And this is her very favorite doggy of all! Shakespeare sits right in her room listening to us do 'puppy math' and listens to me read her stories before bed every night. Shakespeare is getting quite old now and sometimes gets a little cranky these days but still loves to sit with Ann-Marie and listen to her play. Poor ol' dog. Ann-Marie teases him quite a lot. (he knows to ignore her when she starts talking about going for a walk, but sometimes he just can't help but get his hopes up) We tell her 'quit teasing the dog!' but she thinks it is funny. She will giggle and say, 'he's teased! he's teased!'  

Look at that face! 

Daddy dropped by to help with puppy math. 

Mommy and Ann-Marie doing what we call "puppy math" before bed. Most of you know how much Ann-Marie LOVES dogs and puppies. She carries them with her everywhere and has been for almost a year now. She loves little ones like these that she can just put in her pockets and so forth. Anyway, she has quite a few of them and so I decided to start working on math with them. The fact that they are 'her puppies' keeps her interested and plus it seems like a game anyway. 

Ann-Marie with her completed Spiderman puzzle that Grandma Bessie gave her for her birthday. The puzzle has 100 pieces and is made for 5-6 year olds. Mommy and Daddy helped but we probably didn't need to. Once the border is done, she does puzzles like crazy. However, this was a little bit tricky with all the 'action' in it. 

Here is Ann-Marie in her bedroom. It is bedtime. Since we are on the 3rd floor, the windows have bars on them. It looks unsightly but is reassuring, too. She got this new bedroom furniture just before we left the states. Her "big girl bed". 

Parent's night at Kindergarten

Well, last night was parent's night at Ann-Marie's German kindergarten. What an ordeal! Jake and I went and left Ann-Marie at home with her brother. We got an invitation letter but of course we couldn't read it (except the numbers) and one teacher told us the date and time and what it was. We wondered if we were supposed to bring anything or if we were supposed to bring Ann-Marie or what.

So we go in this place, noticing that most people did not bring their children. We were directed to a back room and figured out that we were supposed to sit in the chairs. So we both sat down in the tiny kindergartner's chairs. The teachers introduced themselves (2 of them first in German and then for our benefit, repeated what they said in English.) Then they gave a powerpoint presentation which lasted for an hour. It was completely in German. Then there was a question and answer session that lasted for about a half hour....again completely in German. You could tell that the parents were concerned and that there were some changes being made in the kindergarten....but we had no idea what. It seemed as if a few people were annoyed and it seemed as if there was a lot of explanation regarding it. Jake and I just sat there. Jake said he was about to fall asleep and I was on 'overload' trying to pick out any piece of a word that I might understand.

After the powerpoint presentation and question and answer session, the parents were directed into the child's particular classroom (mund group). I went up to the director and told her that I speak English and didn't understand anything, but that I had a feeling that there would be some changes. She told me (in English) that (she speaks only a little English) and that she really appreciated that we came and can understand how we feel because that is how she felt when she was in the United States before she knew English. So anyway, she told us that she would provide us with a translated version of the paperwork that they handed out.

So then we went to the mund (moon) group. We listened to about a half an hour in there but there was a nice little video recording of the kindergartners and what they do all day. I heard a lot of English speaking in the video by students and teachers and it was nice to see Ann-Marie interacting with others while there. The language barrier really does not seem to exist for her, to which I am pleased.

While in that classroom, her teacher, Frau Claudia, did translate almost everything that was said for us. They decided on who would be the parent leaders for the group and they wanted to know specifically if I wanted to do it along with them. (((((hell no)))))) I politely declined. The parent leaders tried to translate what they said to us too, saying that they would be a contact person for events, etc. I really have no idea for what, though. I wonder if for things like Christmas parties and stuff.

