "sh"-bombs out (as in sh*t!)I had red-orange liquid all over and shattered glass everywhere with Toby trying to get in on all the excitement. At this point, James was headed out the door, and wisely decided to stick around and help me with the situation (thanks!). He whisked Toby away but in the meantime, Thomas, who should have been eating, started in on me, saying things that I know he hears from me all of the time; "Mom, you should be more careful!", "Mom, that's a big mess, now you're going to have to clean that up!" things like that...at which point I lost it and let the other "sh"-bomb that is not allowed in our house, that would be a big SHUT-UP THOMAS! I know, so Hallmark movie moment of me!

I got the mess cleaned up the best I could, I now have a lovely orange stain on my wall, that I'm almost positive will not come out. Our walls are painted with basically white matte paint and underneath that is wall-paper like material. I bought some bleach cleaner, but I'm not too hopeful about the situation.

Thank goodness all mornings aren't like this!

Until later,

Emily

A Holiday...but Not Really!

James has tomorrow off from work because it is an American holiday. Thomas, however, now that he is in school and his school follows more of the German calendar, does not have the day off of school. So, while it is a holiday, it kind of isn't...the time that this will be the weirdest will be on Thanksgiving Day, when Thomas has school. We've already talked about this, though, and it might turn out OK. Thomas can go to school, we can cook all day, pick him up from school and then have Thanksgiving "dinner" at about 4 PM.



Until later,



Emily

Our Little Monkey and his Stage!

We don't quite know what the appeal is, but Toby loves our table, rather climbing up on it and playing! We find him on it, take him off and he's right back on five minutes later. We can remove the chairs but he just pushes them over. We've resorted to trying to keep anything that would hurt him, or anything that Toby could hurt off the table. Funny story, today I heard this "cling-pause-cling-pause-cling-pause" and I thought, "that sounds like aluminum clanging", and then I remembered I had an almost full Diet Coke on the table. I ran to the dining room to find Toby enjoying my Diet Coke and spilling almost the entire contents all over him!

Until later,

Emily

Summer's Last Hoorah!

For the next five days, we are going to have really nice weather, in the high 70's all the way up to the high 80's on Sunday. This is warmer than it has been over the past two weeks. I was getting my hair cut today and my hairdresser, who is German, told me this is how summer always ends. "It cools down for a while, then it warms up and gets hot and then it starts to rain and that is the end", according to Martina.

A little while later, I was at the commissary and I overheard almost the exact conversation again. And, as I was driving home today, I also noticed just a few changed leaves. So, I guess it must be true and this really must be the end of summer.

Until later,

Emily

It Was Time

(August 19, 2008)

(August 26, 2008)

As much as I truly loved Toby's blonde curls, it was time to tame them a little. I cut an inch off of everywhere, this was the first time I've touched the top, his hairline finally grew in enough and I evened it all up with that.

Until later,

Emily

All That Stress Over NOTHING!

Yesterday, I wrote a message in Thomas' "parent book" basically telling his teacher that I would comply with the request but it did cause concern about what I was going to send him for lunch now, due to his pickiness. Today, she wrote me back and said that peanut butter for lunch is not a problem at all since they sit all the kids with allergies on a separate table. It's only snack time that is the concern. Now why on earth would they state--in the letter that was sent home from the school nurse-- that it's snack and lunch that is a problem when it clearly is not? Beats me! But, the good thing about this 24-hour stress is that now I have some other ideas as to what I CAN send Thomas for lunch throughout the year. I am not limited to only one "main dish" as I initially thought. But, boy, am I glad peanut butter sandwiches are back on the menu!

Until later,

Emily

A New Record!

I got up this morning and checked my blog and was surprised to see so many comments! I think it is a new record for me! I also got a few "comments" in my email! Thanks for all the suggestions. Some of them are still too fancy for my Thomas, but I know you all are just trying to help me find a peanut butter-less substitute! I really appreciate it! It's also made me think that maybe it's time for me to buy some of those foods that Thomas hasn't liked in the past. You know, sometimes trying it again really does work. If not, Toby will probably eat it, that's what I'm finding in my household!

And, if I never find a healthy "main dish" that Thomas likes he'll be perfectly happy with just eating all the "side items". He wouldn't be the first kid to come home with everything eaten except his sandwich! And like my mom said, then I'll just have to feed him his peanut butter sandwich at home for his "after-school snack".

