Today we went to church - it was great. A whole other set of vocabulary, but I don't really know too much at this point, anyway! Marc tried to translate, so I understood the overall point of the sermon. We met many people this morning, including a babysitter (yippee!) and a missionary colleague of our missionary friend. Small world!! There is a Mom's group that I will try to attend, but it will be a challenge since I really don't know any German yet.
Lia and Kaia were in the same Sunday school "class", and one of the helpers said she did very well, but she didn't seem to realize that no one spoke English there because she kept chattering away to everyone the entire time. She was fearless, coming up to people and being so friendly. It may be because before we left for church she wanted to make sure she was beautiful so that the people would like her!! We told her that if she was friendly and kind, that was all she needed to be. (And also she was beautiful!) She played with a little girl there who had on the same dress as her, just in a different colour.
We had a quick lunch of doners, and then drove an hour to a huge park - it had a butterfly conservatory, a splashpark with sand and climbers everywhere. This place was huge and crazy and dirty and great. Perfect for kids.
The 180km/hr (in parts) drive home included traffic jams, amazing dirty diapers, some upchucking and lots of singing. We are all exhausted and are heading to bed.
Lia goes to kindergarten tomorrow!!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Icklibidy, everyone!
Kids are amazing. They really are quite flexible. Or at least, Lia is, and Kaia is when she decides she wants to be, which really is most of the time. How can one's personality be so clear at 12 months old??
We visited Lia's Kindergarten yesterday. It's a short walk from home, and has only 50 kids in 2 classes, ranging in age from 3-6. Everyone speaks German. Her class was doing gymnastics in the gym when we came, so we toured an empty classroom. Lia loved all the toys, and we were impressed by the place. It's small, but well supplied, and the workers seemed very friendly and competent. We stuck our noses in to the gym to see some of the faces she'll be meeting, and all the kids slowly gathered near the door with wide eyes and a few smiles. Um, hi, everybody...Lia handled it very well!
After the gym, we went to get me a debit card and to look at a gym - I really need a workout!! The gym looks great - they have the same machines as at home, and everything is included (even childcare) and the kids' room looks better than in Canada. I didn't see it in action, unfortunately, but I'm sure it'll be great. I love how all the toys and furniture are wooden instead of plastic.
On the way home, they were getting hungry and tired, and Lia, for the first time, said she didn't want to be in Germany anymore, she wanted to go home. The other home. I was expecting this, but thought it would have come sooner. When we went to L.A. she said it about 25 times for the first few days, and she was having a great time with friends. I told her that in Canada, she wouldn't be going to Kindergarten, because Kindergarten doesn't exist for another 2 years. Her eyes widened, and she said nothing more about leaving.
Marc went into work today for a few hours. The kids were playing this afternoon while I made dinner - first time cooking in Europe - we had spaghetti, salad, bread with Brie, Gouda and grapes for dessert. Yum. Oh, right, the kids. Lia was singing, "Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, the medicine go KAIA!!! Just a spoonful of KAIA!!! - in the most delightful way!!! For every job that must be done, there is an elephant of fun. KAIA, Nooo!!!" Apparently Kaia was getting in her way, and Kaia is not easily deterred. I share Lia's frustration.
Lia has made the time change adjustment better than any of us, and Kaia is still struggling. She wakes up just as we go to bed. There is usually one thing she wants - good luck figuring out what it is, and it's different every time. She actually looks offended sometimes when I put the wrong thing on her tray. She turns away melodramatically. I feel like she's saying, "How could you?? I wanted bread, not cheese!" I've learned not to put her chair too near the wall, since the rejected items get smeared, and the walls are textured. I think feeding Kaia is our greatest challenge these days, and we haven't yet found replacements for our go-to snacks of Cheerios and Goldfish. Visitors, you know what to bring!
(By the way, I was scanning the baby food section for jars to please her sensitive palate, and discovered pureed cookies, and chocolate baby food. I suppose it's just pudding, but it seems wrong.)
I have to say, that despite the challenges, we are enjoying our kids very much. Sometimes, I can't even stand it. :) Kaia is so smiley (when well-fed), and gives really enthusiastic hugs. She pats me on the back, and rubs my arm. And if you consider a good sliming a gesture of affection, we are most beloved. (Tip for visitors: Don't wear black when holding Kaia.) The usually play together really well. When we went to visit our neighbours, the four girls were playing while the adults talked, and just at first, Lia and Kaia sat close together for comfort, I think. They kept their eyes on the other kids and their backs to each other, playing with their toys. I think they'll be there for one another.