One interesting thing was when one of the parent leaders was trying to say the words "moon group" in English to us while translating what she had said previously. It was almost cute. She laughed at herself as we watched her mockingly saying "MOOOOON GROOOOOP" a few times, as if she thought it sounded weird or something. Several of the other German parents giggled with her and they even repeated it a few times. Like they all thought it sounded silly. Of course, to us the words 'moon group' did not really sound strange, as we had heard plenty of words that we weren't familiar with this night! But it was a bit endearing or something, to see them struggle to say words when we were used to being the ones struggling and wanting to giggle at what comes out of our mouths.

At the end of it, I was so thankful for all their help and for accomodating us as much as they did. We feel very lucky that Ann-Marie has the opportunity to be a part of this group and she loves it at kindergarten.

The experience of being totally surrounded by 100 people in a basic meeting type format...when almost everyone is speaking a language you don't understand (for 2 straight hours) is exhausting though. Just trying to pick the tiniest bits of words out and trying to look pleasant and interested. But we did our parental duties. I don't want to go again, and didn't really want to go this time either but it wasn't really a choice as far as I was concerned. As a parent with a foreign child in a kindergarten...I need as much information as I can get. But it is a bit stressful at times.

Ikea

The other day I was invited with a friend to go along with her to "Ikea" (www.ikea.com) and since I am always looking for something to do that involves getting out and about I took her up on it. Ikea is a Swedish company and they are all over Europe. I noticed that there are some Ikea in the northeast USA too.

Jake and I had made one trip to Ikea when we first got the car. It was a bad experience...for me anyway. First of all, we drove for the first time on the autobahn that day and it took about a half an hour to get there. (a half an hour of chest pounding fear) We couldn't read the signs...(duh)....and wandered around quite a while in that town before we found Ikea. We had heard people raving about how wonderful Ikea was and we needed curtains here so we thought we'd go see what all the fuss was about. So, we got inside and followed the herd of people going upstairs. Basically the store is designed to take you through their showrooms in a maze. There is not really any way to get out of this maze environment once you get in it. You go through kitchens and living rooms and offices and bedrooms and childrens bedrooms etc. At the time, we wondered how you manage to purchase something you wanted. Anyway, on the day that Jake and I went I had just 'had enough' of being 'out there' and was confused about this crazy building set up. (Which by the way we were not that impressed with their merchandise) All I wanted to do was get the heck out of there! We kept following signs that had what looked like an exit symbol and eventually we got out of there.

So this time when I went there, I was going with someone who knows the ropes and knows her way around, etc. It was better but still not that great. Ikea has very modern stuff. It is nice looking, I guess....but I just don't see what all the fuss is about. A lot of people "LOVE" Ikea. And my friend swears that I will too by the time we leave. Ikea has a lot of what I call pressed wood furniture and I am not that impressed with that anymore. I want real wood furniture. It 'moves' better and to me looks better. Plus, I have had pressed wood furniture for years upon years and I've just had enough of it.

My friend and I (and her baby) had lunch in the cafeteria style restaurant that was there. Another interesting experience when you don't speak the language but I managed to say "schnitzel" and then was able to push my tray to the end and pay without too much difficulty.

So, I bought some Swedish Blueberry "Extra jam" and a garlic press from Ikea. I was so unimpressed by my second trip to Ikea that I decided it would be unlikely that I would return. They had lots of decorating ideas and stuff, but not in the style that I am interested in. And they don't really have the furniture that I like. This morning I tried the Blueberry extra jam on some toast and it was heavenly. Maybe Ikea ain't that bad, after all.

This is a pedestrian area in Rothenburg. Another picture that I wanted to show you but forgot to post it yesterday with the rest of the group of photos taken in Rothenburg. 

Here is a photo taken in Rothenburg. I missed this one when I posted the other pics yesterday. These people are getting a horse and carriage ride around the city. The sound of the horses hooves on those cobblestone streets was very nice. 

Bamberg Barons 14 Ansbach Cougars 34

Bummer. Oh well, can't win 'em all, right? Well, Ansbach's team doesn't know that yet.

We drove to Ansbach to watch the game. It was about an hour and half drive and it was a beautiful day. Next week is homecoming for the Barons. Below are some photos of our day. After the game we drove to Rothenburg.