This situation still stinks, but it will be OK.

Until later (and thanks!),

Emily

Lunch Time Just Got a Whole Lot Harder...

For the most part, I am planning on sending cold lunch with Thomas to school. Hot lunch is expensive, 3,50 euro and next year when he starts first grade it goes up to 4,00 euro but really it is not so much about the expense...it is more about the fact that I don't think he will eat the majority of the lunches...they are way too "gourmet" for Thomas. They send out a menu every two weeks, I will look at it and if they happen to have a cheese pizza day, well, he might get hot lunch that day but other than that, he'll get cold lunch.

Not only will he get cold lunch every day but I had planned on basically sending him the same thing for lunch every day. A peanut butter sandwich, carrot sticks, a bag of chips or crackers, fruit snacks and a juice box. Imagine my horror today when I found in the parent folder that in his classroom there is a child with "severe nut allergies" and therefore, have decided to make Thomas' classroom totally nut-free. This applies to snack and lunch. I am sympathetic toward the child and his family but now what do I send Thomas for lunch? He doesn't eat lunch meat, tuna fish, chicken salad, egg salad--or anything! Luckily, he started eating cheese quesadillas a while ago, so the only thing I can think of is sending him a cold cheese quesadilla. He doesn't even like cheese sandwiches, although I'm not sure why.

To get news like this has really put me in a bad mood! Any suggestions? I'm seriously stressed out over this!

Until later,

Emily

1st Blogiversary!

My friend, Felicity, left a comment that it's actually my 1st Blogiversary! I just thought that was so clever...I had to share!

Until later,

Emily

One Year Old

Today is my blog's 1st birthday or it's 1st anniversary...I don't know which one is better. Well, it's been around for a year now...how's that?

A few months ago, a friend of mine told me about blurb.com-- It is a website that makes all kinds of books. It even makes books out of your blog! I have decided to do this with my blog since it is the closest thing that I have to a journal or even a scrapbook. I have been wondering if I should send away to make my first book when I'd had my blog for a year or wait until the end of 2008--I think I'm going to finish up the year. I'm still behind on posting pictures from this summer and it would kind of seem weird to end a book on a random date such as August 23, 2008--don't you think? Besides, I need another big project to work on in November & December...yeah, right! Oh, but wait, I'll need to wait to finish up the year so I can work on my blog book from blurb.com in January--PERFECT!

Until later,

Emily

Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary to Us!

It just so happened that Thomas' first day of school was also on our anniversary. Last year, we didn't really celebrate because we had just moved here and the year before I was in Utah, having pregnancy complications. So, this year, James made sure he had the day off. We felt that we should celebrate it, at least in a small way! Our neighbor, G, watched Toby for a while so that we could go to lunch, while Thomas was still at school. We went to a Thai restaurant in Wiesbaden. I had been there before, months ago, at a Girls' Night Out. I thought it was really good and raved about it often.

This was actually the first time that James and I have enjoyed a meal in a restaurant since we moved here. So, even though it was "just lunch" it was such a nice change of pace! The food was great, the weather was nice, and we even had a few minutes to walk around the city before jumping in the car in time to pick up Thomas.

I wanted to scan in one of our wedding pictures, but unfortunately, our old desktop (that James burned up when we moved here) had the software installed to use our scanner and of course, we don't know where the CD for that is now... so I guess our copier/printer/scanner/fax machine is now only a copier/printer (we could probably send a local fax, but we're not hooked up for international faxes). Oh well!

Until later,

Emily

Success!

Thomas' first day of school was a success! He seems tired and as he was eating dinner tonight he did comment that "It's ALREADY dinner time? I was gone to school for a long time, wasn't I, Mom?" But, from what I can tell, there were no major glitches.

Tomorrow, I'm on my own with the whole morning routine/drop-off and pick-up duties. In other words, tomorrow is the real deal for us all!

Until later,

Emily

P.S. Thomas has 14 children in his class, including him. Isn't that awesome?

Thomas' First Day of Primary School (Kindergarten)

We had a successful first morning of school. Thomas ate a complete breakfast, his teeth are brushed, his face is clean, he didn't trip and rip a hole in his jeans, we remembered to take pictures and we got to school on time...actually five minutes early! I think I even remembered everything he needed. Yep, pretty sure of that!

