the way the snow goes....

I don't even know where to begin with this post...it was defiantly a transitional Day...

It is still snowing.
Kids did not get up for 2 hours during the night.  Hope this means we are starting to say Goodbye to jet lag-YEA. Jason got up early so he could drive to the house to meet the movers while I anxiously waited for the kids to wake up (wink-wink).  We were to drive to the house to meet him.  I not only did not grow up driving in snow but I wasn't allowed to drive in snow even if it was a dusting.  Well, this morning not only was I supposed to drive 25 minutes to our new house it was snowing.  Which meant I had to conquer one of my first days driving the small streets and autobahn with snow and ice.  Yes...they clean the Autobahn very nicely but the opposite is true for the smaller streets.  Long story short, I delayed our departure by 2 hours due to my fear AND blamed it on the kids taking too long to get ready and eat breakfast.  I survived and am quite proud of myself.  (During the drive today Karina kept saying, "mommy, why are you crying"

My second obstacle of the day.....Walking in below 20 degrees and learning cold weather and tears don't mix....your eyelashes freeze.  Let's just say it took me over an hour (not including walk time) to shop bakery and grocery just for our lunch.  Not only did the people not understand my German, they didn't speak English.  I was proud because I kept trying...however all the people behind me WERE NOT PROUD.  To make matters worse, I spilled my whole wallet of Euro coins and all the 'not proud of me Germans' had to help me pick up 60 coins.  I cried the whole way home wondering how I was going to grocery shop for all of our meals if I couldn't conquer lunch. 

So, I have to go ahead and follow that up with my walk with Rocky. Tonight I take Rocky for his nightly walk in "Winter Wonderland" when I notice he is standing at attention (he is off leash). Yep, he made a little German friend.  The whole time they played, I had a nice conversation in GERMAN with a kind gentleman that didn't speak English.  He even said, " Sie sprechen sehr gute Deutsch."  Ha-take that grocery people. 

Anyway, on to the house.  The movers were fantastic today.  Karina and Cooper were even better.  They played in a little keeping room off of our kitchen while we unpacked for almost 8 hours-no fights, no whining, and no asking us for anything. We met a very nice man that lives behind us. He had lived there for 40 years!  He even brought us a cd of his Jazz band-it is there 5th cd. 

Me behind the wheel....

Kids loving all the food here in Germany

Our Christmas tree in the hotel room

Rocky (white eyes) on nightly 11 degree walk!

Snowing again....

Well, I guess this snow is here to stay,  along with VERY cold temps.   It is expected to continue (do you hear my excitement).  High tomorrow-22.   An elderly German lady told me today, " When the North Winds come this early, it is a sign of a hard winter."  hmmm....I don't remember signing a contract about the weather???  I love it except for having to learn to drive around in this snow and ice (they don't clean all of the streets) Jason asked Karina, " how did mommy drive today?  Karina answered, "Excellent"  (Funny because the whole time I was driving she kept saying, "mommy please don't crash us into things")  So, we now have a new rule ....NO TALKING WHEN MOMMY IS DRIVING.  My lesson to the kids-even mommies are scared of some things but just have to work thru their fears. Yes...I am still scared to drive, but tomorrow is just another snow filled day.

Kids were excited to go to their school this morning and to meet their teachers.  The school is fantastic.  Jason and I both were blown away.  They even have a special needs assistant that will be Karina's "special" friend through out her transition and check on her throughout the day.  We owe a big thanks to Children's for writing a letter to ISS explaining Karina's 'Selective Mutism' in a way that will help her transition AND continue her progress.  Both seemed to like their teachers, the library, playground.  However, neither seemed to like the fact they have to wear PE outfits two days of the week (my little Southern Belle).  I was a little overwhelmed at the list of all of the clothing, supplies and shoes I need to buy prior to Monday.....All types of snow gear and even a SLED!  Yep, they take their own sled to school. The sledding I witnessed on the playground would not be allowed in Alabama (if there were snow) due to liability....I envision great things for Cooper on that playground. 

Things I want to remember about today:

McDonald's playground

Winter Wonderland on Rocky's walk

• When I took Rocky for his walk this morning, it was like a winter wonderland you see in the old Christmas movies.  
• Karina running to me so excited, "mommy, they have playdough in Germany because I saw it on tv"
• lunch at McDonalds(only place I knew how to drive to on the Autobahn -amazing how those big yellow arches stand out) 
• Cooper asked, "why are there only mommies and daddy's in this McDonalds (it was lunch hour)
• Kids weren't sure what to think of the couple kissing without coming up for air in the corner booth-neither was I for that matter.
• salad as a side with the happy meal instead of fries,  a high tech play area, I ate shrimp for lunch-at Mcdonalds. 
• Jason telling me, " Honey, I am so proud of you for driving and you ordered in Mcdonalds all by yourself"  My response, " Jason, all I had to say was, two hamburgers and sprite"
• Cooper waving to all the old women in the OBI store and them speaking to German to him in response. He has learned how to work the women here in Germany-shouldn't surprise any of us.   His German answer to them-A BIG COOPER SMILE.  I swear he has learned that everyone will give him candy if he is nice.  (How's that for a child that told me 3 months ago, " I WILL NOT SPEAK GERMANY"
• Karina eating two Bratwurst for breakfast and at the same time asking me if Grapefruit was an animal because she wouldn't eat an animal.....I just kept chuggin my coffee to keep from laughing.
• Overhearing Cooper and Karina in their room"Cooper, let's pretend were mommy and daddy drinking wine" Karina, "or let's pretend were drinking cafeine"
• Overhearing C and K in their room, "Karina, Can God see thru beds?" Karina, "yes Cooper" Cooper, " So i have to clean up my toys"
• Cooper insisting they need a Christmas tree in their hotel room since mommy forgot to put theirs on the boat. (yes, I am proud to say, I found a store with 5 inch Christmas trees)
• Rocky AGAIN grabbing fallen apples during our walk, throwing them in the snow and literally jumping in the snow trying to find them...snow is too deep and he can't find the ones he threw.  
• Kids and I ate at the Marriott hotel tonight because Jason had to go buy our vaccuem. Karina decided she wanted the "German Soup" for dinner-Go figure.  She slurped that soup and then asked me if she could get the last drop with the grain bread they brought us.  Cooper ate Chicken nuggets-  Really they are little schnitzels...smart marketing.  
• Swimming in the pool tonight at the Marriott then all of getting in the steam room to warm up-ha- we were cold in the indoor pool. (or maybe that was just me...)

Tomorrow and Friday the movers are bringing our container.  It will be fun to move in the house but sad to give up these wonderful breakfasts, nice indoor swimming pool, and the best for me...so muc socializing in the lobby-the hard life. I guess Cooper has the best outlook about the next two days..."Finally, my Stars Wars swords will be home"

Making Adjustments...

So far all is going great for our move.  We have made quite a few adjustments today.  Probably the first day of many...

Rocky living in a hotel-he seems to like all the attention in the lobby and is no longer afraid of the elevator.  
Bratwurst for breakfast- Karina LOVED,
Red fruit that I'm not even sure what it was-Cooper loved.
Incredible salmon, meat and cheese for breakfast
Strong coffee-that I loved and only needed one cup.
Kids watching "Special Agent Oso" in German.
Kids sleeping until 10:00-YOU KNOW THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN HOFF HOUSE
Cooper asking numerous times, "Why does it take so long to get everywhere" (welcome to a large city)
I ran with Rocky in 19 degree weather (and was the first up-that is also a first)
We let the kids have real Pepsi for the caffeine-YIKES
Our "warm" clothes are not warm enough for the playground.  EVEN Cooper was shivering and I was saying ugly things under my breath about Jason taking so long to pick us up cause my feet were frozen.  Clothes shopping tomorrow!
Slippery monkey bars and zip lines will throw you off!!!!
I did drive in the snow and ice-lasted 10 minutes before I had a heart attack and gave Jason the keys back.

Kids would rather swim in the hotel pool then go to the Christmas Market-this will change....

So now we are going to see how they handle eating in a German restaurant-they believe in VERY slow and relaxing dinners:)

We made it!

We made it to Germany....a very white Germany.  I am not sure who had more fun playing in the snow today, the kids or Rocky.  Cooper and Rocky had a competition to see who could roll in the snow the most. 
Today when we were doing a walk thru of our house with realtor the doorbell rang.  I hear a lady saym "are there Americans moving in this house".  Turns out the neighbors behind our house just moved here from San Diego, CA and have two girls-4 and 6yrs. We walked to their house to meet them but Cooper was not so thrilled with all the princess dress-up clothes.  Looking for a little boy for Cooper to play with will be a priority on my list.
 The kids have been very interested in learning German words AND using them.  I think it has to do with the fact that everytime they have tried to use their German words (in the Grocery, Daimler offices etc.) the adults hand them candy.  No joke!  Cooper was baffled that the waitress at breakfast didn't give him candy when he said, "Nein".  (She asked if he was finished) 

Headed to Germany

Our house is for sale, our furniture is on a boat, we are sleeping on air mattresses and our clothes are now on the airfreight all headed to Stuttgart Germany.  We are beginning our new adventure for the next 3 years (or 5).  We are visiting our family in SC, NC and GA for Thanksgiving prior to flying out. 

Going away party

Our new house in Stuttgart