SENSAPOLIS!!!!

Every day on the commute to school Michael and the girls pass by the Almighty Sensapolis. Sensapolis has been talked about by everyone in the girls' school. Everyone has a birthday party there, everyone has been there...you get the message. So we finally decided to take the plunge.
Sensapolis is a 4 story indoor amusement park. It is incredible. The best part (beside the fact that there is no limit to the number of beers you can get...unlike Chuckie Cheese) is that it is one of the cleanest places I've seen.
The first part we hit was the science fiction/science area. It had a huge space ship with aliens inside, strobe lights, etc. That whole area had slides all over. The one in the picture starts at the ceiling and drops vertically to the bottom..amazing! The girls were a little freaked out by the alien theme and as you can tell, Jack was VERY freaked out!
Next we hit the adventureland I guess. It was a bunch of climbing nets up on the ceiling. I stayed at the bottom to take pictures like a good mom does and dad, good ol dad took the kids. Molly was all over the place. Jack and Gracie were a little freaked out, but still did it!
The castle was so cool. It had about 5 floors including a dungeon. All the floors had secret passageways and something to do in each passageway.
The pirate ship/ball pit was last. The ship was ok, but the ball pit was great. There were about 5 floors with nets surrounding them and nerf guns spread out on each floor so you could shoot people at the bottom. We lost the kids in there several times.
On the ceiling in this part was a ropes course suspended from the ceiling. Didn't make it to that one, but it was cool.
Kids also did rock wall climbing. Molly did the huge wall and the other two did the smaller wall.
By this time I was starving, the kids were a little grumpy and we could use a drink. I waited in line for what seemed like forever and finally got a chance to order 2 beers. I'm all proud of myself because I order it in German and the lady shoots off something back to me in very fast German. I look at her the way I have looked at everyone since I have been here and she says, "you vant beer wit alkohol or witout"? Dear god, who would come to a place like this and order a beer without alcohol? That's insane!
We did have a great time!! But damn am i tired!!

Seriously, how hard can it be....

It's been 2 months since I have gotten a haircut. While to some that may seem like nothing, to me and my sister Michelle it is a painful eternity to us waiting and hoping to find time to get a some help with our lifeless hair!! Short straight hair does not do well unkempt.
I have been wearing my pink winter hat to pick up and drop off Jack to cover the flat mess that lies underneath. The weather is starting to get nice now and people are starting to wonder if Voldermort is under my hat. And so it is time...
Just like every time anyone moves to a new area, you find cute hair and ask where they got theirs cut. Well, if this is any indication of how things are here I was at the library with the girls and the Librarian said "your hair is so cute, where do you get it cut?". Hmmmm, yeah. So I told her I was in the process of looking did she have any advice. You should have seen the look on her face! She said, "I've lived here 2 years and have not been able to find anyone!". I think she has had her haircut twice in 2 years! AHHHH! She decided to grow her hair out. She has volume and slightly wavy hair, she can get away with it. I tried to stop and picture myself growing my hair out, but kept picturing myself with Cher's hair from her Sonny and Cher days. It was not good!
So my mission began. I was going to find the perfect person to cut my hair and it was going to be a German too. I could be lazy and go to an American on base, but dammit we came all the way here to experience Germany and I am going to experience all of it!
There is a cute little place in town called Cut and Cream. So that would be my first attempt. First of all, you should all know that Michael accuses me of being terrified to talk to Germans because of the language barrier and my neglect to attempt the words I know for fear of sounding like an idiot (he's right, but don't tell him). So somehow I have to look up words on google translator, remember them and use them correctly...hmmm...
I tried to stop by Cut and Cream several times because I can't figure out which numbers I'm supposed to dial (seriously there are like 12 numbers in our phone number and you have to only use some when in the same town, add a 0 when you are somewhere else..blah, blah, blah, so I just avoid the phone). Of course all the signs are in German on the front door, but somehow I figure out they are open 9 to 1 and 2 to 6 tues thru Fri. So I say to myself (for the third day in a row), "OK Sage, tomorrow, tomorrow you are going in there and making an appointment"
D day...I pick Jack up from school and we are going to Cut and Cream to make an appointment dammit..We walk up to the door at 12. "We are so in there" I say to myself trying to muster the courage. I pull on the door...won't budge. I look at the sign that says the times, yup open until 1. Try it again, pull on the door, dammit won't budge. OK tomorrow then...
I finally figure out how to call. Use my limited German to ask if they speak English (of course they do, they all do) and make an appointment for the next day.
10:30 appointment...get there a little earlier and try to pull the door again, won't budge..what the hell? Then I push and in the door goes...oh oops!
Long, long story short Arzu cut my hair. Sweet young German girl who spoke English and laughed at my attempts at German while trying to help me. Looks pretty good too. So the journey was worth it!
Can't wait to try to find a gynecologist...

Jack and Gracie skiing!!!

Finally figured out how to download video...

Molly's Perspective...