My Dad had a great idea of including a few German words that apply to each entry, so here's today's German lesson, with context.
On the journey here, Lia kept using spaaseeba ("Thank you" in Russian) as a catch-all exclamation (the influence of a Belarus visitor this summer). Yesterday, I taught her "Ich liebe dich" (I love you" in German), and that became the new phrase to use.
"Oh Kaia, icklibidy!" Translation: "Oh Kaia, you're so funny!"
"Kaia, icklibidy!" Trans: "Kaia, look!"
"Icklibidy, Kaia!" Trans: "Watch out, Kaia!"
Icklibidy, everyone!
We visited Lia's Kindergarten yesterday. It's a short walk from home, and has only 50 kids in 2 classes, ranging in age from 3-6. Everyone speaks German. Her class was doing gymnastics in the gym when we came, so we toured an empty classroom. Lia loved all the toys, and we were impressed by the place. It's small, but well supplied, and the workers seemed very friendly and competent. We stuck our noses in to the gym to see some of the faces she'll be meeting, and all the kids slowly gathered near the door with wide eyes and a few smiles. Um, hi, everybody...Lia handled it very well!
After the gym, we went to get me a debit card and to look at a gym - I really need a workout!! The gym looks great - they have the same machines as at home, and everything is included (even childcare) and the kids' room looks better than in Canada. I didn't see it in action, unfortunately, but I'm sure it'll be great. I love how all the toys and furniture are wooden instead of plastic.
On the way home, they were getting hungry and tired, and Lia, for the first time, said she didn't want to be in Germany anymore, she wanted to go home. The other home. I was expecting this, but thought it would have come sooner. When we went to L.A. she said it about 25 times for the first few days, and she was having a great time with friends. I told her that in Canada, she wouldn't be going to Kindergarten, because Kindergarten doesn't exist for another 2 years. Her eyes widened, and she said nothing more about leaving.
Marc went into work today for a few hours. The kids were playing this afternoon while I made dinner - first time cooking in Europe - we had spaghetti, salad, bread with Brie, Gouda and grapes for dessert. Yum. Oh, right, the kids. Lia was singing, "Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, the medicine go KAIA!!! Just a spoonful of KAIA!!! - in the most delightful way!!! For every job that must be done, there is an elephant of fun. KAIA, Nooo!!!" Apparently Kaia was getting in her way, and Kaia is not easily deterred. I share Lia's frustration.
Lia has made the time change adjustment better than any of us, and Kaia is still struggling. She wakes up just as we go to bed. There is usually one thing she wants - good luck figuring out what it is, and it's different every time. She actually looks offended sometimes when I put the wrong thing on her tray. She turns away melodramatically. I feel like she's saying, "How could you?? I wanted bread, not cheese!" I've learned not to put her chair too near the wall, since the rejected items get smeared, and the walls are textured. I think feeding Kaia is our greatest challenge these days, and we haven't yet found replacements for our go-to snacks of Cheerios and Goldfish. Visitors, you know what to bring!
(By the way, I was scanning the baby food section for jars to please her sensitive palate, and discovered pureed cookies, and chocolate baby food. I suppose it's just pudding, but it seems wrong.)
I have to say, that despite the challenges, we are enjoying our kids very much. Sometimes, I can't even stand it. :) Kaia is so smiley (when well-fed), and gives really enthusiastic hugs. She pats me on the back, and rubs my arm. And if you consider a good sliming a gesture of affection, we are most beloved. (Tip for visitors: Don't wear black when holding Kaia.) The usually play together really well. When we went to visit our neighbours, the four girls were playing while the adults talked, and just at first, Lia and Kaia sat close together for comfort, I think. They kept their eyes on the other kids and their backs to each other, playing with their toys. I think they'll be there for one another.
My Dad had a great idea of including a few German words that apply to each entry, so here's today's German lesson, with context.
On the journey here, Lia kept using spaaseeba ("Thank you" in Russian) as a catch-all exclamation (the influence of a Belarus visitor this summer). Yesterday, I taught her "Ich liebe dich" (I love you" in German), and that became the new phrase to use.
"Oh Kaia, icklibidy!" Translation: "Oh Kaia, you're so funny!"
"Kaia, icklibidy!" Trans: "Kaia, look!"
"Icklibidy, Kaia!" Trans: "Watch out, Kaia!"
Icklibidy, everyone!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Day Three
Today we woke up at noon. We're not sure what timezone we're in now, but I think it's somewhere in Asia.
This was our big IKEA day, so we were a little concerned that we had slept away the best part of it. Nonetheless, we ventured forth, determined to procure some chairs at least and some kind of fabric stuff so the house could become less echo-y and more gentle on little heads. Oh, and some wardrobes, and a table, and lights, and lamps, and a mirror, and bathmats, and a towel stand and rugs and pillows...and four hours later...what, you don't take credit cards? Our interac card won't work? Do you see our 2 screaming children and 2 carts full of stuff, and whole list of stuff we want you to deliver and assemble????
Marc worked some magic with the bank machine and every card we own (I'm sure they'll be frozen tomorrow), and got some cash. A lot of cash. We bought it all with just 50 euros to spare. Meanwhile, I was having one of those moments I had dreamed about since we heard we were coming. The one where I have 2 crying children and everyone within earshot is turning to look. And look. And then I feed my baby some hot dog. (She loves it!! Mommy loved it too, right then.)
We escaped IKEA without further incident, except that Lia really, really needed an ice cream cone for dessert. And we headed home, Karla driving and eating ice cream which made Marc nervous. But then he had some ice cream too.
Addendum:
Can I just say, that I LOVE our GPS system. For the directionally challenged, it is a boon. There is a very clear map, and a friendly British lady tells you where to turn. She gives you lots of warning, and she doesn't even say anything when you don't follow her instructions. She's just quiet, as if clearing her throat, and patiently recalculates the route. I need to give her a name, because I think she's just wonderful.
This was our big IKEA day, so we were a little concerned that we had slept away the best part of it. Nonetheless, we ventured forth, determined to procure some chairs at least and some kind of fabric stuff so the house could become less echo-y and more gentle on little heads. Oh, and some wardrobes, and a table, and lights, and lamps, and a mirror, and bathmats, and a towel stand and rugs and pillows...and four hours later...what, you don't take credit cards? Our interac card won't work? Do you see our 2 screaming children and 2 carts full of stuff, and whole list of stuff we want you to deliver and assemble????
Marc worked some magic with the bank machine and every card we own (I'm sure they'll be frozen tomorrow), and got some cash. A lot of cash. We bought it all with just 50 euros to spare. Meanwhile, I was having one of those moments I had dreamed about since we heard we were coming. The one where I have 2 crying children and everyone within earshot is turning to look. And look. And then I feed my baby some hot dog. (She loves it!! Mommy loved it too, right then.)
We escaped IKEA without further incident, except that Lia really, really needed an ice cream cone for dessert. And we headed home, Karla driving and eating ice cream which made Marc nervous. But then he had some ice cream too.
Addendum:
Can I just say, that I LOVE our GPS system. For the directionally challenged, it is a boon. There is a very clear map, and a friendly British lady tells you where to turn. She gives you lots of warning, and she doesn't even say anything when you don't follow her instructions. She's just quiet, as if clearing her throat, and patiently recalculates the route. I need to give her a name, because I think she's just wonderful.
Day Two
This morning we awoke at 10:15 to our doorbell. It took us quite a while to recognize the sound. It was our relocation coordinator, wondering where we were, since we had missed the 10am appointment at the kindergarten. Shoot. Snore.
We dragged ourselves out of bed, and decided to hit the mall. We discovered a Toys 'R Us there, which was great because we needed a whole bunch of stuff. Lots of it is exactly the same as at home, and some is quite different. Kaia got a cute Italian high chair seat which is very adaptable. I love it! Marc also got a phone, so we can call home. (We have a great long-distance plan, so people can call us, and we'll call right back. Don't forget the time change!)
Marc thought it was time for me to practice driving, so I drove us home. It was quite successful, even though there is a lot to get used to. Our car is standard, and runs on Diesel. There's no key and no ignition. You insert the fob into the dash, put your foot on the clutch and press the 'Start/Stop" button. And go! (Also, reverse is to the left of 1st, so you can accidentally back up quite easily if you're flustered at an intersection. Yippee! Not a good combination since everyone's raring to go, and tends to anticipate the green light. Hasn't happened yet, but look for a blog post called, "Oops! Sorry!")
After the mall, the kids napped, and I scarfed down some of that yummy soup before going (BY MYSELF) to my friend's house. We went to a big grocery store and got lots more home essentials. I almost did a happy dance when I bought a basil plant, some fall mums and some ice cream. (Basil always makes me happy,and I've always wanted to buy plants when we've traveled, but it's not really practical. It made me feel like we're really living here!)
