Olympus Mons

We take part in a Home-School Co-op made up of a bunch of other home-school families. This session Noah is taking a Science class on the planets. After studying Mars the kids each made their own salt-dough model of Olympus Mons. Sure, it's the LARGEST mountain peak in our entire solar system, but Noah's fit in an 8x8 pan. We made the volcano on Thursday but had to wait for Saturday for it to be dry enough to erupt. Micah and Noah were so excited to try the volcano out. Since scientists aren't exactly sure what lava on Mars would look like if Olympus Mons erupted the kids were supposed to dye their lava the color that they thought it might be. Noah chose green.

Blue & Gold Banquet

The Blue and Gold Banquet is held in February every year (for our Pack, at least). The boys work hard to earn their rank badge by this ceremony. Noah and Mom during the banquet.Dad pins Noah's badge on. The parent pins the badge on upside down and then once Noah completes a good deed he can sew the badge on right-side up.Noah's Den. (DEN EIGHT IS GREAT)

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

We met our friends from gymnastics class at a local indoor play place today to have a belated Valentine's party for the kids. They all exchanged cards and candy (which is usually pretty boring when you're one of only three kids and you're home schooled). Anyway, the kids had a great time. The boys checking out all their "loot".

Have you ever seen anything so cute as little Addy with her giant cupcake? The cupcake is actually normal sized, her cute little head just makes it look gigantic.

SNOW!

We woke up this morning to a blanket of snow! What a PERFECT day to have a snow day - a Monday when Dad is off work for Presidents day. We were supposed to get some school in this morning since we took a few unexpected days off last week - but how can you sit inside and do school when Dad's off work and there's SNOW outside!! We bundled up and headed out and spent the whole morning sledding and watching Phantom have the time of his life. It's raining a little now, and the forecast calls for more rain tonight and tomorrow so I am glad we enjoyed the snow while it lasted.These were taken in our backyard. Out view is SO pretty. This is the big hill the kids were sledding down. It is a 10 minute walk from our house and you can see our village down below in the background. Phantom actually looks like he is wearing boots because there is SO MUCH SNOW caked to his paws. He had so much fun today, chasing snow balls, chasing the sled, spotting foxes, and eating snow.

saying goodbye

Today we had to say goodbye to some very close friends of ours. We met them only 4 months after we arrived here and have been fast-friends since. The girls have grown really close, and if you're an avid reader of my blog you will definitely recognize the faces. We had lunch with them at Chili's today (along with a few other families) and then took them to the airport. We wish them luck on their new adventure and we can't wait to see "Bean" win her first gold. They will be sincerely missed.A few last laughs - making fun of their short friend, some nice smiles with one of the usual foursome missing (she was home really sick), and the mommies and daughters.

another new van picture

My friend, Michelle, took this for me on base today since it was sunny out, though it had rained all morning. The van is dirty from its first road trip (I had to drive a friend and her daughter to the airport this morning). It now has over 200 miles on it. Sad that it goes so fast. I put the kids and me in the picture just cuz they're so cute, and I like being seen with them.

Our New Van Is HERE!!!

Today we picked up our new van. It is a 2009 Dodge Grande Caravan SE. I just pulled in the driveway and Sarah snapped a few pictures for me. It was almost 2:30 PM by the time I got home, so of course it's already getting dark in Germany. I will post better pictures tomorrow but right now I have to rush back out to get Sarah to dance class.... at least I get to do it in a brand new van!!