This weekend we went skiing. I went down a steep, steep hill. It is like a black diamond in the USA. It was really scary at first, but I did it. I almost cried actually I did cry. I wanted to go through the forest but dad said no so we went down the steep way and dad helped me make it all the way down by helping me turn into the hill on the steep steep part. Then we made it to the bottom and I felt so proud of myself.

When we went up to the top we rode a gondola. Then we got on a chair lift and went all the way to the top and we saw the Zugspitz, the tallest mountain in Germany. The Zugspitz was really cool, dad wanted to go skiing down there.

Below is a video of me and mom skiing!!

First Olympic city in the Murnane tour

We hit our first Olympic city this weekend. Garmisch, Germany place of the 1936 winter olympics. Let me tell you it is beautiful and tiny! The size reminded Michael and I alot of Lake Placid. I can't imagine hosting all those people for the Olympics in a town this small. But it was amazing!

We stayed at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. It's a military hotel built in 2006. Awesome resort. We got lucky and got a last minute room for Thurs. and Fri. They book up fast. Our room had a balcony with a view of the mountains that the kids loved.

We arrived Thurs. night at midnight. The drive took us 4 1/2 hours due to weather and traffic (it was supposed to take around 3). We got up at 7 the next morning to hit the mountain.

Gracie and Jack started the German ski schule at 9:30 with Jeremy ("Germy" according to Jack). "Germy" was from Australia obviously fluent in English, so he was perfect for our kids. To try to loosen Gracie up for the lesson I told her that Germy was pretty cute and I wanted to stay for the lesson. She scowled at me and said, "daddy is going to be mad at you, he's your boyfriend". That's daddy's girl! She took good care of Jack during the lesson.

As soon as we dropped the littles off Michael "the ski tyrant" came out. He had a mission to hit as much as possible during the kids 3 hour lesson. Our first run was a blue run that so would have been a black diamond in my "midwest" golf course skiing background. I was peeing in my pants scared at the first part of the mountain. You had to get on the very edge of the hill to see what was down from there. Molly was a little nervous too, but Michael talked her down. It was incredible to watch. From then on I was skiing with two "ski tyrants". The two of them couldn't get enough skiing. I became the whiner about my legs or the mountain was too tough. My 8 year old called me out several times trying to show me the routes on the map. Oh by the way, the beautiful big mountain that you see is Zugspitze, biggest mountain in Germany...awesome and thank God you can't ski down it or I'm sure Michael and Molly would have made me ski down that thing!

12:30 Pick up time for Gracie and Jack. I got there a little early to watch and Jack decided to break into tears because he couldn't come out at that moment. So it was decided that Gracie, Jack and I would go back to the hotel and Molly and Michael would stay. The two of them ended up skiing from 9:30 to 4:30 pretty much straight through.

We decided to eat at the hotel just to make it easier that night. Michael pulled his all time favorite "it's never not funny" drink prank as seen below.

The whole family was asleep at 9pm...we're crazy !!!

Next morning up at 7 and getting ready to go again...uh oh..tears from the boy (in a whiny, annoying, crying voice), "mom I don't want to ski with Germy" a little louder, "mooooommmmmm, I don't want to ski with Germy", even louder and more annoying, "MOOOMMMMM, I AM NOT SKIING WITH GERMY". He cried the whole way there and at one point thought that we were going to have to bag his lesson. However, I kept my mother's words of wisdom in my head, "Sage we dropped you off at ski lessons and you cried every time" and "you need time away from the kids for yourself". Thanks mom!! He was just fine at the end and actually had a good time.

We all called it a day after the lesson ended and decided to go into town. Ate lunch at an incredible Italian restaurant. I needed to refuel with a small meal, just a little something that I almost polished off myself!

We walked through town, but everything was closed due to Fasching (German Mardi Gras). So we started home.

Now as I sit here writing this Gracie is so tired that she is screaming from the top floor of the house for me...Hmmm, I know now why my mom never answered when I was screaming for her..we got a tired crew here tonight!

Ohhhh I almost forgot the best part. We had ski pass cards to pass through turn styles to get on ski lifts. When your ski pass was cleared and you could walk through the read out said "Gute Fahrt" meaning good travels (have a good ski run...). Had to take a picture because the Fahrt thing is just too funny. The Germans just dont' see it. They clearly say "Goot fart" and don't even crack a smile. How can you not laugh at that???

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2 weeks of German school...

Jack has now been in German Kindergarten (preschool) for 2 weeks now. He started in a group with a teacher who spoke English, but had to switch after the first week due to a misreading of his birthdate. So now his teacher speaks no English, but very nice!
I have not heard much German out of his mouth and I'm thinking he doesn't understand a word they are saying to him. Today I picked him up from school and one of the teachers had painted stars on his hand. He loved it. So I asked "which teacher painted your hand?" He said, "I don't know, the one who talks crazy"
Guess we'll have to give this German learnin' a little longer...
Headed to Garmisch, Germany today. Military ski resort. The kids are excited to be around English and have some American food...like they don't get that at home...

An uncertain beginning...

