Fall Festival

Hitchershof Pumpkin Fest

A little settlement called Hitchershof, which is right next to our village had their annual fall festival this weekend. They have a huge corn maize to go through, a big area with hay all over and bales to jump off of for the kids, lots of arts and crafts booths, food and pumpkins EVERYWHERE! We walked through the arts and crafts booths and saw lots of neat stuff we liked but didn't need to buy. They have some really cool yard art type stuff here. We did cave for some dipping season that Shelby tasted and said "Oh my God that's ridiculous!" Yea, it's that good. So we bought a packet of that to take home. After that we let Colin play with the pumpkins, which he liked very much and was rather upset about having to move on. The food all looked so good and we couldn't decide what to try so we ended up ordering enough food for a family of five and stuffing ourselves. We had a pumpkin seed bratwurst, a steak sandwich thing, a bowl of pumpkin soup and a flammkuchen, which is sort of like pizza but not quite. It was a ton of food but it was delicious.

After eating we let Colin play in the hay for a bit before we went into the corn maze. Colin liked the hay but as usual wanted to eat it. He had fun in the corn maze wandering around and he didn't get us too lost thankfully. That night we stuffed ourselves on wine, bread, olive oil and the dipping seasoning we bought. Mmmm.

Today we decided to go back to the festival again for lunch and to buy some pumpkins. When we went yesterday we didn't bring any sacks or baskets to bring the pumpkins back to the car in so we didn't get any. Today we went back with the wagon so there were plenty of room for pumpkins. They have your average orange jack o lantern type pumpkins as well as about 25 other varieties of pumpkins and gourds. We picked out three to decorate the yard with and loaded up the wagon. Colin was very excited to get to ride with his pumpkins in the wagon back to the car and cried when we had to put him in the car. Then he cried again when it was time to come inside and leave the pumpkins outside on the front porch. Who knew pumpkins were to fascinating?

Sesame Steet

**Getting ready for the show to start and playing with his new Elmo toy.

The USO brought a mini Sesame Street Live show to the base today and Shel and I took Colin. The show travels all over Europe to visit miltary bases and puts on a free show for the military families. It rocked! Colin was pretty cranky for 90% of the day today, possibly sick again...grrr. Despite feeling poopy he still danced and watched the characters and the time at the show was his happiest mood all day. He had a blast.


**Super Colin!


**During the show



**Colin & Daddy watching intently


After we got home it was back to grouchy again. Colin has had some diarrhea and has been pulling at his ears a little, but when a part of one of his molars popped the gum yesterday I thougtht that was the culprit. Then around dinner time today he was on fire and when I took his temp he was 103. So hopefully it was a one time fever related to the teething. My kid is NOT a grouch though so if he's still acting funky come Friday it's off to the doctor. We want to go to a fall festival and corn maze this weekend so hopefully he doesn't get sick :(

Tuesday

*a one year molar broke the gum today, he hasn't been too fussy about it but I can sell you baby drool by the bucket full.

*I had not one, but two friends eat in my section at work today. I love knowing I have a good thirty minutes of customers who won't be rude, annoying, make a million special requests and then leave a buck fifty on the table for a tip, and that I actually like talking to. It makes the day so much better.

*I was so proud and impressed when my super smart little genius boy heard an airplane and immediately looked up to the sky pointing. This happened four times when we were in the yard playing today.

*Colin attempted to eat the grass, rocks, dirt, flowers, weeds, leaves, dog toys and apples that fell off the tree while playing in the yard today. I believe the only thing he didn't get a hold of was the dog poop, well, at least not to my knowledge. When does the "everything in the mouth stage end"? Please tell me soon!
He actually managed to hide a grape sized rock in his mouth for about 15 minutes. We had been inside that long after playing and I noticed it on the floor and freaked for a second because it looked like a little piece of poop. I can't handle the everything in the mouth stage AND the sticking the hands inside the diaper stage all at the same time. Once I saw it wasn't poop I was relieved and then I realized how long he'd been chewing on that rock...oye. I showed it to him and explained we don't eat rocks and he looked at me so serious, wrinkled his eyebrows and then shouted the most serious string of babble I've ever heard. I have no clue what he was saying but I'm pretty sure it was something like "I like to eat rocks and you can't stop me!"

