In With a Bang!

Here are a few pictures from the first day of school. Landen started on Monday and had a good day. He came home with the assumption that his teacher is STRICT! I have talked to some other parents (teachers included) and found out that this is true. However, I've heard great things about her and it will do Landen some good to have her, I'm sure. The most I have gotten out of him about his school days is how many girls like him. I'm getting daily reports on this subject. Seriously, 4th grade? Good thing you don't actually "talk" to the girl you like and you spend recess hiding from them! I go to Open House next week, so maybe I'll find out a little more about the actual curriculum. I know it includes rotational art, music, PE and computer lab. Plus, 4th grade has to meet keyboarding requirements by the end of the year which I love.


Hayden hasn't officially started, but he did get to go to kindergarten orientation. I was thrilled with his teacher right from the beginning and the fact that there is a full time assistant with her. She is very enthusiastic and been teaching 20 plus years. His class will be jungle animals all year, complete with hibernation (pj days in the winter) and migration (graduation) at the end of the year. She is organized beyond belief. The class also has a smart board that is taller than I am, if you can believe that. The kids will get to use it on a daily basis, including logging in their lunches and attendance. Technology, huh? It's great. We also had a home visit today where she came for about 30 minutes and talked to us. Hayden was a little shy, but answered most of his questions correct. I found out he doesn't know where he lives (he said AR), nor does he know he has an ankle or a jaw. When she left, I asked him where he lives and of course he replies Germany. Oh well. We arent' going to be able to go into the classroom on the first day by the request of the teacher, so I'm glad I had snuck my camera in my purse. Here's one picture of him in his new kindergarten room. I'll have more to post of him outside next week.



The only bump we've had was literally, a bump. During the orientation, the TA took the kids to the other room, while his teacher spoke to the parents. When I went to pick him up, his eye was red with a cut and was swelling! He had tripped over the rug and hit the chair. He must have landed hard because it is still bruising, now inside the corner of his eye and its been 2 days since it happened. The teacher said he didn't cry, but I could tell he was really embarrassed and flustered when he saw me. He told me he cried a few tears quietly. Poor thing! I don't think she realized how bad it was. After some ice at home, it looked better... He's all worried it won't be healed by next week. He was, however very excited to tell Landen when he got off the bus about how he got a black eye. Way to start with a bang.




I can't post without a picture of Jordy Pordy Pipers. This weeks antics include getting into the spices in the pantry (after smelling horrific garlic breath) and penciling the stairwell. I think I need a cage. LOL j/k Matt, see the rose bush on the side of the house? It's starting to bloom, finally.



Only 4 more days until my sister comes to visit me. I can't wait!

Fall?

Is it possible that Fall is already here? In Germany, it is. The leaves aren't turning yet, but I remember them turning so early last year. I suspect within a month they will begin to change colors. This week we have gone back to the "German" weather we are used to. It's windy, chilly and we even woke up to thick fog this morning. We'll have a day or two of sunshine here and there, but for us I think Fall is beginning.

I've always been a spring and summer girl. Though, this year I never got my "heat" and sunshine fix. So, for once I am welcoming Fall. I am excited about the changing leaves, they are gorgeous in this hilly area. The thought of being on the soccer field in our jackets and gloves, pumpkins, and all the celebrated holidays is beginning to excite me.

Then again, maybe its the fact that school starts tomorrow.

Three Thoughts for Today

Me: "Who's on your pull up?"
Jordyn's First Reply: "Mommy"
Jordyn's Second Reply: "Rella"
Smart Girl! :-)


I don't remember ever posting about the success of Operation Tutti. It was easier than I ever dreamed it would be, and we have been officially paci free for about a month now. I highly recommend this method. It worked like a charm.



Lastly, Lysol is your friend. Jordyn threw up in the car on the way home from the soccer field tonight. Here we go again with another round of vomit in the Rowland household. I sure hope we get it out of our system by the first day of school.

Update and Defining Things...

We got the ball down. For a while, our roof looked like this:



Yes, he managed to get 3 balls stuck. Landen didn't think it was too funny. I did. He didn't appreciate me taking a picture and he told Hayden I was gonna put it on the blog for everyone to see...

Ahhh... eventually, Landen said why don't we open the window? Hmmm... why didn't I think of that? Well, it would require me going up a hand made, wooden ladder into a very small square door. Nervously, I agreed and to my surprise found out we have a very nice and large attic up there. I guess Matt already knew this since he's the one that goes up there. Anyway, the trick worked and now our roof looks normal once again. Landen is back to laughing again.



I also found out that Define A Lash Mascara can define many other things... It can Define a Lash, Lips, Hands, Cheeks, Elbows, Toes, Shirts, Rugs, and More. Who knew?

Uh oh!

