A rare day (March 11)
A normal day (March 1)
A "what time of year is it?" day (April 2)
Our kids love to dress up just because.
How I spend most of my evenings.
Heather working on one of her craft projects
For Holly's birthday this year she actually had four birthday celebrations. On the day of her birthday her class went on a field trip. Then she had a mini party at school on Friday, on Saturday she had three friends over and they had a Princess Tea Party, and that evening we had Uncle Peter, Stefan, and Emily join us for a family party. Holly had a great time and it is fun to see her growing up. She is enjoying learning to read, being able to recognize letters and sound out words. In her class at school she is in the "Pre-K" group (American terminology) which they are lovingly labeled as "Ladybirds" (British for ladybug). This means that their teacher is not pushing them hard academically but they are starting with basic reading, counting, colors, shapes, and just getting them excited about learning. It is perfect for our little girl (sorry she keeps correcting me in that she's not little anymore).
The birthday girl
Princess was the birthday theme
The birthday cake Heather made using a Barbie top
During our first week of break our focus was to not be focused and to just rest and relax. We did do one IKEA trip on Wednesday where we bought more shelves for the kid's room. We took out the dresser that we acquired when we moved into this apartment 3 and a half years ago. I then installed the new shelving units which matched the other existing shelves. This created a specific spot for each kid to have their clothes and better organization of toys, games and puzzles. The kids love it and it has created a better place to play and be.
Here is their room before (notice the dresser on the right corner) and yes we did put loops in the ceiling so they have rings or a trapeze bar in their room.
And here are the new shelves with plastic bins for clothes.
On Thursday we had a surprise snow storm! We had a dusting of snow April 1st, which was funny in an April Fool's Day sort of way. But the snow storm was just a little discouraging. We were walking to the shopping center in snow suits to visit the Easter Bunny. Later Stanley decided to make an enormous snow ball just because he could.
Coming back from grocery shopping
About to go to the shopping center
Stanley's enormous snowball
On Friday we celebrated Good Friday at church in the morning and I helped out with the first and second grade group and Heather helped in the 0-3 year old group. It is encouraging to be able to serve our church here in Germany even if it is in minor ways. That afternoon Heather was able to spend some time with our friend Emily as I took the kids to the park.
On Sunday we had the joy of celebrating Easter and our Savior's resurrection. When we talk about Easter, God, and Jesus often people will have different definitions of the same words and people. So here is what we mean we talk about Easter and our beliefs. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God and God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God Yahweh. We believe that Jesus came to the earth, became fully man (while still being fully God), lived a perfect life, and died on the cross as payment for our sins as the perfect sacrifice. He chose to do this because we are sinful people and as sinful people we have no place in the presence of a perfect and Holy God. However He loves everyone and wanted to rescue us. Through the payment Jesus made on the cross we can be washed clean and have a relationship with God if we confess our sins and believe in Jesus and that his sacrifice is enough to save us. We cannot earn or work for this salvation. It is by grace through faith alone. We also believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day to prove that He did conquer death, He did pay the price for our sin and that God is not dead but alive and active. In our conversations with different people we find it more and more important to define what you believe because you can be using the same words but have different meanings.
So for Easter we had several friends over to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids, a Potluck dinner, and Settlers of Catan. It was a very fun night with a very international group (people from USA, Germany, Nigeria, and Ethiopia).
Our morning egg hunt
Excited for the afternoon egg hunt
Even Stuart got into it
Dinner (and the dessert fruit bunny Anna made)
Catan night. Yes there are 7 people, Heather and Emily were on a team.
The second week of break we have been more intentional to get out and do things. On Monday we took a family bike trip to the local park and had a picnic and mini Easter Egg Hunt. I brought 7 eggs to hide and as Stanley and Holly found them I would re-hide them. They knew what I was doing and absolutely loved it.
Picnic with Subway sandwiches
On Tuesday we took a trip out to the Erfurt Zoo. This was our last trip to the zoo with the Year Pass that Papa Gene bought us last Easter. It was fun to see the animals, play at the playground, and just be out. Plus it was the first really nice day of Spring. Sunny and over 10 Celsius (50 Fahrenheit). We also had a treat to see the new baby Giraffe which was only allowed out for about 30 minutes per day.
Notice how two of the lion are looking at Stuart
Amazing kids
Inside the monkey enclosure with the Lemurs
Bratwurst lunch
Baby Giraffe
Tired family
Beautiful kids
On Wednesday we took the kids to Andilli which is an indoor play place. Yes it was nice out, but this was one of the things the kids really wanted to do. By the time we were done all three of them were super red faced from running around. They all fell asleep easily as a result that night.
Red faced kids
As we wrap up our vacation we are thankful for where we are at and thankful to have this break. Now we have 11.5 weeks of school left. We are looking forward to summer vacation but also looking forward to the adventures between now and then. Here are some more pics
Stanley out with his remote controlled car
Having fun with Uncle Peter
Stuart made that stack by himself
Holly has really been into puzzles
Stanley and Stuart out looking for a Geocache
We have been doing several Geocaches recently
Another Geocache
Stuart just having fun
St. Patrick's Day
Stuart loves music
1 comment:
Hey Overby family,
Been so great to read up on how you are doing. I can hardly believe the kids are getting so big and so old! Heather (and Scott), you're doing a great job making your house and home and making lots of memories for those three kiddos. Miss you like crazy.
Love Megan
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