Fasching at the elementary school

Here is a quick recap for those who are curious: Fasching is Bavaria's equivalent of Mardi Gras. In northern Germany it is called Karneval. Everyone dresses up and gets together to party. In the schools, we have dress-up parades. It's like Halloween, only warmer.

TJ, David, and I waited outside the school for the parade to begin. To lead the parade, we have COL Smiley, our Garrison Commander, and Mrs. Bailey, our principal:

Following them was the Eagle, the mascot for our Armed Forces Network (AFN) radio station. TJ was super excited to shake his hand:



Joey dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. She is leading her class in the parade and holding the class sign:



TJ, David, and I joined Bailey's class in the parade:

 

Bailey was Little Bo Peep holding her sheep, and TJ was Hansel (as in Hansel and Gretel):

**sidenote on the above picture: it was pretty chilly outside, so I made TJ where strumphosen under his lederhosen. I know it looks hilarious, but blue was the only color we had available.



Bailey and TJ held hands the entire time:



During the event, this band played. The music was fun:





Birthday - fasching - farewell extravaganza

This is Captain Cork:

This is also Captain Cork:



The Captains Cork had a Fasching party at their home. It was also a farewell because they are moving back to the states. Nolan Cork did not know that his wife, Danielle, was planning this party. You see, it was also a surprise birthday party for him. So that is how we found ourselves in the middle of a birthday-fasching-farewell extravaganza.

All the best people were there. A few nerds: Kyle and Annie

Tiger Woods: Max

Traditional Karneval party-goers: Pria and Andrew



Leather-clad biker: Will



And best of all, a couple of Mormon missionaries: Erick and me (not shown)



When the piñata ended up on Kyle's head, we knew it was time to go home.





To be like Annie

My sister-in-law is brilliant. She is beautiful, smart, athletic, and adventurous. I want to be like her in many ways.

One thing in particular that has inspired me is this: She sets goals every year on her birthday. Then at the next birthday, she documents her experiences and accountability before setting new goals.

I plan to follow her example. I am anticipating some interesting challenges this year, and I would like to take some initiative to improve myself through those challenges. I need to make goals that can help me improve my abilities as a mother, wife, sister, child of God, student, teacher, friend, gospel scholar, member of the community, housekeeper, artist, athlete, etc. I need to work on spiritual, physical, and mental improvement.

This is where you come in. I need ideas. What goals have you set? Which have benefitted you the most?  I need goals that are reasonable and attainable. Please remember that I am a mother of four young kids, and my husband is not often available to watch them. In April I will unveil my list of goals for the year.

Ready? Go.

A week in pictures: Week 25

Friday 25 February

During a school assembly, Joey's class put on a play. Imagine my shock when I showed up to discover that she was the star of the show. She was the MC. She led the class in songs and poems and had a million lines. She introduced each person and held the microphone the entire time. I was so impressed.

Her teacher had emailed the parents a while ago and asked us to help our kids memorize their lines for the play. When I asked Joey if she needed help, she said that her lines were so easy that she already had them memorized just from reviewing them at school. I assumed she had a small part. I never even looked at the script.

My daughter is really amazing.

 Erick took these pictures, so I can't take credit for them. I had the other camera to video tape parts of it.

Here's another one just for fun.

Sometime prior to now, February

Because I didn't have pictures for two days this week, I decided to post some of my strange (yet cute) kids. Bailey was giving TJ the evil eye while drinking a juice box. I couldn't help myself, I snatched a picture.

This winter she has worn this hat to death. It is reminiscent of the girl in Despicable Me with the pink beanie. I tried to have her take it off while we were inside, but her hair was a fright, so she put it back on.

Same day, February

TJ cracks me up. He poses each time I try to take his picture. Typically his pose covers his face in some  strange way.

Monday 28 February

At school today, TJ had his face painted like a lion. Here he is showing me his best ROAR.

Tuesday 1 February

This is my attempt at a self-portrait.

My girls are standing beside me asking me why I took a picture of myself in the bathroom. And why does my face look weird. Answer to the first: it has mirrors and good lighting. Answer to the second: none of the pictures of me with a normal face turned out.

Good news: my hair is growing.

Wednesday 2 February

David does not like green beans.

Let me clarify. David loved green beans until today. For breakfast I gave him bananas for the first time. He has had green beans, squash, carrots, peas, and rice. He has enjoyed them all. But bananas have ruined him.

Tonight he fought every bite of green beans. He tried to push my hands away. He spit. He smeared food all over his face. He wanted bananas or nothing. He got a bottle.

Another one without the sourpuss face.

Thursday 3 February

Hausschuhe.

Every day when TJ gets to his German preschool, he must remove his shoes or boots and put on hausschuhe or house shoes (for the English speakers). This pictures shows his blue house shoes lined up with his friends'. It's one of those small details that I want to remember about Germany, so I posted it.

It reminds me of Mr. Rogers each time we change his shoes. Perhaps I should get him a sweater to put on after he removes his coat...

Private post

I have posted on the private blog: http://erickinthearmy.blogspot.com/

A private blog for family

I have posted in my private blog: http://erickinthearmy.blogspot.com/

I am starting a private blog for my immediate family and one or two long-term friends.

It will in NO WAYchange this current public blog. This one will continue to be as ordinary as ever.
Happy reading!

Playing catch up

I have finally caught up on all my blog posting. I back-dated all of the posts to when they actually happened, so take a look below and enjoy the pictures!

A year in pictures: Week 24

Friday 18 February

I had a girls day and went to Poland. Erick stayed home with the kids, and I enjoyed the entire day. This time, I actually got to see someone painting the pottery. So cool!

Click here to see better pictures of this trip posted by my friend Mary Anne.

Saturday 19 February

It's time to celebrate Fasching! The stake primary put on an excellent Primary Fasching party this year. This is TJ during a balloon popping game. Everyone tries to pop everyone else's balloon. The person with the last unpopped balloon wins.

For more pictures, click here.

Monday 21 February

David and bathtime. A fun combination. Click here to see more bathtub shots.

Tuesday 22 February

Joey... er... Josephine (as she now likes to be called) has the most beautiful blue eyes.

Wednesday 23 February

I drive by a group of wild boar almost every day. They are behind a fence, and many people stop to feed them. Today I stopped. But not to feed them.

Wednesday 23 February

David is hanging out with his peeps. But he doesn't feel well. Can you tell? We went to the doctor again today, and he has ear infections (again). He was a bit grumpy this night. Poor kid.

Wednesday 23 February

TJ was explaining to me that he is going to grow up to be a really good Daddy, and this is his baby David.

This and the last picture were taken at a spouse social. The wives in my company get together every once in a while to hang out. It's good to build friendships and a support system to prepare us for when our guys deploy. I'm lucky to have such great friends!

Warning: May not be suitable for all audiences

This post is strictly for the grandmas (and anyone else that wants to ooo and ahhh over my cute baby).

David loves bath time. This day, I decided to do a mini photo shoot in the bathtub. I asked him to please remain as modest as possible. You can see by the first picture that he happily complied: