Evan just told me the "BEST" thing happened at class today. It was the first birthday of the class and they sang to the girl in German and English. Then any other kids with a different native tongue could sing happy birthday... get this, they heard it in: Hebrew, Korean, French, Dutch, Swedish, and Russion. Isn't this cool?! Those are the stories that make all the pain of moving feel a bit better! :)
So, our stuff arrived on Monday - SO FUN! We actually were pleased with how much we brought/didn't bring - I think we didn't overpack and bring too much, which is great. We still have a lot of unpacking to do and organizing to figure out (no closets is quite difficult)...but all is really great. They were done by noon and we had unpacked most boxes by 3pm. A lot to be put away still...but most unpacked. Eric directed the guys to keep the garage stuff down in the garage, which was very helpful so we didn't have to haul things back down the 3 flights of stairs.
Julia was THRILLED to have her 'stuff'...she just loves her craft stuff, school playing stuff, doll clothes, her bed, blankets, etc... SO CUTE! Evan has had a soccer ball and his bed, seemingly all he needs. :) But he was still excited to see some of his memorabilia that he packed.
Eric and I layed in a real bed for the first time in about 7 weeks! He bounced up and down and said "LOOK, I'm moving and you aren't!" You know when you are on an air matress and if one person rolls the other persons moves too - it sucks! Needless to say we have been sleeping MUCH better.
As if that wasn't enough excitement, we will probably get our car on Friday or Saturday. Aside from the school commute, I do love public transportation - but I am PUMPED for the car.
A 'normal' Mommy busy day like today was made extremely crazy without a car. Julia's teacher is leaving on maternity leave today so we had a baby shower for her with the kids. For some dumb reason I volunteered to bring "American cupcakes" (which people love here -- you know - duncan hines box ones with canned frosting that I get at the commissary)
So on Monday I am digging through the kitchen boxes to find my cupcake tin and liners. Then Tuesday I decide I should really try to find sprinkles (not so easy in Vienna :)) So of course it is raining this morning... off we go DOWN the hill for 10 minutes, 15 min on public bus and 10 minutes up the hill to school....carrying box of cupcakes with foil on it. Did I mention that I had to make a stop off of the bus yesterday at the grocery store to find a flat carrying box for the cupcakes!
Of course I have to bring my 3 tiered cupcake holder from crate and barrel too - right?! Who would display cupcakes in a box?! hee hee
So after I drop off cupcakes I take 50 minutes of bus and subway to get to my crossfit gym because along with my muffin tin I unpacked my scale. Holy crap!
So I shower there after the workout and take a tram and subway to the UN for my German class. I then race out of there and hail a cab to the kids school so I could get there by the baby shower. (2 subways and a bus would have had me at the school too late)
I then take Evan down the hill and on the bus after school to soccer practice. Julia stays at school for gymnastics. I then hop back on the bus to pick Julia up and then we get back on the bus to pick up Evan. Then the final walk up the hill back to our place.
All I can say is that even with the scale, after that day, I ate the last three cupcakes that were left here!
Did I tell you I was excited about a car? :)
Love to all, Jenn
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Big Day Tomorrow!
I sure hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Ours is wrapping up as it is 10:25pm on Sunday night. The house is quiet and we are all ready for the movers to show up in the morning with our sea shipment. I cannot even remember what is coming and what was left at this point it seems like a blur. I do know we are excited to receive our beds, more clothes/shoes and more kitchen stuff. Oh, and the couches :)!! The kids are excited about their scooters and bikes. It will be like Christmas... and then the unpacking for days begins. I think our organizational skills will have to come out as we have very little space here and NO closets.
