Today Was Good. Today was fun.

Today we took part in a fantastic celebration.  It's called Fasching here but back home it's Mardi Gras.  It's basically a massive party before Lent.  Today we went to our very first Fasching parade.  It. Was. Awesome.  Everyone dressed up and they threw candy at the kids.  Piper kept screaming, "I LOVE THESE PEOPLE"!

Right after we got there but before the parade started.
Fisher was a pirate and Piper was a garden fairy/gnome thing.

They played with this little girl the entire time.

Little friend, Piper, Hollis, and Fisher.
I know, I know.  Sun glare.  But wait...SUN!

Taking a minute to warm up in the stroller.

Check out that blue sky!

Fisher yelling Helau!  They yell
something to you,  you yell "Helau" back and
they throw candy at you.  He was in.

 

Shortly after this I realized I'd committed the cardinal sin of
photography when my camera battery died.  And no, I don't have
a backup. 

We met up with some new friends and had candy thrown at us until we were too cold to stand it anymore.  Did I mention the SUN was shining?  It was a beautiful day even if it was on the chilly side.

Today was good.  Today was fun.

JKFP

Gray: Grau

It's gray here.  Really gray.  Like- those vampires in Twilight should have come here instead of Forks, Washington cause I guaran-damn-tee you it's less sunny here- gray.  The lack of sunlight is very seriously jacking with my sunny disposition.  (Hence the not so frequent postings.  You don't really come here for crying.) 

Anyway, the kids and I went to our favorite (because it's close) playground today and played in the snow or in Piper's case ate snow and ice off playground equipment. 

We tend to make friends with older ladies and their
dogs.  This is Baloo.

We got new boots last night so our feet were warm and toasty.

We pretty much all have the blues or maybe the grays would be more accurate.  We could use your good thoughts or juju or prayers or whatever as this transition is still proving to be difficult.  And should any of you be blessed with the ability to change the weather... help a sister out!

JKFP

This German Life

“It must happen to us all…
We pack up what we've learned so far and leave the familiar behind.
No fun, that shearing separation,
but somewhere within,
we must dimly know that saying goodbye to safety
brings the only security we’ll ever know.”

- Richard Bach, Running from Safety: An Adventure of the Spirit

A favorite perch.

No, really.

I always end up humming the soundtrack to Mary Poppins
when they are up there.

The super cool construction project
going on out the window.

Our tree!  We made salt dough ornament,
pipe cleaner loops/shapes, we also knit up
 candy canes and garlands.

A favorite park right on the Main river.

He collected a LOT of corks after the craziest
New Years we've ever experienced.

He searched all over for "treasures".
He wondered the whole time how
people could throw away such useful stuff!

Look at that determination.

I love smiling eyes.

This is the building out our window
from the other side.  And what it's going
to be when it grows up.

It's right by the park too.

I came across that quote the other day and it perfectly said exactly what I needed to hear.  (I haven't read that book but I think this quote alone is enough land it on the "must read" list.)  It's been rough, this transition to our new life.  My sister gave me some excellent advice the other day.  Start out small and do one thing a week that scares the shit out of you.  Work your way up to doing one thing a day and by then you'll be comfortable and not scared anymore.  Sound advice!  We are at the point now where everyday is a little bit better and I'm very grateful for that.

This is a little glimpse into the last few weeks.  I hope I'll be back to posting a little more regularly now.  Love you guys and miss you all like crazy!

JKFP

Pipey is Four!

FOUR!  Can you believe that?  Seems like just yesterday....



She looks happy to be out!

Your birthday!

How tiny, cute and sweet are you?







Fast forward four years...

First thing birthday morning.

 

Opening her presents.

On her birthday she wanted to go to the Butterfly Pavilion again.  This time Johnny and Carly joined in the fun.

Petting starfish...gently.

Coloring with their new friend Gracie.

Fisher holding Rosie.
Piper was SO into Rosie this year!

Pipey's turn!

She kept going back to get a better look.
She even used the magnifying glass.

Fun with the giant praying mantis.

This is kind of a picture of all three.
Fisher's fingers, the top of Johnny's hat, and Pipey.

 

It's too bad that thing didn't have 3 holes.

Quick pic from her birthday party.
Photo bombed by Dave.

Miss Pipey is such a fun little combo of sweet, independent, loving, brave, smart, and most definitely fierce!  How lucky are we?

JKFP


p.s.  We leave for Germany tomorrow!!!  Our internet service will probably be spotty for a few weeks until we have wireless in the apartment.  Don't expect too much of me the first few weeks though.  Figure that no news is good news.

Thankful

You know what I'm thankful for?  I'm thankful for my sister.

Thank you....

- for watching my children for every possible doctor/dentist/hair appointment over the last two weeks.  (or the last few years)

- for loving my kids like they were your own (even when they act like turkeys).

- for talking me off that ledge after Fisher's dentist appointment from hell.  (don't ask...it really was that bad though.)

- for always (ALWAYS) having food ready when we walk in because you knew I would have forgotten to eat.

- for always feeding my kids even though they had eaten because "Aunt Carly's food is better".

- for going with us to drop off the chickens even though that meant you couldn't go to the grocery store.

- for telling me when an outfit makes my butt look big.

And that's just in the last two weeks.  I could not have survived them (or the last 31 years) without you.  You're my favorite.

This Moment: Wizard Chess

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

(I apologize for the iPod photos lately.  We're having technical difficulties.)