Since he's only been there about forty minutes, I don't know how the day will go. But, he seemed fine when we left. There were no tears, on his part, or hesitation. He seemed quiet and shy but didn't have a problem saying goodbye. So we kept it brief and then we left. I did better then what I thought I would. Yes, a few tears were shed, but I held it together pretty well, I think.

Until later,

Emily

Getting Oriented

This afternoon, we left Toby with our new neighbor, G, and James, Thomas and I attended Thomas' school orientation. In many ways, it was an orientation for all of us...first, we had to find the school, as we've never actually been there before (which I know sounds like such a "Gasp!" thing to do, but we knew he'd go to one of the international schools, and this is the smallest and the closest one to our home, so it really was a no-brainer for us as to where he'd go)...and then we had to find out where we could and couldn't park. Once we entered the school, the whole orientation thing was worked out like a science and we were quickly whisked away to his classroom.

We met his teacher, Miss Natalie, who seems cute as can be! There are only two classes in each grade, but she was the one that I was secretly hoping he would get. Only because I have heard good things about her, the other teacher is probably wonderful, too, but she is brand new, so there just isn't any "word on the block" about her, yet. I think Thomas immediately liked her too, because he gave Miss Natalie eye contact and spoke a few words to her...which to me was almost a miracle!

I didn't think to count exactly how many kids are in his class...but I know it is 15-17. They also have a full-time aide assigned to the class.

Miss Natalie had prepared a cute scavenger hunt for the kids which was really a quick check-list of places that the kids should know the location of. Now Thomas knows where the closest boy's bathroom is, where his cubby is, his coat hook, his seat in the classroom, etc, etc.

Although his school had sent out a pretty thick packet a few weeks ago, the Primary teachers also made up their own little packet. I spent the rest of the night gathering things and writing Thomas' name all over everything. Some things I don't have, so we will improvise until I get the right things or see what the other kids have. Like a "water bottle", somehow I don't think that means the clear plastic kind that you buy in bulk...but that's what I'm sending Thomas to school with tomorrow!

In his grade, he has gym twice a week. That also means the children all change into a full gym outfit. I broke the news to Thomas. This is a big deal because he doesn't like changing his clothes in front of other people. He is very modest, he always has been. He doesn't even like to change his shirt in front of others. But since he'll have his first day of gym on Friday, I figured I might as well tell him now. He was a little alarmed. Now, I'll hold my breath and see how that one goes...

We also discovered that he will be taking German! I thought formal German classes didn't start until the second grade...but they don't. He'll have German three days a week, for 40 minutes at a time. The rest of the instruction is in English.

I also found out that my afternoons will be a little more hectic than I assumed! I will be driving Thomas to and from school, and once he is comfortable with the school, it is possible to drop him off at the entrance of the school, where there will always be at least two teachers ushering the kids in, but when it comes time to pick him up, I have to park, go into the school and pick him up at his classroom every day...with Toby...Ugh! Not that it's that big of a deal, but it is a lot more "work" than I thought I'd have to do...especially when I thought I'd just be able to pull up in the car and pick him up!

But probably the biggest relief of all was to find out that they are given 25 minutes to eat lunch! I packed Thomas a "lunch" tonight in his lunchbox, for his dinner and set the timer and told him to pretend he was at school. I made sure he could open everything and do it all himself. For the things that he was having a hard time with, I found a way for him to do those things and we'll work on those skills so that he can really do them soon. But at least for now, he won't have to rely on his teacher or go without something at lunch time because he doesn't know how to get into it.

Once we got back from the orientation. Toby was really attached to Thomas. Maybe it was because he missed him for the couple hours that we were gone but James and I both said, "Toby knows something is going on".

We put the kids to bed... on time... and reminded Thomas that "OK, tomorrow is the big day!" He seemed excited. I left his room, saying my usual, "Good night, see you in the morning, sweet dreams" chant and then he popped up and said, "But--Mom--I won't get to see you very much in the morning--and then I'll be gone ALL DAY!" And that's when my very last heart string broke and I went downstairs and cried to James and told him I can't believe our little boy is already this old!

Somehow, I think Thomas' "First Day of School" is going to be harder on me than him!

Until later,

Emily

Question: What Will I Do With All My Time?

I have had a lot of people ask me what I will do with all my time now that Thomas is going to go to school all day. I pondered that too for a while at the beginning of the summer as I realized that I was going to start a new phase in my life. But, then, I have people remind me that the days will still go by really fast and before I know it, it will be almost 3 PM and I will need to hop in the car to pick him up from school!

