Saying Good-Bye

On Monday, we said good-bye to someone our family was very fond of…Marie.  We met Marie in October 2011, thus, shortly after we moved to Germany.  At that time, Marie was in her last year of High School.  She would watch the girls a few afternoons a week and/or when Matt and I had a “date night.”  The girls really cared for her, and in many ways, she felt like a family member.  An added bonus was that Marie not until watched the girls but would assist me in filling out paperwork in German too:)! 

Well, now Marie is headed to Australia.  It is common for Europeans to travel the year following the completion of High School; they view this time as an opportunity to learn more about what they want to study in college, what their personal strengths and weaknesses are, etc. and often this self-exploration is done through traveling around the world.  Since June, Marie has already spent a considerable amount of time in Asia and Ireland. When Marie gets back to Germany, in July, we will already be gone.  Thus, we hope that our paths cross again on our side of the pond!!  Good luck Marie.  We hope that you come visit us in the USA!!   

Superheroes to the Rescue:)

On Saturday, we had Elijah's Superhero birthday party; it was a nice change from our usual princess-themed birthday parties:).   The girls were happy that Elijah had a Batman cartoon playing when we arrived to the party, because I honestly do not even think the girls knew any superheros prior to the party!

Unfortunately, Britta and I had to leave the party after only 30-minutes.  Britta started to get a fever and became very ill.  Luckily, Elle stayed at the party and provided Britta and I with all of the party details when we picked her up.  Both Britta and I were disappointed we missed the party because Elijah’s Mommy, Rachel, is the most creative Mommy I have ever known and I am sure the party was very fun and elaborate:)!! Rachel helped with throwing Elle’s 4^th birthday party and made Britta’s Cinderella cake last week- see what I mean:)??

All I know is that I have never seen two cuter superheroes in all my life:)!!  

 Britta was able to get her face painted before we left...

Good-Bye Pacis

 Yesterday, Britta officially said good-bye to her pacifiers (e.g. mees:)!  We took all of her pacifiers and tied them to a string.  Then, we went to the Pacifier Tree at Luisenpark.  While Matt was tying them to the tree, Britta said her good-bye.  She said, “good bye pacis; I do not need you any longer!!”  Matt and I smiled at each other, thinking, “we will see about that when it is bedtime.”

When Britta was going to bed, there were some tears.  But mainly she would just say, in a very sad voice, “I miss my mees; I really, really miss my orange me.”  Then to Britta’s surprise, the Pacifier Fairy came last night to our house!!  While driving Elle to school, she told that she missed her mees, but that she loved her new shoes from the Fairy.  I think every day/night will keep getting easier for her; she is truly such a big girl.  I am so proud of her.

Though, I am surprised at how sad I feel.  I am so sad that there are no pacis in our house; there have been pacis in our house for 4½ years!!  Maybe someday there will be pacis in our house again:).

Britta getting her pacis ready:)!

One last nap with the fav orange me:)

Walking to the park with the mees!

The girls just watched Matt in silence, as he tied the string of pacifiers to the Pacifier Tree

This summer the Pacifier Tree was huge and filled with hundreds of pacifiers.  Yesterday, the area was much smaller but it worked:).  Then, the story is that the Pacifier Fairy visits the children while they are sleeping and leaves a little treat.

Britta taking one last look at her pacifiers.

 Luisenpark has a great indoor play area.

After the park, we went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants.  Elle was DELIGHTED with her bunny pizza!

Daddy brought back yet a few more gifts from the USA.

Of course, a birthday would not be complete without the "birthday spankings!!"

 "Mom, the Pacifier Fairy came!!!"

Let the party continue:)

Since Britta's Birthday fell on a MOPS meeting, she helped make 24 cupcakes for the MOPPETS!  Britta enjoyed celebrating with all of her little friends:).

That night, we had our friends, the Bells, over to our house to celebrate.  The night would not have been complete without a "talent show!!"

We saved a few cupcakes for dinner.  They were no Cinderella cake:), but they allowed for Britta to blow out three more candles and for us to sing Happy Birthday to her in English and German:)!!

Since the party lasted right up until bedtime, all four girls decided to put on their pajamas.  Thank you for helping us celebrate Britta's birthday Meredith, Christina and Vivienne.

 Then, on February 20th our friends, the Lincicums, invited us over to their house for dinner.  It has definitely been a week of parties!  And, it is not over yet.  Once Daddy gets home from the USA, we will just "have" to celebrate with him too!!   

Rapunzel and Ariel:)

Elle holding Drew:)

Britta and her buddy Drew:)

Britta's Birthday Bash

Even though Britta does not turn 3 until tomorrow, we decided to celebrate a day early with 8 of her closest friends!!  The entire drive home, Britta could not stop talking about jumping high on the trampoline, her gifts and of course her Cinderella cake.  I definitely think the party was a big hit!!  Thank you to all of our friends who helped her celebrate!!