We had a nice last 1/2 of the week (since we posted last)... the weather in Vienna was spectacular. Friday night we went out to dinner with a family that has been here a few years. Eric has been playing tennis with Scott (he is also working at the IAEA) and Joseph is in Evan's class and one of his favorite friends right now. They also have a 7th grade daughter and Mom Mary Kay is great. They are wrapping up their time here and will be leaving this summer. One interesting thing about living here -- there are a lot of people moving in and out... posts like we have and a ton of embassy/state department people. It is definitely odd in some ways. Anyway, we went to a KILLER Italian restaurant ... the food was OUTSTANDING and the building itself was amazing. We will go back there often and know that if you come visit, you will go there too!
Saturday brought on a haircut for Evan. He was just going to get a trim, but the lady did NOT listen to our requests and cut quite a bit off. (yes, she understood English just fine!) It is a nice cut, but NOT what he wanted. I felt bad for him as I would consider him and I a bit "fragile" right now :). But he handled it like a champ and life went on.
He had to miss his violin lesson on TH so the teacher invited us to her house on Saturday to have the lesson in her studio there. It was fun to see a new part of town and great to see his lesson. Eric was able to 'accompany' him on the piano playing 2 songs. Mrs. Murray has been so excited for that to happen and even had them sort of act like it was a show in preparation for the recital in Dec/Jan. SOOO cute! I posted video on FB if you are a Facebooker it is worth the watch. She is a very accomplished violinist and an extremely talented teacher. She is so passionate, caring and talented, we are sooo thrilled we were able to get into her classes. Evan is enjoying it a lot.
I may have told you this before, but Julia will start in 2nd grade. All the kids at AIS learn 4 string instruments in 2nd grade... and then can pick one to continue with if they would like. That is something fun to look forward to!
In the afternoon we split up and Julia and I did a little girl time and shopping. She had a few stores she wanted to check out and we also got a nice big glass of heisse schokolade milch (hot chocolate) :) The boys went to the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology. It was a good one and we will go back again so Jules and I can see it.
Today was windy and rainy! It was the kind of weather that you just want to stay in bed under the covers! We did our Saturday chores on Sunday and then went downtown to the Hofburg and went into the Sisi Museum. This is where the Emperess Elisabeth and Emperer Franz Joseph Hofburg lived. They call it the Sisi (Elisabeth) Apartments. They have a ton of the china, stemware, etc... on display and then you walk through the 20 or so rooms of the "apartments" in the castle. It was very cool!
Next Saturday they do a "Night at the Museum" thing here where all the museums are free and open until like 2am. I hear it is a good night to pick 5 or 6 and just go in them and do a quick look to decide which ones you want to go back to (and pay to get into) someday. We will have to get a game plan for this night as the kids don't really LOVE most museums :)!
Tonight the kids watched Home Alone and I went to work out. (These pastries and breads are killing me!)
Eric is taking the day off tomorrow to help with the movers. Yeah!
Hope you all have a great week!
We had a nice last 1/2 of the week (since we posted last)... the weather in Vienna was spectacular. Friday night we went out to dinner with a family that has been here a few years. Eric has been playing tennis with Scott (he is also working at the IAEA) and Joseph is in Evan's class and one of his favorite friends right now. They also have a 7th grade daughter and Mom Mary Kay is great. They are wrapping up their time here and will be leaving this summer. One interesting thing about living here -- there are a lot of people moving in and out... posts like we have and a ton of embassy/state department people. It is definitely odd in some ways. Anyway, we went to a KILLER Italian restaurant ... the food was OUTSTANDING and the building itself was amazing. We will go back there often and know that if you come visit, you will go there too!
Saturday brought on a haircut for Evan. He was just going to get a trim, but the lady did NOT listen to our requests and cut quite a bit off. (yes, she understood English just fine!) It is a nice cut, but NOT what he wanted. I felt bad for him as I would consider him and I a bit "fragile" right now :). But he handled it like a champ and life went on.
He had to miss his violin lesson on TH so the teacher invited us to her house on Saturday to have the lesson in her studio there. It was fun to see a new part of town and great to see his lesson. Eric was able to 'accompany' him on the piano playing 2 songs. Mrs. Murray has been so excited for that to happen and even had them sort of act like it was a show in preparation for the recital in Dec/Jan. SOOO cute! I posted video on FB if you are a Facebooker it is worth the watch. She is a very accomplished violinist and an extremely talented teacher. She is so passionate, caring and talented, we are sooo thrilled we were able to get into her classes. Evan is enjoying it a lot.