*I'm afraid his day care sitters are going to start charging me extra to cover their food costs. Every time I pick Colin up I hear about how well he ate. Our regular sitter is moving so he's seeing a temporary one for a few weeks and I can't tell if she's annoyed or stunned with the amount of food this child eats at a meal.

*I forgot my Slimfast in the car so I couldn't drink it for lunch and had to go get a venti iced white chocolate mocha instead. Damn was I disappointed.

*I had to listen to my boss the Univ of Miami fan go on about the Gators only beating the Vols by 10 points on Saturday. It would be so nice if Miami were on our schedule this year so we could hand them the ass whoopin we should've given Tennessee and I could shut him up.

*Colin's new thing is being read to. I think he just likes sitting on my lap and being the center of attention for as long as he demands it. He's so cute when we read. I love it because not only are books cheaper than toys, I can actually go into the bookstore and only come out with what I went in to buy. Sweet!

Game Day

Tenn. Game Day

Here is Colin keeping busy this afternoon until the Gator game came on TV. We actually got the game on AFN tv. It didn't start until 9:30pm Germany time though so Colin had to stay up a little past his bedtime to get to see some of the game. He had a nice three hour nap today though and was still fired up and ready come game time so it all worked out.

Gotta say it...

I don't post too many personal opinions on my blog because 1. I dont think people really care about my opinions all that much and 2. I have an open blog that isn't private and I don't care to hear 5,000 other peoples' opinions about my opinions should I post them. However I am going to make an exception today and post not only my opinions...but my opinions and politics! Look out!

So we all heard about the Kanye West stunt on the VMA's. Apparently during set up for an interview with President Obama, in a casual conversation between the President and a crew member, Obama was asked if he and his daughters watched the awards. Obama said yes and then he was asked what he thought of Kanye's actions, to which Obama replied "he's a jackass". Someone overheard and tweeted about it on Twitter and within minutes the entire world is obsessed and voicing their support or protest about his comments.

Seriously? First of all Kanye IS a jackass, we all know it and think it so who gives a shit if the President says so. The real reason this drives me up the wall is that when the president wants to talk about serious issues like economy and health care half the country tunes it out and could care less. But let the man make a casual remark about a celebrity and America can't get enough. Most of my blog readers probably know I am NOT an Obama fan. I didn't vote for him and I'm still waiting for all that "change" to happen. So this post is in no way in support or defense of the President's comments. It is simply to voice my opinion of disgust with the American public for being such morons. Quit reading the tabloids and the entertainment news and start paying attention to things that matter. And if you can't break your obsession with mindless bullshit then please do us all a favor and 1. don't vote next time around and 2. don't complain when you are jobless, your house is foreclosed on and you don't have any health care. Maybe you should have been reading about politics instead.

Friday Fix

The pups don't get near the face time that the skin kid does so I thought I'd put up a few pics I took of them today. It was cold and yucky out this morning and this one is of them bummin in their bed all snuggled up staying warm.



Shortly after I took that pic I caught them both sitting up in their bed, side by side, looking out the glass doors their bed sits in front of. It reminded me of the kids in The Cat in the Hat staring out the window at the rain dying to go play. Before I could get my camera they caught me and moved.

It warmed up and then they spent the better part of the morning outside tearing around the yard and playing with each other. Now they are sacked out on their bed together recovering from the play session.

Tub Time

Colin was talking like mad (until I got out the camera of course) in the tub this evening. I tried to get some video clips of him talking and reading in the bath.

Colin, My Colin.

Oh how you've changed since we brought you home a year ago. It seems like just yesterday we were "living" in the hospital, spending our days snuggling you, getting to know you putting up with the battery of needles and tests on your tiny little body. You depended on us for everything back then.



In the blink of an eye you've grown and become so independent. You know how to turn on and work all your favorite toys. You are taking your first steps on your own. You feed yourself and drink from your cup. You know how to help get you dressed by holding up your feet for socks and pushing your arms through your sleeves. When I give you the brush you comb your hair with it. You help us get you out of your car seat. You have the most serious conversations with us in your own words, what I wouldn't give to know just what you are trying to say. You know how to play games with us. I can see your little mind running 100 miles an hour when we show you something new as you try to figure it out and take it all in.



