Second Week in Germany
The week began normally enough, rushing to get ready for school, loving the uniform thing. We had to meet Greg near the airport so we could return our rental cars, then we took a train to Merkenich carrying three car seats, a stroller, two kids (the local German people are thinking 'those stupid Americans'). It took pretty much the entire morning to get the new temporary car until our lease cars that we ordered come in. I dropped Avery off a little late to school.
On Tuesday, Bryn had her first IBIS playgroup, where I met several really nice moms with kids all toddler and preschool age.
Wednesday Morning Bailey had her assembly so Avery, Bryn, and I went. Bailey was truly showing off her "ham it up" ability while singing and dancing. It was the highlight of the week. After that, Avery and I were sick of having no bowls and pans where everything sticks, so we decided to be adventurous and go to IKEA. I have never been there from this direction but I knew generally where it was. Well, we blew completely passed it. And when I tried to get off the freeway to turn around, there wasn't anywhere to turn around. We just kept going further and further out of our way. But, we had a nice scenic drive around Koln to IKEA which we finally found. When we went to pay, I got out my credit card like I have done a million times at IKEA and oops, they don't take credit cards here. They take German debit cards which we have but unfortunately there is no money in that account yet. So, I dug up every bit of cash that I had to pay for our five or so items. I only had several cents left when Avery said, "But, mom, you promised I could have a treat at IKEA." We ended up coming up with enough for a small ice cream cone for both Avery and Bryn. Success!!! Finally! And, I dropped Avery off a little late to school. After school we decided to play at the playground for a while. It was a beautiful day. I'm so glad we did as we met another family who is here with Ford, who have three kids 6, 4, and 3. She was so nice and even invited us to dinner on Saturday. They have been here for about a month longer than us.
We thought it would be their first full week of school but alas, Thursday was a holiday (corpus christi). We woke up and had a great breakfast, pancakes and syrup at 6 Euros a bottle. Nothing is too good for our little girls, plus they spotted it in the "USA" section of the overpriced grocery in town. However, it was so nice having a pan and a spatula to make pancakes, it made the IKEA trip well worth it. We got a day pass on the underground and took it into downtown Bad Godesberg for lunch but many things were closed for the holiday. We ended up having Doner Kebabs and some pastries. Then, we went to the Rheinaue park, the girls ran up and down a huge hill, played at the playground, and we enjoyed just hanging out together. By the time we finished at the park we were all ready to go home. It was so hot and we got tired quickly but it was nice for the girls to have a break in the middle of the week.
Friday, we went back to normal, rushing for school. After school we walked down to the market because we were out of milk again. That happens so fast here.
Saturday, we got up, had another good breakfast, and went to a store called Maxus (which is the closest thing we have to Super Wal-mart or Meijer Thrifty Acre). We ate at Burger King for lunch because the girls were so excited to see fast food. We went back to Bonn because they were having the Museumsmeile Fete. All of the Museums in Bonn are open free to the public all weekend. It was really fun and such a good way to spend some family time. Then, of course we went to the Leshs' House for dinner. What a nice break. All of their stuff has arrived so they had toys, dvds, everything that reminds our girls of home. They had a ton of fun playing there and we had a nice time relaxing and getting to know them a little bit.
Sunday is getting easier, we are doing better singing the hymns (really scary the first week). Bryn seems to be having the hardest time adjusting. There are not very many kids that go to nursery and she doesn't like being the only one. However, Greg stayed with her the first hour and she stayed by herself for the second hour. A definite improvement.
All in all I think we are adjusting well. I do get tired of my children having meltdowns in public and having everyone stare at us like we are aliens, but I've been told that it is normal here. Aside from that, we are really trying to enjoy everything Germany has to offer us.
On Tuesday, Bryn had her first IBIS playgroup, where I met several really nice moms with kids all toddler and preschool age.
Wednesday Morning Bailey had her assembly so Avery, Bryn, and I went. Bailey was truly showing off her "ham it up" ability while singing and dancing. It was the highlight of the week. After that, Avery and I were sick of having no bowls and pans where everything sticks, so we decided to be adventurous and go to IKEA. I have never been there from this direction but I knew generally where it was. Well, we blew completely passed it. And when I tried to get off the freeway to turn around, there wasn't anywhere to turn around. We just kept going further and further out of our way. But, we had a nice scenic drive around Koln to IKEA which we finally found. When we went to pay, I got out my credit card like I have done a million times at IKEA and oops, they don't take credit cards here. They take German debit cards which we have but unfortunately there is no money in that account yet. So, I dug up every bit of cash that I had to pay for our five or so items. I only had several cents left when Avery said, "But, mom, you promised I could have a treat at IKEA." We ended up coming up with enough for a small ice cream cone for both Avery and Bryn. Success!!! Finally! And, I dropped Avery off a little late to school. After school we decided to play at the playground for a while. It was a beautiful day. I'm so glad we did as we met another family who is here with Ford, who have three kids 6, 4, and 3. She was so nice and even invited us to dinner on Saturday. They have been here for about a month longer than us.
We thought it would be their first full week of school but alas, Thursday was a holiday (corpus christi). We woke up and had a great breakfast, pancakes and syrup at 6 Euros a bottle. Nothing is too good for our little girls, plus they spotted it in the "USA" section of the overpriced grocery in town. However, it was so nice having a pan and a spatula to make pancakes, it made the IKEA trip well worth it. We got a day pass on the underground and took it into downtown Bad Godesberg for lunch but many things were closed for the holiday. We ended up having Doner Kebabs and some pastries. Then, we went to the Rheinaue park, the girls ran up and down a huge hill, played at the playground, and we enjoyed just hanging out together. By the time we finished at the park we were all ready to go home. It was so hot and we got tired quickly but it was nice for the girls to have a break in the middle of the week.
Friday, we went back to normal, rushing for school. After school we walked down to the market because we were out of milk again. That happens so fast here.
Saturday, we got up, had another good breakfast, and went to a store called Maxus (which is the closest thing we have to Super Wal-mart or Meijer Thrifty Acre). We ate at Burger King for lunch because the girls were so excited to see fast food. We went back to Bonn because they were having the Museumsmeile Fete. All of the Museums in Bonn are open free to the public all weekend. It was really fun and such a good way to spend some family time. Then, of course we went to the Leshs' House for dinner. What a nice break. All of their stuff has arrived so they had toys, dvds, everything that reminds our girls of home. They had a ton of fun playing there and we had a nice time relaxing and getting to know them a little bit.
Sunday is getting easier, we are doing better singing the hymns (really scary the first week). Bryn seems to be having the hardest time adjusting. There are not very many kids that go to nursery and she doesn't like being the only one. However, Greg stayed with her the first hour and she stayed by herself for the second hour. A definite improvement.
All in all I think we are adjusting well. I do get tired of my children having meltdowns in public and having everyone stare at us like we are aliens, but I've been told that it is normal here. Aside from that, we are really trying to enjoy everything Germany has to offer us.
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