Three kiddos is a bit of a challenge, but we are finally getting the hang of it. The boys just adore their little sister, and are quick to entertain, comfort, kiss and cuddle her. She is a fantastic sleeper. If only she could give Jacob a lesson or two...*sigh*. The boys are in preschool, even Jacob! He is potty trained, except while sleeping, and no longer uses a pacifier, and even sleeps in a big boy bed in Joshua's room. So many changes all at once. I think he had a rough time adjusting for a bit - an extraordinary number of fits pitched - but he is finally settling into his own little groove. Joshua is getting so big and independent now. He dresses himself, and, for the most part, picks out his own clothes. He plays soccer and had his first game yesterday. He just loves it, grinning the entire time he runs up and down the field. Both boys are taking swim lessons once a week, and are enjoying the water time.
My parents arrived here in Germany a few hours after Evy was born, and stayed for a little over a month, helping around the house, with the boys, and with Evelyn. Mom helped me reorganize the pantry, the kitchen, the laundry room, etc. Dad was awesome in doing the around the house stuff that Brad generally has difficulty getting to. He mowed the lawn (with some help, lol) and took out the trash, fixed the clothes dryer (yippee!) and did so many other little helpful things. It took some real adjusting once they left. Just having an extra set of hands to hold a baby was invaluable! We were able to take a few little jaunts around Germany here and there while they visited. I wasn't 100% up for a ton of travel just yet, but we were still able to see some sites. Mom and Dad had such a fantastic time here (yippee!) that they are planning to come back for a month in May, and then possibly to spend Christmas with us in 2011. Won't that be fantastic? The weather was very cooperative, for the most part, while they were here. We were able to take the Rhein River cruise, a few days in Rothenburg, some time in Heidelburg, and then just some small trips in the immediate area. I am hoping to take them to Nuremburg when they come again in May, and to Rothenburg again, maybe Paris! Everyone needs to see Paris.
Brad's mom and stepdad were able to come out for a bit in September. His mom was here for two weeks, and his stepdad was here for a week. We spent 4 days in Paris and at EuroDisney. We did the Eiffel Tower, of course, going all the way to the top. It is such an amazing sight. The kids had a blast with Grandma and Papa, as always. We were fortunate enough to be able to head to EuroDisney, which was certainly a big hit! The boys are more aware and have a better time each time we are able to go to Disney. Grandma and Papa went with us to Disney World the first time we took the boys - back when Jacob wasn't even a year old and Joshua just 2. I was so glad they were able to go with us again while the boys were old enough to remember. This time they remembered a lot about the park and the characters and were thrilled to see Tigger, Goofy, the Princesses, Mickey, and all the rest. The grandparents of course spoiled them rotten, but a few days of that won't ruin them permanently. Joshua told his Papa Gary, "Papa, do you want to stay here and watch me grow up?" That pretty much broke my heart. They want so badly to be around family, around their grandparents. And, they want a dog.
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