An Explanation from an almost 5 year old

Matti got home from preschool yesterday with a story to tell. "Amy," he said, "a kid was saying mean things in preschool today and then the other kid walked away beleidigt." Well, I couldn't place this German word so I asked Christian if he knew what it meant. We couldn't figure it out, it wasn't sad or mad or any other feeling similar to these. Then Matti very sweetly explained, "Amy, it is when some one says something gegen (against) the other person and then the kid walks away like this (and he showed me a sad/frustrated/hurt face)."

We finally looked it up. beleidigt = offended

A good explanation, if I do say so myself.

Bremen

Oh we had such a wonderful time in Bremen. It is always nice at Petra's parents' house. We arrived Friday afternoon, in time for the party on Saturday. It was a brunch with lots of delicious food and fun "presentations". Petra had made something for her mom that she presented on a power point and then many of Hanni's friends performed a skit or sang a song (in groups, of course). They were all very funny. I was very proud of myself because I spoke German the entire weekend, with Petra's aunts and uncles, parents (of course), and parents' friends. Petra was actually not spending the night either Friday or Saturday because she had a pinched nerve and wanted to sleep in her own bed. Christian was not able to come at all because he was sick, so I was the mom for the weekend.

Then Saturday night, after Petra left and after putting the kids to bed, I enjoyed a nightcap with Petra's mom, Hanni (70), Petra's Aunt, Annaliese (67), Our old neighbor, Ulla (68), and Petra's Dad, Heinz-Helmut (69). It was quite funny.

Sunday we enjoyed breakfast and lunch and then headed home in the early afternoon. It was a very nice, relaxing weekend. And the Autobahn was no problem - actually it was pretty fun!

Bremen

I am off to Bremen for the weekend! We are celebrating Petra's mom's 70th birthday. I hoping for lots of cake...

One of the coolest parts: I will be driving...on the Autobahn!

hmmm...

Ok, so a bit of bad news, my purple flower is dying. bummer. I am hoping to bring it back to life, we shall see....

Secondly, Indra, the 11 year old, said something absolutely hysterical to me today on our way to music class.

So I can be somewhat silly or goofy, because of that the family often jokes about how crazy I am to which I retort, well that is why I fit so well with the family and then we all laugh.

Indra said today, "So I think that an au pair has to be a little crazy to want to stay with our family for a year, but you don't have any problems because you are way crazy."

hahaha I ended up laughing the rest of the trip to music school.

My Little Green Thumb

Check out the little bit of spring that has been added to my room: Notice there is snow outside. I am very much ready for spring.

I would also like to point out that I have not killed these plants, yet (my resume includes killing a cactus)... These three came already planted and germinated, soon I am going to try to plant my own from Stefanie. Don't be mad, Stef, that I have yet to plant the wildflower seeds/card you gave me in August, but I was really worried that you would see the plant as a symbol of our love and if I murdered it, well, then so too would I have killed our love. Have no fear, I am going to give it my all and hopefully you can see the wildflowers when you come visit me.

In the Newspaper...again

I cannot help laughing that I was in the newspaper again in Germany. I mean, what are the chances. This time it was handball related. You can check out the, umm, awesome photo and the article at the following link: playing defense

Taco Night!

So a couple of the aupairs, Mal, and I had a delicious taco night. We all went to Elinor's, cooked and enjoyed a delicious meal.

yum!

Chelsey (Kansas), Me, Malcolm (Northern Ireland), Jenna (Canada)

Chelsey and I