Saturday, December 20, 2014

Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (79)

(imagine TToT Logo here)

It's still TToT this weekend, as usual, just without a logo, or a link up. Poor Lizzi is living the cut-off life I did this June/July, and hope that her issues are going to be resolved quickly!

Because it's late, and I'm tired, and somewhat stressing out with a pre-holiday to-do list, here are my 10 thankfuls for this week:

1. The beautiful sunset Violet and I got to see on the way to her occupational therapy appointment on Monday. Imagine a group of trees, black and barren in the distance, with the sun in the brightest orange shining through in between the empty branches. It looked as if the trees were on fire and blazing. Absolutely beautiful!

2. Getting to attend Violet's holiday party at her kindergarten. The class presented a little play; Violet was a little snowflake - the most adorable little snowflake, if I may add  :-)  Of course, the batteries of my camera gave up just when I wanted to snap some pictures, but oh well. This way, I got to enjoy the play without having to look through a camera all the time!

3. To mimic Christine: I had an appointment with my dentist, and everything looks great. Little Calvin was even patient enough (with the help and doting from one of the assistants in the office) that I could get a good cleaning. Yay for clean and healthy teeth!

4. Having friends over for a playdate. The kids played and were hardly seen at all, and we adults enjoyed good, hot coffee. Not to forget: Mr. Calvin was properly adored, which he did not at all appreciate because he had a miffy day.

5. Lily and Violet being absolutely wonderful during a crazy evening. Richard was out on a rehearsal Wednesday night; the girls had just finished brushing their teeth and getting ready for their shower. Calvin was hanging out on the bath rug and started fuzzing; when I picked him up, I knew that something was wrong even before I saw he gold seeping through his onesie. Lily started her shower while I was changing Calvin's diaper, just to have him pee all around and on himself. Unplanned bathtime for the boy it was. I managed to bathe the little stinker, pre-wash his clothes and put a load of laundry in the washer while Miss Violet was taking a shower all by herself. Both girls were dressed and ready for their good-night story by the time the little brother emerged all cleaned up as well. I cannot say how thankful I am that the girls were being so independent that evening, finishing their routine without discussions or whining. There's definitely a surprise in their future!

6. Chance encounters. I found a CD-player for Lily at one of our local second-hand pages on FB. The guy who sold the CD-player turned out to be a fellow translator, whowas very excited to meet another translator to pass orders off to. And I'm always happy to accept smaller orders. Plus the guy had this awesome British accent I could listen to for hours. I don't care what you say, just keep talking  ;-)

7. Violet's speech therapist being very happy with her progress. She commented that Violet was able to concentrate a lot better on the games they were playing and also was developing a lot more self-confidence. I have noticed this change in her as well, mostly by her being a lot more confrontational at home, but she's also standing up more for herself in kindergarten. 

8. Meeting all my colleagues for a stroll across the Erlangen winter market on Friday. It was great to see everyone, to introduce some of my colleagues to Calvin, and just get updated on the lastest news. My boss said that my return to work is eagerly anticipated, which definitely feels good. About 70 more days until my first day back at work. I'm looking forward to it, but also dread it at the same time...

9. Another fun stroll over the winter market with a friend and a total of 5 kids. The girls rode on the merry-go-round, got a gingerbread heart, and explored the forest themed market. Besides my back hurting big time from carrying Calvin around in the wrap for a few hours, we all had the best time!

10. Handmade gifts: Lily brought home a tree ornament and a card for hubby and me, absolutely sweet!  And Violet got a loop bracelet from her kindergarten teachers. I know that they love Violet (and all the other kids as well), but spendign that much time to make bracelets for all the kids in their favorite colors goes beyond everything. I'm really thankful for Violet's kindergarten teachers! (<- 10-1="" p="" s="" that="">


What are you thankful for this week?


What are you thankful for this week?

16 comments:

  1. Stephanie, your list is so full of motherly love and pride and such happiness - all I can say is WOO HOO!
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! Indeed, I am happy and so in love with all three of the kids. And they give me tons of reasons to be proud of them :-) Have a wonderful week and a great holiday yourself!!

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  2. We had a spectacular sunset here tonight. It somehow makes the world seem smaller, when I hear of other people seeing beautiful sunsets, or a gorgeous moon, the same week I noticed the same.

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    1. That's true, Kristi! Lizzi also shared pictures of a beautiful sunset on FB, and it does make the world feel smaller!

      Have a wonderful week and a special holiday!

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  3. Of course, ornaments hand made in Kindergarten are the best to adorn the tree. I still hang my childrens' Kindergarten creations on the tree, even after twenty years. lol. Wonderful to notice the beauty around you. Enjoy the holidays.

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    1. Enjoy your holiday as well, Val! Back in elementary school, we had a glass blower at our school and I got to make a little silver glass ornament. It's still on my parents' tree every year as well :-)

      Have a wonderful week!

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  4. Handmade gifts truly are the best.
    Oh that sunset. That sounds stunning. I can almost picture it in my mind.

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    1. It was so beautiful! I love sunsets a lot, and this one was a very special one! I wished I'd had the time to stop and look at it for a while ;-) I love the hand-made gifts the girls bring home. So very special!

      Have a wonderful week and a great holiday!

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  5. I am so glad there is speech therapy progress! Always wonderful news. :)

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    1. It definitely is! We've been watching her so closely this last week, with everything she's doing, in order to help determine whether she's left-handed, right-handed, or truly ambidextrous, and I already feel like a stalker :-)

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  6. I haven't seen a proper sunset since we left the Bahamas. Today was the first day of sun after 11 cloudy, dreary weather days. I love to hear people appreciating such a wonderfully simple gift as a beautiful sunset.
    Yay for healthy, clean teeth. I cannot stand going to the dentist, but I must in order to get the good, clean teeth cleaning.
    As much as I don't like my kids growing up, it is quite handy when they can take semi-care of themselves. Glad your girls are getting to that point.
    It sounds like you had a pleasant week. :)

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    1. It was such a beautiful sunset, Christine! I still see how bright orange - like a wildfire - it looked. If one cannot be thankful for the beauty of nature and life anymore, humanity has a problem!!

      I don't have a problem with going to the dentist. Last year, I needed some work done because I haven't been to the dentist in quite a while, so I want to stay up to date with my visits now.

      It's quite painful to see Calvin growing up so quickly. I think I have gotten used to the girls being "grown up", but seeing Calvin laying on his play blanket today, almost not fitting on it any more, I just wanted to cry and tell him to stop growing.. He's our last baby, so I think it's extra-hard..

      I hope you and your family have the most wonderful holiday, Christine!!

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  7. Sounds like such a fun week. Sunsets are one of my favorites. The one you described sounds so dreamy. I love playdates and fun time with friends. I actually went and met some other yarnies (knitters and crocheters) today and it was nice to get out on my own and chit chat with other ladies. We had some great conversation. Calvin must be getting so big! Time seems to be flying! I remember when you were at the end of the pregnancy. :)

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    1. Calvin is so growing like a weed! He's been rolling over for a month now and putting on weight; I'm glad that he's not interested in food that much yet, so I'm still nursing him exclusively even though the pediatrician thought that he may be an early eater, too, because of his nutritional needs :-) I'm glad you got to go out and meet with people who share your hobby! I've been trying to participate in a book club, but somehow never find the time. Probably a resolution for the new year :-)

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