But this is what I have come up with:

1) I will do all my "normal" things. Errands...are always easy minus one kid. Yes, I only have two children, but it's always easier when I go without one of them. Cleaning. Oh how I wish I didn't have to...but I do. I keep requesting a housekeeper (I'm not kidding!) and James keeps saying no.

2) One-on-one time with Toby. I had so much with Thomas when he was an only child, that I am looking forward to some time like that with just Toby.

3) More time to really organize:

I've actually already got a jump-start on that one; I don't know if it's because we've been here for a year and we've reached that point where even the areas that were once neat and orderly are now out-of-control or if it's the fact that we'll be here for another two years and I can't stand the thought of living this way any longer, but I have been on a real kick to get organized since I got home! I have organized/cleaned something almost every day for the past two weeks...I still have a lot to do...I could stay on this kick for at least six months and still have things to do!

4)Well, I have a new church calling that will more than likely take up some of that "free time"! Funny how that works.

5) German classes. I think this time, it's a "go". Every Tuesday morning this fall for about three hours. I'll drop Thomas off at school, zip on over to the air base and drop Toby off at daycare and then go sit in a classroom.

6) A little time for working out. I hate working out. There, I said it. But, I know there are results. I'd like to be in better shape, have more energy, be less stressed and sleep better at night. I do get it, even though I still don't like it! We have a fabulous, brand-new gym on base that is free. Not that I'm going to live there, but I'd like to go 2 or 3 times a week. I also have a jogging stroller that Toby absolutely LOVES! I bought it from a friend who PCS'd in May for $15! One way or another I hope to get my heart pumping more often that I have been for the past few years.

Until later,

Emily

Compassionate Service

Well, this morning I was called to be the new Compassionate Service Leader in our ward. (Which is what I guessed I was going to be called to be.) What this means is I am one of the main people to call when there is a sister or family in need. Not that I'm the one that has to fill the need but I am one of the people to find people to help and to keep tabs on the situation. In our ward, we deal with lots of babies being born, and people moving in and moving out, providing meals and babysitting when it is needed. Then there are the "unexpected events" and emergencies that will be dealt with when they happen.

Until later,

Emily

Toby and his Curly Hair

Toby has curly hair. It's not super-duper curly, but it is does have some curl in it. It is especially curly if it's wet or he is sweaty or I put some product in his hair when it is wet. Now maybe because I am a licensed cosmetologist, I take some things for granted, but I cannot believe how many people remark about his hair and then want to know "how I did it?" A friend of mine at church today said, "Oh, I tried to do my son's hair like that, but it would never work, how did you do it?" Her son has stick-straight hair. I mean...for the lack of a better phrase...well, duh!!

Until later,

Emily

The Storks Landed!

Today, I was coming home from picking up our mail, and a farmer was plowing up one of his fields...there were black & white birds buzzing all around the field...which would be seagulls in the US...no big deal, right? Well, at second glance I realized these birds were MUCH, MUCH bigger. I couldn't think of what they were right away, I don't think I've ever seen such a bird in real life, probably never seen a real picture, just drawings involving new babies being born. That's right, the field was covered with storks! I wish I had my camera with me, because it was a really neat thing to see.

Until later,

Emily

Long-Sleeve Weather

I don't know why I am at all surprised by the fact that my family and I are now dressed in long sleeves and long pants. After all, it was like this when we arrived here one year ago...yet, this morning as I poked my head outside and realized I would have to put away the outfits that I picked out for the boys last night and choose something else, I did find myself thinking, "It's only mid-August, this just isn't right!"

Until later,

Emily

Playing with Fire!

This morning, I lit some of my oil warmers around the house and also a scented candle which I placed in the middle of my dining room table. Toby saw me light this and as I did, he oohed and awed over it. I went into the kitchen and less than two minutes later, I came back out to find Toby had crawled up on a chair, climbed onto the table and I caught him putting his index finger into the flame, at this point he made a sound that told me he must have thought it was hot (his version of ow) and I took him off the table, while he continued to say (ow, ow, ow and shake his head from side to side). He seems to have learned his lesson...he hasn't tried to climb back on but needless to say, the candle has been put somewhere else!

Until later,

Emily

"Tay"

Toby is talking up a storm. It is so cute! He calls Tailer, our cat, "Tay".