This was our first attempt as a family to ski. I have not skiied in 9 years, Jack has never skiied and the girls' first year was last year. We all know Michael got to ski in Austria by himself while I was in Suffracuse taking care of his children :)
We decided to hit a mountain close to home to make it a day trip. We picked Feldberg, Germany in the Black Forest (about 1 1/2 hours from home). By the way, how many 8 year olds do you know that would ask, "hey mom where are we going skiing this weekend...the Black Forest"? It is known as family friendly and a good mountain for beginners and advanced (guess which one I fall under).
Now as we approach the mountain, we notice there are ALOT of cars parked on the side of the road and all the people are carrying skis, poles and helmets and wearing their ski boots...hmmm?? Come to find out, there are no ski lockers you gotta carry what you want to bring. So my thoughtful husband says, "why don't I drop you and kids off with all the ski stuff and I'll park?". Wanting to stay together as a family because I just can't take a moment without him, I say, "no it will be fine"...BIG MISTAKE! We had to park a little less than half a mile away oh and by the way, we had to walk up hill! So we packed pockets with the sandwiches we made that morning and started off.
Let's just say the start was not so smooth. Molly was a trooper because she is in love with skiing. Jack started crying that his feet hurt before we even got past the car behind ours. Gracie refused to carry anything because everything was too heavy and she hated skiing anyway. Now I know you are all jealous at this point, but it was our fun to be had (oh and we did not have a flask either). Jack ended up with his ski boots on on Michael's shoulders (who by the way was also carrying 2 sets of skis, poles and a helmet or two...he's so strong:)
The lift tickets were not too expensive at all. They get you with the food and drink. The kids waters were about $4.50 each!!! But I'm sure it was delicious! Oh and they get you on the bathroom. No kidding you had to pay 50 Euro cent (about 75 cents) to use the bathroom. Needless to say, Jack used the "outdoor facilities".
I got to ski with Molly who is a speed demon, and Michael chose early Sainthood by trying to teach Gracie and Jack on the smaller hills. After Molly and I came down from our first run, Jack was trying to ski with Michael and Gracie was sitting down with skis and helmet off tryying to fill the helmet with snow. Hmmmmm...
Eventually Gracie and Jack were smiling and skiing
Molly and I had to use the T bar to get to the top of the mountain. The last time I used one of those I shut it down for a couple minutes because I kept "sitting" and not "leaning back" on the bar. It was a very tough concept for me at 20 OK!! Molly of course catches right on. However, once she stumbled a little but held on. I was behind her trying to help her get back up. Finally she said, it's fine mom, I'll just let it drag me to the top. sooo I took a picture! She is smiling in it by the way.
All in all great day and we packed up to leave. The kids settled in and pulled out the little dvd player to watch their movie. We ask about the day and they all agree they had a great time. About 15 minutes later Michael says, "Molly, Gracie, Jack I had a really great day with you three". Molly says, "me too dad". Jack says, "uh, can I just watch my movie".
On the way back we made our pit stop at the schnappsmuseum and picked up a little something. I believe it is a Cherry schnapps and although I have never claimed to be a schnapps person, oh my goodness is it good!! We have Gus to thank for the pit stop!
Alrighty, my shins are bruised, my legs are rubber and I don't think I'll be able to walk tomorrow. But we are gonna try it again next weekend...France or Switzerland! By the way, Gpa Lintz would be proud, I did wall sits to prepare for this one!!
until next time...

Jack's First Day of School...

So here it is...The first day of school. I didn't remind him that today was going to be his first day until he asked this morning. Dear God you would have thought I told him I torched all his toys!! But he collected himself, ate a little breakfast and asked me about a million questions, "mom will I eat lunch there?, will other kids eat lunch there?, will the teachers tell us the rules?, do you think one of the rules will be not to be mean? (which he told me he won't need, but other kids might)"
So I took him over to the school, he changed into his hausschue (slippers) and was ready to go. No tears went right with his teacher and was fine! I think I had more anxiety than him.
So on my first morning off, I'm waiting for the movers to bring us our stuff that was supposed to be here around Christmas...oops! However, we will get our skiis!! Yea! Hopefully skiing next weekend!

Lazy weekend...

January 30, 2010
This past weekend was a lazy weekend. Michael got back from Florida Sat. morning and needed a little time to adjust to the time change. So we stayed put and did a little sledding. The girls had to get creative the first day because I took them to the lamest sledding hill possible. Hey I'm still learning my way around. They ended up making big snowballs at the top of the hill and then throwing bits as they slowly slid down the hill as if they were flower girls. Very creative...bonus points for making mom's lame choice look a little better...
The next day we found the big one! There is a great hill walking distance from the house. The only problem is the little dip at the bottom. At times you get great air, and then other times, ya end up like poor Gracie! Dudettee got a little dinged up, but she recovered well. Poor kid hit Molly's head at the bottom of the hill and got a nasty bloody nose. The decision was made to head home and her caring brother and sister said, "can't we just do a couple more runs?" We were so proud...grrrrr! Molly immediately felt bad and headed home with dad and Gracie. Jack however wanted to stay the afternoon. What is usually a 7 minute walk took 25 minutes, and I carried him part of the way! Just singin', picking up sticks, having sword fights with trees, climbing on whatever was around him...real worried about Gracie.