Well, it's been a month since I last updated this blog. November has been more of a difficult month for us. I am feeling a little stir crazy in the apartment. We have all taken our turns being sick and the weather has been so awful. It isn't super cold here, just really grey and rainy. I think the sun has been out for two days the entire month. That always makes things seem a little depressing. However, it did go by really fast. We have been in Germany for four months now, which means we only have eight months left. Time really does fly by.
We are more accustomed to life here. Peyton and Micah are doing well. Peyton always refers to life in Canada like it was ages ago. She will always bring up something she remembers from home and say, "Remember back at Canada when I..." So funny. She seems to be a lot happier now, she has met some friends from church and her play group. She no longer says she has no friends here, so that makes Robb and I happy. Micah is sick right now with a cold that is lasting a long time, but she is generally in a good mood and enjoys starting to play with Peyton more. Oh, I forgot Micah is walking. Lol, people probably didn't realize she wasn't walking by this age, but she started at 18 months, the exact same time as Peyton. We have some late bloomers in our family! So, now that she is fully mobile, we have to be even more diligent to keep her alive. I am only partially joking;-) The girls spend most of their days playing with their doll strollers and duplo. I think I am more excited than the girls that they will get new toys for Christmas.
Robb started his classes at Heidelberg University. He is taking a directed study course with a professor and completing a project that will give him credits in Canada for his Masters. He will start another self directed course with a professor at TRU that has been really helpful and supportive in allowing Robb to study here. He is taking two German classes as well. They are way over his head. He fakes it, I am sure. The classes are second and fourth level classes because those were the only ones available with his teaching schedule. It's nice for me because he only has to drive there one day a week for now, but will have to travel more days per week in the new year. Robb is enjoying working at the school here. The kids really like him and things seem to be running smoothly. Near the end of November, we got a little busier and had more fun socially with people. That has been nice for all of us, since we are used to people always being over at our house, or being out with people. Those of you that know Robb well, definitely know that he cannot handle being at home for more than a few hours before needing to go out and be doing something. We usually walk somewhere every day, however, I am not sure we are getting thinner due to the amazing food around us.
At the end of November all of the Christmas Markets opened up. We went down opening night to Wiesbadener Sternschnuppenmarkt and it was crazy. It was crowded and people were pushing us everywhere. I think I might describe this more like a mosh pit experience at a rock concert, except add older German women as the main aggressors :) These women kept trying to shove by us when no one was moving and almost pushed our stroller over with the two girls in it. We had to keep telling people to go around, but they wouldn't listen. I even had to be "aggressive" with people which I normally don't do. I usually leave that up to Robb, but don't count me out;-) It was a good night though and we didn't get in any street fights. The market is really beautiful and gets you in the Christmas spirit. Everyone drinks Gluehwein, which is like a hot, spice wine punch. That is the smell I will most associate with the markets. Every market has their own specific mug they serve Gluehwein and hot chocolate in. Everything is decorated so nice and they have different rides for kids to go on. The food is amazing. We often buy Kartoffelpuffer, which is like German potato pancakes and they are served with apple sauce. There is bratwurst, candied almonds and nuts, roasted chestnuts, fried fish... and so on. We love going there for lunch or dinner.
On December 6th, the Germans celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. Children put out their boots the night before and in the morning they will be filled with candies or little gifts from Saint Nicholas. We thought we would join in the celebration and left the girls shoes out on December 5. They woke up to a few candies in their shoes. I am pretty sure we didn't do it properly, but the girls were excited regardless. I am also pretty sure we will have to continue the tradition as any other excuse to get more candy is a must for the girls. Peyton was really excited when we told her about this. She was really glad Saint Nicholas didn't come in the house though. She questioned us a few times to ensure he just left candy in the shoes outside and that is it!
We also recently went to Rüdesheim Christmas Market, Rüdesheimer Weihnachtsmarkt. This was a cool little town we haven't been to yet even though it's really close to us. It was decorated really nice and felt very Christmasy.
There are not too many other things to report. Peyton is finishing her first semester of ballet in two weeks and has a little performance for the parents. We are super excited for that, especially seeing all the moves that she comes up with as you will see in the picture below. Another very exciting detail is that my parents get here tomorrow! We are so happy they are coming here and can spend Christmas with us. Sorry to Riley and Tara, but next year Christmas will be back to normal. We are really sad we are missing it at home with all of the family. Robb has three weeks off for Christmas starting on December 19th and we are all really looking forward to that. We have an excited few weeks ahead and lots of fun things planned, so there is a lot to look forward to right now.
In general, we feel good about being here and are really enjoying ourselves. We are starting to make friends and meet more people. Of course we are always missing home and people at home. Although, I think Robb misses A&W Teen Burgers more than anyone or anything else;) We are always missing Samson and Peyton always talks about him everyday.
One of my fave pictures of Peyton.
Collecting leaves.
Making leaf bouquets for daddy, well Peyton was doing that.
The girls are big into the duplo and wearing these glasses while building:)
It's tough to build without the glasses.
At the Fasanerie, the girls love to come here and feed the sheep and goats.
Love this picture.
Opening night of the Wiesbaden Christmas market better known as the Wiesbadener Sternschnuppenmarkt.
Some of our first food finds.
The carousel.
Celebrating American Thanksgiving with our American friends.
Micah will climb into her doll stroller and wait for Peyton to push her around.
Sisterly reading time. This lasts about one minute, so quality over quantity.
Peyton is too scared to sit on the horses, but Micah is not afraid of anything we are finding out.
Fashionista.
More Wiesbaden market
Wiesbaden.
Peyton taking some vehicles out for test drives.
Putting out their shoes for Saint Nicholas.
Finding their candy the next morning. Peyton was glad he didn't have to come into the house.
Comparing their treats.
Amazing food. Rüdesheimer Weihnachtsmarkt
We had some hemp turkey pita thing and the always good potato cakes.
Tired out from all the markets or maybe the sugar rush from hot chocolate.
Our go-to meal lately. So many amazing meats and cheeses... So much bread!
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