Cub Scouts

Roll is still going strong in Cub Scouts although Mom and Dad have found this is as much our adventure as his. When doing something like this at this age it is a real commitment as we must attend each function with him to include meetings. We still need to practice the Boy Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack in order for him to earn his Bobcat patch. Several of the scouts are my students and it is odd seeing Roll standing in formation with them. He still seems as if he is my little boy at times but he is the same age as these other boys and I expect a lot from them. When I stop to think I realize he how fast he is growing!

Soon Cub Scouts will include a new group called the Lions. This will be for Rock's age next year (Kindergarten.) Prior to Roll joining I wouldn't have even considered this but now that Rock sees what Roll does, he is jealous and wants to do the same. I do hope that they have fewer requirments as I can't see Rock memorizing the Boy Scout Promise or such. This has been great for Roll to learn how to be a part of a "team" and that you cannot always win (this he still struggles with.) This has also been a great way for Roll to associate with other Americans his age.

Tonight he worked on the flag ceremony and carrying the flag. He was quite proud although had difficulty due to his height in keeping the flag off the ground. We will also be visiting a museum this weekend and going to a semi-pro hockey game in Weiden. Busy, Busy!! And Christmas is just around the corner!

Weekend Wonder: Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Well I haven't kept up this past couple of weeks with the holiday but we went to Garmisch for Thanksgiving. Several other teachers went down as well and some other friends of ours so we enjoyed a large meal together in honor of Thanksgiving. It was nice although many other Americans had the same idea leaving the restaurant out of turkey by the time we ordered:)

While there we just relaxed. I tried to get in a bit of shopping but wasn't very successful. We just enjoyed being away from the rush and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Fortunately we had beautiful weather as well.

One heartstopping moment was when Rock decided to jump off a play structure from a height just over 5 feet. His knees buckled on impact and he didn't cry but I was concerned none the less. After assuring myself that he was okay, I calmly asked him not to do that again which he with equal calm replied "kay". Personally I think it scared him more than me and he was glad to be told not to do that again. Saving face you know...

The boys seemed to enjoy their time although the times they went shopping were not their favorite.

Weekend Wonder - Grafenwoehr Water Tower

Today Roll's Cub Scout group met at the infamous Graf Water Tower. We have been here now almost six years and before today had never stepped foot inside the tower. It is quite impressive. This tower sits central to the military post.

In 1907 Bavarian Prince Luitpold directed the establishment of a training area at Grafenwoehr. From 1909 - 1911 craftsman from all over Bavaria were brought to Grafenwoehr to build the water tower and the original post. From 1910 - 1999 it served as the primary means of delivering drinking water from local wells on post to the kaserne and the field camps. From June 1999 to present day the town of Grafenwoehr supplies water to the main post. The water tower continue to supply water to the field camps as the Grafenwoehr city water systems does not have the pressure needed to push the water that far. The tower has served as a Boy Scout hut, the Post Fire Department radio relay, the AFN (Armed Forces Network) transmitter site, and a parade reviewing stand for the Bavarian royalty among other things. We were informed that many dollars went into reinforcing the walls to hold two conference rooms within in the tower. One is a pretty fancy and up-to-date with all necessities. Rock stated upon entering the fancy conference room "This room smells like Grandpa's car!" The room does have a lot of leather.

The Tower has ten floors (including the attic and basement) and is 137 feet high. There are 2 water tanks with a total capacity of 55,723 gallons of water. Most of the water pipes are original. It is divided into three distinct regions. The first has 68 hand-cut stone steps that climb from the front door to the fifth floor landing. We could see where the stone cutters wrote number with chalk or charcoal on the back of the stones as an assembly guide for the builders. The next section has an 80-step stone spiral staircase that reaches from the fifth floor to mid-way up the ninth floor. The last section of the tower starts with a metal staircase that leads to the attic room that is the top of the water tower. There are several windows to look out as you climb and today's view was spectacular!

When we reached the top we found that the flies nest there. It wasn't terrible but Roll found it really easy to catch them. We did keep several alive in a bag that I happened to have handy. This sounds horrible but I still have that spider in my classroom and I felt it against what I am teaching the students to let it starve to death and I am still to afraid to let it go. It would die outside anyhow. This sounds incredibly crazy as I write this but I have found that although I am still fearful of them, I do find them fascinating and the whole experience has been somewhat therapeutic.

Remembering a Fallen Soldier and his family

Today marks two years since we received news that a friend of ours lost her husband. Only a year prior we shared Thanksgiving dinner with Heidi and Sean. Heidi was pregnant with their first child. The men were sharing Daddy "war" stories and advice with Sean. J was teasing him about the trials and tribulations of being a Daddy. Everyone was enjoying each other's company. A year later they had an adorable baby boy with which to share their love. Sean was serving in Iraq. November 13th his life was tragically ended.

