It's hard to believe Becky is already three. Seems just like yesterday she was born. We had a great time celebrating her birthday.
She got a tutu and matching shirt in her favorite color, purple, ...
... and a few other goodies.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Recipe courtesy of my local Trader Joe's.
We tried a sample of this while grocery shopping today, and were instantly hooked, as were all the other people around us sampling the food while oohing and aahing.
Ingredients
Monday, October 24, 2011
Solomon's 10th Birthday
Wow, birthday season is upon us! Within 4 1/2 months, we celebrate the birthdays of all six kids, as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Solomon is first during this crazy season of each year with his birthday in late September.
Good morning, birthday boy!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I can't make this stuff up
On my previous post, two readers expressed their doubts about my truthfulness in saying that German textbooks contain what Americans would consider inappropriate content for elementary-age children. To quote myself:
The German books we use have been a funny throwback to the different mindset and culture in Germany. Notwithstanding the fact that all the kids' books are for elementary age or younger, they have so far taught how to ask someone whether they smoke, and how to say that someone is drinking wine or buying beer. Nice sample sentences, eh?
Hi, my name is Isaac. I am eight years old. What is your name? Do you smoke? This is my Mom. She is buying beer and drinking wine.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Oh, the good old Fatherland
This year, more than ever before, I have really made a serious effort to make sure our kids grow up speaking German fluently, i.e. being bilingual. German is actually not my first language - that would be Hungarian. But, sadly, my Hungarian is too rusty to teach the children, and it also happens to be one of the most difficult languages there are. We'll just stick with German for now.
For English speakers, German is not that hard to learn, plus there are tons or "German as a second language" materials available on the German Amazon website that I can order and have delivered here. Much like in the US we have a lot of kids in need of "ESL" classes, in Germany there are lots of kids entering school needing to learn "GSL". These materials are perfect for our kids.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Grocery shopping, my way
This week, as we do once every month, we got a delivery by semi truck from Azure Standard, an organic and natural foods co-op based in Oregon. Now that's large family living. I know my groceries are here when I hear the air brakes, and a 64-foot, 18-wheeler big rig pulls up in front of our house.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Chocolate playdough
Last week, in a masochistic fit, I whipped up a batch of chocolate playdough for the kids. As can be expected, they made a complete mess of the kitchen counter and the floors, which is a sure sign that they had a great time. I just practiced deep breathing, looked the other way, and cleaned up when they were all done. I am NOT the type who just naturally lets kids explore and make messes as they play - it makes me cringe. But I have learned to grin and bear, at least to some extent.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Just for the record...
My husband's grandma, who lives in Tucson, celebrated her 90th birthday this week. Grandma is a sweet old lady, and a dedicated Christian. She is still sharp as a tack, and really in great physical shape considering her age. I've been told that when she was younger, she would eat a chocolate cake for lunch every day, so that's my strategy now.
Hello, world
The summer heat finally broke last week. At the beginning of October, we still had days over 100 degrees, but one big thunderstorm last week finally ended the last 6 months of heat, and brought cooler weather. For us, that means being able to go outside again. Hence my lack of blogging - wow, there's a world out there!
Solomon is the one caring for our chickens every day. Of our 8 chicks, five made it to adults in this summer heat. Two or three of them are laying now, and hopefully the rest will start soon.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
No Regrets
Yesterday, I was shopping with only Miriam and Anna. As I was waiting in the checkout aisle, an elderly lady from one lane over left her cart to step over to where we were and admire the girls. She especially loved the baby, and joked that she wanted to take her home. In passing, she mentioned "I was never able to have any children of my own" before heading back to where she had left her husband with the cart.
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