Until later,

Emily

Well, I'm Not a Teacher Anymore...

While I was gone this summer, I had a suspicion that I was not going to be a Relief Society teacher for much longer. Simply because I had a friend keep me up on the changes in our ward and I knew that there had been a lot of new RS teachers called...far too many than they needed. So, I've been nervous about where I was going to be "put". Next Sunday, I was supposed to teach, so I went to touch base with the Education counselor to see if that was still the case. I asked, "Am I still a teacher?" She told me to talk to the RS president...but that no, I was off the hook for next week. I went and talked to the president and she said that she couldn't talk to me about it until I was talked to with one of the bishopric counselors but she did assure me that the Relief Society is still going to "have me". It's not hard to see which positions aren't filled...but, we'll see...

Until later,

Emily

Toby's First Day of Nursery

Toby's first day of nursery...not so great. We have LOTS of nursery-aged kids and the room is tiny. He got overwhelmed. And some of the big kids were picking on him. (I witnessed it). I took him in first and stayed with him for about 25 minutes...then I snuck out...he seemed fine when I left. Five minutes later, he was returned to me sobbing. He calmed down, I took him back in, stayed another 10 minutes and left again. Soon after, James happened to check on him and he said he was a complete crying, snotty mess so he just took him out for the rest of the time. They really need to split the nursery, the only thing is there isn't another spare room!

Until later,

Emily

One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today, we arrived in Germany. Looking back, it actually went by really, really fast. I have met several new people in my ward (church congregation) that arrived during the summer and I also have a new neighbor. I empathize with a lot of the things they are going through right now. It can be frustrating and surprising and very overwhelming. The "glamour" of it all ends very quickly. But, then somehow, you adjust and while things are definitely not the same as home, you are able to find some normal-ness and happiness and sometimes step back and go "Wow, I never thought I'd be here!"

Until later,

Emily

We're Victims of Fraud!

You may have heard on the news that some 41 million people have been fraud victims lately. People that have shopped at The Sports Authority, TJ Maxx and DSW. Well, unfortunately, James shopped at DSW while we were in Utah and we think that's where someone got a hold of our credit card number (of course, we'll never know for sure) and then tried to use it many, many times but the majority of the times it was denied, however, they did manage to buy plane tickets to tropical destinations, supplies from a home improvement store and clothing from Ann Taylor Loft--roughly a $5,000-$6,000 shopping spree on us! Of course, our credit card company won't charge us and now the card has been shut down and a new number has been issued to us and is in the mail. The only actual inconvenience is that we used it to make most of our daily purchases, (and pay it off at the end of the month) so until we get the new cards we will have to use our debit cards (and I'll have to dig around to find what my pin is!) or use cash.

Until later,

Emily

First Time in Frankfurt

Today, a friend of mine showed me and another friend how to take the train into Frankfurt. We have a train station in our town, and it goes straight into Frankfurt, without us having to make any connections. It takes approximately 30 minutes. Unfortunately, we got rained on, and when I say rained, I really mean poured, so we didn't do much but get to Frankfurt, go into Espirt, H&M, McDonald's, buy flowers and then go back but it was a good learning experience. I don't know if I would go by myself, but now maybe I can show James and we can try some little adventures on the train instead.

Until later,

Emily

Racing the Clock!

Two weeks from tomorrow, Thomas will start school. It starts at 8:45 AM, but we will leave the house at about 8:25 (I'll drive him), he will be gone all day, until 3:10 PM. I have some normal concerns, but my big ones have to deal with meals. Meals and eating have never been a high priority for Thomas. And, he is a slow eater, which will be a huge problem once he is in school. The only effective tool that I have found in helping motivate him is using a timer. I have witnessed the kid take over an hour to eat a small bowl of cereal! So, since we've been home I have been "training" him for school mornings (since the night-time thing isn't working out all that well, yet!). First, he has to go potty and get dressed, then we come downstairs and I pour him a bowl of healthy cereal (as opposed to the sugar cereal that he & I prefer) and a cup of juice or strawberry milk and I set the timer for 15 minutes. If he can finish all that within 15 minutes, he gets the chance for 5 more minutes and a Pop Tart. If not, the remainder of his breakfast is thrown away, and there are no snacks in between breakfast and lunch and only water to drink. After that, he goes upstairs and brushes his teeth and I comb his hair.

Until later,

Emily

Is It Day? Is It Night? Is It Bedtime or Naptime?