I may have told you this before, but Julia will start in 2nd grade. All the kids at AIS learn 4 string instruments in 2nd grade... and then can pick one to continue with if they would like. That is something fun to look forward to!
In the afternoon we split up and Julia and I did a little girl time and shopping. She had a few stores she wanted to check out and we also got a nice big glass of heisse schokolade milch (hot chocolate) :) The boys went to the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology. It was a good one and we will go back again so Jules and I can see it.
Today was windy and rainy! It was the kind of weather that you just want to stay in bed under the covers! We did our Saturday chores on Sunday and then went downtown to the Hofburg and went into the Sisi Museum. This is where the Emperess Elisabeth and Emperer Franz Joseph Hofburg lived. They call it the Sisi (Elisabeth) Apartments. They have a ton of the china, stemware, etc... on display and then you walk through the 20 or so rooms of the "apartments" in the castle. It was very cool!
Next Saturday they do a "Night at the Museum" thing here where all the museums are free and open until like 2am. I hear it is a good night to pick 5 or 6 and just go in them and do a quick look to decide which ones you want to go back to (and pay to get into) someday. We will have to get a game plan for this night as the kids don't really LOVE most museums :)!
Tonight the kids watched Home Alone and I went to work out. (These pastries and breads are killing me!)
Eric is taking the day off tomorrow to help with the movers. Yeah!
Hope you all have a great week!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A bit normal?
So maybe things are becoming a bit normal as I haven't been on to blog in a few days. Not too much going on but I will fill in a few things.
First, funny story. So, you know how Evan loves to try his German, right? (so cute and great) Well, we were buying a bakery product of some sort for them to share and the nice man asked if they liked in and Evan said "Ich Liebe Dich" which is I LOVE YOU! instead of "Ich Liebe Dies" which is I LOVE IT/THIS! We were all laughing really hard!! There are Backarei's (Bakeries) everywhere... they love their bread and pastries and cafe/tee (tea).
Julia started gymnastics this week for her after school activity - she loved it today. She is preparing to lose her teacher for a few months as she leaves on maternity leave next week. The sub is a long time 1st grade teacher so it should hopefully work out well.
Evan went to tryouts on Monday and Tuesday for another club. He made the team, which is great...but we decided not to do this team. What??!! You are probably saying... well, the team was about 28 kids and 1 coach (AHHHH) and it was apparent that Evan would not be playing very much quality soccer so he chose to stay with the nice French coach for practices and not compete for a few months. It isn't the BEST case scenario, but the best we can do right now. It has been a long process and I think not a great one all in all, but I don't think we could have done anything differently in the end. They did play a 'friendly match' today which Evan could play in so that was fun. I am thrilled as it is 2 days per week instead of 3 and the location is much better!! :)
My Mom and Dad are coming to visit in November and we are all thrilled and can't wait. I am excited to show them around and to just 'hang out' too. The weather won't be great, but we'll just bundle up!!
I missed my German class today because I got all the way there (almost) and forgot my badge to get into the UN buildings. Bummer! I tried to make lemondade out of lemons so I walked around the inner city... I LOVE walking around all the old cobblestone streets and happening upon tons of shops etc... SO FUN! It was BEAUTIFUL today and I even layed down for a few minutes on the lawn looking up at one of the gorgeous museums in the Museum Quartier.
I am liking it here a lot and meeting some great people that I am sure will become great friends. I do miss what is familiar to me and things that I loved on a 'daily basis.' in WA... my friends, crossfit TNT, runs with Mia, Target :) I guess I will eventually feel familiar here and have new 'routines' etc... I am hoping when the boat shipment arrives on Monday (YEAH!), this will also help this process for the kids and I.