Heidi has been a true heroine through it all. I am constantly amazed at her bravery and loyalty. She truly loved her husband and has done so much to keep her husband's spirit alive for her son. She is an inspiration to so many to include myself. Although we didn't know Sean well, we feel honored to have been blessed with the little time we had to share.

Please say a prayer for Heidi and Colin today as we remember CPT Sean Simms. Remember also that without soldiers like Sean we wouldn't have so many of the freedoms that we so easily take for granted.

A friend sent me this poem:

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, and who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Tub Racing!

There is a new craze taking place in our bathroom almost daily now and it is termed: Tub Racing! It is often accompanied by the theme song to Acceleracers. The boys race their cars down the slope of tub to the other side. Amazingly this activity can keep the boys entertained for hours! I made the mistake of telling them that I didn't want them to do this thinking it may scratch the tub. They stopped but then began fighting over trivial little matters that only little boys find important. Of course as soon as they were told to go back upstairs, I could once again hear the theme song and wheels racing along the tub. (I have checked the tub and thankfully I don't see any damage from this sport.)

Today J and I decided it was time to make a dent in our house by cleaning. It has been pouring rain all day so we couldn't send the boys outside and they seemed really bored so I gave both of them a rag and told them to wash the stairs. This was great fun for them and soon they were washing anything available; heaters, cushions, door frames, refrigerator, trash cans...you name it and they thought of it. I only wished I had my camera available to take a photo of the two of them scrubbing the stairs together! Needless to say we ended up making a huge dent in the cleaning and I wouldn't be upset at having visitors.

As reward we pulled out the foam crocquet set and moved furniture and played a few rounds in the living room. It was a lot of fun although Roll still struggles with losing (I think he is more like his dad than dad wishes to admit).

The morning activities must have created some bond between the boys as they were playing in their room together creating a party for Mom and Dad. Unfortunatley they were supposed to be taking a nap. We had to pay to come to the party but were also paid in return for our attendance. Now if only I can teach them to fix dinner!

The First Snow of the year

Having a class full of children who have rarely seen snow and then having it snow outside our windows made for a very interesting afternoon. Needless to say we ended up giving up on our studies and going out to enjoy some of the snow. Shortly after going outside a few began to complain of the cold :)

My own two little ones enjoyed the snow as well. It was the only way we were able to get Roll to roll out of bed! I have to admit...the first snow always brings a rush of excitement no matter your age. I hope it snows all weekend so that we can get some good sledding in! (Of course snow days are always nice...again no matter what age!:)) - J doesn't agree....bah humbug!

Halloween or not to Halloween

Yesterday was the big day for so many children. Living here in Germany my kids aren't as exposed as if we lived in the states. Sometimes I think that is great so that when I fail to carve a pumpkin it isn't such a big deal. Normally J watches while I get the pumpkins, carve them open, encourage the kids to dig in, and decorate for Halloween. This year we have had so many things going on with Roll in school and Boy Scouts that we just didn't find the time. We had every intention of buying costumes but I didn't even get around to that! We didn't even buy a pumpkin which has never happened before.

At school I don't think it is a great idea to have Halloween parties for several reasons which most do not need explaining. Mainly though...if we can't celebrate Christmas, why would I celebrate Halloween? This hasn't been an issue at other schools since normally districts frown upon you celebrating holidays. This school though goes all out and declares that the last hour of the day will be dedicated to Halloween parties. Well I normally study the harvest and such so when others are having a "Halloween" party, we have a "Fall Festival." This usually goes over pretty well and this year several parents really pitched in! Since we were learning about pumpkins, we had pumpkin soup, pumpkin chili, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and other "harvest" foods. It was great. I did have a parent upset that we did not have a "Halloween" party. I thought it ironic! All in all though parents enjoyed themselves as well as the children.

So back to my own two little ones. Roll had a Halloween party at his daycare (this is a bit of a novelty for German children and Roll's school is out for the week since November 1st is a German holiday- All Saints Day). I didn't find out about the party until Monday night when Roll told me so we made cupcakes and found a Batman costume for him to wear. Rock really didn't seem to care about anything that Roll was doing. So as I am driving home thinking about a hot bath, movie, and early bedtime... Roll calls me with J's cell phone and asks if we are going Trick-or-treating! I had figured he would be too tired to go trick-or-treating. I brought home a special movie for us to watch together. We didn't end up going and Roll wasn't terribly upset about it but it took some convincing and then distraction. Rock woke in the night sick to his stomach so I was glad we didn't go. J and the boys didn't have school/work today and Rock was feeling better after some much needed sleep. I however had to go to work with 18 sugar hiped kids! I am bone tired!