Parties!

Hi

We all had parties to go too. Allen and I went to a Charity night. The theme was A Night at the Movies so you could dress up as anyone from any movie. Easy you may think but it's such a wide variety of characters. We thought of Pretty in Pink, but no dress for me, Snow White - as someone had offered me an adult costume and Allen was going to be the handsome prince! Allen wanted to go as Two Face from Batman and me to be Cat Woman or Bat girl, both of which I refused! We ended up as Trinity and Neo from the Matrix. We had a great night. Sam and Kevin, our neighbours, went as the Black Swan and the Crow. I thought theirs were the best outfits of the night. I've included photos of all of us.

Jacob and Abi were then invited to a party for a brother and sister who are in Cub's and Daisy Scouts. It was on the American base and lasted all afternoon. We stayed and helped with the BBQ and serving the food. I've added photos of them enjoying the pinata.

Rachael.

Pinewood Derby

Hi

Jacob has been busy with cubs through out the year. The Pinewood Derby is an activity that takes place for cubs across America and the Derby has been running each year since the 70's. Each cub is given a block of wood and some wheels and has to design and make a race car. Luckily for us we have a very handy neighbour called Andy who very kindly agreed to help out. Jacob drew his design and we took it around to Andy's so he could use his jigsaw to cut it out. Andy also had an electric sander. Jacob then was in charge of the painting and decoration. He did a brilliant job. The cars had to be weighed and have weights added so it went back to it's original weight. All of the boys then got together and the cars were raced on a special track. Jacob came bang in the middle of the pack and had a fun time racing. Everyone got certificates and a pin for their uniforms. Jacob's certificate was for Best Detail. I've included a variety of pictures from the morning. Allen took Jacob as I was at home with Abi who had thrown up 18 times. Can't believe anyone can be so sick! She's fully recovered but did need 2 days off school even though it started on a Saturday.

Rachael.

Skiing in Winterberg

Hi

Over half term we went skiing in Winterberg, Germany. It's only a 3 hour drive from our house so we left on the Tuesday returning on the Friday. When you get nearer to Winterberg it becomes very pretty, a good place to explore in the summer too. The resort we were staying in was on the outskirts of Winterberg itself. We were in a one bed self catering appartment. On site was a ski rental shop, a retaurant and a spa with large indoor pool plus 2 hot tubs outside on the terrace over looking the town. The restaurant did buffet nights that were themed so we ate there 2 of the nights and were extremely impressed, mainly that we didn't need to try and translate, not many of the Germans will speak English to us. Allen has now got Google translate on his ITouch which gets frequently used when we are out and about.

I think we have turned into American ski snobs as I was not keen here, I knew it would be small as it was very cheap. The snow was very sticky so if we go here again it'll need to be earlier in the season. A lot of parents seemed to leave their children on their own, I picked up quite a few kids that had tumbled and there was no adult around to help them. We did have a good time and the kids went on the only black run with ease, they are both now faster than me! Watch out Cameron and Finn - we are skiing/snow boarding together with Allen's family at Christmas in the Chamonix area.

I have added a photo from the week, it features Barnaby Bear too as Abi had him for a school project over that week - didn't take many as it wasn't that pretty!

Rachael.

Carnival

Hi

It's been a week of Carnival celebrations out here. I was teaching 4 days and there were lots of activities at school. There were different themes each day, National colours, National dress, face painting and dress up day. Abi had a variety of face paints this week, she made us late everyday! I've included photos from the different days. She also had a fun day at gymnastics, she went as a skeleton. Jacob was a cowboy for school , Abi a witch and me a clown.

They have both started swimming lessons this week. They are going 2 sessions a week so it was a busy old week, especially as I was working.

We went to the Carnival parade in Sittard on Sunday, we walked in with a family we know from school and work. Abi had great fun as Haley is her age. Monday we went into our village, Munstergeleen, for their Carnival parade. I have to say I prefered the village one. The weather was great for both and the kids came back with loads of sweets that were thrown from the floats.

Off to Winterberg, Germany, skiing tomorrow. Looking forward to the break away. Have chosen a place with an indoor pool in case there is no snow, or it's wet!

Rachael.

More Scouts

Hi

Seemed to spend a lot of the weekend doing Scout things. Saturday we went onto the American base nearby to visit the community bank. They learned some new information about banking and came away clutching more tat! I've included a photo of them in their uniforms.

The weather has been wet this weekend so after Abi's gymnastics we did our normal stop off at the garden centre for a late breakfast and for the kids to play. After the bank visit we stopped off at Ikea, again for the play area and a quiet coffee for us! Then it was off to a retirement party in a local village. A lady from Allen's office was leaving the American Airforce. We're buying their old BMW off them when they go at the end of March. It was a good do but the cafe/bar that it was held in was a smoking place so we all had to have showers when we got home.

Sunday was wet again so I had to take Jacob and Abi off to a Scout Sunday service at the church on base. I thought it would be a child friendly service but it was dull and boring. Jacob and Abi were very well behaved - they coped better than me! I've included a photo of them joining in with the singing at the front of the church.

So I worked 4 days this week, more than I thought I was going to. Allen had Friday off and we were meant to be exploring Achen together. Unfortunately I was called into school so Allen had a day at home to himself and I was very busy at school! After school there was a curry night on base so we went along and had a chat and a very nice home made curry while the kids had pizza.

It's Culture Week at school this coming week - a run up to Carnival. Lots of activities going on and different things to wear each day. Tomorrow it's National colours, so we're off to school in red, white and blue! I'm working 4 days again so a hectic week. Abi starts swimming lessons, she's having 2 a week so we'll see how that goes. Half term coming soon - can't wait.

Rachael.

Another playplace

Hi

Allen had to go to some military church thing today so, as it was rather cold out, Jacob, Abi and me went to an indoor playplace we've not tried yet. We got 2 euros off a person as we've joined Monde Verde - the outdoor place we went to last week. I took plently of snacks and nagazines too. One of the nieghbours came back from the UK yesterday and brought me 6 magazines so I was well prepared for 4 hours of them playing. Jacob and Abi would have stayed there until it shut! I have included a variety of photo from today. No doubt we will be visiting this play place again.

Working tomorrow but that's all so far. Daisy Scouts is Sing-a-long patch so that could be entertaining! Hoping to start my pilates DVD this week, need to do something to shape up.

Hope all's well

Rachael.

Daisy's and other bits.

Hi

Have been busy teaching over the past few weeks. Good fun. We have also been doing lots with Daisy Scouts. It's cookie selling season here so Abi and I went onto the American base and sold Girl Scout cookies. We then went to the neighbours and sold lots to them. I have included a photo of Abi in her Daisy Scout uniform having just received 5 patches including a cookie sales one. She's loving Daisy's. Jacob's doing well with cubs too, he's nearly completed all of the tasks to his main award. We are starting to work on his Pinewood Derby car, an American car challenge that's been going for years in America.

At the weekend we went to Monde Verde, a local attraction that we have bought a years membership to. We took Allen's mum there when she visited. I've included a photo of them feeding fish, climbing a tall play thing and Abi on a roller coaster.

Allen's been in the Hague this week and is off to Germany tomorrow for the night. I'm only teaching 2 days this week which is perfect. Selling more cookies at school tomorrow. Will be cookied out soon. If any friends and family want any cookies let me know!

Rachael.