Back Soon.........
First, funny story. So, you know how Evan loves to try his German, right? (so cute and great) Well, we were buying a bakery product of some sort for them to share and the nice man asked if they liked in and Evan said "Ich Liebe Dich" which is I LOVE YOU! instead of "Ich Liebe Dies" which is I LOVE IT/THIS! We were all laughing really hard!! There are Backarei's (Bakeries) everywhere... they love their bread and pastries and cafe/tee (tea).
Julia started gymnastics this week for her after school activity - she loved it today. She is preparing to lose her teacher for a few months as she leaves on maternity leave next week. The sub is a long time 1st grade teacher so it should hopefully work out well.
Evan went to tryouts on Monday and Tuesday for another club. He made the team, which is great...but we decided not to do this team. What??!! You are probably saying... well, the team was about 28 kids and 1 coach (AHHHH) and it was apparent that Evan would not be playing very much quality soccer so he chose to stay with the nice French coach for practices and not compete for a few months. It isn't the BEST case scenario, but the best we can do right now. It has been a long process and I think not a great one all in all, but I don't think we could have done anything differently in the end. They did play a 'friendly match' today which Evan could play in so that was fun. I am thrilled as it is 2 days per week instead of 3 and the location is much better!! :)
My Mom and Dad are coming to visit in November and we are all thrilled and can't wait. I am excited to show them around and to just 'hang out' too. The weather won't be great, but we'll just bundle up!!
I missed my German class today because I got all the way there (almost) and forgot my badge to get into the UN buildings. Bummer! I tried to make lemondade out of lemons so I walked around the inner city... I LOVE walking around all the old cobblestone streets and happening upon tons of shops etc... SO FUN! It was BEAUTIFUL today and I even layed down for a few minutes on the lawn looking up at one of the gorgeous museums in the Museum Quartier.
I am liking it here a lot and meeting some great people that I am sure will become great friends. I do miss what is familiar to me and things that I loved on a 'daily basis.' in WA... my friends, crossfit TNT, runs with Mia, Target :) I guess I will eventually feel familiar here and have new 'routines' etc... I am hoping when the boat shipment arrives on Monday (YEAH!), this will also help this process for the kids and I.
Back Soon.........
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sound of Music
We downloaded The Sound of Music last night and we will have our showing tonight with the kids. They haven't seen it yet - at least they don't remember. I think the three of us saw it a few years ago, but no one really remembers. My SIL Christy will think this is sacreligious! :)
We had a nice night out on Friday... another restaurant in the inner city, this one Thai. We decided to start a little list with our ratings so we remember everything. I think we'll have Evan do this in a spreadsheet... provided we can convince him to do this after all the hounding we have to do for his nightly homework!
We headed out early Sat. morning to Puchberg am Shneeburg (I don't know if I am spelling this correctly!!) which is about 1.5 hours from here via train. We then took a cog train (The Salamander) up the highest mountain in the lower austrian alps (about 6,000 feet) We did a nice hike, met and talked to some nice families (from Wien and Munich) and then headed back down the cog and had a nice German dinner. We then headed back to Vienna and home about 9pm. Great day!
Today we caught up on some boring chores and then headed to a park. More pick up soccer for Evan...geez you can get great soccer in any park at any time here - so fun for him (and Eric played some today too!) Julia loves all the sandpits and ziplines here! The weather was beautiful both days. Sundays are a bit different here, can't remember if I told you. But all stores and most restaurants are closed on Sundays due to Austrian law. This makes for no errands, etc... so families are out in full force on Sundays at parks everywhere. At first this annoyed me... hard to make sure you have all the groceries you need for Sunday :), but now it is such a great thing as it really forces you to have a completely uninteruppted family day each Sunday.
We stopped by another club called Post today too and talked to the U11 coach. He said come on out tomorrow (monday) - so we will go and check that one out. Everyone was VERY nice and the location was fine for us, so hopefully it will be some good coaching and soccer. Someone was translating for us while we talked to the clubs president (old dude) Stay tuned...
