Sorry It’s been so quiet over here!
Written by Helga
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 07:47
Like I said before, I am away from home, in Germany with my family. I’ve been staying with my parents since August 8, and my husband is (finally!) joining us this Thursday. Some quick updates…
It isn’t always easy traveling with children, especially mine who aren’t open to trying new foods. They eat quite a few peanut butter sandwiches. And Nutella. On the other hand, I’m eating very well! Lots of bread and cheese. There is a fresh bakery on every corner. Germans take pride in buying small amounts of fresh bread a few times a weeks.
It is very hard for me to sleep in places other than my own bed. This is a very big challenge during this vacation. It throws off my confidence in being able to sleep well, which snowballs over time, resulting in anxiety as bedtime approaches. I do not want to have to take anything to help me sleep! Also, I have a full size bed. Which I will have to share with my 6’3 husband when he gets here. This doesn’t help as I anticipate trying to sleep with him. I bet you money that I will end up putting the kids into our bed and we sleep in their double beds.
It isn’t always easy entering into someone else’s space, for fear of disturbing their normal routines. I don’t like to be a pain in anyone’s ass.
My kids have surprised me in the best way. They have grown even closer than they were before this trip, and they were close before. They have been playing together nonstop with a box of Legos borrowed from a neighbor of my parents here. Hours at a time coming up with villages and stories. When we traveled to Holland, to pass time on the train they continued to make up stories for their Lego people. Not to present my kids in an unrealistic light, they have their moments. Sophie will snap at Max for hogging all the flat black legos. Max will take apart something Sophie has built because he needs a specific piece. (He gets up earlier than her and immediately goes straight to the Legos. He doesn’t want to wake her to ask her. She gets so mad at him!) They don’t watch TV or videos. They do not have their computer, and it wasn’t until just this second as I type this that Max has asked to use mine. My kids have learned chess from their Opa, which impresses me, because I have no clue how to play. When it is time to shut off the lights at night, they continue to whisper about…whatever they whisper about. When I tell them to hush, time to sleep, they saw “Awww, but we are having so much fun! Can’t we talk a little while longer?” Well. Ok. What’s the harm? This is memories in the making for them.
I took the kids to Holland for four days. It wasn’t easy schlepping the kids on trains, trams, buses, or by foot by myself with our luggage. But it’s good to get out of your comfort zone. Which we certainly did just that.
I enjoy Europe. There is alot we can learn from the way they do things over here. But more on that later!
August is barreling towards September at a scary rate! Where did the summer go??
8 Comments
Leave a Reply
Aww…this sounds so wonderful for your fam! I am really glad you are having such a wonderful time and oh my, the memories you are all creating together is truly priceless. I love vacations for that reason – it is great family bonding time. Anyway – so glad you are having fun and look forward to more!!! BTW, try chamomile tea for the sleep…maybe?
OK, I have to say, we are having fun here. But make no mistake, it can be a challenge to be in someone else’s space for such an extended period of time! I think I was having trouble sleeping because my bed was too hard, so I kicked the kids out of their room and we traded. Now, I have an awesome bed, nice & soft! Plus, a bit of warm milk & honey at bedtime doesn’t hurt.
I’m eating such good food, getting to know my family better, and the kids are experiencing a new culture, it’s a growing time for all of us. But I am so excited that my husband joins us tomorrow!!
Thanks for stopping by, SGM!
RT @livegreenmom Sorry It's been so quiet over here! http://bit.ly/97L4rA Updates on my travels in Germany
Sorry It's been so quiet over here! http://bit.ly/97L4rA Updates on my travels in Germany
Sorry It’s been so quiet over here! http://goo.gl/fb/VNilE
Updates on my travels in Germany…if anyone is interested! http://fb.me/DLM5fD47
Sorry It's been so quiet over here! – http://livegreenmom.com/2010/08/germany-travel-updates/
Sounds like a wonderful experience for you and your kids……and soon for your husband! I would love to travel to Europe some day….can’t wait to read more of what you write about “the way they do things”
Sorry about the sleep. That just really stinks. I don’t like sleep aids, either, but what about something natural? Bach’s makes a whole line of products, including a sleep aid.
Maybe you need to wear yourself out a little more during the day so you will just pass out at bedtime….how’s that for a plan? LOL