A new time...a new Country

So, we moved to Germany 3 days ago!  After months of preparation we are finally here!
Therefore I'm revamping my blog a bit.  I'll still include DIY items, recipes, and tips, etc.  but I'm also going to be including things to do here in Germany.  In my research I found a lack of information and tips for things around our area to do, especially with kids.  A lot of stuff is 'word of mouth' so I thought I would provide some things written down as we are living here for the next 4 years:)
Our biggest thing is adjusting to the time difference.  We previously had to do this when we lived in Japan but that was without kids. 
We are 6 hours ahead of eastern stateside time.  My biggest tip to adjusting to a new time zone is to keep your kids on schedule.  Wake them up at their normal time, or as close to it as you can.  keep the same sleep, nap, feeding, and activity schedule.  Get out during the day and get as much sun and vitamin D as you can to try to reset your body's system. 

 

We have been very blessed with a great spot to stay on our military installation, while we find a place to live, that is surrounded by parks.  the kids and I are in absolute heaven!

 

 

 Getting some sun and exercise has really helped with the kids adjusting to Germany.  They are still waking up around midnight and staying awake until about 3 a.m. but I still make them stay in bed during that time and try to sleep.  Each night their awake time is getting shorter. 

My best advice is to be consistent and things will fall into place after a few days.

Clothesline in a Bag

One day I was on a search for things for my 3 year old to do.  I wanted little learning activities for her, so I  scoured the Internet and found a few things.
Numerous sites mentioned 'activity bags'.  Such as, Ziploc or pencil bags filled with little activities that your little one could grab out of a box to keep busy for a little bit. 
I took a couple of those ideas and ran with them.

I decided to make what I call a 'clothesline in a bag' activity bag. 

What you'll need:
felt
string
clothespins
imagination:)

I took some string that I had in my craft drawer and pinned it under the windowsill in the dining room. 
I put the clothespins in a Tupperware container.
Cut a few shapes out of felt and decorated them with stitching, buttons, etc.  They were definitely nothing fancy, but my daughter had fun.

It was interesting to see how she had to really fiddle around with the clothesline and clothespin and felt clothing to get them all lined up and secured successfully.  So, it ended up being much more than I thought and was teaching her dexterity as well as entertaining her.
Even my 5 year old son did it a few times, creating numerous 'patterns' out of the felt clothes.  So, it worked for both kids, which was a double bonus!woohoo!

You Know You Have a Husband if.....

I had fun writing my 'You know you have children when...' segment, so I thought I would do one on husbands.  So, here goes...
You know you have a husband when:

~Part of your lovely 'adult' looking entertainment center you work so hard to make sure is free of kids toys and DVD piles has that one section that looks like this

~When you, as a mother and wife, come downstairs in the morning and find the cookie jar looking something like this

You know it had to be the hubby that finished off the cookies during an Xbox marathon of 'Call of Duty'.  Poor guy STILL asks me to this day if he can eat the last of something in case it is promised to the kids.

~You know you have a husband if he decides to be a sweetheart and cook dinner but inevitably leaves this

~When your cute and clutter free entry looks like this in a matter of 48 hours

~When the top or your refrigerator looks like the local GNC store exploded

I wouldn't change one thing though about being married to the man of my dreams.  I've known him for 25 years...yes, I have pictures of us sitting next to one another in the second grade. (don't do the math and you won't find out how old we are)...I've been married to him for 9 years.  I am truly blessed that I could count how many large arguments we've EVER had on one hand and that he is my best friend that I am in love with.  Just thought I would poke some fun at him a little bit:)