The cutest part about today was when Eric walked up to Julia and I playing in the big sandbox and Julia said to Eric "Kannen ich spielen mit du?" Can I play with you?
She is picking up German nicely but is much more tentative to try it. I am so impressed with her on a daily basis...especially with regards to this transition.
Th hills are alive with the sound of music!!!
Hope you all had a nice weekend!!
We had a nice night out on Friday... another restaurant in the inner city, this one Thai. We decided to start a little list with our ratings so we remember everything. I think we'll have Evan do this in a spreadsheet... provided we can convince him to do this after all the hounding we have to do for his nightly homework!
We headed out early Sat. morning to Puchberg am Shneeburg (I don't know if I am spelling this correctly!!) which is about 1.5 hours from here via train. We then took a cog train (The Salamander) up the highest mountain in the lower austrian alps (about 6,000 feet) We did a nice hike, met and talked to some nice families (from Wien and Munich) and then headed back down the cog and had a nice German dinner. We then headed back to Vienna and home about 9pm. Great day!
Today we caught up on some boring chores and then headed to a park. More pick up soccer for Evan...geez you can get great soccer in any park at any time here - so fun for him (and Eric played some today too!) Julia loves all the sandpits and ziplines here! The weather was beautiful both days. Sundays are a bit different here, can't remember if I told you. But all stores and most restaurants are closed on Sundays due to Austrian law. This makes for no errands, etc... so families are out in full force on Sundays at parks everywhere. At first this annoyed me... hard to make sure you have all the groceries you need for Sunday :), but now it is such a great thing as it really forces you to have a completely uninteruppted family day each Sunday.
We stopped by another club called Post today too and talked to the U11 coach. He said come on out tomorrow (monday) - so we will go and check that one out. Everyone was VERY nice and the location was fine for us, so hopefully it will be some good coaching and soccer. Someone was translating for us while we talked to the clubs president (old dude) Stay tuned...
The cutest part about today was when Eric walked up to Julia and I playing in the big sandbox and Julia said to Eric "Kannen ich spielen mit du?" Can I play with you?
She is picking up German nicely but is much more tentative to try it. I am so impressed with her on a daily basis...especially with regards to this transition.
Th hills are alive with the sound of music!!!
Hope you all had a nice weekend!!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
TGIF tomorrow
So glad it is Friday tomorrow, no more hounding Evan to do homework for a few nights! :)
Not much earth shattering going on. Big news here was that my crockpot arrived at the Post. Okay, pathetic, but I was so excited! I didn't bring my crockpot (my cherished kitchen tool!!) because the voltage etc.. is different. BUT apparently they don't use crockpots here?! Who would have thought it!! Anyway, figured out I could purchase one on line from Amazon UK and it would be at least the right voltage so I only need an adapter (for the plug) vs. a transformer to transform the voltage. (this is what we have to use for our chargers etc..) Anyway, it arrived at the Post and I picked it up and had to carry this mongo box up the hill to our flat. Through the park... I wanted to tell every Austrian I saw what it was and how their lives could change if they ordered one. My friend Kara and I are convinced we could make bank here selling crockpots. Hmmmmm.....
Our shipment is delayed and we don't have a delivery date yet. I am still hoping for by Oct 1st... maybe late next week or early the next? We hope to know next week.
Evan loves violin and today asked if one of his friends could come to their 'concert' that they will have. I said Sure, which one? He said someone from the Tri-Cities. Anyone? Anyone? :)
We ordered our Tiguan on Wednesday - it will be great! I have to admit, I am so excited to get the car and stop this public commute in the am and pm. It is 30 minutes each way and I have to do it 4x per day. It isn't awful, but I am looking forward to cutting that down to a 10 min. drive at the most. There are 2 hills - one up and one down each way. So, I will have to cut down on my gelato consumption when we get the car. :)
Eric is playing a double header softball game tonight. They have a fun time and I am glad he gets to get out and hang out with some dudes. I think I told you the team name is Slug and Chug, so you can figure out what they like to do.