My children's internal clocks are still having a hard time readjusting. They both seem to go to bed easy enough, at about 10 PM, but 1 1/2-2 hours later, they are both ready to play! Two nights ago, I was up with them until 3:30-4 AM and last night I was up with them until at least 2:30 AM. Thank goodness we have the spare bed in Thomas' room...I haven't let them go downstairs and play...no we just go in Thomas' room, shut off all the lights and I hope that they'll get bored enough and go to sleep again. The good news is that they are starting to wake up at a more normal time in the morning (I wake Toby up), so I am hoping that very soon it will all come together. And then it will be time to get them back to going to bed a little earlier (I prefer them to be to sleep by 8:30 PM). One hurdle at a time...

Until later,

Emily

Jet Lag!

It is past 11 AM and the kids are both still asleep! I myself, have only been awake about 20 minutes! I thought when we moved here and felt like garbage for a while it was because of all the stress we had been through and maybe a little bit of jet lag...nope, it was probably almost all jet lag! Today is going to be a weird day...like do I feed the kids breakfast when they wake up or lunch? I don't think it's going to be very productive. Oh, yeah, I'm giving myself this week to adjust so it's all OK!

Until later,

Emily

Hiss!

Hiss is the sound that came out of Tailer after what must have been one too many "loves" from Toby! To my knowledge, she's never hissed at anyone before...Toby must really be pushing her buttons...or she's like me and a little grumpy, thinking 3:30 AM is a time for sleeping!

Until later,

Emily

We Made It!

Well, we are back in Germany and although the flight was long, it was a lot better than when we flew out. Both kids were harder than we expected on the Utah to Chicago flight, but that wasn't the flight we were worried about... Fortunately, both Thomas and Toby slept through the second half of the flight to Germany. Toby was quite fussy the first hour and I thought "oh, here we go again!" but he calmed down before it got too bad and I never even had to take him to the back of the plane. I didn't sleep a wink, (by the time I probably could have fallen asleep, Toby was in a position where I couldn't move so my legs and bum were so cramped up that I was in too much pain to sleep--but the important thing was that he was sleeping and NOT screaming!) and James slept very little too so we were completely exhausted by the time we arrived. We took little naps in the afternoon and all four of us seemed really tired last night when we went to bed...then at 1:30 AM, Toby popped up and decided it was time to be awake! So, I am downstairs with him hoping that sleepiness will hit him again, because I sure know I am sleepy!

Until later,

Emily

Toby Has a New Tooth!

Finally! One of the four "dog teeth" has emerged! It's one of the top ones. I think the other top one will be coming out soon...of course I've been thinking that about all of them for the past two months!

Until later,

Emily

As I Feared...

Toby hasn't been sleeping well lately, in fact he has woken up in the middle of the night for the past 7 out of 8 nights. And, when he wakes up he is irritated and restless and has seemed uncomfortable, tossing all around and crying. He has also had loss of appetite and diarrhea and a couple fevered days. He is still working on getting all four of his "dog teeth" (it's been two months now!), so I knew this could all be chalked up to teething but thought we better get his ears checked, especially since we're flying back to Germany this weekend and I hated the thought of his ears hurting any more than I think they did when we flew here! So, I got him in to see a doctor and sure enough, both ears are red and irritated looking. He's on antibiotics now...doc said they should help by then but that they might hurt some while flying. Ooh, I can't wait....

Until later,

Emily

The Dark Knight

Last night, James and I and almost all the other adult members of his family went to see The Dark Knight at an Imax theater. I loved it! James liked the first one better and I liked the second one better. I had heard it was dark, which it is, but for me it wasn't as dark as I had imagined. It wasn't as gory as I thought it would be. Except for Two-Face, which his image is still haunting me...totally gross! The story line was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be and yes...Heath Ledger was amazing!

Until later,

Emily

Anniversary Bling!

Well, today I went into town to continue my quest for anniversary bling once I picked up my repaired wedding ring. I don't know if James will ever let me shop for fine jewelry by myself or say the words "get what you like" again but at least his present is bought almost a month in advance! I ended up looking at three different jewelers, it would have been four but I found out that one of the places I was planning on checking out went out of business recently...so it was only three places, which I might add--some of the shopping was done on foot due to a flat tire (I got it fixed but had some time to kill before I could get it fixed so I walked to one of the places in near 100 degree weather--flat tires never happen at a convenient time!) So, I had it narrowed down to three different anniversary bands, one at Needham's and the other two at Morgan's and then the salesman at Morgan's (by this time it was my second time there) brought out "something new that we didn't have on Monday". I can't wait to pick it up on Tuesday (it has to be sized down)!