We unpacked for the rest of the evening, and finally went to bed around midnight, just as Kaia figured she was ready to party. We tried to pat her down a few times, but every time she would cry louder and louder (that kid has pipes!!), and so finally she woke up Lia who wanted a snack. Okay, everybody up. Might as well call Gramma and Poppa. We had a really nice chat and I think we all felt more connected.
We dragged ourselves out of bed, and decided to hit the mall. We discovered a Toys 'R Us there, which was great because we needed a whole bunch of stuff. Lots of it is exactly the same as at home, and some is quite different. Kaia got a cute Italian high chair seat which is very adaptable. I love it! Marc also got a phone, so we can call home. (We have a great long-distance plan, so people can call us, and we'll call right back. Don't forget the time change!)
Marc thought it was time for me to practice driving, so I drove us home. It was quite successful, even though there is a lot to get used to. Our car is standard, and runs on Diesel. There's no key and no ignition. You insert the fob into the dash, put your foot on the clutch and press the 'Start/Stop" button. And go! (Also, reverse is to the left of 1st, so you can accidentally back up quite easily if you're flustered at an intersection. Yippee! Not a good combination since everyone's raring to go, and tends to anticipate the green light. Hasn't happened yet, but look for a blog post called, "Oops! Sorry!")
After the mall, the kids napped, and I scarfed down some of that yummy soup before going (BY MYSELF) to my friend's house. We went to a big grocery store and got lots more home essentials. I almost did a happy dance when I bought a basil plant, some fall mums and some ice cream. (Basil always makes me happy,and I've always wanted to buy plants when we've traveled, but it's not really practical. It made me feel like we're really living here!)
We unpacked for the rest of the evening, and finally went to bed around midnight, just as Kaia figured she was ready to party. We tried to pat her down a few times, but every time she would cry louder and louder (that kid has pipes!!), and so finally she woke up Lia who wanted a snack. Okay, everybody up. Might as well call Gramma and Poppa. We had a really nice chat and I think we all felt more connected.
Day One
Guten Morgen!
It's 2pm for us, after a long flight and crazy morning of trying to put kids to sleep for the 5th time, and telling rather unmotivated movers where to put boxes (they got a look in their eyes every time we told them the box was to go 2 floors down). We arrived home 5 minutes before the movers came at 8am (2am in K/W...). Shortly after that, our car was dropped off. Marc had the internet working in no time, so we're quite hooked up already!
There were balloons and a beautiful sign decorated with candies which read "Welcome in Germany!" There were lots of groceries already in our fridge, and our neighbour came at noon (I was sleeping) with a huge pot of steaming hot stew which was the best thing I've ever tasted!
I kind of thought we'd take it easy for the first day, having not slept and all, but we...
- met our landlord (He wants me to do music at his wedding in September!)
- had a quick visit with our friends (very thoughtful and helpful)
- introduced ourselves to our neighbours, and went in to play (well, we talked and the kids played
- went grocery shopping
- got all our stuff, and began the unpacking process
It's 3am now, and Kaia is wide awake. Lia's sleeping, at least, but that means she'll be up early!
So we're feeling pretty encouraged, I think. I still can't believe it's happening...
Karla (for 2 sleeping Draders, 1 half-asleep, and 1 WIDE awake)
It's 2pm for us, after a long flight and crazy morning of trying to put kids to sleep for the 5th time, and telling rather unmotivated movers where to put boxes (they got a look in their eyes every time we told them the box was to go 2 floors down). We arrived home 5 minutes before the movers came at 8am (2am in K/W...). Shortly after that, our car was dropped off. Marc had the internet working in no time, so we're quite hooked up already!
There were balloons and a beautiful sign decorated with candies which read "Welcome in Germany!" There were lots of groceries already in our fridge, and our neighbour came at noon (I was sleeping) with a huge pot of steaming hot stew which was the best thing I've ever tasted!
I kind of thought we'd take it easy for the first day, having not slept and all, but we...
- met our landlord (He wants me to do music at his wedding in September!)
- had a quick visit with our friends (very thoughtful and helpful)
- introduced ourselves to our neighbours, and went in to play (well, we talked and the kids played
- went grocery shopping
- got all our stuff, and began the unpacking process
It's 3am now, and Kaia is wide awake. Lia's sleeping, at least, but that means she'll be up early!
So we're feeling pretty encouraged, I think. I still can't believe it's happening...
Karla (for 2 sleeping Draders, 1 half-asleep, and 1 WIDE awake)
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