Ella's 5th Birthday

So, we've been in Germany now for almost five months and I am finally feeling settled. I love being back here. I love the countryside, the old buildings and architecture, the changes in seasons, the little old German men and women who sweep their sidewalks every day, the bells ringing in the church down the road, and the fact that as a family, we seem to be a little closer and a little more relaxed. Things seem to move a little slower over here and I like that. My kids are home more, and I like that. There are a million places I want to visit and travel to, and we have barely scratched the surface. So far, we have made it to Holland and Belgium. Next week, we leave for five days in Scotland. Looming over my shoulder like a big ugly rain cloud is Sean's upcoming deployment. I am strong and independent and know we will be fine, so I am trying to take this next month and have the most fun possible and make some life long memories. What better way to start some wonderful memories than going to a country where bagpipes are custom and men in skirts are acceptable? I can't wait. I am so far behind in this blog that there is no way to make up for lost months. I will try to post some highlights and get better about posting pictures, so Sean can look at this while he is gone and keep up with the kids' activities and craziness.


Ella turned 5 in February, and although we were still in a temporary apartment then, we had a great day and she felt like a princess. We went to a fun indoor jungle gym/climbing/trampoline play place called KinderSpiel. There is no way a place like this would exist in the states. We would have had to probably bring a lawyer and sign a million consent forms before being wrapped in bubble wrap and let loose on all the life threatening and potentially dangerous equipment they have. It is a fun place and the kids had a blast. Their mascot is a big Mouse, kinda like a distant cousin of Chuck E. Cheese. Ella loved him and was so happy to receive a hug from the big rodent.

All four kids got into the action and built a fort out of huge blocks. It remained in their possession for about 10 minutes, until some German kids decided to invade.

Every birthday, the children can make and decorate their own cake. Ella had fun decorating hers with a ton of sprinkles and of course she had to frost it pink.

Ella is going to a Montessori school in Ramstein and her teacher is our dear friend Helen Evett (she rocks!). Even though she had only been going to this new school for a few weeks before she had her birthday, she felt at home there and was excited for her family to come to school on her birthday and help her celebrate it. We brought in a poster that showed highlights and pictures of Ella throughout her five years, and of course, had CAKE! It was a nice afternoon and Ella loved the extra special attention she received.