I love it when you give me hugs when I pick you up out of your crib in the morning. I love how you know just what silly face or noise to make when you are in trouble and I'm trying to discipline you. I love it when we play in your room and you crawl over to me every few minutes to lay your head in my lap and steal a quick snuggle before you bounce off to play with something else. I love how excited you get about your favorite foods. I love watching you interact with other kids. I love seeing you so proud of yourself when you've done something or figured something out. I love how you adore the dogs and they adore you back.



Everyday you do something to make your daddy and I crack up laughing. You are such a funny little boy and you make our days a little bit crazier and a lot more interesting. Each day we can't wait to see what you will learn or do to make us love you even more.

And we're walking!

Colin has become very comfortable walking while holding one of our hands. The other day he and I walked all through the new BX mall while he held the tip of my finger(walking the mall would take all of 10 minutes without a toddler in tow, this trip we spent well over an hour to get in and get back out again). It's totally a comfort thing for him, he doesn't need it, but refuses to budge an inch if you let go. This morning Shelby had Colin in his room playing and he took a few steps when Shel let go. Then we sat on the floor a few feet apart and had him walking between the two of us. He was doing great and was so proud of himself. We gradually backed apart until we were on opposite sides of his bedroom and he would walk the whole length of the room. Yay Colin! Later, after his nap, we had him walking out in the back yard. He was a little crabby at this point and not as tolerant about the whole game. We caught him on camera doing a few steps though.



Colin also loves his playground that he got for his birthday. He goes down the slide on his own and face first. He gets frustrated sometimes because he hasn't quite figured out how to make himself slide. He lays down on the top of the slide and expects to go. If he doesnt slide right down then he gets flustered and sometimes gets scared and sometimes gets back up on the platform to play there instead. Either way he usually howls about it. Here are some videos of him playing on his playground.

Friday Fix

Here are some I took of Colin today as we played and snacked after naptime.

Colin 9.11.09

Wordless Wednesday

Mittelmosel Weinfest - Bernkastel-Kues

Bernkastel-Kues Wine Fest

Saturday we went with a group of Shelby's coworkers to a big wine festival in Bernkastel-Kues. Somehow, even though the trip was not his idea, Shelby became the social planning committee for the night. Scheduled to leave at 4pm, the fun bus finally pulled out just after 5. I would like it publicly known I was the only woman on this trip and I had nothing at all to do with the late departure...ahem gentlemen...you're worse than girls! We made it to the wine fest in time to walk around and check out the sights. Bernkastel-Kues is gorgeous (just like everywhere else in Germany we've been) and is right on the Mosel River. The river runs down in the valley with gorgeous buildings dotting the shoreline and huge vineyards creep up the hills surrounding the valley. On top of one of the hills is a huge old castle. We headed into the festival, which has a family friendly side with carnival rides, food and crafts on one side of the river. Then you cross over the Mosel and enter the downtown part of town where hundreds of wine booths line the streets. There were tables set up for people to sit and socialize and watch bands play. They had bands on a stage as well as bands wandering the streets and playing. The streets were packed with people.

The highlight of the night is a huge fireworks show. At 9pm the whole festival and town goes dark and all the lights are cut. A huge cannon ball is shot to kick off the show and the the fireworks begin. In a form of historical recognition they are staged to look like a battle between the two castles and eventually one wins and the other erupts into what looks like a waterfall of flames from the side wall of the castle. We didn't have make it out of the wine street crowd early enough to get very good seats for the show and could only see one of the castles and fireworks from where we were. What I could see what nuts though, they certainly do not joke around with their fireworks shows!

What's funny about these things is in America when you put that many drunk people in one place you are just asking for chaos. In Germany they know how to handle their drink and they've mastered the art of pacing themselves. They are generally very happy and social drinkers and you can have an entire day of drinking and streets full of people who can't half see or walk and yet no one is obnoxious or out of control. When you go to events like these you can always spot the Americans from a mile away. They are the ones who are loud and stumbling and generally making complete asses of themselves. Sad but true.

After the fireworks the night kind of went downhill. One of our group is a happy drunk wanderer and he ran off. Then we had one who just went way way past his limit and had to be dragged/carried back to the car. Part of our group had turned into those "stupid drunk Americans"...sigh. Shel and I were not that part of the group (this time) and despite having to babysit for a while at the end of the evening it was a fun time. Next year we make sure to take people who can hold their drink and get good seats for the fireworks!

Wordless Wednesday