Landen has his first soccer practice on Tuesday. See his new ball? Uh oh. Guess we know what he's doing tomorrow! We'll see if he can use another ball to get it down. He tried for about 10 minutes tonight with no success. He did bump it a few times. Good thing he's got about 45 hours between now and soccer practice. We need daddy, because I'm NOT climbing up there and I'm not going to buy another new ball!

Jolee Needs...

I stole this from a friend. It's something different and funny to do... You google your name and the word "needs", then you type 10 things that pop up. Here are 5 of mine:

Jolee needs to learn what Mike already knows. (hmm... anyone know Mike?)
Jolee needs journaling for your scrapbook. (It's true, I do.)
Jolee needs to stay out of peoples' business. (That's no fun!)
Jolee needs some fish. (No thanks.)
Jolee needs to lose 20 pounds. (Again, true. I do. I would be happy with 10.)

On another note, the kids and I ventured down to Trier today for something different than sitting around here. The kids were good, we did a little damage at one of the stores we like and then got a snack for the drive home. It took up 3 hours of our day :-)

I told someone the other day, that my summer has felt like the movie Groundhog Day. Luckily, it's coming to an end and we actually have a few things on the calendar this week! In a few weeks I'll be longing for these summer days... I know. The grass is always greener on the other side, huh?

Happy Anniversary

In the spirit of anniversaries, Happy Anniversary to my mom and dad today! 39 Years and counting... if I did the math right, ha! Hope you found something fun to do today. We love you.

One Year Ago...

It's been a full year since the kids and I have moved to Germany. I remember so vividly the trip over here. Me, three kids, a couple of plane rides, lots of snacks and new toys in their backpacks. We ran into some bumps, but finally arrived and I was never so glad to see Matt! Well, maybe as glad as I was after he came home from Iraq a few years ago. Shortly after we arrived, Jordyn was admitted to the hospital for a kidney infection and our journey in a foreign country began. Look at how much she has changed!



This picture is taken at the exact spot we came out to find Matt. We think its closed down now and not even used. I was pushing a cart of luggage, Landen was pushing a cart of luggage, and Hayden was pushing Jordyn in the stroller. As soon as Hayden saw Matt, he left Jordyn in the middle of the aisle and just ran toward him with excitement... we had to make him go back for Jordyn because Matt couldn't get back there and mine and Landen's hands were full. It was funny, looking back.



This year, the same week, a different scenario played out. We took daddy to the airport, and we stayed behind. It was my first time driving back from Frankfurt myself so I was a little nervous. It's about 2 - 2 1/2 hours away, and there are several routes that can be taken. I realize I've driven in LOTS of places, Los Angeles included, but for some reason it makes me a nervous wreck here. I think its because of the potential of getting lost or the GPS breaking, and me not being able to translate the signs or get help with directions. Or, maybe the fact that I'm driving an Explorer on streets that were made for a Smart. We made it though and we were all in one piece when we arrived home.

On another note, it's Jim and Norma's 45th Wedding Anniversary!! Happy Anniversary, Nana and Pops. You are a beautiful example to all of us. I wish we were there to take you out to dinner and celebrate. We love you, both!

Blog Awards!

I've been chosen by a friend, thanks Mandy, and been told to pass it on.

1 - Terri: You're my favorite sister ever and I love reading about Hollywood on your blog. Plus, I'm trying to bribe you into coming for a long visit!

2 - Kristy: Because you are a brand NEW mommy and a wonderful friend. I'm going to love reading all about little John Lleyton on the blog. Though, I realize you probably won't have time to pass this award on anytime soon, hee... hee...

3 - Mitzi: Beacuase you've been one of my best friends since high school and you listen to all my complaints... plus little Sam is just adorable.

Summer Days...

Here's what we've been up to...

Tricks on the bikes and making bike ramps -



Playing with mommy's lotion and making a mess -


And yet, again - obviously mommy didn't do a good job of getting ALL the lotion put up high.




Playdough -





The days are passing, one by one. 20 days left for Landen and 27 for Hayden.... not that I'm counting. :=)

The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow...

Take you back to Annie? I loved Annie as a little girl. I remember going to see the movie.

Anyway, the fog is clearing, I think. After the last blog, I cried the whole next day. I went to a luncheon at Matt's work and a coworker asked me how my summer was going, and I started crying. Poor Matt! Sorry, honey. He's been a trooper, even with a wildly emotional chaotic moody wife this summer.

Today, however I woke up and I feel much better. I got my haircut this morning, got my Saturday morning Starbucks, and we drove to Ramstein to eat lunch at Chili's. We shopped for a few things and have a new GPS, (thanks Nana). I'm starting to feel like me again. I think I'm going to survive!!

The kids get to go to VBS in the evenings this week... woo hoo!!! It's gonna be a better week. I can feel it. Thanks for all the encouragement and excuse my pity party from earlier.