I think we will head out of town for an overnight on Sat - Sunday. Eric has some mountain town picked out. We will need to check the weather as it wouldn't be fun to go to a hiking place with bad weather.
Have a great weekend!
Not much earth shattering going on. Big news here was that my crockpot arrived at the Post. Okay, pathetic, but I was so excited! I didn't bring my crockpot (my cherished kitchen tool!!) because the voltage etc.. is different. BUT apparently they don't use crockpots here?! Who would have thought it!! Anyway, figured out I could purchase one on line from Amazon UK and it would be at least the right voltage so I only need an adapter (for the plug) vs. a transformer to transform the voltage. (this is what we have to use for our chargers etc..) Anyway, it arrived at the Post and I picked it up and had to carry this mongo box up the hill to our flat. Through the park... I wanted to tell every Austrian I saw what it was and how their lives could change if they ordered one. My friend Kara and I are convinced we could make bank here selling crockpots. Hmmmmm.....
Our shipment is delayed and we don't have a delivery date yet. I am still hoping for by Oct 1st... maybe late next week or early the next? We hope to know next week.
Evan loves violin and today asked if one of his friends could come to their 'concert' that they will have. I said Sure, which one? He said someone from the Tri-Cities. Anyone? Anyone? :)
We ordered our Tiguan on Wednesday - it will be great! I have to admit, I am so excited to get the car and stop this public commute in the am and pm. It is 30 minutes each way and I have to do it 4x per day. It isn't awful, but I am looking forward to cutting that down to a 10 min. drive at the most. There are 2 hills - one up and one down each way. So, I will have to cut down on my gelato consumption when we get the car. :)
Eric is playing a double header softball game tonight. They have a fun time and I am glad he gets to get out and hang out with some dudes. I think I told you the team name is Slug and Chug, so you can figure out what they like to do.
I think we will head out of town for an overnight on Sat - Sunday. Eric has some mountain town picked out. We will need to check the weather as it wouldn't be fun to go to a hiking place with bad weather.
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Funny Story at End is PG-13
Tried to add the slide show of pictures through Picasa on the right...lots of pictures but if you are really bored one day you can view some!
Big news today is that is looks like our boat shipment may be delivered one week from this Wednesday!! I will believe it when it passes customs and all looks good, but something to hope for! I don't even know what it will feel like to have 'stuff' It is funny how quickly we got used to living with bare necessities. I know Eric and I are looking forward to getting off this air matress!
German class was fun yesterday, I am really looking forward to it. I just made myself flashcards for the 100 most commonly used words in German, I have plenty of bus and subway time to look at these. Eric was supposed to take it at the same time but due to increased enrollment they opened up another session. The new time worked better for his work schedule and I could not switch as I have to be back to pick up kiddos, so we will have all the days covered with our German classes, we can share information and can also meet for quick lunches more so that is good.
We also test drove a few cars. We are down to the Volkswagon Tiguan or the Volkwagon Golf Plus. The Tiguan is much more 'fun', more space, better looking, probably better in snow, etc... but more money (of course). The Golf plus is the affordable utilitarian way to go. We are trying to decide! Looks like we will have wheels in about a month. Again, funny how you get used to no car. I hadn't driven a car in over a month prior to yesterday! I actually enjoy public transportation (aside from 4 times a day to school), and will most likely still use it when getting into the inner districts - but to and from school we will drive the car.