Until later,

Emily

What's Another Year?

Well, it's official. James turned in his answer today at his office. We're going to extend the extra year...actually, we're hoping to come home after an 11-month extension, which will be around the middle of July 2010. It was not an easy black & white decision...lots of pros and cons to both coming home next year or extending, but obviously a few more pros to staying.

Until later,

Emily

I Feel Naked!

Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up next month. I informed James that I would quite like some "bling" to go with my wedding ring, i.e. an anniversary band. With a lot to do in the week+ that he'll have out here, he suggested that I go out and "look" on my own. Today, I did just that. Unfortunately, after a quick inspection of my wedding ring, it was determined that all six of my prongs are so thin that they could go any day. I had no idea! I always inspect it, but I guess because I don't have "trained" eyes, I couldn't tell that they are thin, only that they were not broken! The girl told me that prongs generally have to be repaired every 7-10 years, so I'm right on track! So, the ring had to come off and get repaired. I can pick it up on Wednesday, but boy do I feel naked! And self-conscious! Not only am I on an extended vacation without my husband, but now I'm not wearing a ring! Scandalous!

Until later,

Emily

Studio Pics

Last week, I took the kids to get their pictures "done". Thomas is now a "ham" when it comes to taking pictures and he took half a dozen cute pictures in the matter of only a minute or two. Toby, on the other hand, was interested in the studio, but not really in getting his picture taken. When we could get him to stay in the same place for a second or two, he wasn't about to crack a smile, except in the close-up shot, which I ended up ordering a close-up of each of my boys just for myself, but as far as the ones that I will give away, I wanted the more traditional torso shot.

Until later,

Emily

Toby and his "Serious Face"

I was serious when I said Toby looks very serious a lot of the times. This is a classic Toby face, taken today, in fact!

Until later,

Emily

My Cute Kids!

(This picture of Thomas was taken on May 24, 2008 in Nurenburg, Germany)

(This picture was taken on June 12, 2008 in my mom & dad's back yard)

Until later,

Emily

Happy 18-Month Birthday Toby!

(This is an extremely rare picture of him smiling!)

Today, Toby turned 18 months. If we were back in Germany, this Sunday would be his first Sunday in Nursery at church. But, since we're not, I don't think it's fair to make someone else in another ward deal with him during his first few weeks...(I'm hoping it will only be weeks, but who knows?).

Toby, oh Toby, he is quite the character! He's cute and really knows how to work his puppy-dog eyes. He is also a very serious child. Most of the time he looks like he's deep in thought and can be really quite challenging to get a smile from. However, he looks like he's a sweet, innocent boy when really he's not! He's a little dare-devil child that loves to get dirty and is absolutely fearless! My mom keeps saying, "Oh, Emily, you're in for it with him!" Boy, don't I know it, don't I know it!

Until later,

Emily

Newport Beach Family Pic 2008

I don't know how to edit pictures on my mom's computer. If I did, I'd crop it out a bit, as I realize it is a bit off-centered.

(However, I'm just relieved that it's OK with her that I put my pictures on her computer for a while since I was getting nervous having all my pictures on my card without any backup!)

But, here we are...the whole family!

Note-Worthy News (to Me Anyway!)

Most of you know that we conceived Toby through IVF, actually on our third round of IVF, we conceived him. From our first IVF cycle, we were able to freeze one embryo and also from the third cycle we froze another embryo. Thus, we have two frozen embryos that one day, quite a ways down the road, we plan on going through one "frozen cycle", using them both and seeing what happens.

I don't do a very good job at keeping up with the news, James, on the other hand, does, so every once in a while he emails me a news article that he thinks I might want to read. He does this even when we are living in the same house together and I think it's quite nice. Well, anyway, yesterday he sent me this article:

Frozen Embryos Better than Fresh, Study Shows
By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent, in Barcelona

Using frozen instead of fresh embryos produces healthier babies, a new study shows.

Infants born from embryos which were frozen and then thawed before being implanted into a woman had a higher birth weight and were less likely to suffer abnormalities.

