Center Parcs

Well half term was exciting and very busy. Ruth arrived on the Friday, I picked her up from Dusseldorf and we went out for Carnival in Cologne. We had the next day in Cologne and then back to Munstergeleen for the night. On the Sunday we walked to a local restaurant in the snow, it was shut! Luckily there was another one open down the hill. It was a bit like a community centre - so a bit strange but it was fine. Abi had her wellies on so Allen ran home to get the car while we started walking. The sun came out and it was lovely. We could have easily made it home but Allen did turn up with the car.

Monday we packed up and headed off to Center Parcs. Center Parcs originated in The Netherlands before spreading through Europe. It's a car free swimming centred holiday adventure park. We have been to one in the UK before having children. The one we had booked was to the North, about an hour away. We couldn't get into our bungalow until 3pm so we headed to the pool. It was extremely busy and we wondered what we had let ourselves in for! There were rapids, 2 other slides, a pool that had waves, an outside pool and 2 baby pools. There were also 2 thermal bubbling baths and 8 beds under heaters. You couldn't do much but be taken along with the crowds so at 2.30 Ruth and I got out and went and got the bungalow key. Allen and the children turned up after about 30 mins. We'd booked a 3 bed place. It was fine, a little dated and the toilet smelt but the rest was clean and warm. We had booked 2 nights at the all you can eat buffet and then had decided to try the other restaurants for the other 2 nights. The buffet suited Allen but was not good for a vegetarian. The restaurants were very good so I would skip the buffet if we go again. We signed Jacob and Abi up for a few extra activites, a High Climb Adventure and a pretend to be a circus performer. They enjoyed both. They also did mini golf, ice skating and Jacob went on a 2 seater bike. We played lots of cards in the bungalow and Ruth got to see a few kids movies! It was relaxing in part but busy too. I would not go again in a Dutch school holiday but I would try another one, if it was a little more modern. The week flew past and we were dropping Ruth back at the airport before we knew it. We decided we needed another week off to recover although it's not that long until Easter!

Rachael.

Culture week 2012

We have enjoyed another Culture week at Afnorth. A variety of events were held over the week. Abi took part in the talent show. She did 3 cheers with her squad. They opened the show and were very good. I've included one photo of her cheering. She also was a magician's assistant. They did 2 tricks and it went well. Jacob didn't want to take part! He was in a recorder show and I've included a photo from that performance. At the end of the week there was a parade. Abi went as a cat and Jacob was a gangster. I was teaching that day so didn't manage to get a photo! I have included one from them as the parade in Sittard though. At the end of Culture week it was then the Carnival break. Ruth, a friend from University days, arrived for the week. We went out in Cologne for the night to celebrate carnival. We were lucky enough to meet up with some German friends who took us out for the night. Everyone was dressed up and it was very traditional music even though we were in a night club. It was a great atmosphere and felt a bit like a New Year in Edinburgh. We stayed the night in a very posh hotel and then did a bus tour of the city the next day.

Rachael.

Hair cuts and sledging

We all went for haircuts 2 weeks ago. I hadn't had mine done since my birthday in August up in Scotland so I asked for a major cut and got one! It is very nice and really easy to do, ie I don't have to do anything. Abi had a trim, Allen was in charge of Jacob's hair cut - see the photo for the result! I was a little worried that school wouldn't be impressed as I know, in the UK, patterns in boy's hair is not allowed. School were fine, Jacob loves it as do all of his friends. He now thinks he'll be getting his hair done regularly there!

We've had our first snow this year so off we went sledging with the neighbours. It was great fun. I've included photos from the morning. I did have a turn but didn't get any shots of me.

Cheerleading continues to rule our lives, Abi got to cheer with the big girls at the weekend. I have to say Abi's group were much more enthusiastic than the older ones who all seemed a little embarrassed. Talent show dress rehearsal after school today. Abi is cheering plus being a magician's assistant. She really just takes over and does the magic too, poor Jamie. I will post a picture from the actual show next week. Jacob is happy to watch and not take part.