The kids are doing well. Julia broke my heart last night as she was sobbing at bedtime because she "misses my friends, my dog, my grandma, my papa, my uncle kirk, my cherish, my grandjan, my gramps, my ya ya, and everyone else ...but especially my dog" It was so cute and sad to hear her begin to list everyone and then kind of get tired of listing and just say everyone and then especially my dog. She was easily calmed down and she hasn't really done that yet, so I think it was 'healthy'. She had talked to one of her bestest buddies Ryan on the phone, so I think that started her head spinning. Ryan and Julia love to dance on their boat so I told her we would skype and turn on tunes and they could dance together via webcam! (Tracey, get ready for that!! :))
We have sent out some emails about Evan's soccer and we have a temporary solution, so all is working out okay. The U10 coach (a very very nice and capable coach) went to the U11 coach (without us asking him to!) and actually told him he thought it was riduculous that he cut Evan because he was "too short and too small" - Nochello said "What does that have to do with anything in soccer!" Anyway, the U11 coach ended up saying he would take Evan back but wasn't nice about it and we all decided this was not a good move. So.. until we can find another club (if we can), Evan will be practicing and getting great coaching from Oliviea Nochello the U10 coach. He just can't play in matches with him because he is too old by 15 days.
I will end with a very funny story... if you are with kids or are a kid - don't read this :) although we told Evan and all had a great laugh. This will be more funny if I could tell it in person, but try to imagine it verbally.
At German class yesterday we were working on vorname (first name) and familiename (last name), introductions etc... So the teacher said "Was ist ihr familiename?" to one guy. This is What is your last name? The man said "Meine familiename ist Dick" (my last name is Dick) The german teacher than says "Das ist Herr Dick"... (Translated: That is Mr. Dick) - Herr is Mr. and sounds like Hair" I must be the only sicko in the class cuz I could barely contain myself. I kept thinking "thank God Eric isn't here as we would have LOST it laughing!"
Tschoss! (said "choos" for Bye!)
Big news today is that is looks like our boat shipment may be delivered one week from this Wednesday!! I will believe it when it passes customs and all looks good, but something to hope for! I don't even know what it will feel like to have 'stuff' It is funny how quickly we got used to living with bare necessities. I know Eric and I are looking forward to getting off this air matress!
German class was fun yesterday, I am really looking forward to it. I just made myself flashcards for the 100 most commonly used words in German, I have plenty of bus and subway time to look at these. Eric was supposed to take it at the same time but due to increased enrollment they opened up another session. The new time worked better for his work schedule and I could not switch as I have to be back to pick up kiddos, so we will have all the days covered with our German classes, we can share information and can also meet for quick lunches more so that is good.
We also test drove a few cars. We are down to the Volkswagon Tiguan or the Volkwagon Golf Plus. The Tiguan is much more 'fun', more space, better looking, probably better in snow, etc... but more money (of course). The Golf plus is the affordable utilitarian way to go. We are trying to decide! Looks like we will have wheels in about a month. Again, funny how you get used to no car. I hadn't driven a car in over a month prior to yesterday! I actually enjoy public transportation (aside from 4 times a day to school), and will most likely still use it when getting into the inner districts - but to and from school we will drive the car.
The kids are doing well. Julia broke my heart last night as she was sobbing at bedtime because she "misses my friends, my dog, my grandma, my papa, my uncle kirk, my cherish, my grandjan, my gramps, my ya ya, and everyone else ...but especially my dog" It was so cute and sad to hear her begin to list everyone and then kind of get tired of listing and just say everyone and then especially my dog. She was easily calmed down and she hasn't really done that yet, so I think it was 'healthy'. She had talked to one of her bestest buddies Ryan on the phone, so I think that started her head spinning. Ryan and Julia love to dance on their boat so I told her we would skype and turn on tunes and they could dance together via webcam! (Tracey, get ready for that!! :))
We have sent out some emails about Evan's soccer and we have a temporary solution, so all is working out okay. The U10 coach (a very very nice and capable coach) went to the U11 coach (without us asking him to!) and actually told him he thought it was riduculous that he cut Evan because he was "too short and too small" - Nochello said "What does that have to do with anything in soccer!" Anyway, the U11 coach ended up saying he would take Evan back but wasn't nice about it and we all decided this was not a good move. So.. until we can find another club (if we can), Evan will be practicing and getting great coaching from Oliviea Nochello the U10 coach. He just can't play in matches with him because he is too old by 15 days.
