December 2010 in Charlotte, NC

Playmobil Land

We went to Playmobil Land on Wednesday with our Squadron in Nuremberg. It's about 45 min from here. Madeline played with her friend Gabi and we met other friends there. They had plastic cows you could pretend to milk, slides, and water area.

Volksfest

Maddie and I went to the German American festival this afternoon with friends. We ate bloomin onion with special sauce, soft serve erdberre (strawberry) ice cream, german gummy bears, and german pizza. Then walked around and then road the flintstones ride. Now we are home and tired! I bought Madeline a Traditional dirndl German dress yesterday that she wore and we'll be bringing it back to the States with us! It just looked too cute!

madeline and friends

Christiana and Madeline playing on July 4th. We went to Graf just 20 min from here for their celebration. Next is Zoe and Madeline at the Chinese restaurant in Amberg last night. It has been a while since we have had chinese and boy was it yummy! Zoe's mom and I took the girls with us shopping for maternity clothes and then out to dinner.

Movies and outing

Madeline and I with some friends went to see the movie Oceans and then Toy Story 3 the next week! She loves to go to the moves now and talks about it non stop. Next picture is when we went to a small town not far from Vilseck where there used to be a concentration camp. You can see Luke growing in my belly now and he is a mover especially at night. Madeline will point at my belly and say "my baby brother in there" of course I can't get her to say it on camera!

Madeline hearing Paul's message

Paul called and left a message and I had Madeline listen to it. She was so excited that I tried to get her to listen to it again and video it. Madeline and Paul rode on a camel on our trip to the Western Med. this past month. They frequently remind me of this ride and that I did not ride on the camel. Granted I am pregnant and had to go to the bathroom very badly and it was not worth a 2 minute camel ride for me to wet my pants! But they had fun and I took pictures.

We miss Paul but are greatful for what he is doing.

Talking with Daddy

I can never get Madeline to talk on the phone or when the video camera is on but today she did. Paul came home from work and we were eating dinner and she was answering all of Paul's questions so I ran to get the camera and snuck in to try to get her on film. She gets very excited every time we ask her about going to ride on a boat and swim in the pool. As you can see she loves to jump on the couch and then "fall down"! She also likes to verbally say what she is doing. Then we have to acknowledge that we heard her or she continues to say it even louder! She played at a friends house today with a girl her age and then they also have a baby girl, which Madeline apparently spent most of her time "watching after the baby". I am hoping she'll be helpful with our new little one due in October.

Trying to get Madeline to perform

Madeline and I did some gardening this morning and then went to the store to buy plants this afternoon. At dinner I was trying to get her to talk like she has done all day!

Paris

Last week we went to Paris and Normandy. Here are just a few pictures from Paris. We walked and rode the train (metro) which Madeline loved. Madeline and I checked out the department stores. Way over our budget but fun to look at all the clothes, shoes and purses enclosed in their own cases. We took in the sites and stayed, a great location, took a cruise along the Seine River, and went up the Effiel Tower.

Easter

Paul took a picture of me at 14 weeks pregnant! Then Madeline and I dyed Easter Eggs. She was very helpful until she started splashing the dye around, then we had to call it quits! Her dad came to rescue her!

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

We had a great time on Thursday at the Squadron Easter Egg Hunt. It was cold but fun to watch Madeline find eggs. She only found 3 total but was super excited about them! We had finger foods and they had a dozen egg eating contest. First one to finish eating 12 eggs won. We watched to see who won.

Locked out!

Funny story today , now that I am back in my house. I decided to take Madeline for a quick wagon ride around the neighborhood because it was finally a nice sunny day today. We left just before dinner time, stopped and talked to a friend and then headed back home. When I got to my door I realized the door is locked, no worries we have a hidden key. Try to use the key it doesn't work for any door on our house. Great!? So I go to my friends house she comes to help and knows of our middle school neighbor who knows how to break into the lock on the door. I am up for it! He trys with no luck, I mention to him my other neighbor may have a spare key but she is at the school just behind us in a meeting. He says he'll try to go get his younger brother who has smaller hands and maybe able to break in easier. He takes a while so I wonder where did he go. Ends up coming back after running all the way to the school finding my neighbor and has the key to her house in hand so that we can look for my key in her house. Long story short, we are now safe inside after a yummy dinner with friends and thanks to all the neighbors involved!

New Kitchen

Madeline and I drove 45min to Nuremberg today to go to the Toys R Us there. It is sad how excited both of us were to see so many choices! I have been looking for a kitchen for her and finally found one. She has played with it non stop since we got home. Thanks to Uncle Michael and Aunt Sarah she has plenty of food and pots and pans to use with her kitchen.

Our Friday night!

We had a girl's night out on post, Madeline and I! We went to Burger King playland and then decided to check out the bowling alley. I wasn't sure how old you had to be to bowl but apparently they have shoes in size 6 for toddlers so off to the lane we went. Madeline beat me too by 2 points! She loved having new shoes and cried at the end when I had to take them off of her. And cried all the way home until I bribed her with ice cream!

Madeline talking and reading

So I was in our den and walked into the kitchen with the video camera to catch Madeline reading her Kai lan book to herself standing on a box. She has become quite the talker. She will tell me what she wants and then if I don't do it right away she will pull my hand and lead me to the direction she wants me to go. She loves to take care of her baby dolls and pretend to cook meals with her play food in the kitchen. She will stop just about anything to come and help me stir something in the kitchen. She goes to the hourly childcare here on post several times a week and then plays with friends during my bible study hour on Tuesdays. I am noticing she likes to tell her baby dolls and younger friends what to do although most are too young to listen or to care! Madeline hasn't quite figured that out yet. We have really enjoyed getting involved in activities here in Germany and just love watching her learn new things everyday. I am going to try to get better at posting on the blog!! My new goal!

Our house

The downstairs in our house in Germany. Sorry about the double kitchen picture. This is the snow covered back patio furniture that accumulated all today!

Madeline in Germany

Our house is on the right side. It was snowing the day we arrived and has not stopped. I think I am the only one in the neighborhood with out a huge snow shovel. Something tells me I am going to need it here! Madeline loved the snow after she finally stepped out the door. Two girls on our street love to play with her and Madeline eats it up. We miss everyone in the States.