The coaches and team. 

Here they are in a huddle. Brandon is #7. 

Here is Ann-Marie at Ansbach. From this photo you can see part of the field and where we were sitting in our lawn chairs. The Bamberg Baron Cheerleaders are in the background too. 

Here are the guys . Both teams (Bamberg and Ansbach) are blue and gold school colors but Bamberg has the gold jerseys. Ansbach has a very good team and this was their 26th straight win. Notice they played on a real football field? This was on the Katterbach- Ansbach base. They had announcers on loud speakers and they had a scoreboard and real field goal posts! They had stadium seating on the home team side. 

Brandon getting 'a talking to' by the coach. It is kind of funny to hear the coach getting onto your kid. Brandon played "strong side defensive end" on defense and 'tight end' on offense and also played special teams. Brandon said that this photo was "kick off". He said he had 'outside containment' if you know what that means. 

"good game" "good game" "good game" etc. 

Brandon (#7) and the fellas running. 

Jake and Ann-Marie watching the game. 

Outta control gnome. I caught him in the Ansbach high school bathroom. He peed in the sink because he was mad that Bamberg lost the game. Still working on manners. hehehe

Rothenburg ob de Tauber

A link to the city's webpage in English. http://www.rothenburg.de/index.php?get=121


After Brandon's game in Ansbach we drove to nearby Rothenburg. I first heard of this city from Rick Steves (the travel writer - tourist guy) (link- www.ricksteves.com). I had borrowed one of his videos from the library when we were still in the states and it had this town in it. We were delighted to see that it is only about an hour and a half from our place!

Rothenburg is a walled city. Below are some photos we took as we walked inside the city. We didn't have much time on this day and plan to go back. There is a trail that runs along the outside of the wall that we would like to walk. The town is packed with Christmas stores and other tourist type shops. We have read that they have spectacular Christmas time fests and that they have a Volksmarch every February.

We went to dinner just outside the wall at a gasthaus (restaurant?). We attemted to order in German and the waitress asked us if we wanted a menu in English which we readily accepted. Jake had the schnitzel, I had crispy roasted pork, Ann-Marie had bratwurst with fries and Brandon had some sort of stuffed chicken. We each had a cola and the total came to about 55 Euro (including tip), in case you are wondering. We sat outside in the outdoor section. The food was good and soon after we sat the place filled up so we got there just in time.

This is a building that Jake wanted a picture of. See the flowers at the windows? That is everywhere over here. Notice it says "Restaurant" and "Cafe". That is the same in the German language. There are hotels on both sides of this photo.  

A tower welcoming you into the city. 

A photo taken just before walking into the walled city of Rothenburg. I am standing on a bridge and there is sort of a moat type thing below. The wall is very tall but difficult to tell based on this photo. 

Dies ist mein Ehemann, Jake. Ist er h�bsch nicht? 

This photo shows the ornate detail of the building pictured below. In front of this building is where the night watchmen tour begins at 8pm. They have tours in English. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to do the tour but we want to go back when it gets close to Christmas and stay the night in one of the hotels and do the tour then. Brandon was really exhausted from the football game and wanted to go home. 

Jake and Brandon as we crossed into the town. There was a pedestrian walkway and a tunnel to drive through. This was inside the 'wall' I guess you could say. Behind Jake and Brandon is that steel grid thing and behind that is the driving area (tunnel) through the wall that surrounds the town. 

Jake, Brandon and Ann-Marie waiting to cross the street in Rothenburg. See the building with the "Apotheke" sign? That is a pharmacy. Apotheke = Apothecary. Cool huh? I like the buildings in this photo.  

Here Ann-Marie and I are in Rothenburg. I like the houses in the background.  

This was a striking building inside the wall at Rothenburg. The pedestrian area is right here too. There is a merchant's tent in this photo. I don't remember what they were selling. This town is full of shops and restaurants and very touristy.