I will end with a very funny story... if you are with kids or are a kid - don't read this :) although we told Evan and all had a great laugh. This will be more funny if I could tell it in person, but try to imagine it verbally.
At German class yesterday we were working on vorname (first name) and familiename (last name), introductions etc... So the teacher said "Was ist ihr familiename?" to one guy. This is What is your last name? The man said "Meine familiename ist Dick" (my last name is Dick) The german teacher than says "Das ist Herr Dick"... (Translated: That is Mr. Dick) - Herr is Mr. and sounds like Hair" I must be the only sicko in the class cuz I could barely contain myself. I kept thinking "thank God Eric isn't here as we would have LOST it laughing!"
Tschoss! (said "choos" for Bye!)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A great day for a bike ride....
Hi All,
We have had a very nice weekend of fun and nice weather. Saturday we did some chores around the apartment and then headed to the park by our house for a few hours. Eric and I do a 'pseudo crossfit' workout and the kids play at the park. We also played some table tennis. All the parks have permanent ping pong tables so that is fun.
Headed down to one of the shopping areas then to do a few returns, pick up a few more clothing items for the kids and also a refridgerator! I have been living a few weeks with a very very small fridge and it is a huge pain :)!! It is even small to "European" standards!! :) So, we purchased another fridge that is a little bigger and we put it in our 'extra room'/den. We couldn't 'replace' the fridge in the kitchen as it is wedged into a small spot and we can't fit anything bigger.
So... Eric and the new fridge took a cab home and the kids and I did public as usual. We popped some popcorn and watched a movie the finish the night.
Today we rented bikes and explored the river paths, the downtown area and Prater Park. The Prater here is unbelievable... a HUGE park miles wide by miles long. It has everything from a huge amusement park to a skate park, bowling alleys, field hockey, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, kids play parks, bmx bike trails, wooded areas... it is so cool! We explored a bit on bike but will spend many days there I am sure.
Evan seems to be doing well with his set back. He is asking questions and we are trying hard to contact people to find out where else he could possibly play. It doesn't seem there is a ton between serious Austrian Club leagues and recreational once per week soccer fun that doesn't include games. But we are still hunting.... there has to be something!
I am listening to Evan play violin in the background. It is nice to hear! Twinkle Twinkle in the background!
We hope you are having a nice weekend!
Jenn
We have had a very nice weekend of fun and nice weather. Saturday we did some chores around the apartment and then headed to the park by our house for a few hours. Eric and I do a 'pseudo crossfit' workout and the kids play at the park. We also played some table tennis. All the parks have permanent ping pong tables so that is fun.
Headed down to one of the shopping areas then to do a few returns, pick up a few more clothing items for the kids and also a refridgerator! I have been living a few weeks with a very very small fridge and it is a huge pain :)!! It is even small to "European" standards!! :) So, we purchased another fridge that is a little bigger and we put it in our 'extra room'/den. We couldn't 'replace' the fridge in the kitchen as it is wedged into a small spot and we can't fit anything bigger.
So... Eric and the new fridge took a cab home and the kids and I did public as usual. We popped some popcorn and watched a movie the finish the night.
Today we rented bikes and explored the river paths, the downtown area and Prater Park. The Prater here is unbelievable... a HUGE park miles wide by miles long. It has everything from a huge amusement park to a skate park, bowling alleys, field hockey, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, kids play parks, bmx bike trails, wooded areas... it is so cool! We explored a bit on bike but will spend many days there I am sure.
Evan seems to be doing well with his set back. He is asking questions and we are trying hard to contact people to find out where else he could possibly play. It doesn't seem there is a ton between serious Austrian Club leagues and recreational once per week soccer fun that doesn't include games. But we are still hunting.... there has to be something!
I am listening to Evan play violin in the background. It is nice to hear! Twinkle Twinkle in the background!
We hope you are having a nice weekend!
Jenn
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