It's Thinking Day on Saturday for the girl Scouts. The Daisy troop are doing Scotland so I've taught 19 6 and 7 year olds a dance that they will perform. I've now got to make stovies for about 100 people plus having Allen work people around for a party on Friday - going to be a little busy.

Rachael.

IY5 Science Museum Trip

I went, with Jacob's class , to a local Science Museum. We had been there before, as a family, and it's a great hands on place. When we went Abi burnt her hand on a coffee bean roasting activity. This time I steered the group I had away from that one! Well actually I had 3 boys so they were interested in the building activities. Their favourite was making a boat and building a dam, so these are the ones I have included in the photos. My favourite was the making crisps one. The afternoon flew past. Jacob had been off school sick the day before, he had a chest infection. He's been on antibiotics and is a lot better, still coughing a little. The doctor wants to see him again on Monday if he's still chesty.

Abi bits and pieces

Abi's been busy over the past couple of weeks. She had a project at school to build a simple machine that had to have at least 2 working machines in the design. She decided to do a rescue truck. After quite a few arguements it did get built. Abi always thinks she is correct - I'm not sure who she gets this from in the family?! Anyway it was a good truck and hopefully she'll get a good score for this project. So there's a photo from school of her in her pod showing her machine.

Abi has also joined the cheer team. She had her first game to cheer at on Wednesday. The whole team were great. They were so enthusiastic although I don't think they watched the basketball team what so ever - neither did I! She is entering a talent show at school as part of the team too, she's also being a magician's assistant - I'll let you know how she does.

Abi has also been busy with Girl Scout cookie sales, we really need to get rid of all of the cookies from our house as they are not helping my healthy eating campaign at all!

Allen's Birthday

We celebrated Allen's birthday a day early so he could enjoy a whole day skiing with the family as, on his actual birthday, we were in the car for 12 hours driving back from skiing in France!

We had a lovely meal out in the evening, I shared fondue with Louise, Allen and Stuart had a set meal and Grandma and Cameron had raclette - the meal on a hot stone thing. I have included a variety of photos from the night.

During the day we enjoyed the skiing, meeting at the top of one mountain for lunch so as to include Marion - lovely food again. From all this food talk you can probably guess we are now on a healthy eating stint. I've been to aqua fit and pilates this past week - not bad after a 3 year break!

Rachael.

Christmas 2011

A little late, I know! We were lucky enough to have 2 Christmases. The first one was the weekend before Christmas. We went back to the UK on a flying visit to my parents. It was our first opportunity to see the new house they have had built. They knocked down the bungalow I grew up in way back in April 2011 and started work on a new 5 bed house. They have sent us regular photos but we did not go and visit during the build as Mum and Dad lived on site in a caravan. So driving up and seeing this huge house was a bit of a shock!

The house is beautiful. Katharine and co moved in early December and it is nearly all complete. The next time we go back I'm sure it will look different again. I've included a photo of us on arrival night by the Christmas tree. We spent the weekend with the family, having Christmas dinner and a brunch the next day. We got to meet Tiami, a new cousin and to also catch up with our other cousins too, plus Annette and Joe. It was great to see everyone and, of course see the house. Also did a little shopping!

We got back here on the Sunday, so it was a quick trip back. We then had to get ready for Christmas for real down in France with Grandma Melrose and the Turners. We drove down on the Thursday, stopping on the German Swiss border. We stayed in a lovely hotel with an excellent restaurant. We arrived at our appartment, just outside La Plagne 1800, Friday afternoon. It was a 3 story wooden house, very modern with a great view. Our Scotish family were out so it gave us time to get unpacked and go and rent skis for the kids. We had a wonderful week, Jacob and Abi loved having Finn and Cameron around 24 7. We enjoyed good food, skiing and great company. Abi really got into rummy, the card game, and has continued playing it back here! We generally had blue skies and excellent snow. I still prefer skiing in America but it was excellent being with the family, just need to all go to America next time! The food was very good, I'll do another post of Allen's birthday - we went out for a meal.

So both Christmases were good fun.

Rachael.