Fewer of the children were also twins or triplets. Multiple births are known to increase the risk of complications as well as the danger to the mother.

More than 1,200 children born between 1995 and 2006 after frozen embryo replacement (FER) were studied and compared to 17,857 children born from "fresh" embryos.

Freezing embryos allows couples to have several In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment cycles from the same egg collection, reducing the number of times that the ovaries are stimulated. The eggs are placed in the womb three to five days after ovulation in exactly the same way as fresh embryos.

Multiple births accounted for 27.3 per cent of children born from fresh embryos, compared with 14.2 per cent when frozen embryos were used. Babies from frozen embryos were on average 200 grams heavier on birth than those from fresh embryos, the findings presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (Eshre) in Barcelona. The proportion of low birth weight and pre-term FER children was significantly lower.

Dr Anja Pinborg, from the Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, who led the study, said: "Most encouragingly, we found no increased risk of congenital malformations in the FER group; the rate in this group was 7.1 per cent compared to 8.8 per cent where fresh embryos had been used. "We think the reason for the differences is probably positive selection of the embryos for frozen embryo replacement.

"Only the very top quality embryos survive the freezing and thawing process.

"And you only get pregnancies in patients with lots of good embryos to freeze."

Until later,

Emily

Happy Birthday to My Mom!

Today is/was my mom's 55th birthday. I hope she had a good day. Sometimes, birthdays can be such a let down or really, and all-around horrible day...I think it's because of all the hype and attention we get as kids.

Kate prepared a picnic and we went to a nearby park and ate it and let the kids play for a bit. My mom mentioned that she had her whole family there except her two sons-in-laws, we also had CieAra, our cousin with us, which was a treat!

My mom really is an amazing, loving, kind, hard-working woman! Such an example to all and we all love her so much!

Happy Birthday to My Mom (and until later),

Emily

And...We're Back!

The boys and I made it back safely from Newport Beach, CA yesterday. James flew back to Germany and arrived home in the middle of the night...but he is also home safely and trying his hardest to not sleep at all today so that his body can adjust to the time as quickly as possible.

This trip to Newport was a blast! I think it was my favorite year...and it was our eighth year there so I have a lot of years to compare it to! First of all, the weather was really, really nice. In fact, all but one day was probably a little warmer than usual which made it perfect for all the swimming and sitting in the sun that we did. Unfortunately, my back got sunburned the first day at the pool, which was a complete accident because I went to get my back sprayed and then got distracted and apparently never thought about it again, so I'm peeling already there but the rest of me is nicely tanned as are James, Thomas and Toby (and Toby's hair is SO blonde!).

I have been thinking a lot about why this year seemed so fantastic. There are a few reasons, like it was nice to spend time with James again, and we have a new appreciation for the US and how wonderfully convenient it can be (and we recognized this over and over again while we were being tourists in CA), and that we didn't try to cram a lot in each day, rather we hung out a lot at the pool and let our kids "just be kids" and play with their cousins, and everyone got along really, really well... but the more I have been thinking about it, the more I am convinced that it boils down to one big reason: Thomas' fear of the water and ocean/beach has greatly subsided! In fact, he loves the ocean and the waves now. He didn't want to get in the ocean too far, but loved chasing the waves and having them "chase" him. We spent two days at the beach, and walked around the beach one evening and each time we had to drag him away!

Toby, however, didn't love the ocean, but he also wasn't terrified of it...he much preferred the sand, which was OK with us. Thomas also once hated the sand because it got him dirty...Toby threw it on himself and dumped it over his head and also ate it...a much different child he is from Thomas...this is becoming clearer each passing day!

Thomas also became more comfortable in the swimming pool, which, as I mentioned, is where we spent most of our days. He still wears a life jacket but at least got rid of the wings. Also, he no longer insisted that James or I stay in the pool with him at all times (with his life jacket, and wings on and us holding onto him while he screeched). So, he "swam" around with all of his cousins and it was absolutely a relief to see that fear diminish in him! One day he'll give up the life jacket...but again, this is a child that was 1000% terrified of the water...so it is major progress. In fact, on the very last day, during the last hour and a half of swimming, he finally dared to jump in and "go all the way under", of course, he loved it when he did it and then proceeded to jump in over and over again, at least 100 times, and that is not exaggerating. I was sad to have to go in, he was having such a blast!

We truly had a wonderful time--(thanks Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Sherry)!

Until later,

Emily